# Why does steam rise from manholes in the U.S.?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-steam-rise-from-manholes-in-the-u-s/20420>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [May 24, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-steam-rise-from-manholes-in-the-u-s/20420 "2000-05-24T16:46:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2000, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-steam-rise-from-manholes-in-the-u-s/20420/1 "2000-05-24T16:46:47Z")

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I’m confused about something. It seems to me that pushing steam miles and miles around a city would be very ineffective. Wouldn’t it cool off and turn back into water?

Just wondering.

A faithful reader…  
Enright3