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EGLE, contractors continue statewide aquifer mapping work; transition‑probability mapping and glacier‑aquifer modeling underway
Summary
A models‑committee representative told the Water Use Advisory Council that Barr’s transition‑probability modeling for the 3‑D glacial aquifer mapping project is on schedule and that EGLE/USGS planning for airborne geophysics and additional monitoring is moving forward.
A set of groundwater mapping and modeling projects intended to improve Michigan’s understanding of glacial aquifers and watershed‑scale depletion are underway, a models‑committee representative told the Water Use Advisory Council.
The 3‑D glacial aquifer mapping project, carried out by Barr under contract to EGLE, is organized in three phases: (1) data compilation and cleaning, (2) transition‑probability modeling and (3) summarizing results and evaluating goodness‑of‑fit. Project staff reported the data compilation phase is complete and that transition‑probability modeling is “on track” to produce a bulk of results in the coming months, with a written report to follow and phase‑3 evaluation targeted for June.
Council staff also said work is continuing on a Michigan hydrologic framework and an Integrated Water Management database; those efforts will compile outputs and key properties useful for modeling and regulatory review.
Separately, EGLE and the U.S. Geological Survey are planning a multi‑component geologic and hydrogeologic data enhancement project that will include airborne geophysics (airborne electromagnetic methods, AEM), installing additional monitoring wells and streamgages, and targeted groundwater modeling. EGLE staff described the AEM survey as a cost‑effective way to image shallow unconsolidated sediments and the top of bedrock across broad areas; survey lines and instrument tuning will be designed to meet target depth and resolution needs for each study area.
Council members suggested overlapping AEM flight lines with the Barr transition‑probability mapping area to provide a validation dataset, and noted tribal and public outreach will be required before flights because the survey uses helicopters towing equipment several hundred feet above the ground.
EGLE staff said they will coordinate with partners, identify priority counties or transects for early flights, and reach out to tribes and other stakeholders to avoid sensitive areas or agree on survey terms.
