Spiritwood  (CSi) The North Dakota State Water Commission is  conducting an aerial electromagnetic survey of the Spiritwood aquifer.

The survey consists of the helicopter towing an antenna about 100 feet above ground sending and receiving electromagnetic signals that characterizes the geology beneath the surface.

The State Engineer’s Director of Water Appropriations, Jon Patch says, the survey results will provide a high resolution map of the Spiritwood aquifer which is a major groundwater supply in the area. The map aids in identifying and optimizing local sources of available groundwater.

wallummontpeliermapThe helicopter flies in an area about five miles wide from Wallum, north,  south to Montpelier. Patch says the flight survey might take about two to three weeks depending on weather and the data collection will continue through October.

Patch says, AEM has proven to be a safe, dependable, and cost-effective way to collect an enormous amount of data and may revolutionize the way we do data collection in the future. It’s leading edge stuff.