Crested Pool

Crested Pool
Crested Pool
Upper Geyser Basin
Location	Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Teton County, Wyoming
Coordinates	44°27′50″N 110°50′12″W / 44.463865°N 110.83675°W / 44.463865; -110.83675Coordinates: 44°27′50″N 110°50′12″W / 44.463865°N 110.83675°W / 44.463865; -110.83675 [1]
Elevation	7,329 feet (2,234 m) [2]
Temperature	199 °F (93 °C) [1]
Depth	42 feet (13 m)
Upper Geyser Basin

Crested Pool is a hot spring in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. The spring is 42 feet (12.8 m) deep. It is named for the "crest" which surrounds the pool. Although it is considered a spring, Crested Pool sometimes erupts like a geyser.

History

Crested Pool has had a variety of names since it was first described by the Hayden Geological Survey of 1871. In 1872, the Hayden survey of that year named the pool—Fire Basin. Also, in 1872, guidebook writer, Harry Norton, named the pool—Circe's Boudoir. Between 1872 and 1927, the pool was known by a variety of names—Diana's Spring, Devil's Well, Blue Crested Spring, Pool Beautiful, Castle Pool, and Diana's Bath. The name Crested Pool was accepted as official by the U.S. Board on Geographical Name committee in 1927, based on the name Crested Hot Spring on Gustavus Belcher's survey map of 1872.^[3]

In 1970, a nine-year-old boy, Andrew Clark Hecht, accidentally fell into the spring and died.^[4] The Andrew Clark Hecht Memorial Public Safety Achievement Award was created in his memory, and is annually given to the individual or group who contributes the most in public safety. The recipient also receives $1,000 USD.^[5]

Images of Crested Pool

William Henry Jackson photo, 1872. Castle Geyser is in the background.   Early postcard of Crested Pool, Frank Jay Haynes   1987   2003

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Crested Pool". Yellowstone Geothermal Features Database. Montana State University. http://www.rcn.montana.edu/resources/features/feature.aspx?nav=11&id=9911. 
2. ^ "Crested Pool". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1609385. 
3. ^ Wittlesley, Lee H. (1988). Yellowstone Place Names. Montana Historical Society Press. pp. 41. ISBN 0917298152. 
4. ^ Whittlesey, Lee H. (1995). Death in Yellowstone. Robert Rinehart Publishers. ISBN 9781570980213. 
5. ^ "National Park Service Director Lauds Safety Day". National Park Service. http://home.nps.gov/applications/release/Detail.cfm?ID=25.