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Title: Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans

Abstract

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.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Colorado Geological Survey, Denver
OSTI Identifier:
6980070
Report Number(s):
CONF-811015-
Journal ID: CODEN: TGRCD
DOE Contract Number:  
FC07-79ID12018
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 5; Conference: Geothermal Resources Council annual meeting, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Oct 1981
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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)

Citation Formats

McCarthy, K P. Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans. United States: N. p., 1981. Web.
McCarthy, K P. Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans. United States.
McCarthy, K P. 1981. "Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans". United States.
@article{osti_6980070,
title = {Ouray Colorado resource characteristics and future plans},
author = {McCarthy, K P},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6980070}, journal = {Trans. - Geotherm. Resour. Counc.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 5,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981},
month = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1981}
}

Conference:
Other availability
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