How Old Tires Are Protecting Yellowstone’s Famous Geysers

[Omaha Steve]

A new pathway made from repurposed rubber will allow more water to flow into the ground, recharging the park’s main attraction.



Tourists watch the Old Faithful geyser at Yellowstone National Park. (Photo: Mark Ralston/Getty Images)

http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/09/13/yellowstone-tires

SEP 13, 2015 Samantha Cowan is an associate editor and helms TakePart's weekend coverage.

After driving to Yellowstone National Park, visitors will continue to travel by tire once they’ve exited their vehicle. An old asphalt footpath was replaced by one made from recycled tires at Yellowstone’s most popular attraction, the Old Faithful geyser.

Made from 900 recycled Michelin tires, the 6,400-square-foot path will lead tourists from the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and across a bridge behind the geyser, according to Yellowstone Gate. Visitors often plan their day around the large geyser, which spews water from an underground hot spring every hour or so.
“Old Faithful and its unique ecosystem is being threatened by these old asphalt pathways,” Steve Iobst, deputy superintendent of Yellowstone, said in a video about the project. Not only are the asphalt pathways breaking apart, but their impenetrable surface prevents water from making it back into the ground.

The new pavement, called Flexi-Pave, by K.B, Industries, is porous. The tire path will allow rain and snow to permeate the surface and help maintain the groundwater system. That water refuels the erupting Old Faithful geyser, which is visited by 90 percent of the park’s 3 million annual visitors.

FULL story at link.

[MineralMan]

1. Good reuse of materials.

We need more of this.

[Ichigo Kurosaki]

2. Hmmm,

unless the water is running off into a stream and leaving the area the rain would just run off the side of the path and soak into the ground from there.

That said, I'm glad they got rid of the asphalt that leaches more petroleum based substances than the old tires do.
Plus it keeps old tires out of landfills.

[liberal N proud]

3. Good recycling application

[HuckleB]

4. Recommended.

A second link with a bit more text: http://www.yellowstonegate.com/2015/09/recycled-tires-used-for-new-walking-path-at-old-faithful/

[Snobblevitch]

5. I suppose it would cost more to maintain,

but a gravel walkway is porous and not made from petroleum.

Unintended consequences first thought to be a good idea:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Reef