Panhandle residents will see a low-flying helicopter over the region for the next week or two. Surveying began Monday in Morrill County and the Dutch flats area, north of Mitchell and Morrill. The helicopter is carrying a torpedo shaped electro-magnetic (HEM) sensor. The helicopter from the Canadian-based geoscience firm Fugro will fly back and forth over strips of ground one-sixth mile wide with the sensor hanging approximately 100 feet below. Kay Grote of the North Platte Natural Resource District says this sensor sends electromagnetic impulses into the ground that bounce back in different intensities based on the material underground.

Grote says depending on the resistivity or conductivity, it helps them determine the characteristics of the aquifer and the depth to water. Grote says eventually they will be able to build three-dimension maps that will show the depth to water and also indicate the best areas capable for holding ground water. Grote says this research will provide information for intentional ground water recharge projects in the future.

The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded at $800,000 grant to the NP NRD in partnership with the South Platte NRD and the United States Geological Survey. The grant will provide funding for a two-year geophysical survey of Panhandle aquifers. Previous flights were conduct June 2008 and in October/November 2008.

Interpretation and modeling of the data is planned to be completed by June 2010.