The Idaho Geological Survey's Activities in the National Geothermal Data Program: Data Compilation and Heat-Flow Drilling

Abstract

The National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded program intended to create a nation-wide distributed data system that would provide access to all geothermally relevant information in the U.S. and help stimulate future geothermal exploration and development. To design the data system and its data structures, the DOE contracted with Boise State University and the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS). In turn, the AZGS has subcontracted with each state survey to compile geothermally relevant resource information for its region. Under Idaho law, geothermal fluids are deemed a sui generis resource--that is, neither water nor mineral--and the permitting and collection of geothermal well information is part of the Idaho Department of Water Resources’ (IDWR) mandate. The Idaho Geological Survey (IGS), as the lead agency responsible for compiling, archiving, and managing geological and mineral resource information in Idaho, recently initiated an informal agreement with IDWR to compile their digital and non-digital geothermal resource information so the data can be served through the NGDS. In addition, the IGS was funded as part of a fourstate consortium (with Utah, Nevada and Oregon) to acquire new thermal gradient data in areas of the Basin and Range Province.