COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Starting in the second week of April, Branch County residents may notice a helicopter towing a 60-foot-wide hexagonal sensor hoop approximately 100 feet above the ground.
This aerial survey is part of a multi-county initiative by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the U.S. Geological Survey to map local groundwater resources. The helicopter will fly in a gridded pattern to collect data on underground aquifers, sediment, and rock layers, providing a clearer picture of the water used for both local drinking supplies and agricultural irrigation.
The massive “antenna” functions like an MRI for the earth, measuring electrical conductivity to identify water sources without harming people, livestock, or crops. To ensure safety and minimize disruption, pilots are instructed to maintain a distance of at least 500 feet from buildings and will actively fly around large ground equipment and animals.
Local residents interested in the project’s timeline can monitor the helicopter’s flight path through the U.S. Geological Survey website as the study progresses through the summer.
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