In 2022, the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) received funding to conduct an aerial geophysical survey known as helicopter-based time-domain electromagnetics (HTEM) for Champaign County. This effort, called the Champaign County HTEM Project, was funded by the State of Illinois to characterize the distribution and character of the Mahomet aquifer in Champaign County.
The Champaign County HTEM Project contracted with SkyTEM Canada, Inc. to collect the HTEM data and flights were conducted in December, 2022. For this project, flight lines were collected across the county, with a spacing of 650 meters between lines, for a total of 3,144 km of data collected. Helicopter flights and data were collected from December 3 to December 12. Data from this flight undergone evaluation, error removal, and processing through 2023 with final processing to be completed in early 2024. Analysis and interpretation of the data will result in the identification of targeted mapping units. Interpretation is scheduled to be completed late in 2024 (Figure 1).
The individual profiles are used to interpret the distribution of sediments and rocks along the transect and provide calculations of the resitivity from land surface to a depth of approximately 700 feet (213 meters) (Figure 2). This example profile shows the Mahomet aquifer undelying shallow glacial tills, and bedrock deposits that include folded bedrock associated with the LaSalle Anticline.
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Sunday, December 11
We did three production flights today. The weather looks good for tomorrow so we should be able to complete the survey and move the system back to Frasca Airport. The image shows the flight plan for tomorrow. Flown today 548 lkm (340 line miles) Total flown 2903 lkm (1804 line miles) Remaining 189 lkm (117.4 line miles)
Thursday, December 8
We did three production flights today, although the last one was a bit shorter due to a late start. We also went to see a potential landing zone closer to the south of the block, which we will probably end up using for the remainder of the project. In the image, the green lines indicate…
Wednesday, December 7
One production flight was conducted today, Wednesday, December 7th, 2022, from the Frasca Air Field in Urbana, Illinois. A total of 302 line kilometers (187 line miles) were flown. See the highlighted lines in the figure. The yellow oval represents the flights plan for tomorrow, December 8th. Flown today 302 lkm Total flown 1917 lkm…
Monday, December 5
Three production flights were conducted today, Monday, December 5th 2022 from the Rantoul Airport. A total of 639 line kilometers (397 line miles) were flown. See the highlighted lines in the figure below. The yellow oval represents the flights plan for tomorrow, December 6th. Flown today 639 lkm Total flown 1621 lkm Remaining 1470 lkm
Demonstration Day Rescheduled
The demonstration and media day has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 7th at 11 am at the Frasca Field Airport (1402 Airport Rd, Urbana, IL 61802), in Urbana Illinois. Reporters, legislatures and the public are invited to view the aircraft and equipment that will survey the Mahomet aquifer within the jurisdiction of Champaign County. ISGS scientists and…
Sunday, December 4
Today, Sunday December 4th 2022, another three production flights were conducted from the Rantoul Airport. A total of 544 line kilometers (1785 ft) were flown. See the highlighted lines in the figure below. The yellow oval represents the flights plan for tomorrow December 5th. Flown today 544 lkm Total flown 984 lkm Remaining 2107 lkm
Saturday, December 3
Airborne mapping of the Mahomet aquifer has officially started. Today, Saturday, December 3rd 2022 three production flights were conducted from the Rantoul Airport. A total of 445 line kilometers (1460 ft) were flown. See the highlighted lines in the figure below. The yellow oval represents the flights plan for tomorrow December 4th. Flown today 445 lkm…