Poulsen Spring (Salt)
Poulsen Spring (Salt) emerges at 72°F just 5.6 meters from South East Promontory Road in Box Elder County, running 19.2 degrees above the 52.8°F annual average in agricultural lowlands near Tremonton. The parenthetical designation refers to documented saline chemistry showing 3,750 mg/L total dissolved solids, with 1,950 mg/L chloride and 1,180 mg/L sodium creating distinctly salty water from deep circulation through sedimentary aquifers. Recent USGS measurements recorded 22.2°C and pH 7.7.
The spring flows at 4,250 feet elevation in the flat to gently rolling terrain north of the Great Salt Lake, where irrigated farmland dominates the landscape for miles in all directions. The Promontory Range rises to the west, while the Wasatch Mountains form the eastern horizon. This semi-arid environment receives just 14.4 inches of precipitation and 24.3 inches of snow annually, requiring extensive irrigation infrastructure to support the region's agricultural economy based on hay, grain, and sugar beets.
The spring carries the name of a local landowner, following the common pattern of naming thermal features for the property owners on whose land they emerged. The broader Tremonton area developed as a sugar beet and grain farming center after Mormon settlement in the 1850s, with the spring likely serving livestock watering and possibly household uses before modern municipal water systems.
Exceptional roadside access makes the spring visible without leaving the vehicle, though private land considerations may limit direct approach. The modest temperature and high salinity make this a feature for observation rather than bathing. The low elevation and light snowfall allow year-round access, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and winter cold snaps dropping below zero. No developed facilities exist at the spring itself.
Is Poulsen Spring (Salt) worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Poulsen Spring (Salt) is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7) with 3750 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
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