RS-22 Geothermal Resource Assessment of the Steamboat-Routt Hot Springs Area, Colorado

Geothermal resource assessment of the Steamboat and Routt Hot Springs located within the Steamboat Springs region in Routt County, Colorado. Includes geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, and geochemical resource of both Steamboat and Routt Hot Springs, Colorado. 86 pages. 32 figures. 22 tables. 8 appendices. Digital PDF download. RS-22D

Within Steamboat Springs there are three thermal springs (temperatures above 68°F, 20°C), plus a number of cooler springs. From north to south these three springs are: Steamboat Spring; Sulphur Cave Spring; and Heart Spring. Heart Spring, which is the hottest spring in Steamboat Springs, with a temperature of 102°F (39°C) and a discharge of 140 gpm contains only 903 mg/1 of dissolved solids. The waters there are a sodium-chloride type. Steamboat Spring and Sulphur Cave Spring are less significant due to only having temperatures of 79 and 68°F (26 and 20°C) and discharges of 20 and 10 gpm, respectively. The temperature of the Routt Hot Springs thermal waters ranges from 124 to 147°F (51°C to 64°C). The dissolved solids found in the waters ranges from 500 to 900 mg/l, and the waters are a sodium chloride-bicarbonate type. This systems areal extent could range from 0.54 to 0.75 sq. mi. (1.4 to 1.9 sq. km.) and contain 0.1663 Q’s of heat energy at an average temperature of 280°F (138°C). Water quality data from these springs is included in the report appendix, along with an evaluation of soil mercury and helium concentrations used to delineate faults or permeable zones.