SANTA TERESA, NM – Between October 8th and 14th, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission will conduct an aerial geographical survey using a low-flying helicopter near La Union, Santa Teresa, and Sunland Park as part of its effort to map subsurface aquifers in the area to improve understanding of available groundwater resources. Improved understanding of available groundwater resources will aid sustainable groundwater use efforts in the region.
During the geographical survey, instruments suspended below a helicopter, approximately 100 feet above the ground, will collect subsurface measurements along pre-planned flight lines. Measurements are made by creating an electromagnetic signal that interacts with the geologic materials beneath the land surface, stimulating a response from those materials and generating a signal that is picked up by receivers. When combined with well data and knowledge of the geology, this geophysical data can produce a three-dimensional picture of the geographic extent of sands, gravels, and clays that make up the aquifers of the regional groundwater system.
The survey will take place west of Santa Teresa and east of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peak National Monument-Potrillo Mountains. The helicopter will fly over a flight path designed to get the best available data from the subsurface. The helicopter will not fly over businesses, homes, other inhabitable structures, or confined animal feeding operations.
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is working with a professional surveying company and a helicopter company to conduct the geophysical survey. Experienced pilots specially trained for low-level flying required for geophysical surveys will operate the helicopter and follow the established Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations in accordance with U.S. law.
For more information on the survey, the public is encouraged to contact Oscar Esparza Jr, Lower Rio Grande Water Projects Specialist with the NMISC at (505) 629-5316
