SULPJIATK OF SODA. 
63 
holes were found to have filled with a saturated solution of sulphate 
of soda, indicating a rate of flow of 450 gallons per hour. The solu- 
tion was supersaturated and had a gravity of 31° B., containing 
slightly more than 75 per cent of hydrous sodium sulphate. At this 
rate, 2\ tons of the anhydrous salt would be obtained every twenty- 
four hours, if the influx of water into the pits was constant. If the 
supply is derived from springs, a large amount of soda could be 
obtained, but if it is due to surface wash, replenishment would be 
slow. 
The Union Pacific Soda Lakes are a group of ponds covering an 
area of 60 acres in the N. J sec. 4, T. 14 N., R. 75 W. The deposit is 
claimed to be over 12 feet thick and an 8-foot cube of the soda was 
once taken out. Twenty years ago the deposit was worked to a mod- 
erate extent, the product being carried by a branch railroad to Lara- 
mie, where it was converted into caustic soda and sodium carbonate. 
The industry was not profitable, owing, it is stated, to inefficient 
methods. Later the material was utilize* 1 in the glass furnace which 
was formerly operated at Laramie, but there has been no production 
since 1895. After the construction of the Pioneer ditch the seepage 
filled and enlarged the lakes, but doubtless soda still remains on the 
bottom. Originally the waters had specific gravities from 1.048 to 
1.088 and contained the following constituents: 
Constituents of waters of Union Pacific Soda Lakes. a 
[Uypothetical combinations; parts per thousand.] 
Sodium sulphate 
Calcium sulphate . . 
Magnesium sulphate 
Magnesium chloride. 
Sodium carbonate &.. 
Big Lake. 
44.90 
1.75 
. 60 
C 43 
1.46- 
I l 
Track 
Lake, 
75. 63 
1.46 
.70 
3 <m 
! 21 
52. 00 
Red Lake. 
93. 07 
2.01 
1 43 
I 16 
101.42 
a Pemberton and Trucker, Chem. News, vol. 68, p. 19. 
b Given as sodium borate, but should probably be sodium carbonate. 
An average sample of the deposit gave the following analysis: 
Analysis oj Union Pacific Soda Lakes deposit. 
Water 16.87 
Sodium sulphate 34. 85 
Sodium chloride 1 L6 
Calcium sulphate 1. 45 
Magnesium sulphate 97 
Insoluble 13. 86 
99, 16 
