Geothermal resource analysis in the Big Wood River Valley, Blaine County, Idaho

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6419127· OSTI ID:6419127

Street, L V

A geochemical investigation of both thermal and nonthermal springs in the Wood River area was conducted to determine possible flowpaths, ages of the waters, and environmental implications. Seven thermal springs and five cold springs were sampled for major cations and anions along with arsenic, lithium, boron, deuterium and oxygen-18. Eight rocks, representative of outcrops at or near the thermal occurrences were sampled and analyzed for major and trace elements. The Wood River area hydrothermal springs are dilute Na-HCO{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} type waters. Calculated reservoir temperatures do not exceed 100{degree}C, except for Magic Hot Springs Landing well (108{degree}C with Mg correction). The isotope data suggest that the thermal water is not derived from present-day precipitation, but from precipitation when the climate was much colder and wetter. Intrusive igneous rocks of the Idaho batholith have reacted with the hydrothermal fluids at depth. The co-location of the thermal springs and mining districts suggests that the structures acting as conduits for the present-day hydrothermal fluids were also active during the emplacement of the ore bodies.

• Research Organization: Idaho Dept. of Water Resources, Boise, ID (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-88ID12748
• OSTI ID: 6419127
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12748-1; ON: DE91005104
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150200 -- Geology & Hydrology of Geothermal Systems
150302* -- Geothermal Exploration & Exploration Technology-- Geochemical Techniques & Surveys
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
GROUND WATER
Geothermal Legacy
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROTHERMAL STAGE
IDAHO
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESOURCES
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
USA
WATER