Helicopter Survey Planned Over Kootenay Lake Area
- beginning Monday, May 4 2026
Residents around Kootenay Lake may notice low-flying helicopter activity this May / June as part of a scientific survey studying the region’s geothermal energy potential.
The South Kootenay Lake Community Services Society (SKLCSS), working with the Kootenay Lake Geothermal Project (KLG), will be conducting an airborne geophysical survey in partnership with Expert Geophysics Surveys Inc. and Aberdeen Helicopters.
The work will use a method called Mobile Magnetotellurics (MobileMT), which measures natural electromagnetic signals to help map underground geological structures.
What to expect: A helicopter will fly at approximately 150 to 180 metres above the ground, carrying lightweight equipment suspended beneath it. Flights will follow straight paths spaced roughly 100 to 1,000 metres apart, depending on the area. All activity will take place during daylight hours. It is expected that the survey will take one to two days to complete.
No ground disturbance: Project organizers emphasize that the survey is non-intrusive. It does not involve drilling or ground disturbance, and the equipment passively records naturally occurring signals in the earth.
Why it matters: The survey is part of ongoing work to assess geothermal energy potential in the Kootenay Lake region. Geothermal energy could provide a reliable, local source of heat—and potentially electricity—while helping reduce reliance on fuels like propane.
Information collected during the survey will help guide future decisions about the project. Further updates will be shared with the community as work progresses.
More information
South Kootenay Lake Community Services Society
Box 210, Crawford Bay, BC https://cconnections.ca
Email: gordmacmahon@gmail.com
