Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans

Conference · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6980070

McCarthy, K P

Ouray, Colorado, at 7800 feet, lies in a natural amphitheater in the northern portion of the San Juan Mountains. Mining and tourism are the primary industries; each fluctuating between boom or bust; mining erratically; tourism seasonally. The hot springs in the area average from 80/sup 0/ to 152/sup 0/F and discharge from 2 to 200 gallons per minute. The resource is probably associated with circulation along deep normal faults with a limestone aquifer dispersing the hot water. It is estimated that 2256 x 10/sup 11/ Btu's of geothermal energy are available in the area. The springs are used in a pool, and for space heating. An unsolicited proposal for additional resource assessment and engineering was rejected by DOE. An Appropriate Technology Small Grant was applied for, and an A and E subcontract is being applied for. Independent development is happening nearby in exploration drilling for space heating needs. The city will pursue a heating district scheme involving use of the pool spring, or drilling a well as funding dictates. The city has unique funding problems involving an unstable seasonal economy, desire to continue to maintain the hot springs pool, impatient citizenry, and nervous spa owners.

• Research Organization: Colorado Geological Survey, Denver
• DOE Contract Number: FC07-79ID12018
• OSTI ID: 6980070
• Report Number(s): CONF-811015-
• Journal Information: Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States), Vol. 5; Conference: Geothermal Resources Council annual meeting, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Oct 1981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
COLORADO
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMY
GEOTHERMAL EXPLORATION
HOT SPRINGS
MINING
PLANNING
RECREATIONAL AREAS
TOURISM
USES
EXPLORATION
FEDERAL REGION VIII
NORTH AMERICA
RESOURCES
THERMAL SPRINGS
USA
WATER SPRINGS
150101* - Geothermal Energy- Resources & Availability- USA- (-1989)