Research / R.02

AEM Surveying for Water Security

2021–2025

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys replace incomplete, expensive monitoring-well data with rapid, high-resolution subsurface mapping of site groundwater conditions.

Grant funded through the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP).

Partner
U.S. Geological Survey
Role
Project lead — developed scope, authored the grant, led execution
Stack
GIS · Data Analysis
Funding
~$1.2M ESTCP award
AEM survey integration pipeline Sparse monitoring-well data and rapid AEM aerial survey data are integrated into a subsurface map, producing the groundwater assessment. MONITORING WELLS SPARSE, EXPENSIVE AEM AERIAL SURVEY RAPID, HIGH-RESOLUTION SUBSURFACE MAP INTEGRATED, HIGH-RESOLUTION GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT AQUIFER CONDITIONS MAPPED
Fig. 01 — AEM survey integration pipeline. Aerial scan data supplements sparse ground-truth wells.
Colored elevation index map titled 'Index map: Location of the AEM study, Cochise County, Arizona,' showing the Huachuca Mountains, San Pedro Valley, Fort Huachuca Military Reservation, and the AEM survey boundary with flight-line spacing marked.
Fig. 02 — Survey index map, Cochise County, Arizona.
01 / Method
Technology

Although a proven technology, AEM had not been widely adopted within the client's infrastructure planning framework. The surveys map hidden aquifer conditions, establishing AEM as an efficient alternative to repeated localized drilling.

02 / Outcome
Outcome

Driven by the client's increasing exposure to water insecurity, the successful application of AEM replaced cost-prohibitive assessment methods, providing resource managers with a rapid, precise framework to secure long-term site water resilience.

Next Research Contextual Water Security Planning →