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}
}