Beginning May 14, 2017, residents of Marina, Neponset, Castroville, Moss
Landing, Blanco, and Salinas, may see a low-flying helicopter towing a
large hexagonal frame. This unique equipment is part of a project to map
groundwater aquifers and subsurface geology in the area.

Lasting up to 5 days (unless delayed by weather), instruments mounted
below the helicopter will collect and record measurements to learn more
about buried sand and gravel aquifers. Marina Coast Water District,
working with Aqua Geo Frameworks and researchers from Stanford’s
Department of Geophysics have planned the flights to improve
understanding of the available groundwater resources. This technology
allows for more complete data acquisition from the air, upwards of 50 to
75 miles per hour, with exploration depths down to at least 900 feet
below the land surface. Aqua Geo Frameworks and Stanford researchers
will process the data and information, and produce a final report.

The Marina Coast Water District has commissioned this study to better
understand and manage the groundwater basins that supply its customers.
The data generated from the study will provide a far more comprehensive
and clear understanding of the degree to which sea water has or hasn’t
intruded into basins allowing the District to manage its resources based
on the best available scientific data. It is expected the study will
fill key gaps in data, provide a far more accurate picture of the
quality of the groundwater, and prepare the District with the necessary
information to include in a Groundwater Sustainability Plan.

Sinton Helicopters, based out of Paso Robles, California, will oversee
the flights. The helicopter will fly lines over a flight path designed
to get the best available data from the subsurface. Scientific
equipment, towed about 100 feet above the ground surface, hangs about
100 feet below the helicopter in a ’spider web’ array and is
designed to map geologic structures beneath the ground. The helicopter
will be manned by very experienced pilots who are specially trained for
low-level flying with this equipment. The helicopter company operates
under FAA unlimited part 135 unscheduled air-taxi operations, part 133
a,b,c and d external loads, and part 137 agriculture dispersal.

MCWD provides high quality water, waste water and recycled water
services to more than 30,000 customers in the Monterey Peninsula
communities of the City of Marina and the Ord Community through
management, conservation, and development of future sources while at
reasonable costs. The District is governed by a five-member board of
directors who are elected by voters.