Description
This assessment of the geothermal resources in western San Luis Valley includes geology, hydrogeology, geophysics, and geochemical resource assessment results. 72 pages. 29 figures. 13 tables. Digital PDF download. RS-19D
Shaw Warm Springs appears to be the only source of thermal waters along the western side of the valley, and is located approximately 6 miles (9.66 km) north of Del Norte in Rio Grande County, Colorado. From the various investigations conducted, it appears that the thermal waters of Shaw Warm Springs appear to be fault controlled and are of meteoric origin. The water becomes heated due to deep circulation (< 5,526 ft., 1. 7 km) in an area having above-normal geothermal gradients. The reservoir is likely limited in extent. The springs have a temperature of 86°F (30°C), an annual average discharge of 40 gpm, and contains approximately 408 mg/l of total dissolved solids. It is estimated that this could have an areal extent of 0.63 sq. miles (1.62 sq. km) and contain 0.0148 Q's of heat energy. Water quality data from these springs is included in the report appendix, along with an evaluation of soil mercury concentrations used to delineate faults or permeable zones.
