Helium and ground temperature surveys at Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Special Publication 21

Abstract

As demonstrated in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, helium and shallow temperature surveys are quick, inexpensive geothermal exploration methods that can be used together with excellent results in an urban environment. Steamboat Springs, in northwestern Colorado, lies primarily upon terrace gravels and alluvium with the major structure being a north-trending normal fault passing through the western portion of the city. Work by Christopherson (1979) indicates that the Steamboat warm springs are not laterally connected at shallow depth with Routt Hot Springs, 10 Km (6 mi) to the north, although both resource areas are fault controlled. A shallow temperature survey was conducted in the city to determine the usefulness of this method to delineate a low temperature resource. Several extraneous factors influencing shallow temperature measurements were dealt with by field technique or subsequent analysis. A helium survey was conducted to compare with temperature results. Sixty-two soil helium samples were taken, using an interval of .1 to .2 Km (.06 to .12 mi), twice the density of the 18 temperature probe stations. A mobile spectrometer allowed immediate analysis of helium samples. The contoured data from each method correlate well spatially and indicate that two faults control the resource in Steamboat Springs. Although these surveysmore » should always be used to supplement other data, their utility in this study was readily apparent.« less