Our second stop on our virtual tour of the Places of Interest in the Verde Valley Field Trip is Montezuma Well National Monument. The Well is a Limestone Sink that collapsed 11,000 years ago. The Well is approximately 150 feet across and is round in shape. Approximately a million and a half gallons of water per day flow through the well. The water has very little oxygen in it and fish cannot live in the water. If you look closely at the surface of the water during the day it may look like it is raining. What is actually happening is carbon dioxide is being given off by the water and it creates small sprays in the process. Small muskrats, mud turtles and several species of waterfowl can be seen swimming on the well during the day. There are steps that lead down into the well area. Park visitors can explore the swallot cave near the well outlet. Small animals and bats inhabit the small caves, where the ancient Sinagua once lived. If you look closely you can see small cliff dwellings that are nestled in the rim areas above the well. This area is also maintained by the National Park Service.
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