Memorandum
Date: June 5, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors, serving as the Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District
From: Dr. Pawan Upadhyay, Director, and Todd Abbott, Program Coordinator, Water Resources Department
Subject: Consent Agenda Item for June 23, 2026.
(Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District) Approve the award of the “Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey of Lake County’s Groundwater Basins” project to Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc., in the amounts of $300,000, and authorize the Water Resources Director to sign and execute the contracts between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc.
Executive Summary:
The Lake County Water Resources Department requests that the Board of Supervisors, acting as the Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District (District), approve the award of contract to Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc. for the Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey of Lake County’s Groundwater Basins projects in the amounts of $300,000. Funding for this project is provided by the California Natural Resources Agency and will support management of groundwater basins in Lake County, California.
Groundwater is a crucial resource to the county, supporting the region’s agricultural, ecological, and residential water needs. This invaluable resource sustains local farming operations, contributes to natural ecosystems, and provides reliable water access to households and communities. However, prolonged drought conditions, increased demand from growing populations, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change, including more intense weather patterns and reduced surface water availability, create ongoing challenges for sustainable groundwater management. Addressing these issues requires a proactive approach that balances water usage with long-term conservation efforts, leverages scientific data, and engages community stakeholders to safeguard groundwater supplies for future generations.
In response to these challenges, the County of Lake has actively engaged in efforts to assess and sustainably manage its groundwater resources. One notable project was conducted in the Big Valley Basin by the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR). This comprehensive Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) study is a geophysical survey technique that uses electromagnetic signals to map underground layers of soil, rock, and groundwater from the air, typically by flying over the survey area in a helicopter or plane equipped with sensors. The AEM system emits electromagnetic pulses into the ground and measures the response, allowing scientists to gather data on subsurface structures, including groundwater resources, aquifers, and geologic formations. The information from an AEM study is particularly valuable for understanding water-bearing layers, locating zones of potential groundwater recharge or depletion, identifying clay layers that impact water movement, and supporting groundwater management and sustainable water resource planning.
Building upon these efforts, the County is now seeking to extend its assessments to other critical groundwater basins. This project will focus on surveying five to seven of the groundwater basins to gather essential data that will support ongoing groundwater management efforts and ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital resource.
This project will take place in various groundwater basins located within Lake County. Of the 11 groundwater basins within the county, five to seven will be selected for this survey. The focus will be on basins that have not yet undergone comprehensive studies, with the goal of enhancing the county's overall understanding of its groundwater resources in these areas.
In accordance with the County’s procurement policies, District staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified engineering and environmental consulting firms. We received only one proposal for this project from Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc., after reviewing the proposal, it was determined to be qualified and cost-effective to perform the requested services.
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: __ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
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Recommended Action: (Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District) Approve the award of the “Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey of Lake County’s Groundwater Basins” project to Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc., in the amounts of $300,000, and authorize the Water Resources Director to sign and execute the contracts between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and Geophysical Imaging Partners Inc.