| Title | Early Stage Geothermal Exploration and Characterization Near Kootenay Lake, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Authors | Gord MacMahon, Daniel Gatto, Sonni Greene, Leslie Harker, Stefan Humphries, Lucinda Leonard, Theron |
| Year | 2026 |
| Conference | World Geothermal Congress |
| Keywords | |
| Abstract | The Kootenay Lake region, located within a high heat flow segment of the North American Cordillera, presents promising geothermal potential linked to mantle convection beneath a thin, delaminated crust. This post-collisional backarc setting features over 20 deep extensional and transtensional faults, many of which host thermal springs associated with Eocene or younger brittle deformation. Geothermal gradients in the area range from 35°C to 55°C per kilometer, confirmed by temperature logging in selected wells. The Kootenay Lake Geothermal Project has completed four integrated phases of field exploration that include geological mapping, geospatial analysis, geophysics, and geochemistry. A drone-based Thermal Infrared (TIR) survey delineated the boundaries of a specific geothermal system, which was further investigated using UAV Magnetometer and ground-based Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys. The geophysical data collected from these surveys provides critical insights into the structural controls and fracture systems facilitating fluid flow within the geothermal reservoir. The multidisciplinary approach has refined subsurface interpretations and identified targeted zones of geothermal interest, laying the groundwork for resource estimation and potential future development. The project not only contributes to the understanding of geothermal systems in southeastern British Columbia but also offers a replicable framework for exploration of early stage geothermal plays. |