Geophysical modeling and geochemical analysis for hydrogeologic assessment of the Steamboat Hills area, Nevada

Three studies constitute the hydrogeologic assessment of the Steamboat Hills area, Washoe County, Nevada. Geophysical modeling and geochemical analysis are used to assess the hydrogeologic connection between a fractured bedrock geothermal system used to produce electrical power and surrounding alluvial aquifer basins used for municipal drinking water supply. Understanding the hydrogeologic connection between these two water resources is important for long-term management of these resources.; Coupled 2.75-D forward modeling of multiple gravity and aeromagnetic profiles constrained by geological and physical properties (density, magnetic susceptibility, remanent magnetic) data yields a detailed 3-D geologic model of the geothermal system and the alluvial basins. A new method is presented for modeling the geothermal reservoir based on altered physical properties of host rock that yields a reservoir volume estimate that is double the previously assumed volume. The configuration of the modeled geothermal reservoir suggests that a previously unrecognized thermal water up-flow zone may exist along the west flank of the Steamboat Hills. Model results delineate the elevation and thickness of geologic units that can be used in numerical modeling of groundwater flow, planning exploration drilling, and evaluating fully 3-D forward modeling software.; The Steamboat Hills geothermal resource area offers an excellent opportunity to test an exploration strategy using magnetics. A zone of demagnetized rock within the geothermal resource area resulting from thermochemical alteration due to thermal water flow along faults and fractures is apparent as an aeromagnetic low anomaly. Anomalously low ground magnetic data delineate a fault that conducts thermal water from the geothermal system to an alluvial aquifer. Vertical magnetic susceptibility from core measurements yields an average value for altered granodiorite used in forward modeling. Permeable fractures and a major fault zone noted in the core hole log correspond to low magnetic susceptibility values suggesting thermal alteration or mineral replacement along fractures.; Temporal variations in B and Cl concentrations, water levels, and temperature are used to assess the mixing of thermal and non-thermal waters in alluvial aquifers north of the Steamboat Hills. Previously undocumented temporal variations indicate that the degree of mixing is dependent on proximity to north-trending faults connecting the geothermal reservoir and the alluvial aquifer. Mixing trends at selected wells suggest temperature dependent boron adsorption.