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R. Blaine McCleskey
U.S. Geological Survey, WATER
Research Chemist
303-541-3015
303-541-3084
3215 Marine St
Boulder
CO
80303
US
rbmccles@usgs.gov
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1-888-275-8747
Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Mail Stop 302
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80225
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https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSEVI1
https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSEVI1
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Historic Water Chemistry Data for Thermal Features, Streams, and Rivers in the Yellowstone National Park Area, 1883-2021
2024-02-13
Margery Bright Price
R. Blaine McCleskey
Angela Oaks
Shaul Hurwitz
D. Kirk Nordstrom
tabular digital data
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>Yellowstone National Park (YNP; Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, USA) contains more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, several lakes, and four major watersheds. For more than 140 years, researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey and other scientific institutions have investigated the chemical compositions of hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, streams, rivers, and lakes in YNP and surrounding areas. Water chemistry studies have revealed a range of compositions including waters with pH values ranging from about 1 to 10, surface temperatures from ambient to superheated values of 95°C, and elevated concentrations of silica, lithium, boron, fluoride, mercury, and arsenic. Hydrogeochemical data from YNP research have led to insights on subsurface conditions of temperature and chemistry, water-rock-gas interactions and processes of high-temperature mineral alteration with dissolution and precipitation, redox processes, thermophilic microbial metabolism under extreme conditions and effects of thermal water chemistry on river systems.</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 0 0;"><SPAN>In this Data Release, water chemistry data for 4,918 water samples are reported for numerous thermal features, rivers, streams, lakes, drillholes, and precipitation in and around YNP. The data for these samples were originally located in 38 reports published between 1888 and 2022 and in multiple unpublished documents. Spanning more than 600 unique sampling sites throughout the YNP region, this dataset includes samples collected as early as 1883 (Gooch & Whitfield, 1888) and as recently as 2021 (McCleskey, et al, 2022). The thermal features sampled most frequently include Cistern Spring (180 samples) and Echinus Geyser (73 samples) in Norris Geyser Basin and Ojo Caliente Spring (143 samples) in the Lower Geyser Basin, while more than 500 sites have 5 samples or fewer. Water chemistry data from thermal features, rivers, and streams are most represented, comprising 75% (thermal) and 17% (rivers/streams) of the dataset. Across all major areas of the park, Norris Geyser Basin has been sampled more than any other basin, with more than 1,100 samples reported in this dataset.</SPAN></P><P STYLE="margin:0 0 11 0;"><SPAN>Data were downloaded and minimally modified by the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) in April, 2025 for simplified display on the interactive Geology of Yellowstone Map. Not every field in the “Yellowstone Water Chemistry 1883-2021.csv” file is displayed, and fields were given new headers for display purposes. 884 records were excluded due to missing location data. The WSGS has not formally reviewed or quality-controlled these data; users are encouraged to consult the original data source.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
The purpose of this report is to compile water chemistry data in digital form from numerous reports published throughout the history of Yellowstone National Park, including information on sample collection, preservation, and analytical methods and quality-control procedures. Detailed information for each sample allows the user to filter and search the dataset by sample location, sample type, source report, date of sample collection, or by sample ID, among other information. As not all samples were originally assigned unique sample IDs in their respective reports, they have been designated a unique numeric database ID in this publication. By harmonizing units and analytes across all sources, we allow users to investigate spatial and temporal trends in chemical constituents throughout the Yellowstone National Park area.
This work would not have been possible without support and funding from the NAGT (National Association of Geoscience Teachers) Cooperative Summer Field Training Program and the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO). Although the compilation of such an abundance of data required significant effort and time, the true credit for this data belongs with the hundreds of field researchers, lab technicians, park employees, office staff, and other countless figures who worked to publish the data in the first place. The Yellowstone Research Coordination Network (RCN) and the book "Wonderland Nomenclature" by Lee Hale Whittlesey (1988) have been invaluable throughout this process.
Much gratitude is owed to those who reviewed and offered feedback on this project: Sara Peek, Michael Poland, and William Inskeep.
Price, M.B., McCleskey, R.B., Oaks, A., Hurwitz, S., and Nordstrom, D.K., 2024, Historic Water Chemistry Data for Thermal Features, Streams, and Rivers in the Yellowstone National Park Area, 1883-2021: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KSEVI1.
R. Blaine McCleskey
U.S. Geological Survey, WATER
Research Chemist
303-541-3015
303-541-3084
3215 Marine St
Boulder
CO
80303
US
rbmccles@usgs.gov
Common geographic areas
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Lake
ISO 19115 Topic Category
inlandWaters
USGS Thesaurus
water chemistry
Alexandria Digital Library Feature Type Thesaurus
thermal features
USGS Metadata Identifier
USGS:64e4d56bd34e736b81e18584
inland waters
water chemistry
thermal features
USGS:64e4d56bd34e736b81e18584
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Lake
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also contains copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner whenever applicable. The data have been approved for release and publication by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Although the data have been subjected to rigorous review and are substantially complete, the USGS reserves the right to revise the data pursuant to further analysis and review. Furthermore, the data are released on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from authorized or unauthorized use. Although the data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data on any other system, or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The U.S. Geological Survey shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of the data described and/or contained herein. Users of the data are advised to read all metadata and associated documentation thoroughly to understand appropriate use and data limitations.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>
Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
None. Please see 'Distribution Info' for details.
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2021-06-15
A list (not exhaustive) of reports which contain further water chemistry data from Yellowstone National Park and its surroundings but are not included in the dataset can be found below: Bargar, K.E., and Beeson, M.H., 1984. Hydrothermal alteration in research drill hole Y-6, Upper Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1054-B, 24 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1054B
- contains 1 sample from Y-6, 1967, measures major chemical constituents
Bargar, K.E. and Beeson, M.H., 1985. Hydrothermal alteration in research drill hole Y-3, Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1054-C, 23 p. https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1054C
- contains 1 sample from Y-3, 1967, measures major chemical constituents
Benjamin, L., 2000. Groundwater hydrology of the Henry's Fork springs. Intermountain Journal of Sciences, 6, 119-142.
Benjamin, L., Knobel, L.L., Hall, L., Cecil, L., and Green, J.R., 2005. Development of a local meteoric water line for southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, and south-central Montana. U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2004-5126, 17 pp., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20045126
- contains approximately 30 samples in SE Idaho, western Wyoming, south-central Montana, 1999-2001, reports O and H isotopes
Bergfeld, D., Lowenstern, J.B., Hunt, A.G., Hurwitz, S., McCleskey, B.R., and Peek, S.E., 2019, Chemical and isotopic data on gases and waters for thermal and non-thermal features across Yellowstone National Park (ver. 2.0, March 2019): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7H13105
- contains approximately 50 samples in YNP, 2003-2015, measures chemical and isotopic data
Boylen, C.W., and Brock, T.D., 1973. Effects of thermal additions from the Yellowstone geyser basins on the benthic algae of the Firehole River. Ecology, 54(6), 1282-1291, https://doi.org/10.2307/1934190 - contains approximately 10 samples in the Firehole River system in 1971, measures temperature, pH, CaCO3, specific conductance, P, NO3, Cl, NH4. Brierly, J.A., 1966. Contribution of chemoautotrophic bacteria to the acid thermal waters of the Geyser Springs group in Yellowstone National Park. [Doctoral dissertation, Montana State University]. - contains several samples in Geyser Springs area, 1960s, measures temperature, some chemical constituents
Brock, T.D., and Mosser, J.L., 1975. Rate of sulfuric-acid production in Yellowstone National Park. GSA Bulletin, 86(2), 194-198, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606197586%3C194:ROSPIY%3E2.0.CO;2 - contains approximately 10 samples from Norris Geyser Basin, Sylvan Springs, and Mud Volcano, measures temperature, pH, Cl, SO4, Fe2+, and flow parameters. Brock, T.D., Cook, S., Petersen, S., and Mosser, J.L., 1975. Biogeochemistry and bacteriology of ferrous iron oxidation in geothermal habitats. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 40(5), 493-500, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-70377690217-9
- contains approximately 10 samples from across the YNP area, measures temperature, pH, Fe, S, flow parameters
Brock, T.D., 1978. Thermophilic Microorganisms and Life at High Temperatures. Springer Series in Microbiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-6284-8
- contains numerous samples of YNP chemical constituents at various sites; relevant data on pp. 30-33, 268, 275, 311, 318, 372, 441
Bullen, T.D., and Kharaka, Y.K. 1992. Isotopic composition of Sr, Nd and Li in thermal waters from the Norris-Mammoth corridor, Yellowstone National Park and surrounding region. In 7th International Symposium of Water-Rock Interaction (pp. 897-901). - contains approximately 20 samples from Norris-Mammoth corridor, 1980s-90s, measures Sr, Nd, Li Clark, J.F., and Turekian, K.K., 1990. Time scale of hydrothermal water-rock reactions in Yellowstone National Park based on radium isotopes and radon. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 40(2), 169-180, https://doi.org/10.1016/ 0377-02739090119-Z - contains approximately 20 samples at thermal and geologic sites around YNP, measures temperature, Cl, and radioactive isotopes. Clifton, C.G., Walters, C.C., and Simoneit, B.R.T., 1990. Hydrothermal petroleums from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A. Applied Geochemistry, 5(1-2), 169-191, https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-29279090047-9 - contains approximately 20 samples from Calcite and Rainbow Springs from 1935, 1960s-80s, measures temperature, pH, major constituents. Cox, E.R., 1975. Water resources of northwestern Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 74-409, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr75409 - contains approximately 100 samples from rivers and creeks around NW WY 1967-1973, measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, major constituents.
Cox, E.R., 1978. Preliminary study of wastewater movement in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, July 1975 through September 1976. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-227, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr78227 - contains approximately 90 samples from major developed areas in YNP 1975-76; measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, major constituents. Cox, E.R., 1979. Preliminary study of wastewater movement in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, October 1976 through September 1977. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 79-684, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr79684 - contains approximately 180 samples from major developed areas in YNP 1976-77, measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, major constituents. Cox, E.R., 1986. Wastewater movement near four treatment and disposal sites in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4356, https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844356 - contains approximately 90 samples from wastewater lagoons in YNP 1974-82; measures Cl, specific conductance, NO2+NO3. Cullen, J.T., Hurwitz, S., Barnes, J.D., Lassiter, J.C., Penniston-Dorland, S., Meixner, A., Wilckens, F., Kasemann, S.A., and McCleskey, R.B., 2021. The systematics of chlorine, lithium, and boron and δ37Cl, δ7Li, and δ11B in the hydrothermal system of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 22, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GC009589
- contains approximately 20 samples throughout YNP, measures pH, temperature, major chemical constituents, some isotopes
Deng, Y., Nordstrom, D.K., and McCleskey, R.B., 2011. Fluoride geochemistry of thermal waters in Yellowstone National Park: I. Aqueous fluoride speciation. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75(16), 4476-4489, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.05.028 - contains approximately 40 samples from various YNP thermal features 2006-08, measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, Eh, major constituents, Al, Fe, As. Fouke, B.W., Farmer, J.D., Des Marais, D.J., Pratt, L., Sturchio, N.C., Burns, P.C., and Discipulo, M.K. 2000. Depositional facies and aqueous-solid geochemistry of travertine-depositing hot springs Angel Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A.. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 70(3), 565-585, https://doi.org/10.1306/ 2DC40929-0E47-11D7-8643000102C1865D - contains approximately 20 samples from Mammoth Hot Springs 1970 and 1994, measures temperature, pH, chemical constituents, flow measurements, and rock chemistry. Fournier, R.O., and Truesdell, A.H., 1970. Chemical indicators of subsurface temperature applied to hot spring waters of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Geothermics, 2, 529-535, https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6505(70)90051-9
- Contains approximately 15 samples from YNP drillholes, 1960s, measures temperature, silica, chemical constituents,
Fournier, R.O., 1973. Silica in thermal waters: Laboratory and field investigations. Proceedings from Symposium of Hydrogeochemistry and Biogeochemistry 1, 122-139. Possessed in paper copy. - contains SiO2 data for Yellowstone National Park
Fournier, R.O., White, D.E., and Truesdell, A.H., 1975. Convective heat flow in Yellowstone National Park. In U.N. Symposium on Development, and Use of Geothermal Resources, San Francisco, 1975, 1, 731-739. Possessed in paper copy. - contains approximately 80 samples around YNP, 1960s-70s, measures temperature, Cl. Fournier, R.O., 1977. Chemical geothermometers and mixing models for geothermal systems. Geothermics, 5, 41-50, https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-65057790007-4
- contains information on geothermometry using YNP information
Fournier, R.O., and Potter, R.W., 1979. Magnesium correction to the Na-K-Ca chemical geothermometer. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 43(9), 1543-1550, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-70377990147-9
- contains approximately 1 Yellowstone sample and numerous samples from other locations, 1960s-1970s, measures temperature, major constituents
Fournier, R.O., Thompson, J.M., and Hutchinson, R.A., 1986. Fluctuations in composition of Cistern Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY- Variable boiling and mixing 1962-1985. International Symposium on Water-Rock Interaction, 5, 206-209. - contains 5 samples at Cistern Spring, 1966-1975, measures major chemical constituents
Fournier, R.O., Thompson, J.M., Cunningham, C.G., and Hutchinson, R.A., 1991. Conditions leading to a recent small hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone National Park. GSA Bulletin, 103(8), 1114-1120, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-76061991103%3C1114:CLTARS%3E2.3.CO;2
- contains 15 samples at Porkchop Geyser from various authors, 1920s-1980s, measures temperature, major constituents, elemental ratios
Fournier, R.O, Thompson, J.M., and Hutchinson, R.A., 1994. The geochemistry of hot spring waters at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park. Geothermal Resources Council, 18, 3 pp. - contains approximately 10 samples in Norris Geyser Basin, 1960s-90s, measures temperature, pH, major constituents. - several samples in this paper were reported as sourced from "USGS, unpub." and were in turn included in our dataset; the other samples in this paper have not been included in the dataset. Friedman, I., Norton, D.R., and Hutchinson, R.A., 1988. Monitoring of thermal activity in southwest Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 88-532.
- Contains approximately 30 samples in SW YNP area, 1980s, measures Cl, discharge and flux
Friedman, I., Norton, D.R., and Hutchinson, R.A., 1993. Monitoring of thermal activity in southwestern Yellowstone National Park and vicinity, 1980-1993. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 2067. - Contains approximately 30 samples in SW YNP area, 1980-93, measures Cl, discharge, and flux
Friedman, I., and Norton, D.R., 2000., Data used for calculating chloride flux out of Yellowstone National Park for the water years 1983-1999. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2000-194. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr00194 - contains approximately 2,900 samples in major YNP rivers, 1983-1999, measures Cl. Gardner, W.P., Susong, D.D., Solomon, D.K., and Heasler, H.P., 2010. Using noble gases measured in spring discharge to trace hydrothermal processes in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, USA. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 198(3-4), pp. 394-404, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.09.020
- contains approximately 80 samples, 2000s, measures noble gases and water isotopes
Gardner, W.P., Susong, D.D., Solomon, D.K., and Heasler, H.P., 2011. A multitracer approach for characterizing interactions between shallow groundwater and the hydrothermal system in the Norris Geyser Basin area, Yellowstone National Park. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 12(8), https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GC003353
- contains approximately 80 samples, 2000s, measures stable isotopes, major chemical constituents, tritium
Gardner, W.P., and Susong, D.D., 2019. Helium in stream water as a volcanic monitoring tool. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 20(12), pp. 6000-6015., https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008698
- contains approximately 50 samples in Gibbon River area, measures He
Garrott, R.A., Eberhardt, L.L., Otton, J.K., White, P.J., and Chaffee, M.A., 2002. A geochemical trophic cascade in Yellowstone's Geothermal Environments. Ecosystems, 5, 659-666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-002-0211-8
- contains approximately 30 elk, stream, and plant samples in Lamar River drainage, 1991-1998
Gibson, M.L., and Hinman, N.W. 2012. Mixing of hydrothermal water and groundwater near hot springs, Yellowstone National Park USA: Hydrology and geochemistry. Hydrogeology, 21(4), 919-933, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10040-013-0965-4 - contains approximately 10 samples 1995-96, measures pH, temperature, major constituents. Goldstein, J.N., Hubert, W.A., Woodward, D.F., Farag, A.M., and Meyer, J.S., 2009. Naturalized salmonid populations occur in the presence of elevated trace element concentrations and temperatures of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20(10), 2342-2352, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620201029
- contains approximately 20 samples in Firehole River, 1997-1998, measures major ions and flow parameters
Hearn, E.H., Kennedy, B.M., and Truesdell, A.H., 1990. Coupled variations in helium isotopes and fluid chemistry: Shoshone Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 54(11), 3103-3113, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-70379090126-6
- contains 15 samples at Shoshone Geyser Basin, 1982 and 1986, measuring noble gas isotopes
Hinman, N.W., and Lindstrom, R.F., 1995. Seasonal changes in silica deposition in hot spring systems. Chemical Geology, 132, 237-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-25419600060-5 - contains approximately 30 samples at Sentinel Meadows, Octopus Spring,, and White Creek, 1994-95, measures temperature, pH, alkalinity, major constituents. Holloway, J.M., Janssen, S.E., DeWild, J.F., Tate, M.T., McCleskey, B.R., and Krabbenhoft, D.P., 2022, Isotopic Examination of Mercury Methylation and Demethylation Rates in Yellowstone National Park Thermal Features: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P95TKM1C.
Hurwitz, S., Lowenstern, J.B., and Heasler, H., 2007. Spatial and temporal geochemical trends in the hydrothermal system of Yellowstone National Park: Inferences from river solute fluxes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 162(3-4), 149-171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.01.003 - contains approximately 550 samples at major YNP rivers, 2002-04, measures discharge, solute flux, major constituents. Hurwitz, S., Hunt, A.G., and Evans, W.C., 2012. Temporal variations of geyser water chemistry in the Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, USA. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 13(12), https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GC004388
- contains approximately 20 samples at Upper Geyser Basin, 2007-2008, measures major chemical constituents, tritium, oxygen isotopes, temperature
Hurwitz, S., McCleskey, R.B., Bergfeld, D., Peek, S.E., Susong, D.D., Roth, D.A., Hungerford, J.D.G., White, E.B., Harrison, L.N., Hosseini, B., and Vaughan, R.G., 2020. Hydrothermal activity in the southwest Yellowstone plateau volcanic field. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 21, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GC008848
- contains approximately 100 samples in SW Yellowstone area, measures gas chemistry, major chemical constituents and isotopes
Inskeep, W.P., Ackerman, G.G., Taylor, W.P., Kozubal, M., Korf, S., and Macur, R.E., 2005. On the energetics of chemolithotrophy in nonequilibrium systems: case studies of geothermal springs in Yellowstone National Park. Geobiology, 3, 297-317, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4669.2006.00059.x - contains 5 samples at various thermal features from 2004, measures temperature, pH, major constituents, dissolved organic carbon, dissolved sulfide, some metals. Kendall, T.A., 1995. Early diagenesis of thermal spring deposits. [Master's thesis, University of Montana]. - contains several samples at various YNP thermal features, 1990s, measures chemical constituents
Kharaka, Y.K., Sorey, M.L., and Thordsen, J.J., 2000. Large-scale hydrothermal fluid discharges in the Norris–Mammoth corridor, Yellowstone National Park, USA. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 69, pp.201-205, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0375-6742(00)00025-X
- contains information on hydrothermal discharge in Norris-Mammoth Corridor, 1989-90, measures isotopic and chemical data
Kharaka, Y.K., Thordsen, J.J., and White, L.D., 2002. Isotope and chemical compositions of meteoric and thermal waters and snow from the greater Yellowstone National Park region. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-194, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr02194
- contains approximately 200 samples in YNP area, 1988-1992, measures chemical constituents and isotope information
Leffmann, H. (1883). Contributions to the geological chemistry of Yellowstone National Park. American Journal of Science, s3-25(146), 104–105. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.s3-25.146.104
- contains 4 samples collected by A.C. Peale, 1878, measures major constituents
Leffmann, H., and Beam, W. (1883). Contributions to the geological chemistry of Yellowstone National Park. American Journal of Science, s3-25(149), 351–352. https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.s3-25.149.351
- contains 3 samples collected in 1870s or early 1880s, measures major constituents
Lewis, A.J., Komninou, A., Yardley, B.W.D., and Paler, M.R., 1997. Rare earth element speciation in geothermal fluids from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Geochemica et Coscmochimica Acta, 62, 657-663, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-70379700367-0 - contains approximately 20 samples at various thermal features, measures pH, temperature, Cl, F. Lowenstern, J.B., Bergfeld, D., Evans, W.C., and Hurwitz, S., 2012. Generation and evolution of hydrothermal fluids at Yellowstone: Insights from the Heart Lake Geyser Basin. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GC003835
- contains approximately 40 samples at Heart Lake Geyser Basin, 2009, measures major chemical constituents, gas abundance and flux
Lowry, M.E., and Gordon, E.D., 1964. Ground-water investigations in Yellowstone National Park, October 1960 to October 1963. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 64-105. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr64105
- contains approximately 10 samples around YNP, 1960-63, measures major chemical constituents and some trace metals
Mariner, R.H., Kharaka, Y.K., Ambats, G., and White, L.D., 1992. Chemical composition and stable isotopes of thermal waters, Norris-Mammoth corridor, Yellowstone National Park, USA. In 7th International Symposium of Water-Rock Interaction. - contains approximately 10 samples in Norris-Mammoth corridor, 1980s-90s, measures pH, major constituents, oxygen isotopes
McCleskey, R.B., Mahony, Dan, Hurwitz, Shaul, Heasler, Henry, Huebner, M.A., Lowenstern, J.B., 2017, River chemistry in Yellowstone National Park: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7GF0RRD.
McCleskey, R.B., White, E.B., Roth, D.A., and Stevens, E.B., 2019, Specific conductance data for selected rivers and creeks in Yellowstone National Park, beginning in 2010 (version 2.0, May 2020): U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7BP011G.
Miller, W.R., Meier, A.L., and Briggs, P.H., 1997. Geochemical processes and baselines for stream waters for Soda-Butte-Lamar Basin and Firehole-Gibbon Basin, Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-550, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr97550 - contains approximately 50 samples from 1996 at major river basins, measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, alkalinity, major constituents, trace elements, metals. Nimick, D.A., Caldwell, R.R., Skaar, D.R., and Selch, T.M., 2013. Fate of geothermal mercury from Yellowstone National Park in the Madison and Missouri Rivers, USA. Science of the Total Environment, 443(2013), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.080
- contains approximately 40 samples from 2002-06, Madison and Missouri river basins, measures Hg
Norton, D.R., and Friedman, I., 1985. Chloride flux out of Yellowstone National Park. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 26(3-4), 231-250, https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-02738590058-7 - contains 4 samples at major YNP rivers, 1970s-80s, measures Cl. Norton, D.R., and Friedman, I., 1991. Chloride flux and surface water discharge out of Yellowstone National Park, 1982-1989. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1959, https://doi.org/10.3133/b1959 - contains approximately 1,440 samples at major YNP rivers, 1982-1989, measures Cl. Parry, W.T., and Bowman, J.R., 1990. Chemical and stable isotope models for Boundary Creek Warm Springs, southwestern Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 43(1-4), 133-157, https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-02739090049-L
- contains approximately 30 samples at Boundary Creek area, 1990s, measures major chemical constituents and geothermometry data
Peale, A.C., 1886. Lists and analyses of the mineral springs of the United States: a preliminary study. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 32. https://doi.org/10.3133/b32
- contains approximately 10 samples across YNP, 1882, measures temperature
Pearson, F.J., Jr., and Truesdell, A.H., 1978. Tritium in the waters of Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-701, 327-329, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr78701
- contains information on tritium from YNP area
Roth, D.A., 1994. Ultratrace analysis of mercury and its distribution in some natural waters in the United States. [Doctoral dissertation, Colorado State University]. - contains approximately 60 samples in Yellowstone area rivers 1991-92, measures specific conductance, DO, pH, temperature, Hg. Schlundt, H., and Moore, R.B., 1909. Radioactivity of the thermal waters of Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 395, https://doi.org/10.3133/b395 - contains approximately 190 samples in YNP thermal areas, 1906-1907, measures temperature, Ra, U. Schoen, R., and Rye, R.O., 1970. Sulfur isotope distribution in solfataras, Yellowstone National Park. Science, 170(3962), 1082-1084, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.170.3962.1082
- contains approximately 10 samples in Mammoth Hot Springs, 1960s, measures sulfur isotopes
Scott, R.C., 1959. Chemical analysis of park waters. From Yellowstone Research Library, found in paper archives.
- contains approximately 10 samples in YNP thermal areas following 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake, measures major constituents
Shock, E.L., Holland, M., Meyer-Dombard, D., Amend, J.P., Osburn, G.R., and Fischer, T.P., 2010. Quantifying inorganic sources of geochemical energy in hydrothermal ecosystems, Yellowstone National Park. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74, 4005-4043, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.08.036 - contains approximately 180 samples in various YNP thermal areas 1999-2001, measures temperature, pH, specific conductance, major constituents. Sims, K.W., Messa, C.M., Scott, S.R., Parsekian, A.D., Miller, A., Role, A.L., Moloney, T.P., Shock, E.L., Lowenstern, J.B., McCleskey, R.B., and Charette, M.A., 2023. The dynamic influence of subsurface geological processes on the assembly and diversification of thermophilic microbial communities in continental hydrothermal systems. Geochimica et Coscmochimica Acta, 362, 77-103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2023.10.021
- contains approximately 40 samples, 2014-15, measures Ra isotopes, lithological information, various isotopes
Sturchio, N.C., Bohlke, J.K., and Markun, F.J., 1993. Radium isotope geochemistry of thermal waters, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 57, 1203-1214, https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-70379390057-4 - contains approximately 30 samples in various thermal features 1987-88, measures Ra isotopes, temperature, major constituents. Sturchio, N.C., 1990. Radium isotopes, alkaline earth diagenesis, and age determination of travertine from Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, U.S.A. Applied Geochemistry, 5, 631-640. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-29279090061-9 - contains 2 samples from Mammoth Hot Springs 1987, measures temperature, pH, major constituents, Ra isotopes. Truesdell, A.H., and Fournier, R.O., 1976. Conditions in the deeper parts of the hot springs systems of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-428, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr76428
- contains approximately 20 samples from various YNP geyser basins, 1970s, measures major chemical constituents and geothermometry data, carbon dioxide-methane isotope temperatures
Truesdell, A.H., Rye, R.O., Whelan, J.F., and Thompson, J.M., 1978. Sulfate chemical and isotopic patterns in thermal waters of Yellowstone Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-701. - contains approximately 40 samples, 1970s, measures sulfate and chloride
Vitale, M., Gardner, P., and Hinman, N.W., 2008. Surface water-groundwater interaction and chemistry in a mineral-armored hydrothermal outflow channel, Yellowstone National Park, USA. Hydrogeology Journal, 16, 1381-1293, https://doi.org/10.1007/S10040-008-0344-8 - contains 4 samples from Rabbit Creek, measures temperature and pH. Werner, C., Hurwitz, S., Evans, W.C., Lowenstern, J.B., Bergfeld, D., Heasler, H., Jaworowski, C., and Hunt, A., 2008. Volatile emissions and gas geochemistry of Hot Spring Basin, Yellowstone National Park, USA. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 178, 751-762, https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JVOLGEORES.2008.09.016
- contains approximately 20 samples from Hot Spring Basin, 2006, measures chemical constituents of gas emissions
White, D.E., Muffler, L.J.P., and Truesdell, A.H., 1971. Vapor-dominated hydrothermal systems compared with hot-water systems. Economic Geology, 66(1), 75-97. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.66.1.75 - contains 9 samples from Mud Volcano Area 1960s, measures temperature, pH, major constituents. White, D.E., Hutchinson, R.A., and Keith, T. E.C., 1988. The geology and remarkable thermal activity of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1456, https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1456 - contains 8 samples from Norris Geyser Basin, 1930-1980s, measures discharge, temperature, pH, major constituents, some trace elements and metals. Waring, G.A., 1965. Thermal springs of the United States and other countries of the world; a summary. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 492, 383 p.
- contains temperature and chemical information for numerous YNP sites, information on pp. 10, 15, 45-50.
Wright, J.C., and Mills, I.K., 1967. Productivity studies on the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park. Limnology and Oceanography, 12(4), 559-733, https://doi.org/10.4319/LO.1967.12.4.0568 - contains 9 samples from Madison River watershed 1964, measures pH, major constituents. Zeikus, J.G., and Brock, T.D., 1972. Effects of Thermal Additions from the Yellowstone Geyser Basins on the Bacteriology of the Firehole River. Ecology, 53(2), 283-290. https://doi.org/10.2307/1934083 - contains approximately 10 samples from Firehole River 1970, measures temperature, pH, alkalinity, specific conductance, PO4. -----
A list of sources about Yellowstone National Park, including some papers listed above, can be found in:
Hutchinson, R.A., 1997. Geologic publications and articles related to Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Center for Resources, National Park Service. YCR-NR-97-3.
1
-111.333712
-109.300000
46.230000
44.000000
Several steps were taken to ensure the accurate reproduction and harmonization of water quality data from the 38 reports. To identify potential errors, we utilized solute ratios plots and calculation of charge balance and specific conductance imbalance. For general quality assurance/quality control practices used in reviewing this dataset, see Step 5: QA/QC of the Process tab. Specific methods and quality assurance/quality control information for determining value accuracy are located in the methods sections of the reports referenced in this dataset. Charge Balance Calculations: The charge balance calculation is a common quality-assurance/quality-control procedure to check the accuracy of a water analysis (Nordstrom and Munoz, 1994). For samples that were analyzed for major cations and anions, the accuracy of the analyses was checked for charge balance using the geochemical code PHREEQCI (Parkhurst and Appelo, 1999). The mean charge balance was +0.83 percent with a standard deviation of 11.4 percent. Analyses having a charge balance less than ± 10 percent are considered reliable for speciation calculations (Nordstrom and Munoz, 1994). Except for 140 samples (7% of all samples for which charge balance was calculated), all samples had charge balances less than ± 10 percent. By coupling charge balance and specific conductance imbalance, the measurement most likely in error can be identified or narrowed down to a few possibilities (McCleskey, 2018; McCleskey et al., 2012). In the dataset, the columns labeled "Calculated specific conductance," "Charge balance," and "Calculated specific conductance imbalance" contain data generated by PHREEQCI for those samples which were analyzed in the program.
References Cited: McCleskey, R.B., 2018. Calculated specific conductance using PHREEQCI: U.S. Geological Survey software release, https://doi.org/10.5066/F7M907VD. McCleskey, R.B., Nordstrom, D.K., Ryan, J.N., and Ball, J.W., 2012. A new method of calculating electrical conductivity with applications to natural waters: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 77, no. 0, p. 369-382. Nordstrom, D.K., and Munoz, J.L., 1994. Geochemical Thermodynamics, 2nd edition (second edition ed.): Caldwell, New Jersey, Blackwell Scientific Publications, 493 p. Parkhurst, D.L., and Appelo, C.A.J., 1999. User's guide to PHREEQC (Version 2) - A computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4259, 312 p.
Yes
The dataset represents the conditions and concentrations of samples collected at thermal features, rivers, creeks, drillholes, and precipitation at the time and location described. Most data were collected within the Yellowstone National Park boundary, but some samples were collected outside park boundaries (area label "Outside YNP").
Horizontal accuracy of latitude/longitude coordinates varies based on the source from which coordinates were assigned to samples. Approximately 54% of samples include latitude/longitude coordinates from the source they are reported in, while 24% include no coordinates. Approximately 22% of the samples were assigned coordinates, based on sample site and description, with latitude and longitude associated with known locations from the Yellowstone National Park Research Coordination Network (RCN; http://rcn.montana.edu/, accessed 11/20/2023) database, Google Earth, or other published reports which are all thought to be reliable sources of coordinates. Determining the accuracy of coordinates listed in original reports is challenging because the majority of them do not list the datum in which their coordinates were collected. However, the NAD83 datum was not released until 1986 and did not become standard until recent decades; as such, it is likely that most coordinate data collected before 2000 are reported in NAD27. Estimated error for coordinates can be found in the "Latitude/Longitude Error" column of the master sheet; these errors were estimated by identifying which sources reported latitude/longitude and converting their reported precision to estimated spatial error (e.g. +/- 10m). More detail on latitude/longitude coordinate assignment and error estimation can be found in Step 4: Determining Location Coordinates.
228 samples, measuring 16 analytes
Hot springs of the Yellowstone National Park.
Allen & Day, 1935
1935
E. T. Allen
Arthur L. Day
Carnegie Institute of Washington
Baltimore, MD
publication
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5170437
observed
1927-08-01
1932-08-18
164 samples, measuring 7 analytes
Vanadium and molybdenum contents in hot spring waters of Yellowstone National Park.
Araki & Noguchi, 1969
1969
Tadashi Araki
Kimio Noguchi
Balneological Society of Japan
Tokyo, Japan
publication
https://gbank.gsj.jp/geolis/geolis_link/197001086/en
http://j-hss.org/journal/back_number/vol20_pdf/vol20no2_109_117.pdf
observed
1962
1965
136 samples, measuring 53 analytes
Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2006–2008.
Ball, et al. 2010
2010
James W. Ball
R. Blaine McCleskey
D. Kirk Nordstrom
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
OFR 2010-1192
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1192/
observed
2006-05-13
2008-09-24
150 samples, measuring 54 analytes
Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2003-2005.
Ball, et al 2006
2006
James W. Ball
R. Blaine McCleskey
D. Kirk Nordstrom
JoAnn M. Holloway
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
OFR 2006-1339
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1339/
observed
2003-05-30
2005-09-21
246 samples, measuring 42 analytes
Water-chemistry data for selected springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 1999-2000.
Ball, et al 2002
2002
James W. Ball
R. Blaine McCleskey
D. Kirk Nordstrom
JoAnn M. Holloway
Philip L. Verplanck
Sabin A. Sturtevant
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr02382
observed
1999-09-18
2000-09-20
122 samples, measuring 41 analytes
Water-chemistry and on-site sulfur-speciation data for selected springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 1994-1995.
Ball, et al 1998 (I)
1998
James W. Ball
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Kirk M. Cunningham
Martin A. Schoonen
Yong Xu
Jennifer M. DeMonge
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr98574
observed
1994-06-28
1995-08-25
122 samples, measuring 36 analytes
Chemical analyses of hot springs, pools, geysers, and surface waters from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and vicinity, 1974-1975.
Ball, et al 1998 (II)
1998
James W. Ball
D. Kirk Nordstrom
Everett A. Jenne
Davison V. Vivit
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr98182
observed
1974-09-20
1975-09-19
58 samples, measuring 43 analytes
Chemistry and On-Site Sulfur-Speciation Data for Selected Springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 1996-1998.
Ball, et al 2001
2001
James W. Ball
D. Kirk Nordstrom
R. Blaine McCleskey
Martin A. A. Schoonen
Yong Xu
publication
https://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/GWC_chemtherm/pubs/ofr%2001-49.pdf
observed
1996-08-16
1998-09-20
10 samples, measuring 14 analytes
Water analyses from the laboratory of the United States Geological Survey.
Clarke, 1914
1914
Frank Wigglesworth Clarke
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/wsp364
observed
1886
1889
164 samples, measuring 16 analytes
Results of water-resources investigations through 1968 in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Cox, 1969
1969
E.R. Cox
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
OFR 69-60
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr6960
observed
1962-08-22
1968-10-13
239 samples, measuring 17 analytes
Remote sensing in a water-resources study of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Cox, 1973
1973
Edward Riley Cox
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
OFR 73-52
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr7352
observed
1967-05-11
1971-10-15
12 samples, measuring 16 analytes
Some chemical features of Yellowstone National Park.
Douglass, 1939
1939-09-01
Irwin B. Douglass
American Chemical Society (ACS)
n/a
publication
Journal of Chemical Education
vol. 16, issue 9
ppg. 422
https://doi.org/10.1021/ed016p422
observed
1939
1939
16 samples, measuring 5 analytes
Chemical indicators of subsurface temperature applied to hot spring waters of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A.
Fournier & Truesdell, 1970
1970-01
R.O. Fournier
A.H. Truesdell
Elsevier BV
n/a
publication
Geothermics
vol. 2
ppg. 529-535
https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6505(70)90051-9
observed
1968-06-28
1968-09-25
246 samples, measuring 14 analytes
Results Of Weekly Chemical And Isotopic Monitoring Of Selected Springs In Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park During June-September, 1995.
Fournier, et al 2002
2002
R.O. Fournier
U. Weltman
D. Counce
L.D. White
C.J. Janik
publication
OFR 02-344
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2002/0344/
observed
1995-05-09
1995-09-28
367 samples, measuring 71 analytes
Geochemical Data for Selected Rivers, Lake Waters, Hydrothermal Vents, and Subaerial Geysers in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Vicinity, 1996-2004.
Gemery-Hill, et al 2007
2007
Pamela A. Gemery-Hill
Wayne C. Shanks, III
Laurie S. Balistrieri
Gregory K. Lee
publication
Chapter L in Morgan 2007 publication
https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1717/
observed
1996-07-26
2002-09-19
39 samples, measuring 19 analytes
Analyses of Waters of the Yellowstone National Park.
Gooch & Whitfield, 1888
1888
Frank Austin Gooch
James Edward Whitfield
Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C.
publication
observed
1883-10-11
1887
2 samples, measuring 12 analytes
Notes on the deposition of scorodite from arsenical waters in the Yellowstone National Park.
Hague, 1887.
1887-09-01
A. Hague
American Journal of Science (AJS)
n/a
publication
American Journal of Science
vol. s3-34, issue 201
ppg. 171-175
https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.s3-34.201.171
observed
1884-09-01
1885-09-13
28 samples, measuring 19 analytes
Origins of water and solutes in and north of the Norris-Mammoth Corridor, Yellowstone National Park.
Kharaka, et al 1990
1990
Yousif Kharaka
Robert Mariner
Gil Ambats
William Evans
Lloyd White
Thomas Bullen
B. Mack Kennedy
publication
https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70015953
observed
1989
1989
8 samples, measuring 20 analytes
Geochemical investigations of hydraulic connections between the Corwin Springs known geothermal resources area and adjacent parts of Yellowstone National Park.
Kharaka, et al 1991
1991
Yousif K. Kharaka
Robert H. Mariner
Thomas D. Bullen
B. Mack Kennedy
Neil C. Sturchio
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
In Effects of potential geothermal development in the Corwin Springs Known Geothermal Resources Area, Montana, on the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigation Report 91-4052. F-1 - F-38.
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri914052
observed
1990
1990
121 samples, measuring 53 analytes
Water-chemistry data for selected hot springs, geysers, and streams in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 2001-2002.
McCleskey, et al 2004
2004
R. Blaine McCleskey
James W. Ball
D. Kirk Nordstrom
JoAnn M. Holloway
Howard E. Taylor
publication
https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2004/1316/
observed
2001-05-21
2002-07-01
136 samples, measuring 60 analytes
Source and fate of inorganic solutes in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
McCleskey, et al 2010
2010-06
R. Blaine McCleskey
D. Kirk Nordstrom
David D. Susong
James W. Ball
JoAnn M. Holloway
Elsevier BV
n/a
publication
Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research
vol. 193, issue 3-4
ppg. 189-202
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2010.03.014
observed
2006-09-12
2008-09-17
752 samples, measuring 82 analytes
Water-Chemistry and Isotope Data for Selected Springs, Geysers, Streams, and Rivers in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
McCleskey, et al 2022
2022
R Blaine McCleskey
David A Roth
D Kirk Nordstrom
Shaul Hurwitz
JoAnn M Holloway
Paul A Bliznik
James W Ball
Deborah A Repert
Andrew G Hunt
U.S. Geological Survey
https://www.sciencebase.gov
dataset
https://doi.org/10.5066/p92xkju7
observed
2009-09-07
2021-09-09
6 samples, measuring 3 analytes
Field measurements of silica in water from hot springs and geysers in Yellowstone National Park.
Morey, et al 1961
1961
G.W. Morey
R.O. Fournier
J.J. Hemley
J. J. Rowe
publication
Morey, et al 1961 begins p. 333 of USGS Professional Paper 424-C.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/pp424C
observed
1960
1960
13 samples, measuring 7 analytes
Geochemical Studies of Some Geysers in Yellowstone National Park.
Noguchi & Nix, 1963
1963
Kimio Noguchi
Joe Nix
Japan Academy
n/a
publication
Proceedings of the Japan Academy
vol. 39, issue 6
ppg. 370-375
https://doi.org/10.2183/pjab1945.39.370
observed
1962-06-12
1962-06-24
239 samples, measuring 19 analytes
Chemical analysis of thermal waters in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 1960-65.
Rowe et al, 1973
1973
James Jack Rowe
Robert O. Fournier
George Washington Morey
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/b1303
observed
1947-10
1965-05
385 samples, measuring 3 analytes
The question of recharge to the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Park.
Rye & Truesdell, 1993
1993
R.O. Rye
A.H. Truesdell
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr93384
observed
1967-09-01
1990-09-15
67 samples, measuring 2 analytes
Radioactivity of the thermal waters, gases, and deposits of Yellowstone National Park.
Schlundt & Breckenridge, 1938.
1938-04-01
Herman Schlundt
Gerald F. Breckenridge
Geological Society of America
n/a
publication
Geological Society of America Bulletin
vol. 49, issue 4
ppg. 525-538
https://doi.org/10.1130/GSAB-49-525
observed
1936
1936
19 samples, measuring 28 analytes
Records of Postearthquake Chemical Quality of Ground Water. in The Hebgen Lake, Montana, earthquake of August 17, 1959.
Scott 1964
1964
Robert C. Scott
publication
https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/pp435
observed
1956-10-07
1959-09-05
86 samples, measuring 3 analytes
Arsenic and antimony in geothermal waters of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA.
Stauffer & Thompson, 1984
1984
R.E. Stauffer
J.M. Thompson
publication
https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70013582
observed
1967-06
1982
42 samples, measuring 19 analytes
Chemical studies of selected trace elements in hot-spring drainages of Yellowstone National Park.
Stauffer, et al 1980
1980
R.E. Stauffer
Everett A. Jenne
J.W. Ball
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1044F
observed
1974-09
1974-09
423 samples, measuring 34 analytes
Chemical analyses of hot springs, pools, and geysers from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and vicinity, 1980-1993.
Thompson & DeMonge, 1996
1996
J.M. Thompson
J.M. DeMonge
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr9668
observed
1978-06-07
1993-07-25
35 samples, measuring 24 analytes
Chemical analyses of waters from the Boundary Creek thermal area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Thompson & Hutchinson, 1981
1981
J.M. Thompson
R.A. Hutchinson
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr811310
observed
1978-10-09
1979-10-09
442 samples, measuring 23 analytes
Chemical analyses of waters from geysers, hot springs, and pools in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, from 1974 to 1978.
Thompson & Yadav, 1979
1979
J.M. Thompson
Sandhya Yadav
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr79704
observed
1973-09-25
1978-10-08
442 samples, measuring 15 analytes
Arsenic and fluoride in the Upper Madison River system: Firehole and Gibbon rivers and their tributaries, Yellowstone National park, Wyoming, and Southeast Montana.
Thompson, 1979
1979-01
J. M. Thompson
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
n/a
publication
Environmental Geology
vol. 3, issue 1
ppg. 13-21
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02423274
observed
1975-10-18
1975-10-18
541 samples, measuring 20 analytes
Chemical analysis of the waters of the Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming from 1965 to 1973.
Thompson et al 1975
1975
J.M. Thompson
T. S. Presser
R.B. Barnes
D.B. Bird
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr7525
observed
1965-06-09
1973-09-27
10 samples, measuring 4 analytes
Silica in hot-spring waters.
White, et al 1956
1956-08
Donald E. White
W.W. Brannock
K.J. Murata
Elsevier BV
n/a
publication
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
vol. 10, issue 1-2
ppg. 27-59
https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(56)90010-2
observed
1947-09-28
1947-10-01
13 samples, measuring 25 analytes
Chemical composition of subsurface waters.
White, et al 1963
1963
D.E. White
J.D. Hem
G.S. Waring
US Geological Survey
n/a
publication
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp440F
observed
1951-08-03
1957-10-16
154 samples, measuring 54 analytes
Unpublished data from various USGS field sessions and contributors
USGS, unpublished
Margery B. Price
tabular digital data
Data listed as "USGS, unpublished" comes from the following source of previously unpublished data recorded and analyzed by the USGS:
- 97 samples collected by an academic research group but analyzed by the Boulder, CO USGS office in 2003-2004, stored in a spreadsheet labeled "inventory"
- 7 samples collected and analyzed with samples from Ball, et al 2006 but unreported in that publication
- 5 samples collected and analyzed with samples from Ball, et al 2010 but unreported in that publication
- 13 samples from a sampling of Yellowstone rivers in 1989
- 25 samples from sampling of Yellowstone rivers in 1988
- 7 samples described as "USGS, unpub." in a publication by Fournier, et al 1994 which reported published and unpublished data (but no new samples) about Norris Geyser Basin.
observed
1969-09-13
2008-09-17
Locating relevant reports: We identified an extensive list of published reports that contain data on water chemistry from the Yellowstone National Park area. Although some of these sources already existed in our possession as PDF and spreadsheet files, most had to be located using the USGS publications database and library. Several reports were also found in paper copies in archives within the U.S. Geological Survey Boulder, CO office. Basic information about each report (authors, publication date, reported analytes and units, number and location of samples) was collected to provide meta-information on the range of data present.
2023-08-15
Digitizing and standardizing data:
Relevant data tables from each report were converted to spreadsheets. For reports which we possessed in low-quality PDFs or paper copies, information was entered manually; for reports in higher-quality digital PDFs, the Adobe PDF-to-Excel function was used to convert data into digital tables. After reviewing the range of reported analytes from different sources, we created a spreadsheet template with the constituents and units which would be reported in the master sheet combining all reports' data. Each data table was modified to fit this template to ensure harmonization of constituents, units, and formats across all reports. The data from several reports already existed in digital tables; this data was checked for accuracy and then standardized to the master sheet template.
2023-08-28
Combining reports into master sheet:
Standardized data from all relevant reports was copied into the master data table. We carefully reviewed identifying information for each sample including area, location, site/sample type, location coordinates, sample ID, and date of collection. Commonly, older reports would identify a site or area using an outdated name; these terms were modified to their modern names using the Yellowstone Research Coordination Network (RCN) database or the "Wonderland Nomenclature" book (L.H. Whittlesey, 1988; pub. by Geyser Observation and Study Association, an extensive list of modern and historical names for YNP natural features). When a sample location reported in a source could not be verified or was otherwise thought to be an unofficial name, such was indicated using quotation marks (" ") around the name. Where names of sample locations or areas were unspecified and unidentifiable in the source report, "Unspecified Area" or "Unspecified Location" were used to note the uncertainty. On occasion, where a sample's location was obvious but the listed name was incorrect (for example, a feature listed as "Octopus Pool" but actually referring to Octopus Spring), the sample location was adjusted to match the correct and current name. Once all sample information was correctly formatted and inserted in the master sheet, the sheet was sorted chronologically by publication year and all samples were assigned a unique database ID number.
For many samples, dates are reported using only month/year or year-only information. As such, in this dataset, dates are reported in two columns: one reporting YYYYMMDD and one reporting just the sample year. This format minimizes issues with inconsistent date formatting and allows the user to sort the dataset by sample collection year. Where present, data containing "nd," "ns," "nm," or other notations for "not measured" was removed, as were notations of "trace" or similar.
2023-10-02
Determining location coordinates:
Latitude and longitude coordinates were assigned to every sample where the location was well-constrained. Where coordinates were reported by the reporting author(s), those coordinates were kept as reported in the master sheet. Where coordinates for a sample from a named feature were not reported, coordinates for that location were assigned using another resource. First, if the RCN database contained coordinates for that location, the RCN coordinates were reported. If no coordinates for that location existed in the RCN, Google Earth coordinates were reported. If no coordinates for that location existed in Google Earth but another report contained coordinates for the location, coordinates from the most recent sample from the location were applied to samples without reported coordinates. All samples contain a description of where their location coordinates came from, including if coordinates could not be identified. The sources of the coordinates are listed in the “Latitude/Longitude notes” column.
Coordinates from the RCN and Google Earth were compared using multiple sites; it appears that the two are well-aligned with one another and that both report reliable and accurate coordinates for Yellowstone National Park sites. Use of the NAD83 datum in recording coordinates was not common practice until the mid-2000s. To identify the spatial datum of coordinates, we first identified the reports which included latitude and longitude data, then reviewed their described methods to check if the coordinate datum was reported; the list can be seen below. All reports with data collected prior to 2000 without a description of coordinate datum were thought to use NAD27. Reports containing location data from 2000 onward were reviewed in depth and all but McCleskey et al. (2022) (data release containing data from 2009-2021) were determined to use NAD27. It was determined that, in the McCleskey et al. (2022) dataset, samples from 2014 onward are reported using NAD83, but the datum used for samples from 2009-2013 is unclear. All coordinates reported using NAD27 were converted to NAD83. In total, approximately 18% of the dataset has no coordinates, 76% has NAD83 coordinates, and 6% has coordinates in an unclear datum.
List of reports which included latitude/longitude and the estimated datum the reports used:
- Ball et al. (2010): NAD27
- Ball et al. (2006): NAD27
- Ball et al. (2002): NAD27
- Ball et al. (2001): NAD27
- Cox (1969): NAD27
- Gemery-Hill et al. (2007): NAD27
- McCleskey et al. (2004): NAD27
- McCleskey et al. (2022): [2009-2013] unknown datum; [2014-2021] NAD83
- Rye & Truesdell (1993): NAD27
- Thompson & DeMonge (1996): NAD27
- Thompson & Hutchinson (1981): NAD27
- Thompson & Yadav (1979): NAD27
- Thompson (1979): NAD27
- Thompson et al. (1975): NAD27
- USGS, unpublished [select data]: NAD27
Latitude/longitude error was determined based on the precision of the coordinates reported in each source. For samples which were assigned coordinates from another report, the datum and estimated error of the source report were assigned as well. All latitude and longitude coordinates are reported in decimal degrees and were converted to this format from the original reported format. Most coordinate data was originally reported in degrees-decimal-minutes or degrees-minutes-seconds form.
2023-11-08
Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC):
Several methods of QA/QC were employed to ensure data accuracy. We plotted several chemical constituents (including Na, K, Li, As, B, Rb, Cs, F, Br) against chloride to identify anomalous values or values with incorrect units. The PHREEQCI program was used to calculate charge balance and specific conductance imbalance for all samples containing complete chemical analyses. This QA/QC data was reviewed to identify anomalous values and then added as new columns to the master sheet so as to include charge balance and specific conductance imbalance data for each sample. We checked the "Sample ID" column for duplicate values to indicate if samples had been reported multiple times in separate reports. Upon discovering a duplicate sample, we removed all repetitions of the information so that the sample was reported only once in the master sheet, and indicated in the "Sample Notes" column which papers originally reported the data. Despite these checks, it is possible that duplicate entries still exist in the data, as some of the original reports did not contain sufficient identifying information to distinguish potential duplicates. We identified the 10 most-sampled thermal locations in the master sheet, and plotted the latitude/longitude data from those samples in ArcGIS. Where a sample's coordinates did not match the known coordinates for that location, or where the reported coordinates appeared to be for a different location, these disparities were noted in the "Latitude/Longitude notes" column. We acknowledge that a possibility for error exists in the manual digitization of much of the data, since it is impossible to ensure complete precision in the translation of values from the original publication to the dataset.
2023-11-09
0
Yellowstone Water Chemistry 1883-2021
Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data.
Producer Defined
Feature Class
0
OBJECTID
ObjectID
OID
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0
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Internal feature number.
Esri
Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
Shape
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Feature geometry.
Esri
Coordinates defining the features.
ID
ID
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Sample_number
Sample number
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Specific site and/or feature where sample was collected
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Specific locations in the YNP area where samples were collected
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Latitude of sample collection location
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Latitude
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Longitude of sample collection location
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Year
Year
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Location_notes
Location notes
String
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Location_error
Location error
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255
0
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Reference
An abbreviated reference to the original publication in which the sample data was reported. The full source citation can be found in the "Lineage" section of this document.
Producer Defined
<< empty cell >>
No Data
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Reference to the report which produced the sample
Reference
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Temp__C_
Temp (C)
Double
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0
0
Field_pH
Field pH
String
255
0
0
Field_spec_conductance__μS_cm_
Field spec conductance (μS/cm)
String
255
0
0
Calcium__mg_L_
Calcium (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Magnesium__mg_L_
Magnesium (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Sodium__mg_L_
Sodium (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Potassium__mg_L_
Potassium (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Chloride__mg_L_
Chloride (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Fluoride__mg_L_
Fluoride (mg/L)
String
255
0
0
Sulfate__mg_L_
Sulfate (mg/L)
Double
8
0
0
Arsenic__μg_L_
Arsenic (μg/L)
Double
8
0
0
d18O__per_mil_
d18O (per mil)
String
255
0
0
d2H__per_mil_
d2H (per mil)
String
255
0
0
dataset
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