Montezuma Well

A short distance away, we visited Montezuma Well, a separate section of the Montezuma Castle National Monument.

The well is a limestone sink formed when a large cavern collapsed. Over 1.5 million gallons of water flow through the well daily, providing a lush oasis in a dry region. The well is 55 feet deep and 368 feet across.



There are several species of plants and animals that are found only in this well. It is a unique habitat because of the constantly warm temperature (76°) of the underground spring that feeds the well.



The water fills the well, then flows out through a small opening at the base of one wall. There are irrigation canals that the water still flows into before it joins Beaver Creek.



The Sinagua people irrigated and farmed in the area. The trail in this picture leads to the opening where the water emerges from the well. To the right of the trail, you can see a small irrigation ditch built by the Sinaguans.