Geophysics
GEOPHYSICAL METHODS CAPABILITIES
The New York Water Science Center (NY WSC) makes extensive use of geophysical methods in hydrologic investigations and research in cooperation with local, State, and Federal partners. The NY WSC staff has many years of experience in collecting and interpreting surface and borehole geophysical data, and applying the results to provide a better understanding of the subsurface environment for resource management and protection, infrastructure design, hazard mitigation, and remedial actions. The NYSWSC partners with the Hydrogeophysics Branch (HGB) to apply the latest geophysical technologies.
The NY WSC has expertise in the application of multiple geophysical methods for a wide range of investigations:
- Unconsolidated aquifer characterization
- Gamma, electric, and EM induction logging for lithostratigraphic identification
- Seismic refraction and reflection surveys for mapping aquifer framework
- Passive-seismic soundings for mapping depth to bedrock
Geophysical logging of monitoring well installations in the Lloyd aquifer on Long Island, New York
- Freshwater-saltwater interface and plume mapping
- EM induction logging for interface and plume delineation and monitoring
- Time-domain EM soundings for interface and plume delineation and monitoring
- Frequency-domain EM surveys of shallow electrically conductive plumes
Electrically conductive plume associated with salt-mine collapse mapped by time-domain EM soundings, western New York
- Fractured-bedrock aquifer characterization
- Borehole-wall imaging using acoustic and optical methods for lithology and fracture/fabric distribution and orientation
- Flowmetering using EM and heat-pulse tools to estimate flow-zone transmissivity and hydraulic head
Geophysical logging of a bedrock test hole for a Marcellus-related groundwater study in western Maryland
- Surface-water/groundwater interaction
- Infrared camera surveys to delineate points of surface discharge of groundwater to streams
- Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing to delineate subsurface discharge of groundwater to stream reaches
Visible and thermal imaging of focused groundwater discharge to the Salmon River, central New York
- Surface-water conditions
- Multi-beam echo sounder surveys to map reservoir and lake bathymetry
- Ground penetrating radar surveys to map river ice thickness
Echosounder and GPS equipped boat used for bathymetric survey of Newton Reservoir, northern New Jersey
Bathymetry of the New Croton Reservoir mapped by multi-beam echosounder survey, southeastern New York
New Logging Capability
The NY WSC has procured a newly developed nuclear magnetic resonance logging system that is downhole digital and specifically designed for logging 4-inch diameter PVC-cased wells up to 1,000 meters in depth. NMR logging provides measurements of free and bound porosity and estimates of hydraulic conductivity in unconsolidated aquifers. Plans call for applying the NMR technology this Summer/Fall in support of the Long Island Aquifer Sustainability project and the Delaware River Next Generation Observing System project with the HGB.
Innovative Log Analysis
Working with the Virginia-West Virginia Water Science Center (VA-WV WSC) and Hydrologic Applications Innovation Lab (HAIL) the NY WSC is exploring the application of machine learning in well-log analysis. The Statewide dataset to be analyzed was collected by the VA-WV WSC in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and includes caliper, gamma, electric, sonic, image, fluid, and flow logs from over 120 wells.
Contacts
Selected Current Projects
Groundwater Sustainability of the Long island Aquifer System
Lake Placid Road salt project page
Determination of Sources of Water to the Tully Valley Mudboils
Selected Publications
Hydrogeology of the Owego-Apalachin Elementary School geothermal fields, Tioga County, New York
Bathymetry of Newton Reservoir, New Jersey, 2018
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 609a7135d34ea221ce36ccd4)
- Overview
Geophysics
GEOPHYSICAL METHODS CAPABILITIES
The New York Water Science Center (NY WSC) makes extensive use of geophysical methods in hydrologic investigations and research in cooperation with local, State, and Federal partners. The NY WSC staff has many years of experience in collecting and interpreting surface and borehole geophysical data, and applying the results to provide a better understanding of the subsurface environment for resource management and protection, infrastructure design, hazard mitigation, and remedial actions. The NYSWSC partners with the Hydrogeophysics Branch (HGB) to apply the latest geophysical technologies.
The NY WSC has expertise in the application of multiple geophysical methods for a wide range of investigations:
- Unconsolidated aquifer characterization
- Gamma, electric, and EM induction logging for lithostratigraphic identification
- Seismic refraction and reflection surveys for mapping aquifer framework
- Passive-seismic soundings for mapping depth to bedrock
Geophysical logging of monitoring well installations in the Lloyd aquifer on Long Island, New York
- Freshwater-saltwater interface and plume mapping
- EM induction logging for interface and plume delineation and monitoring
- Time-domain EM soundings for interface and plume delineation and monitoring
- Frequency-domain EM surveys of shallow electrically conductive plumes
Electrically conductive plume associated with salt-mine collapse mapped by time-domain EM soundings, western New York
- Fractured-bedrock aquifer characterization
- Borehole-wall imaging using acoustic and optical methods for lithology and fracture/fabric distribution and orientation
- Flowmetering using EM and heat-pulse tools to estimate flow-zone transmissivity and hydraulic head
Geophysical logging of a bedrock test hole for a Marcellus-related groundwater study in western Maryland
- Surface-water/groundwater interaction
- Infrared camera surveys to delineate points of surface discharge of groundwater to streams
- Fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing to delineate subsurface discharge of groundwater to stream reaches
Visible and thermal imaging of focused groundwater discharge to the Salmon River, central New York
- Surface-water conditions
- Multi-beam echo sounder surveys to map reservoir and lake bathymetry
- Ground penetrating radar surveys to map river ice thickness
Echosounder and GPS equipped boat used for bathymetric survey of Newton Reservoir, northern New Jersey
Bathymetry of the New Croton Reservoir mapped by multi-beam echosounder survey, southeastern New York
New Logging Capability
The NY WSC has procured a newly developed nuclear magnetic resonance logging system that is downhole digital and specifically designed for logging 4-inch diameter PVC-cased wells up to 1,000 meters in depth. NMR logging provides measurements of free and bound porosity and estimates of hydraulic conductivity in unconsolidated aquifers. Plans call for applying the NMR technology this Summer/Fall in support of the Long Island Aquifer Sustainability project and the Delaware River Next Generation Observing System project with the HGB.
Innovative Log Analysis
Working with the Virginia-West Virginia Water Science Center (VA-WV WSC) and Hydrologic Applications Innovation Lab (HAIL) the NY WSC is exploring the application of machine learning in well-log analysis. The Statewide dataset to be analyzed was collected by the VA-WV WSC in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and includes caliper, gamma, electric, sonic, image, fluid, and flow logs from over 120 wells.
Contacts
Selected Current Projects
Groundwater Sustainability of the Long island Aquifer System
Lake Placid Road salt project page
Determination of Sources of Water to the Tully Valley Mudboils
Selected Publications
Hydrogeology of the Owego-Apalachin Elementary School geothermal fields, Tioga County, New York
Bathymetry of Newton Reservoir, New Jersey, 2018
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 609a7135d34ea221ce36ccd4)
- Unconsolidated aquifer characterization
- Connect