Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />W <br />N <br /> <br />ALTERNATIVE puNS <br /> <br />""" <br />o <br /> <br />During the preliminary studies to date, several methods of disposing or <br />treating the saline ",atcr were considered. Hethods tha.t could be used <br />to control or eliminate point source flo....s '-nelude evaporative ponds, <br />deep well injection, plugging or grouting off the springs, or va~iou6 <br />types of treatment plants. After cursory evaluation of each of the <br />alternatives during the preliminary planning, it appeared that some type <br />of treatment plant to remove the bulk of the salts ....ould be the most <br />feasible considering the existing conditions at the Glenwood and Dotsero <br />Springs. Also this would be the only solution that could salvage the <br />fresh ....ater for return to the Colorado River. <br /> <br />Brief consideration ....as given to collecting the flo....s of e"ch spring and <br />conveying the ....ater to evaporative ponds; ho....ever. there are several <br />factors that would seem to eliminate this possibility. Because rather <br />large flows are involved (16 cis total). ponds with a larse surface area <br />would be necessary. The topography at both Glenwood Springs and Dotsero <br />is rather narrow canyons and it might be necessary to convey the saline <br />water downstream 30 miles or more, possibly to the Rifle. Colorado area. <br />to obtain a suitable site. Also the elevation at Glen....ood Springs of about <br />S,700 feet and the latitude results in a cool climate and a moderate <br />winter sno....fall ....hich would further restrict the effectiveness of evaporw <br />at i ve ponds. <br /> <br />Deep well injection is another method that has been used in various <br />circumstances to dispose of industrial ,wastes and has been studied by <br />the Office of Saline Water as a technique for disposal of brine solutions. <br />Such underground disposal has been found to be feasible in specific <br />instances but there are many economic, hydrologic, legal. and engineering <br />factors that must be fully evaluated. After a brief review of the geologic <br />conditions at the Glenwood and Dotsero springs, it seems very unlikely <br />that a subsurface formation exists into which the saline water could be <br />injected. As a matter of fact, the first item that is apparent is that <br />the subsurface conditions are such that warm saline, water is presently <br />flowing to the surface. One of the requirements for deep injection is <br />that impermeable aquicludes must be present above and belo.... the formation. <br />and the formation must not be broken or penetrated by faults or unplugged <br />wells. Faults and well developed joint systems exist in the vicinity of <br />both the Glenwood and Dotsero Springs. However it may be determined that <br />this deep well injection method merits further study. It might be found <br />practical to convey the concentrated brine from a desalination plant <br />several miles downstream to where satisfactory geologic conditions might <br />be found to exist. <br /> <br />Serious consideration was not given to plugging or grouting off the <br />sprlnbs as the mode of their occurrence and the complex geology se~m <br />to preclude the practicality of this alternative. Also. as previously <br />mentioned, the Glenwood Springs are commercially developed for recreation <br />and it seems apparent that these springs could therefore not be plugged <br />off. <br /> <br />29 <br />