Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Where Does the Water Come From?

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010

1. Where Does the Water Come From? Marker

Inscription. Geologists have determined that water seeps into the ground southeast of Great Falls in the Little Belt Mountains, where the Madison Limestone formation is exposed at the land surface. The water then travels through the formation toward Giant Springs.

In the springs area, the Madison Formation is about 400 feet below the surface. Pressure caused by the overlying rock layers forces the water from the Madison to escape upward, through the cracks in the overlying sandstone. These cracks are visible in the photo at right.

It takes less than 50 years for water to flow from the Little Belt Mountains to the Giant Springs area. The water emerges from the ground at a consistent 54 degrees, all year long.

(Photo caption)
Water escapes through the cracks, forming Giant Springs, photo courtesy of Christopher Dantic

Erected by Montana State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 47° 32.069′ N, 111° 13.786′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker can be reached from Giant Springs Road, 1.3 miles north of River Drive North. Marker is located in Giant Springs State Park; the above directions are to

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the main driveway to the park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4803 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls MT 59405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. These Springs Have Witnessed... (here, next to this marker); The Smallest River Runs Through It (a few steps from this marker); Pure Springs Along the Missouri River (a few steps from this marker); Giant Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Of Special Concern (approx. 0.2 miles away); One of Many Firsts (approx. ¼ mile away); The Army's Navy (approx. 0.4 miles away); A "great" Set of Falls (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

More about this marker. The marker is an interpretive sign that is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

Also see . . .
1. Giant Springs State Park. From the official Montana State Parks website. (Submitted on April 29, 2015.)

2. Giant Springs - Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 29, 2015.)

Roe River Headed to the Missouri River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010

2. Roe River Headed to the Missouri River

Marker is the nearest marker on the right

Giant Springs Next to the Missouri River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, August 12, 2010

3. Giant Springs Next to the Missouri River

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 421 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.