Direct Recharge Injection of Underground Water Reservoirs

Abstract

An underground porosity water storage reservoir minimizes the impacts on surface uses of the reservoir site. Furthermore, a method of operating an underground porosity storage reservoir minimizes damage to the reservoir due to injecting sediment-laden water or water that is chemically incompatible with the porous material in the underground reservoir. The underground porosity water storage reservoir reduces temperature impacts on surface waters due to the discharge of stored water. A method of using the porosity storage reservoir to minimize adverse temperature impacts when discharging water to a surface body is disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A subsurface water storage system for receiving and storing water from a surface water body containing, the subsurface water storage system comprising: 
 an underground porosity storage reservoir formed by one or more substantially water-impermeable, man-made barriers and an aquiclude, the vessel defining a volume such that the volume is substantially hydrologically separate from an environment exterior to the volume;    an aquifer well located in an aquifer that is hydrologically connected to the surface water body; and    a pump pumping water from the aquifer well into the underground reservoir, wherein the water pumped from the aquifer well is substantially free of sediments found in the surface water body.    
   
   
       22 . The water storage system of  claim 21 , wherein the aquifer is located in a natural alluvium of a river system external to the underground porosity storage reservoir.  
   
   
       23 . The water storage system of  claim 21 , further comprising a recharge well located within the underground reservoir, wherein the recharge well is coupled to the pump to allow water pumped from the aquifer well to be injected within the underground reservoir.  
   
   
       24 . The water storage system of  claim 23 , further comprising an extraction well located within the underground reservoir at a location separate from the recharge well, wherein the extraction well allows water to be pumped from the underground reservoir.  
   
   
       25 . The water storage system of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 a series of perforated pipes buried within the underground reservoir; and    a central well in fluid communication with the series of perforated pipes, the central well further coupled to the pump to direct water pumped from the aquifer well through the perforated pipes and into the underground reservoir during a recharging operation.    
   
   
       26 . The water storage system of  claim 25 , further comprising an extraction well located within the underground reservoir at a location separate from the series of perforated pipes, wherein the extraction well allows water to be pumped from the underground reservoir.  
   
   
       27 . The water storage system of  claim 21 , wherein the water pumped from the aquifer well is injected above a water level of the underground reservoir and allowed to infiltrate downward into the underground reservoir over time.  
   
   
       28 . The water storage system of  claim 21 , further comprising an infiltration pond located above the underground reservoir, wherein water pumped from the aquifer well is initially stored within the infiltration pond before infiltrating downward into the underground reservoir.  
   
   
       29 . The water storage system of  claim 28 , further comprising an extraction well located within the underground reservoir at a location separate from the infiltration pond, wherein the extraction well allows water to be pumped from the underground reservoir.  
   
   
       30 . The water storage system of  claim 29 , further comprising a plurality of extraction wells located within the underground reservoir, wherein the plurality of extraction wells compensate for a lack of normal hydrologic flow within the underground reservoir and allow water to be pumped from the underground reservoir at a predetermined rate.  
   
   
       31 . The water storage system of  claim 21 , wherein the pump is capable of reverse operation to pump water from the underground reservoir through the aquifer well and into the aquifer.