Santa Barbara County plans to conduct groundwater survey flights

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - People in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys might notice more helicopters in the air later this month.

The water conservation district is mapping aquifers using low-flying helicopters.

They will be carrying a large, hexagonal frame. The device will be about 100 feet above the ground and uses an electro-magnetic signal to measure the surface.

When combined with well data and knowledge of the area's geology, this data will refine the county's understanding of the geographic extent of sands, gravels and clays that make up the aquifers in the groundwater system.

The flights will begin Nov. 15 and should last for one week.