Photographer: Calvin J. Hamilton Copyright: Copyright 2007 Calvin J. Hamilton Date: 26 July 2007 Location: Mesa Verde, Colorado

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Rain and winter snowmelt slowly trickle down through the porous sandstone (which holds water like a sponge). The shale (which is more like plastic) located below the sandstone will not allow water to pass through it. So, when the water hits the shale and can no longer continue its downward journey, it seeps out, collects in depressions, and produces a seep spring. This seep spring provided the water for the Balcony House residents. The spring produces a little more than the flow of a kitchen sink and the sandstone sponge holds 40 to 50 years of water.