A very cool way to find water.
Want a water study? Dig deep
For funds, that is. Cache below Fresno Co. foothills can be probed with radar.
By Marc Benjamin / The Fresno Bee
09/17/07 04:09:29
How much water is there below Fresno County's Sierra foothills? How much development can that water support?
Those questions have nagged Fresno County officials for years.
Now, scientists hope to find answers by creating a three-dimensional computer map of the water trapped in rock fissures and underground pools. All they need is money.
The project could cost $5 million and take as long as five years to complete, because it will need to examine how water flows underground and account for rainfall fluctuations, said John Suen of California State University, Fresno's California Water Institute.
So far no money has been raised. Many people agree, however, the study is crucial. When the complex computerized modeling is complete, it should detail how much water is available to support existing homes -- and if enough water remains for growth.
