News Release

USGS Airborne to survey Hot Springs National Park thermal water recharge zone

Date: January 18, 2022
Contact: Nathan Charlton

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.-- Starting Wednesday, January 19, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will deploy a low-flying aircraft that will be visible to residents living near Hot Springs National Park (Park), as well as adjacent areas to the east of the park. The USGS is mapping aquifers in the areas surrounding Hot Springs National Park, in coordination with the National Park Service and Garland County, Arkansas, using a high-resolution airborne survey technique. The flights are expected to conclude by Thursday, January 20, depending on weather and flight conditions.

The aircraft will fly mainly east-west at an altitude of 400 feet along lines spaced approximately less than a mile apart. The airplane will have an attached electromagnetic instrument housed in a small receiver that is towed 300 feet behind and about 150 feet beneath the aircraft. All survey flights will occur during daylight hours. Residents and visitors should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying aircraft with a small sensor towed behind it. The aircraft also will carry scientific instruments including a magnetometer and a gamma-ray spectrometer. None of the instruments pose a health risk to people or animals, and flights will not occur directly above populated areas.

The National Park Service is interested in this information to better understand the source and movement of thermal waters in the Park today. The goals of this project are to characterize the lithology of the area, as well as how water is conveyed through fault and fracture patterns in the recharge zone (the area where water enters the thermal water system before it emerges at the base of Hot Springs Mountain). The airborne geophysical data collected will complement borehole data that has already been collected and will help provide a better understanding of the connection between the geophysical and geological properties.

The survey is being conducted in association with the ongoing studies of the recharge area and monitoring of the Hot Springs bypass corridor. For more information about the Hot Springs Bypass Monitoring project please contact Anna Nottmeier with the USGS at [e-mail]. Questions regarding the survey can be directed to Nathan Charlton (Natural Resource Program Manager) at 501-620-6751 or [e-mail].

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About Hot Springs National Park: Established as a federal reservation in 1832 to protect the unique geothermal spring water and associated lands for public health, wellness, and enjoyment. In 1921, the area became a national park with the same mission; preservation of the 47 hot springs that come out of the Hot Springs Mountain and the historic resources built for visitor enjoyment of the hot springs. Visit us at www.nps.gov/hosp, on Facebook www.Facebook.com/ HotSpringsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/HotSpringsNPS.