Last year in September I was around 11k and had serious issues finding water. I did however find a seep in tall grass where everything else had been sipping water. The grass was laid down all around it and lots beds nearby. The water had a sheen on it and I was reluctant to drink it. I’ve tried researching what the oily sheen was and the only thing I can come up with is it’s plant decay. Does that sound right? Have any of you filtered water like this with a sawyer? Also the water wasn’t moving and was only several inches deep, if that matters. Thanks for your time
Water in high country
- Thread starter Butcher
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Hunting Wife
Well-known member
It could be several things. Decaying matter can produce a sheen. I see it in springs or seeps here and it’s due to an iron-loving bacteria in the water. We’re always trying to figure out if it’s that, or if the Bakken struck again out here. Red slimy stuff coating vegetation or the substrate on the bottom is usually bacterial. Plus there’s the odor differences…oil vs sulfur or iron smells.
If you are miles away from anywhere, I think one of those natural causes is the most likely culprit. Here’s a nice short read about it.
If you are miles away from anywhere, I think one of those natural causes is the most likely culprit. Here’s a nice short read about it.
Hunting Wife
Well-known member
More info. They should be harmless to humans, but I would still filter it out there.
We had a domestic water well at a house we used to live in that had some of these bacteria in it. Water had a little sulfur odor but always tasted fine.
We had a domestic water well at a house we used to live in that had some of these bacteria in it. Water had a little sulfur odor but always tasted fine.
A filter is your friend.
As HW said it is most likely organic bacterial breaking down. I have seen it before and will again. And not limited to high country.
Been stumbling in the hills since I was a kid. Have not drank unfiltered water outside of a few places in many years. High elevation clear lakes and off the rock springs...or my wells.
As HW said it is most likely organic bacterial breaking down. I have seen it before and will again. And not limited to high country.
Been stumbling in the hills since I was a kid. Have not drank unfiltered water outside of a few places in many years. High elevation clear lakes and off the rock springs...or my wells.
I’ve filtered far worse than that with a Sawyer. No issues. Just keep in mind that bacteria (not Protozoa) typically range from ~ 0.2-2 microns in diameter, while Sawyer pores are 0.1 micron. Giardia cysts, on the other hand, are huge in comparison (up to 10 um or so). Had to throw in a small protozoan just for comparison.
