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1"1 if r,., ,.,. ~,'~' .' . 1",.':--1 '. i' D ~J ...._~ ~:-:;~1 ~:.1 ;:fJ tA "., t~~~ ~~ ~j (,., ;;:1. 1.:,." ~~:;.i f1 ~;.J '>'. ;:.A ~~~ ~:'2 t-f f11 ~,~ ~j "e'! ~~o.~ i) .".... ;-:', ;"') if'~.. "'; .:.,-; CHAPTER I I PIAN FORMULATlOO Surface water discharged from the geyser well was quantified by installing a Parshall flume and continuous recorder. Water quality samples were periodically taken from the geyser well discharge and analyzed for TOS concentrations. Gunnison river water quality was determined by conducting EC cross sections above and below the geyser well. The EC data obtained above the geyser well served to define the Gunnison River water quality used in the salt dilution method. Gauging station data was used to quantify Gunnison River flows. By assuming the geyser well surface discharge water quality to be indicative of its ground-water component, the equation can be solved for the quantity of ground water flow entering the river from the geyser well area. The results obtained from this meth~ indicated that total geyser area flow is appfoximately 0.60 fe Is, 0.l2 ft Is in the form of surface discharge and 0.48 ft Is from ground-water accretions. Based on the observed duration and frequency of eruption, this amount of flow would translate into an annual salt contribution of approximately 3,500 tons. stiff diagrams were used to qualitatively analyze the effects of the geyser well on Gunnison River water quality. Stiff diagrams graphically represent the constituent ions present in a water sample. A comparison of Stiff diagrams prepared for water quality samples taken above and below the geyser well shows little difference. This observation implies that the geyser well has an insignificant effect on the water quality of the Gunnison River and reinforces the results of the salt dilution method. Six other abandoned petroleum exploration wells are located in close proximity of the geyser well. Since all seven wells are suspected to be situated on the same geologic structure, it is highly likely that a hydraulic connection exists between them. By only plugging the geyser well, surface flow or increased ground-water flow could be induced at the other wells. Since the estimated salt contribution from this area is relatively small in relation to the potential costs associated with conducting a geologic investigation to more thoroughly define the salt loading mechanisms, this area was dropped from further consideration as a salinity control alternative. 19 000945