Potential impacts of geothermal development on outdoor recreational use of the Salton Sea

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6579341

Twiss, R; Sidener, J; Bingham, G; Burke, J E; Hall, C H

This study analyzes the consequences that full-field development of geothermal resources may have on recreational industry and aesthetic resources in Imperial Valley. Significant changes in the level of the Salton Sea and extensive development of outlying desert areas, such as East Mesa, resulting from geothermal development will significantly affect fishing and water-oriented sports, wildlife refuges, and off-road vehicle activity in East Mesa. The aesthetic impacts are illustrated by the use of pencil sketches of views organized in sectors around the Salton Sea. The sketches allow selection and emphasis of important detail not obtainable with the use of photographs or viewshed analyses. Generally, the aesthetic impacts of geothermal development are superimposed on an environment already affected by rural development, some industrialization, and highly intensive agricultural activity. Power plant structures, transmission lines, and, to some extent, water and steam pipelines are a noticeable addition to the local visual scene but do not significantly alter the aesthetics now dominated by man's activity. In the wildlife refuge areas of Niland and on exposed ridgelines, however, there is a potential for significant aesthetic impact. The aesthetic impacts can be mitigated to some extent in these areas by location and design choices and by clustering the geothermal plants. In addition, housing and commercial development to support direct and indirect population growth will create a variety of aesthetic impacts of varying beneficial and detrimental character in different locales throughout the valley. Several community design concepts are proposed to accommodate this residential development.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6579341
• Report Number(s): UCRL-13897(Rev.1)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150600* -- Geothermal Energy-- Environmental Aspects
AESTHETICS
CALIFORNIA
DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
IMPERIAL VALLEY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAKES
NATURE RESERVES
NORTH AMERICA
PIPELINES
PLANNING
POWER PLANTS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECREATIONAL AREAS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RESOURCES
SALTON SEA
SALTON SEA GEOTHERMAL FIELD
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TOURISM
USA
WESTERN REGION