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Home My WebLink AboutBC Dept of Water & Resource Cons. – Low Flying Helicopter to Collect Data on Aquifer System Tomorrow Schuman, Amy From: Menchaca, Clarissa Sent: Monday, February 11, 2019 9:13 AM To: Schuman, Amy Subject: FW: Low flying helicopter to collect data on aquifer system starting tomorrow Attachments: AEM Final News Release.docx; Updated AEM Flyer.pdf Correspondence. CZa tr% a�Me4acha cw Associate Clerk of the Board Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.33081 F: 530.538.7120 Twitter 1 Facebook ( YouTube 1 Pinterest From: Buck, Christina Sent:Tuesday, November 27, 2018 4:16 PM To: Connelly, Bill<BConnelly@buttecounty.net>; Kirk, Maureen<MKirk@buttecounty.net>; Lambert,Steve <SLambert@buttecounty.net>;Teeter, Doug<DTeeter@buttecounty.net>; Wahl, Larry<LWahl@buttecounty.net> Cc: McCracken,Shari<SMcCracken@buttecounty.net>; Gosselin, Paul<PGosselin@buttecounty.net>; Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net> Subject: Low flying helicopter to collect data on aquifer system starting tomorrow Good Afternoon Supervisors, In the midst of all the Camp Fire response,we are proceeding with a project that is more than 2 years in the making. You may have already received an announcement from our email list serve, but we would like to let you know directly that a low flying helicopter will be collecting electromagnetic data to map the underground aquifer system in areas in Butte and Glenn Counties beginning tomorrow, November 28. Depending on weather conditions,the flight will likely last 4-6 days. The helicopter will not fly over business, homes or other dwelling or buildings and it will only fly over roads and highways when there is not any cross traffic. I've attached the press release that went out to media outlets today to inform the public. In addition, a flyer is attached. Additional background on the project is available on our website which includes a map of the planned flight areas, http://www.buttecounty.net/waterresourceconservation/. We have also alerted Butte County Sheriff and CHP PlOs. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Also, my best wishes to each of you during this incredibly difficult time. Thank you, Christina Christina R. Buck, Ph.D. Assistant Director 1 Dept.of Water and Resource Conservation Butte County 308 Nelson Avenue Oroville,CA 95965-3302 Off:530.552.3593 Cel[:530-871.9948 cbuck@buttecounty.net 2 For Immediate Release November 27, 2018 Contact: Christina Buck Phone: 530-552-3593 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. "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. http:fiwww.buttecounty.net/waterresourceconservationi ### „A.-..,,,z,„...„...,.,,,,,,...... ,,,,, Helicopterto Make Low- Level Flights; Butte County Beginning November 28 WATER 8 RESOURCE CONSERVATION Beginning November 28, a low-flying helicopter will fly west of Chico, in eastern Glenn County, and in the Butte Valley -I area to gather data on local aquifer systems for approximately four days. The survey 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 back data to receivers on the hoop. • � .CL w ic• ✓ �� '"�'' rV ezc 1' j a7 SC -'A ” : Important Note: The helicopter will not fly over businesses, homes, or other dwellings. i�„ 1 SK'' EM&q Legend ,..,,,,-,..,:,--,--;3•,,-,----,,,,,-4-",..7 ` 1„ •sem;, i Approximate Flight Area AEM Survey Partners i • Butte County , • The California , Department of Water Resources , • The Kingdom of m Denmark. t ,,, • Dr. Rosemary Knight, f Stanford University; • Dr. Todd Greene, Glenn .��,. Professor and Science N Director for Chico State's Center for Water and the ° 2 4 8 12 1 .. Aviles Environment, x... • Glenn County Questions about the project? Please contact Christina Buck, Assistant Director, Butte County Department of Water and Resource Conservation at 530.552.3593 or cbuck@buttecountv.net