Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion Counties part of study 

A geological survey is collecting data from the Mahomet Aquifer with hope to define the boundries of the aquifer and determine iys long-term health. The Illinois State Geological Survey project will develop a 3-dimensional map, including Ford, Iroquois and Vermilion counties.  The aquifer is the area's source for drinking water.

The Champaign News-Gazette reports the at-least month long survey will include helicopter fly-overs to collect infrastructure data to provide mapping of the aquifer and record gaps in water-well records and bore holes, according to survey geologist Jason Thomason.  The survey will define the boundaries of the aquifer and better pin-point the higher qualities of the aquifer. 

The Illinois State Water Survey will find the data beneficial in developing long-range prediction models. Airborne electromagnetic technology measures changes in materials like sand and clay to define aquifer boundaries.  Imaging will be usedto create 3D pictures of what the aquifer looks like 1,000 feet undergound.

Thomason said the helicopter presence, at lower altitude, always raises questions from the public as the fly-overs include trailing equipment -- that can be quite a site for onlookers.

94.1 WGFA   {courtesy of the News-Gazette}