An evaluation of exploration methods for low-temperature geothermal systems in the Artesian City area, Idaho

摘要

Numerous wells and a few springs around the perimeter of the Rock Creek Hills (South Hills) south of Artesian City, Idaho, produce water as warm as 49 °C. Warm-water samples throughout the study area share similar chemical characteristics, suggesting a common source of recharge and similar flow systems. Precipitation in the Rock Creek Hills probably infiltrates to depths in excess of 650 m along numerous normal faults and within permeable horizons of the Idavada Volcanics. Underlying Paleozoic rocks are relatively impermeable, except where fractured by recent tectonism, and probably direct the infiltrating ground water toward the lowland of the Snake River Plain. The volcanics have buried a Miocene topographic high that at present separates the warm ground water into two flow systems. Heavy pumping at the edge of the Snake River Plain at present captures the warm-water flow at depth and encourages the infiltration of irrigation water through the Quaternary alluvium and basalt flows of the plain into the underlying Idavada Volcanics.