There is something so intriguing about nature when it combines both the elements of beauty and mystery. This natural spring is one of Wyoming’s most fascinating natural features outside of Yellowstone. In fact, this rhythmic spring in Wyoming is the largest in the world.
Wikipedia/Ninjatacoshell Intermittent Spring flows through Swift Creek Canyon in Star Valley. As stated above it’s the largest rhythmic spring in the world. Native Americans referred to this natural feature as “the spring that breathes”.
TripAdvisor/Thorsteds
TripAdvisor/Thorsteds A rhythmic spring consists of cold water where the flow of water varies or starts and stops entirely. The two other rhythmic springs are located in Jerusalem and the other in Italy.
TripAdvisor/MoosejawBravo
TripAdvisor/dario a This on and off flow occurs from late summer through the winter months. The water gushes out of the ledge and cascades downhill to Swift Creek. All of a sudden the flow stops and then starts up again after 12 to 18 minutes and then the cycle starts all over again.
TripAdvisor/dario a
YouTube/GLFable The interruption of the flow of water is caused by the siphon effect where the water flows into a cavern underground, up into a narrow tube like formation and then down into the spring. As the water reaches the highest point of the tube, it sucks the water out of the chamber. Air then enters the tube and either reduces or stops the flow of water.
YouTube/GLFable
YouTube/GLFable To get to this fascinating spot, head east on Second Avenue through the town of Afton. Then follow the trail up along Swift Creek. It’s about a 20 minute hike up to Intermittent Spring.
Check out this video by YouTube user, Wyoming Tourism.
Wikipedia/Ninjatacoshell
Intermittent Spring flows through Swift Creek Canyon in Star Valley. As stated above it’s the largest rhythmic spring in the world. Native Americans referred to this natural feature as “the spring that breathes”.
TripAdvisor/Thorsteds
A rhythmic spring consists of cold water where the flow of water varies or starts and stops entirely. The two other rhythmic springs are located in Jerusalem and the other in Italy.
TripAdvisor/MoosejawBravo
TripAdvisor/dario a
This on and off flow occurs from late summer through the winter months. The water gushes out of the ledge and cascades downhill to Swift Creek. All of a sudden the flow stops and then starts up again after 12 to 18 minutes and then the cycle starts all over again.
YouTube/GLFable
The interruption of the flow of water is caused by the siphon effect where the water flows into a cavern underground, up into a narrow tube like formation and then down into the spring. As the water reaches the highest point of the tube, it sucks the water out of the chamber. Air then enters the tube and either reduces or stops the flow of water.
To get to this fascinating spot, head east on Second Avenue through the town of Afton. Then follow the trail up along Swift Creek. It’s about a 20 minute hike up to Intermittent Spring.
There’s nothing that takes the place of seeing this strange phenomenon in person.
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