Carson Hot Springs mineral water uniquely soothing

More than half of the human body is made of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen, according to the United States Geological Survey's Water Science School. Various organs of the body contain as much as 83 percent water, a vital element to life and its essential functions.

So it's no wonder that the subterranean mineral water pumped from 35,000 feet below the ground at Carson Hot Springs Resort in Carson City appears to be healthy for bathers.

While there haven't been specific scientific studies proving medicinal benefits of the resort's unique water, Resort General Manager Keith Shellhamer says there are plenty of personal testimonies of clients who have experienced real results.

Carson City resident Jessica Meligan has been coming to the mineral pool most of her life. The 26 year-old suffers from multiple physical and developmental impairments, including cerebral palsy, autism, and osteopenia.

Born premature at 23 weeks gestation and weighing a mere one pound, four ounces, Meligan spent the first six months of her life in an incubator within a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Reno, her mother Nilza Shellhamer said.

"That's what originated her disabilities," Nilza said, noting that Jessica is also non-verbal.

But she knows of the benefits of the hot springs mineral water to her body, and it shows.

"She just gets all excited, and so happy when she knows she is coming here," Nilza said. "She doesn't talk, but she smiles."

The water helped Jessica's skin and her bones, Nilza said, as well as her posture and mobility impairments caused by the cerebral palsy.

"With the CP, she is spastic and becomes stiff," Nilza said. "The water, the pool has helped her osteopenia, because of just exercising in the pool with her weightbearing. She has showed improvement on her bone density tests."

Walking is a challenge for Jessica outside of the pool, Nilza said, but inside of it, she moves more fluidly.

"Her walking improves once she goes into the water," Nilza said. "The heat, the minerals, it is very balanced."

So what exactly is in the water pumped into the mineral pools at Carson Hot Springs Resort?

According to the resort's web site, there are several mineral elements contained in the water that offer nutrient-rich benefits to the human body, including sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. There is also measurable sulfate, silica, fluoride and lithium elements contained in the mineral water, all of which are measured in milligrams per liter.

Traces of iron, manganese, zinc and arsenic are found in the Carson Hot Springs water, too.

"We believe we have the best water in the Sierra/Rocky Mountain chain of hot springs," the resort web site states.

What makes these waters special and unique, Keith Shellhamer said, is the very low concentration of sulfur and greater concentrations of metal elements compared with many other subterranean waters found throughout the western United States.

"We're high in metals and low in sulfur, which is different than most hot springs, so that combination is just more soothing for the muscles and more penetrating than most other hot springs," he said. "Almost all of them have that rotten egg smell."

But not the water at Carson Hot Springs Resort. It is pleasingly mild to the olfactory senses.

The virtually odorless mineral water pumped into the resort's pools is just one reason why there is a loyal following among many of its clients.

"I've been coming here every day for the last two years," Silver City resident Meera Mottram said. "I feel when you come here, this mineral water is the best thing you can do for yourself."

Mottram said her reason for visiting the hot springs has to do with her overall well-being. She said the environment itself is soothing to her soul as well as to her body.

"When I come in here, everything goes away," she said. "I meet the most wonderful, spiritual people in this pool, so I always have such wonderful conversations."

As for the water, Mottram said its purity contributes greatly to helping her body feel better.

"This water is incredible," she said. "There's no chemicals in it. It's pure the way they clean it."

Robin Stone of Dayton said Carson Hot Springs was recommended to her as an alternative to conventional chlorinated pools.

"I started here because I was having problems with chlorine on my skin," she said. "The water here and the magnesium in it definitely help. It doesn't leave the chemical smell like chlorine does."

Mineral hot springs on the property have been used by tourists and travelers since Nevada's earliest days mining the Comstock, said 11-year resort employee Penny Lewis.

"This has been open and running since the silver rush on the Comstock, and it was on the stage road going through Eagle Valley before it was ever used for its water," she said. "The pool has been in same location since 1894. At that time, pools were called plunges, and this was one of the largest west of the Mississippi River."

Formerly known as Shaw's Warm Springs, Home of the Healing Waters, the name was changed to Carson Hot Springs Resort about a half century ago, Lewis said.

Carson Hot Springs Resort is located at 1500 Old Hot Springs Road just east of the Interstate 580 freeway off East College Parkway and Research Way.

Visit its web site here for more information about the water, or find the resort on Facebook here.