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geothermal resource potential of the safford-san simon basin, arizona

geothermal resource potential of the safford-san simon basin, arizona

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INTRODUCTION<br />

o<br />

In <strong>the</strong> Safford-San Simon Basin, <strong>the</strong>rmal water (>30 C)<br />

flows from numerous<br />

artesian wells and springs.<br />

These wells and springs are used by several mineral<br />

baths in <strong>the</strong> Safford area.<br />

The most notable hot water occurrence in <strong>the</strong><br />

area is Indian Hot Springs located northwest <strong>of</strong> Safford near Fort Thomas.<br />

Nearly all wells deeper than 200 meters in <strong>the</strong> Safford area flow naturally<br />

and have discharge temperatures greater than 30 o C.<br />

Deepest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se wells,<br />

<strong>the</strong> 1,148 m Underwriters Syndicate #1 Mack oil and gas test or Mary Mack well<br />

near Pima, is indicative <strong>of</strong> a substantial low-temperature <strong>geo<strong>the</strong>rmal</strong> <strong>resource</strong>.<br />

The well is no longer flowing and it is believed that <strong>the</strong> pressurized water<br />

broke through <strong>the</strong> shallow and deteriorated casing after <strong>the</strong> well flow was<br />

temporarily shut-in some years ago. However, in 1933, Knechtel (1938) reports<br />

o<br />

that this well had an artesian flow <strong>of</strong>2,500 gpm <strong>of</strong> 59 C,<br />

sodium chloride water<br />

with 2,251 parts per million (ppm)<br />

total dissolved solids (TDS).<br />

Figure 1 is a map showing <strong>the</strong> location <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Safford-San Simon area.<br />

Hot springs and areas with hot wells are also shown.<br />

The study area, between<br />

Fort Thomas and San Simon, straddles a valley which is drained by <strong>the</strong> Gila and<br />

San Simon rivers.<br />

The study area is bounded by rugged mountains on <strong>the</strong> southwest<br />

and nor<strong>the</strong>ast sides.<br />

Topography within <strong>the</strong> study area is mostly gentle<br />

and easily accessible.<br />

Agriculture is mostly confined to <strong>the</strong> Gila River flood<br />

plain between Fort Thomas and San Jose, and along Interstate 10 from Bowie to<br />

San Simon.<br />

Important <strong>geo<strong>the</strong>rmal</strong> anomalies occur in all <strong>the</strong>se agricultural<br />

areas.<br />

Communities in <strong>the</strong> area are closely situated to <strong>the</strong> agriculture.<br />

Rising costs and supply problems for hydrocarbon fuels have intensified<br />

<strong>the</strong> need for alternative energy sources.<br />

Developing <strong>the</strong> <strong>potential</strong> <strong>geo<strong>the</strong>rmal</strong><br />

<strong>resource</strong>s in <strong>the</strong> Safford-San Simon <strong>basin</strong> area could reduce energy costs and<br />

assure <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> a constant energy supply.<br />

Also, new agriculture-related<br />

1

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