— November 16, 2025 - February 8, 2026
From November 2025 to January 2026, New Mexico Tech and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology will have contractors conduct low-altitude aerial geophysical surveys in several regions.
Flight dates are flexible due to weather. The regions are shown in the image below where we intend to fly in late 2025 and early 2026. As of December 2025, flights are complete in the lower Rio Grande Valley, between Truth or Consequences to Sunland Park and in the southwest Lordsburg and bootheel region. Flights are nearly finished in the Silver City, Deming and Mimbres Basin region. The San Acacia reach of the middle Rio Grande valley will be flown from mid-December into early January, and in the Estancia Basin east of Albuquerque.
A helicopter equipped with specialized instruments will fly about 100 feet above ground, collecting data along pre-planned flight paths. The instruments measure the electromagnetic responses of the geologic materials such as sand, gravel, and clay. When combined with well and geologic data, the results will be used to create three-dimensional maps of aquifer systems in the region. All data will be available from our website later in 2026 after processing and review.
Flights are planned to avoid homes, businesses, and confined animal operations. The survey will be conducted in partnership with a professional geophysical firm using specially trained and experienced helicopter operators, adhering to Federal Aviation Administration regulations in accordance with U.S. law.
For more information, please check out our research web page here or contact Stacy Timmons, Associate Director of Hydrogeology Programs with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology at (575) 835-6951 stacy.timmons@nmt.edu .