ECONOMIC MINERAL DEPOSITS AS AN EXPLANATION FOR ANOMALOUS WATER CHEMISTRY AT COLGATE LICK HOT SPRINGS, LOLO PASS, IDAHO

There are five hot springs in the central northwest along highway 12 that are frequented by the local population. These five hot springs, Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Stanley Hot Springs, Lolo Hot Springs, Weir Creek Hot Springs, and Colgate Lick, are all proximal to the Idaho Batholith and share similar water chemistries, except Colgate Lick. We suspect that the difference in chemistry is due to thermal water moving to the surface through sulfide bearing faults. Sulfide deposits are often key indicators of economic resources like copper, silver, iron and lead. Through our analysis of regional geology, rock samples, water chemistry data, collected from the 5 hot springs, we hope to find new information about these hot springs that may have potential economic impact for the people of Idaho.