Reservoir engineering, case history, and problems: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States)

OSTI ID:7148904

Nork, W E

During the initial heating season (1984-1985), using the City of Klamath Falls pump and inject geothermal system, an investigation was conducted for the purposes of determining: (1) the effect on the geothermal aquifer directly related to use of the city system; (2) the accuracy and dependability of water level fluctuations predicted by the VARFLOW model, developed by Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, with comparison to observed measurements; (3) the causes of problems observed in privately owned geothermal wells; and (4) additional understanding of the hydrology of the geothermal aquifer underlying Klamath Falls, from that which was reported by the US Geological Survey and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. The principal conclusions drawn from the study were as follows. At current discharge rates, the contribution of the city's pump and inject system to the annual fluctuations in water level within the geothermal aquifer is very small and locally contained. Since about 1973, average pumpage-to-waste has exceeded average annual recharge, and the results of modeling with inverse VARFLOW suggest that 50% or more of the long-term declines in water levels since that date are due to excessive pumpage-to-waste. There is a high level of correlation between changes in water level due to pumping and average ambient temperature, at least on a daily basis. Injection of heat-spent fluids currently being discharged to waste will mitigate the annual rate of decline in water levels.

• Research Organization: William E. Nork, Inc., Klamath Falls, OR (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7148904
• Journal Information: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States), Journal Name: Geotherm. Hot Line; (United States) Vol. 16:1-2; ISSN GHLID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150600* -- Geothermal Energy-- Environmental Aspects
151000 -- Geothermal Energy-- Direct Energy Utilization
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
DISTRICT HEATING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
HEATING
HYDROLOGY
INJECTION WELLS
KGRA
KLAMATH FALLS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
SPACE HEATING
USA
WATER TABLES
WELLS