WWRC 85-12
Geothermal Research in Wyoming
Abstract
Geothermal research in Wyoming continued during 1984 with funding
from the Wyoming Water Research Center.
Research activities included the following items.
- A research project co-funded by the Western Area Power
Administration was completed resulting in a report entitled "An
Analysis of the Geothermal Potential Near Western Area Power
Administration's Facility in Thermopolis, Wyoming". This
report includes geologic maps of the Thermopolis area,
hydrologic data for the geothermal system, a general discussion
of the geothermal system, and results of finite-difference
numerical modeling of the convective transport of heat by
groundwater along the crest of the Thermopolis anticline.
- A report entitled "A Summary of Geothermal Potential in
Wyoming" was completed. This report includes discussions of
geothermal regulations and permitting procedures for Wyoming,
assessment methodology, and descriptions of Wyoming geothermal
systems.
- Over 300 references were compiled for a bibliography on
the geothermal resources of Wyoming which will be added to the
Water Center's bibliography.
- Geothermal information was distributed to the general
public, government officials, and industrial groups.
Twenty-two requests were answered in 1984.
- Precision thermal measurements and analyses were
completed for eleven wells in the State.
- Preliminary computer programs were developed for the
finite-difference numerical modeling of the convective
transport of heat by groundwater. Initial results indicate
that the thermal structure of a geothermal system such as at
Thermopolis is highly sensitive to variations in the Darcian
flow of the groundwater. Thus, by knowing the thermal
structure, it may be possible to accurately determine
groundwater Darcian velocities.
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