Isotopic and Ion Chemistry of Waters in the East Shore Area, Northern Utah

Abstract

Fluid chemistry and stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen were used to investigate the original of thermal waters in East Shore Area of northern Utah. Water samples were collated from all hot and warm springs, and many of the wells in this area, and analyzed for major cations and anions. The data pretend suggest the presence of two distinct hydrological regimes. One involves deep, fault controlled circulation of waters derived from high elevations in mountains to the east. These waters evolve into the Na+K and C1 enriched hot spring fluids that are high in total dissolved salt concentrations (>4000 mg/l). A second hydrologic regime consist of waters derived from lower elevations that infiltrate into the shallow valley sediments. These dilute Ca+Mg and HCO3 fluids comprise the build of the area's ground water supply. Leakage of thermal waters into overlying cooler aquifers is observed in the vicinity of the hot springs, and is believed to occur in several other portions of the East Shore Area.