Monitoring the hydrologic system for potential effects of geothermal and ground-water development in the Long Valley caldera, Mono County, California, U.S.A.

C. D. Farrar; D. L. Lyster

Monitoring the hydrologic system for potential effects of geothermal and ground-water development in the Long Valley caldera, Mono County, California, U.S.A.

Geothermal Resources Council Transactions

By: C. D. Farrar and D. L. Lyster

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Abstract

In the early 1980's, renewed interest in the geothermal potential of the Long Valley caldera, California, highlighted the need to balance the benefits of energy development with the established recreational activities of the area. The Long Valley Hydrologic Advisory Committee, formed in 1987, instituted a monitoring program to collect data during the early stages of resource utilization to evaluate potential effects on the hydrologic system. Early data show declines in streamflow, spring flow, and ground-water levels caused by 6 years of below-average precipitation. Springs in the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery area discharge water that is a mixture of nonthermal and hydrothermal components. Possible sources of nonthermal water have been identified by comparing deuterium concentrations in streams and springs. The equivalent amount of undiluted thermal water discharged from the springs was calculated on the basis of boron and chloride concentrations. Quantifying the thermal and nonthermal fractions of the total flow may allow researchers to assess changes in flow volume or temperature of the springs caused by groundwater or geothermal development.

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Monitoring the hydrologic system for potential effects of geothermal and ground-water development in the Long Valley caldera, Mono County, California, U.S.A.
Series title	Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
Volume	14
Year Published	1990
Language	English
Publisher	Geothermal Resources Council
Publisher location	Davis, CA
Contributing office(s)	Volcano Hazards Program
Description	6 p.
Larger Work Type	Book
Larger Work Subtype	Conference publication
Larger Work Title	1990 International Symposium on Geothermal Energy
First page	669
Last page	674
Conference Title	1990 International Symposium on Geothermal Energy
Conference Date	Aug 20-24, 1990
Country	United States
State	California
County	Mono
Other Geospatial	Long Valley caldera
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page