10/06/09

Concerns about the water supply in southern Idaho have sparked programs to gather hard scientific data about the aquifer; hydrologists are now gathering information in the Wood River Valley.

150 years ago, Native Americans and mountain men could tell if a buffalo herd was coming by keeping an ear to the ground. Today, 21st century scientists are trying to determine the size - shape - and depth of the aquifer - by using the same basic method.

U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologist, Dr. Jim Bartolino says, “What we're using basically is a seismometer which monitors the ambient noise from traffic, from the wind, or whatever creates a signal in the ground. And we're processing that.”

Candace Atkins from Tucson, Arizona is one of two hydrologists helping Bartolino with this project.

The seismometer measures movements of the earth up and down - north and south - and east and west. This gps unit measures the precise location and time of the recordings, and a laptop computer enables the hydrologists to interpret the data they've gathered.

Bartolino says they'll be putting together the geologic framework of the Wood River Valley Aquifer for the next two years, before residents here will have usable information to plan a workable future.