The area along NM Highway 4 south of Los Alamos has a number of hot spring spas. Perhaps it’s because the Valle Grande volcanic area is nearby.

One hot spring, rich in calcium carbonate, slowly built the Soda Dam through pretty much the same process that forms stalagmites and stalactites. Water carries minerals, water evaporates, minerals remain. Repeat for thousands of years and you get this: Soda Dam Hot Springs.

Water temperature is around 117 degrees Fahrenheit.
A section of the dam face
A view of the upstream side of the dam
The stream above the dam.

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