The springs of Mounds Park, derived from a buried, preglacial river channel, had a discharge of 400 gallons per minute, placing them among the largest springs in the Metro area. In 1878 the Willow Brook State Fish Hatchery was built here, and the water was channeled into galvanized iron troughs for propagating millions of trout. Reportedly, the spring flow decreased owing to urbanization. Warner Road later bisected the park. The hatchery is now a DNR facility.
While looking for any remaining springs in 1993, I came across a hobo jungle in the woods just off the Point Douglas Trail. They were using the springs for their water supply. Not a bad idea!
