HomeMy WebLinkAboutBC Dept of Water & Resource Cons. – AEM Project Hits the Sky 11.28.18 Schuman, Amy
From: Menchaca, Clarissa
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:13 AM
To: Schuman,Amy
Subject: FW:AEM Project hits the sky November 28, 2018
Correspondence.
Cl r C o.i M e whctc '
Associate Clerk of the Board
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965
T: 530.552.3308] F: 530.538.7120
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From: Butte County Department of Water& Resource Conservation <bcwater@buttecounty.net>
Sent:Tuesday, November 27, 2018 1:24 PM
To: Menchaca, Clarissa<cmenchaca@buttecounty.net>
Subject:AEM Project hits the sky November 28,2018
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Butte County to Utilize Electromagnetic Measuring
Technique to Map Local Aquifer System
OROVILLE, Calif., November 27, 2018—The Butte County Department of Water and Resource
Conservation will conduct a survey of local aquifer systems using the Airborne Electromagnetic
(AEM) method starting Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018.
The AEM surveying method utilizes geophysical instruments that are secured on a large hoop
frame. A helicopter carries this measuring device and flies in a strategic pattern approximately
50-100 feet above the ground. The instruments hanging from the helicopter create a weak
electromagnetic field that interacts with the ground, and sends data back to receivers on the
hoop.
Currently, the Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation utilizes data from
wells to gather information about the underlying geology. Once the AEM data is available, the
Department can utilize information from the survey in combination with well data to develop a
more thorough understanding of the local underground water system.
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"The AEM survey essentially takes an MRI of the ground to help us better understand the
structure of sand and clay materials underground and the water system to implement the
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act," said Paul Gosselin, Director, Department of Water
and Resource Conservation.
Historically, AEM has been utilized by the minerals industry to locate potential mineral deposits.
However, water resource scientists are now using this technology to better understand
groundwater and aquifer systems. The AEM system to be used in the Butte County study,
SkyTEM, was developed in Denmark and used to gather better groundwater data, which
enabled them to improve water quality throughout the country.
Butte County's AEM survey is one of three pilot studies in California. An AEM survey was
recently completed in Indian Wells Valley and another will be conducted near San Luis Obispo.
"Not only will it provide an opportunity to gather important data and plan long term, but this pilot
allows us to share best practices throughout California regarding how to collect data and use it
for the purpose of better understanding our groundwater and water systems," said Gosselin.
The study will take place in two distinct areas of Butte County. The helicopter will spend several
days flying over the Sacramento River west of Chico in Butte and Glenn counties. On the east
side of the valley, the helicopter will gather data over the Butte Valley area, as well as the area
between Highway 99 and Highway 70 northwest of Oroville. It's important to note that the
helicopter will not fly over businesses, homes, or other dwellings. Depending on weather
conditions, the survey is expected to take 4-6 days.
The AEM survey is being funded in part by Butte County, the California Department of Water
Resources and the Kingdom of Denmark. Butte County has been working to coordinate the
survey for several years in partnership with Dr. Rosemary Knight, Stanford University; Dr. Todd
Greene, Professor and Science Director for Chico State's Center for Water and the Environment,
and; Glenn County.
More Information
Butte County Department of Water& Resource Conservation l 308 Nelson Avenues Oroville, CA
95965
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