I had this water tested by a local water filter outlet. In addition to the information below, I was told the alkilinity level is 170…city average is 70. And hardness, based on calcium and manganese is 11…a nearby waterfall was 6…I suspect city is much lower, but I forgot to ask.
Nearest Address
just a smidge before mile 109 on the Turnagain Arm, there is a pull out on the Hwy and a spout jutting from the mountain rock face
On North side of highway directly across from a pullout and within a few hundred yards of the Mile 109 highway marker, Anchorage side. This is just South of Beluga Point and McHugh Creek on the Seward Highway on the South end of Anchorage, Alaska.
Directions from Nearest Address
Head down Seward Hwy, pass Potters Marsh…pass McHugh Creek…start looking for sign posts shortly after McHugh Creek…when you see mile 110, keep your owes out for the pull off on the right and the spring tube on the left…and often a line of people gathering water
It’s a pipe on the side of the road that allows the water that is running between fissures in the rocks to escape and thus reduce the risk of rock fall onto the highway.
Almost all of the water comes from rain and snow that originally fell on the slopes above the cutting.
The water is cold and it may look crystal clear but it went through bear poop, dog poop and possibly even human poop on the surface before it made its way to the pipe.
This water is fantastic! That said, please be careful if you use this site. There have been multiple injuries from falling rocks. Also it is not a very safe place to pull out or cross the road. DOT and State police have requested that people not stop here.
Even though we have enjoyed this water in the past we no longer stop here. It is too risky.
July 8th 2012 12:30pm beautiful day. A head on accident occurred because amateur Seward Hwy driver pulled out of the turnoff causing a chain reaction accident making a monster tie up on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t go get water during peak weekend time. Forest Fair, personal dip netting is open! People coming to Anchorage Airport to catch a flight! Don’t stop to look at the Sheep either! One person is critical! Don’t get water there!
Correction July 9, 2017 12:30 pm.
It’s not worth losing your life over. Alaska has a lot of natural arsenic in many fresh water aquifer supplied sources.
Flying out of Los Angeles today. We should be passing marker 109 around 3:30 am.(2) 5GAL water bottles at Wal-Mart in anchorage(open 24 hours ) will give us plenty for the week.
Hey, I will be visiting Anchorage (near the providence medical center) for the first time on the 02/24/12 and I would love to fill up some water bottles. If anyone is headed that way and back I would love to catch a ride with you! Thanks~
Yes, I’m curious. I am about to visit AK for the first time! I have a job working in the hospital and I would love to be able to fill up on spring water while there. Is this safe to drink and does anyone know of any other great spots out there? Thanks! Heather
So you had it tested? Its completely safe to drink at those levels of alkalinity? I would love to go and fill up, but I am worried for my kiddo’s if it is safe for them. Thanks for the info!
This summer there was a fire close to the spring and there was fire retardant used as well as seawater, so we’ve been hesitant to drink the water since then. Not certain how or if the chemicals affect the spring, but there you go.
Excellent point! I was just going to headed to the spring and thought id check this site first….
Ya have to think that crap will be seeping in for a bit of time.
In Whittier Ak. our water is collected from glaciers . It is virtually untreated, no chlorine, no fluoride. Our water has been rated the 3 rd best ..Nationwide, and First in Alaska..I believe ..so come over to Whittier and bring your water bottles
Does anyone know if this water has been tested for arsenic? My well water contains arsenic but I didn’t know until recently. Don’t want to continue making the same mistake.
We’ve been filling up our jugs at this spring off and on for a few years and the water is cold, clean and delicious. It looks like they’ve graded around the area so there isn’t such a steep depression where you stand to fill your containers. A vast improvement, especially in the winter so there’s *not as much* of a danger of slipping! It flows all year long.
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Mile 109 Mountain Spring, Anchorage, Alaska
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Dave – please use the Contact Us form above and we'll send you over instructions for loading the photos up.
I’m not sure this pipe counts as a “spring”.
It’s a pipe on the side of the road that allows the water that is running between fissures in the rocks to escape and thus reduce the risk of rock fall onto the highway.
Almost all of the water comes from rain and snow that originally fell on the slopes above the cutting.
The water is cold and it may look crystal clear but it went through bear poop, dog poop and possibly even human poop on the surface before it made its way to the pipe.
This water is fantastic! That said, please be careful if you use this site. There have been multiple injuries from falling rocks. Also it is not a very safe place to pull out or cross the road. DOT and State police have requested that people not stop here.
Even though we have enjoyed this water in the past we no longer stop here. It is too risky.
July 8th 2012 12:30pm beautiful day. A head on accident occurred because amateur Seward Hwy driver pulled out of the turnoff causing a chain reaction accident making a monster tie up on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t go get water during peak weekend time. Forest Fair, personal dip netting is open! People coming to Anchorage Airport to catch a flight! Don’t stop to look at the Sheep either! One person is critical! Don’t get water there!
Correction July 9, 2017 12:30 pm.
It’s not worth losing your life over. Alaska has a lot of natural arsenic in many fresh water aquifer supplied sources.
Flying out of Los Angeles today. We should be passing marker 109 around 3:30 am.(2) 5GAL water bottles at Wal-Mart in anchorage(open 24 hours ) will give us plenty for the week.
Hey does anyone know if this spring is open right now? I know that there is alot of snow right now- let me know!
Thanks!
Heather
Hey, I will be visiting Anchorage (near the providence medical center) for the first time on the 02/24/12 and I would love to fill up some water bottles. If anyone is headed that way and back I would love to catch a ride with you! Thanks~
Yes, I’m curious. I am about to visit AK for the first time! I have a job working in the hospital and I would love to be able to fill up on spring water while there. Is this safe to drink and does anyone know of any other great spots out there? Thanks! Heather
So you had it tested? Its completely safe to drink at those levels of alkalinity? I would love to go and fill up, but I am worried for my kiddo’s if it is safe for them. Thanks for the info!
Alkalinity is where it’s at from a health standpoint, disease occurs in an acid state.
Does anyone know if there anyway to add a picture in comments? I have a picture…
I live in CT…. I visited Alaska this summer and pulled off at 109 to fill up. What a cool experience.
No longer there 🙁 city took it out.
This summer there was a fire close to the spring and there was fire retardant used as well as seawater, so we’ve been hesitant to drink the water since then. Not certain how or if the chemicals affect the spring, but there you go.
Excellent point! I was just going to headed to the spring and thought id check this site first….
Ya have to think that crap will be seeping in for a bit of time.
In Whittier Ak. our water is collected from glaciers . It is virtually untreated, no chlorine, no fluoride. Our water has been rated the 3 rd best ..Nationwide, and First in Alaska..I believe ..so come over to Whittier and bring your water bottles
Beverly, Thanks for great comment on Whittier water. Best place to fill up?
Great source! Very easy to find. Always seems to be people there filling up. I was there 8/31/15
Does anyone know if this water has been tested for arsenic? My well water contains arsenic but I didn’t know until recently. Don’t want to continue making the same mistake.
We’ve been filling up our jugs at this spring off and on for a few years and the water is cold, clean and delicious. It looks like they’ve graded around the area so there isn’t such a steep depression where you stand to fill your containers. A vast improvement, especially in the winter so there’s *not as much* of a danger of slipping! It flows all year long.
I live near here and love this water!
could I please get a copy the test results?
this would be really valued by me and my whole family.