| Title | Thermal-Water Discharge from Steamboat Hills Geothermal System |
|---|---|
| Authors | Sorey, Michael L.; Spielman, Paul |
| Year | 2008 |
| Conference | Geothermal Resources Council Transactions |
| Keywords | Geothermal System; Hot Springs; Chloride Flux; Thermal-Water Discharge |
| Abstract | Measurements of the flux of chloride in Steamboat Creek are used to estimate the rate at which thermal water (Cl = 820 mg/L) discharges from the geothermal system at Steamboat Hills, Nevada. Past studies of thermal-water discharge between 1955 and 1989 yielded estimates of 660-1,200 gallons per minute (gpm). In this study, 4 repeated sets of Cl flux measurements over the period April 2007 to March 2008 yielded estimates for this discharge of 730–1,214 gpm. These results are based on Cl flux measurements in SB Creek at Bella Vista Road (in the Huffaker Hills at the northern end of the system) and at Rhodes Road (at the southern end of the system). Alternative computations based on Cl flux measurements in Steamboat Creek and the Crane Ditch tributary at Steamboat Parkway and at Steamboat Creek at Rhodes Road yielded discharge estimates of 250-580 gpm. Differences between these estimates for each measurement set reflect the additions of thermal water to Steamboat Creek as it flows through the meadows north of Steamboat Parkway. Estimates based on the Huffaker Hills gaging site are considered more accurate indicators of present-day thermal-water discharge. Our results are consistent with those of previous investigations which involved similar uses of chloride-flux measurements or estimates, along with estimates of hot spring discharge. This indicates that there has been little if any change in the total rate of discharge from the geothermal system despite a significant increase in the rates of geothermal fluid production and cessation of hot-spring discharge from the silica terraces at the base of Steamboat Hills. |