Sand Springs: The Springs

[sauerkraut]

I found this intresting, I went for a run on the Sand Springs Trail ("Katy Trail"  I think it's called), and I guess I found the "Springs" that the city was named after, there is a historical marker just off the trail to the north, and it says something to the effect of "These clear Sandy Springs were used in the mid 19th century for water to weary travlers and were used to water cattle on their way into Tulsa and for rail road locomotives. Around 1910 Osage Tribes lived in the area and Charles Page the oilman bought land there.. I did not think the "Springs" looked like much but I found it intresting, it's near Adam's road and just east of the May Warehouse Drugstore where they also allow trail users to park. From what the historical marker said the water was very clean & clear back in the 19th century. (They have a platform  over the Springs with the historical marker) - Kinda Kewl!! Anyone here know something about  Sand Springs and are those the Springs the city was named after? 

[Hoss]

I found this intresting, I went for a run on the Sand Springs Trail ("Katy Trail"  I think it's called), and I guess I found the "Springs" that the city was named after, there is a historical marker just off the trail to the north, and it says something to the effect of "These clear Sandy Springs were used in the mid 19th century for water to weary travlers and were used to water cattle on their way into Tulsa and for rail road locomotives. Around 1910 Osage Tribes lived in the area and Charles Page the oilman bought land there.. I did not think the "Springs" looked like much but I found it intresting, it's near Adam's road and just east of the May Warehouse Drugstore where they also allow trail users to park. From what the historical marker said the water was very clean & clear back in the 19th century. (They have a platform  over the Springs with the historical marker) - Kinda Kewl!! Anyone here know something about  Sand Springs and are those the Springs the city was named after? 

Didn't know they had a Sand Springs on the Missouri...

[AquaMan]

If they say so.

I think its like the Council Oak tree near 18th & Cheyenne. More ceremonial than historically real. There are springs all over that area. The streambed near SS tends to rise in elevation causing the river to slow down and drop the sand out of suspension. This builds up sandy land. Notice the many sand bars created near the 97 bridge? There is even a working sand mining operation there. But the surrounding topography is hilly and drains the water down towards the river creating numerous springs in the sandy lower area.

One of the most striking things I ever saw on that river occurred one evening just upstream of the 97 bridge and was a perfect example of the river's dynamics in that area. The water was rising from a dam release just 4 miles upstream. It wasn't a large release that just filled the area quickly, it was probably a 2000cfs release. We had just left the ramp and I stopped the boat to show my passengers the least terns scurrying on one of the sand bars soon to be flooded. To my surprise the entire sand bar began to erupt with hundreds of little jets of water bubbling up several inches. The setting sun (and the salt of the river) made them glisten and I had an insight as to why the area was so named.

What happens is that the water is somewhat dammed upstream because of the higher topography near the 97 bridge created from many years of deposition. But the water will not be stopped so it percolates in and under the sand bubbling up through the sand bars.

[sauerkraut]

The historical marker was saying that this is  the place  where people actually got water from -and cattle drives on the way into Tulsa stopped there for water, it's just off the Sand Springs jogging trail. (Looks a bit like a well) I find that intresting.  The sand bars around the highway 97 bridge are strange- I did not know there was a sand mining operation going on- the whole Arkansas river area is sandy. Anyhow, I was suprised by that SandSprings jogging trail, from the highway in a car it does not look like much but when you run  on  the trail it's another perspective-  yeah it has a few pesky street crossings but otherwise not bad, too many cyclists though..