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ALTERNATIVE ENERGYGeothermalWithin Elko County, there are several established geothermal sources and many additional resources with high potential for development, according to the Geothermal Resource Assessment conducted by Converse Consultants of Elko. Resources within Elko County include both surface water and ground water sources. Developed resources are utilized in the cities of Elko and Wells, and additional resources have been identified in Carlin, Jackpot, Ruby Valley and Tuscarora. The Elko area has a long history of geothermal water use and development, beginning with Native American and emigrant travelers’ use of water at the “Hot Hole” in southwestern Elko. Two active geothermal systems are in place in Elko – one private and one public. The Elko County School District and the Elko Heat Company operate geothermal district heating systems that provide hot water to municipal, residential and commercial establishments. The Elko Heat Company, one of Nevada's largest geothermal district heating systems, has provided service to Elko since 1982. In addition to space-heating and winter snow-melting applications, a laundry service directly uses the 175-degree water. Elko Heat Co. reports it is at 50 percent capacity, and would be able to readily expand its geothermal service to additional customers in the downtown and light-industrial areas west of Elko. According to Converse Consultant’s Elko office, several geothermal wells have been drilled in the Elko area. The Elko Heat Company well reports a flow of 500 gallons per minute with a temperature of 175º F. Geothermal waters in the Wells area are reported at 200 to 230º F. The Carlin area reports a reservoir size of 0.79 cubic miles, with hot spring temperatures near boiling (212° F). Water ResourcesMunicipal water supply in the bulk of Elko County is derived from groundwater resources, with Montello and Jarbidge being the exceptions. The Interstate-80 corridor communities derive their municipal supplies from groundwater, often tied to the Humboldt River and its tributaries as a recharge source. While most groundwater supplies are fully allocated through the water rights process, supplies in many areas are ready for development and beneficial use. For example, there is over 27,000 acre feet (an acre foot is 325,900 gallons, and supplies a family of four for one year) of groundwater is available and permitted in the Elko area, with the City of Elko holding over 18,000 acre-feet in water rights. In contrast, only 8,000-9,000 acre-feet are used annually within the basin. This allows plenty of room for residential and commercial growth in the City. The same story can be told for much of the rest of Elko County. Water QualityOverall water quality in most areas within the County is very good to excellent. One measure of quality often used by manufacturers is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). EPA standard require TDS to be less than 1,000. Water in southern Nevada is often 700 to 800 TDS, where water in Elko is less than 350, and in Spring Creek, TDS is less than 275. Travelers to the area often remark upon how sweet tasting the water in the area is, compared to communities like Reno, Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Phoenix.
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© 2001 - 2008 ECEDA - Elko County Economic Diversification Authority |
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