Geothermal Energy Resource Area - Klamath Falls

Geothermal energy has documented usage in Klamath Falls, Oregon since 1890 but it's history goes further back than that. The original settlers of the high mountain basin located east of the Cascade Mountains observed the local Modoc and Klamath Indians lowering food into the steaming geothermal hot springs to cook. The Indians were also aware of the comfort and aide to healing geothermal energy gave. Often they would bring the wounded or elderly to soak in the hot springs. Klamath Falls, previously named Linkville, grew up around the two most notable of the geothermal hot springs called Big Springs and Devil's Tea Kettle. Big Springs was actually a group of 12 or more steaming artesian springs.

In 1896 Mr. Brooks, a local rancher, built a comfortable bathhouse with hot water from a geothermal spring piped into it and cooled enough for human comfort. News of the bathhouse traveled some 70 miles to the West and was written about in the Ashland newspaper.

1901 brought the first official analysis of the geothermal water followed ten years later by an inquiry in 1911 as to the possible medicinal qualities of the geothermal waters. Both tests results determined the artesian wells were filled with ordinary water.

From 1925 to the present day private citizens and the government of Klamath Falls have drilled geothermal wells and used the radiant heat energy. In 1945 Medo-Bel Creamery used geothermal energy to process milk and ice cream. They have the distinction of being the only creamery in the world known to have used geothermal energy.

The next innovative use of geothermal energy in Klamath Falls was the 1948 Highway Pavement De-Icing project that involved laying coils in the sand beneath the pavement of a 51 foot stretch of Esplanade Avenue. This stretch of road had an adverse grade that was the source of numerous vehicle problems in the winter months. The coils are filled with a 50/50 mixture of geothermal well water and antifreeze that keeps the incline ice and snow free to this day.

Over 550 geothermal wells have been drilled that heat about 1,000 homes in the town of 21,000 residents. The cost to homeowners for geothermal heating is about $100 per home a year. Geothermal energy also heats 22 commercial and government buildings through Klamath Falls City Geothermal Utility department. Both Oregon Institute of Technology and Sky Lakes Medical Center use geothermal energy and save over $500,000 annually over heating with natural gas.

Klamath Falls has a warm history with geothermal energy which promises to continue. Recently Klamath Falls was designated a Known Geothermal Resource Area in the United States. It is estimated that Klamath Falls is currently utilizing 20% of the geothermal energy capacity. With the renewed interested in clean, renewable energy Klamath Falls geothermal interests may heat up again.