Photo

Description

Other information sources have reported that: “Ebbing and Flowing Spring is one of only two known springs in the world to exhibit tidal characteristics with a predictable regularity. During a period of 2 hours and 47 minutes, the spring’s flow ranges from an indiscernible trickle to 500 gallons per minute. This phenomenon is not understood, but has it generated much speculation.” (Wikipedia, Earthcache GC1JYY3) As an engineer, I have thought how this observed phenomena could be occuring and realized that a siphon was involved. The hillside above the spring has a large cavern space which is continually filling with water from rain or other underground flow. From this cavern, there is a path with an upward, then downward bend which then continues to the spring outlet at the ground level. Water fills the cavern until its liquid level is higher than the top of the exiting bend. A siphon results which quickly pulls the water out of the cavern until air breaks the vacuum. Therefore, flows of a trickle to a gush are observed in a regular cycle. Zoom in on the illustration in the gallery for a visual explanation. See also an 1823 book on physics “Lectures on select subjects in mechanics, hydrostatics, hydraulics” by James Ferguson, David Brewster for a similar explaination with two caverns to have a ebbing spring with a continual (not a trickle) flow at its minimum rate. Scanned by Google Books, although the illustrations are chopped off.

Additional info: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6MP6_Ebbing_and_Flowing_Spring_Rogersville_TN

Nearest Address

W Bear Hallow Road.

Directions from Nearest Address

Approximately 30 miles west of Johnson City, TN.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

N/A

GPS:

N 36° 25.546 W 082° 57.328

Map Link: Ebbing and Flowing Spring Map

Submitted by: Tommy McGuire