Thursday, June 28, 2012

NGS Assists in Groundwater Studies in Desert Southwest

This week, the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is assisting the University of Arizona and the U.S. Geological Survey with a study that seeks to calibrate gravity changes to changes in water table levels. NGS' high-tech FG5 absolute gravity meter measures detailed changes in the acceleration of gravity caused by changes in elevation or nearby masses. The study, conducted west of Tucson, will characterize water infiltrations and out-pumping in desert basins. An earlier phase of the study revealed that a distinct gravity decline correlated to a lowering of the water table. Local authorities use this information to allocate water resources for domestic pumpage, irrigation, and wildlife habitats. For more information, contact Dan Winester.