 Welcome to Intermittent Spring or as the Native Americans called it, the spring that breathes. This unique land feature is located just five miles east of Afton and is definitely worth the hike to check out. Periodic springs are relatively uncommon compared to continuously flowing springs and the one located here in Star Valley is the largest in the world. According to University of Utah researchers, the theory to how this works is, groundwater flows continuously into a cavern underground and as it fills, it pours over a high point in a narrow tube which creates a siphoning effect. This sucks the water out of the chamber but eventually air rushes in and breaks the siphon. Here at Intermittent Spring, water flows for 12 to 18 minutes and then stops for approximately the same amount of time. In the spring, the flow never stops due to increased water supply from melting snowpack. At full flow, the spring discharges 285 gallons per second and is Afton's chief water supply. So the next time you're in the Star Valley, head east on 2nd Avenue through the town of Afton to reach one of the world's only rhythmic springs. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Ashley Garles, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.