A unique 3D view of the Hawke’s Bay region’s groundwater aquifers is being made available to the public.
Regional Council Integrated Catchment Manager, Iain Maxwell says the results of Council’s three-dimensional mapping project allow a never-before-seen 3D image of local groundwater systems.
He says the project has seen the inside of the aquifers scanned to improve understanding of how they are working to ensure better decision making.
The Regional Council, in partnership with the Provincial Growth Fund and GNS Science, completed the survey using cutting-edge Danish SkyTEM technology.
“Water management is crucially important for the future of the Hawke’s Bay region, so this level of mapping will ensure that our decision making around the management of our groundwater resources is well-informed,” said Mr Maxwell.
Regional Council Team Leader of Hydrology & Groundwater Science, Simon Harper says the team have completed modelling for the Poukawa and Ōtāne basins, allowing them a clearer view of the thickness and composition of the groundwater systems in these basins.
“GNS Science in partnership with Aarhus University are currently interpreting data for the Heretaunga and Ruataniwha basins.”
“We’ve developed a StoryMap where the public can learn about the project and interact with our models to generate virtual wells and cross-sections”.
The SkyTEM survey was completed during January and February 2020.
The surveys were flown over the Ngaruroro River Valley, Heretaunga Plains, Ruataniwha Plains and the Poukawa and Ōtāne Basins.
The information on the Poukawa and Ōtāne Basins can be accessed at hbrc.govt.nz, search #3dwater.
