Impacts of Deep Geothermal Fluid Production on Shallow Ground-Water Systems

摘要

Geothermal energy is a nationally minor, but regionally significant, potential source of direct heat and electricity in the United States. In developing hydrothermal systems for energy production, it has been necessary in many cases to assess the potential impacts of reservoir drawdown on groundwater discharge points, such as hot springs and seeps, and gaining reaches of surface streams, because many hydrothermal and shallow groundwater reservoirs are hydraulically communicating systems. The extent of interaction between the deep hydrothermal and shallow groundwater reservoirs, however, has often been underestimated during geothermal exploration. Case studies of hydrothermal exploration and development activities at Coso Hot Springs, California, and Valles Caldera, New Mexico, have indicated that shallow groundwater systems may be affected by geothermal reservoir production. These poential impacts include reduction in quantity and temperature of natural groundwater discharge and water rights and socioreligious issues. (ERA citation 05:023983)