Hot Springs National Park Krishnan Madhavan

Hot Springs, Arkansas is classified as southern state

Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas, gets its name from the naturally thermal spring waters found here. Flowing out of the ground at an average temperature of 143 °F, the hot springs produce almost one million gallons of water each day. It’s hard to tell exactly how long people have been visiting the springs. Native Americans called this area “the Valley of the Vapors,” and it was said to have been a neutral territory where all tribes could enjoy its healing waters in peace. Spanish and French settlers claimed the area in the mid-1500s. People of our past and present go to Hot Springs National Park for the beauty and to see, hear, touch and feel the natural thermal waters. Now let me show you why it is important to do research to keep this natural wonder of our country and world alive!

Established April 20, 1832 but became a National Park on March 4, Hot Springs was first created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832 to be preserved for future recreation and healing properties. The hot springs were such a coveted natural wonder that in 1832, President Andrew Jackson designed Hot Springs as the first federal reservation This was before National Parks existed. This was the first place that a piece of land had been set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area of recreation. Hot Springs National Park is the smallest national park in America but the first to be protected to keep it’s special features Hot Springs National Park Location: Garland County, Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park Topographic Map

Relief Map of Hot Springs National Park.

Features In The Hot Springs National Park The hot springs are the primary natural resource of the park, but they have not been preserved in their unaltered state as natural surface. They have instead been managed to conserve the production of uncontaminated hot water for public use. The mountains within the park are also managed within this conservation philosophy in order to preserve the hydrological system that feeds the springs. The park and its surroundings have mountains with lush valleys consisting of pine-oak-hickory forest ecosystem. The park's vegetation, thermal waters, cold water springs, bathhouses and associated cultural features, and foot trails combine to form an almost 5,400 acre area of resource preservation and interpretation that is under the exclusive legislative jurisdiction of the federal government. Another 672 acres are within the park boundary but are not federally owned.

Environmental issues that is effecting Hot SpringNational Park Hot Springs National Park surrounds the north end of the city of Hot Springs with a population of 33,000. Although some park boundaries are bordered by undeveloped forested lands, much of the park is adjacent to city streets and homes. These areas are subject to air pollution, exotic plant and animal species, and trash dumping. There is more industries creating acid and smoke. Air pollution and trash dumping can mix with the water and plant life in the park and cause the park’s health to deteriorate. The acid and smoke creates acid rain which plays a role in the pollution. And the exotic plants and animals can eat/ take over plants, decreasing the population.

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