Klamath Falls, Oregon, is in hot water all the time—really hot water
ranging from 125 degrees up to 200 degrees which is the temperature of
underground water in the downtown area. And some ingenious people have made
good use of it.
There is a combination of hot rocks and water like those that
created Yellowstone’s geysers that lies beneath the surface. The city tapped
into it in the early 1990’s to keep the sidewalks from freezing. When snow falls
downtown, it piles up everywhere but melts when it hits the sidewalks. The
geothermal water also heats downtown buildings, kettles at the local brewery, greenhouses,
a public swimming pool and homes. There are more than 600 geothermal wells providing
heat for houses, schools and a hospital.
Last night snow fell that started out as rain making it a very
slippery drive into town. We expected the sidewalks to be clear, but were
surprised to see ice on them and a church elder lifting a bag of sand from the
trunk of his car.
Today’s gift was to help him spread sand on the icy walkway so
that people could safely walk into church. Although Klamath Falls is always in
hot water, it only works if you flip the switch to turn it on.
In Giving,
Robin
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