EXAMINING GROUNDWATER TEMPERATURE AT THE INTAKE OF OPEN-LOOP GEOTHERMAL WELLS AS IMPACTED BY STREAM-INDUCED SEASONAL VARIATION

Numerical methods are being used to examine the extent of groundwater-temperature alteration in the hyporheic zone as a result of seasonally-varying stream-water temperature. Points of interest are the extent of thermal alteration as a result of diffusive and advective flow, and whether the lateral and vertical extent of thermal alteration will be increased by the presence of open-loop geothermal pumping wells located in or near the hyporheic zone. The impact of regional-temperature and groundwater-flow gradients are also being examined. These phenomena are being studied in aquifers of heterogeneous composition with the ultimate goal being to gain a better understanding of how the natural temperature cycles within the hyporheic zone could impact water temperature at geothermal intake wells.