Subsurface Resource Exploration & Development

Geologists need to develop an understanding of the geology of the Earth from the surface down to explore, understand, and develop natural resources, such as groundwater, oil & gas, and other precious minerals. Important geological skills & tools needed include:

Hydrodynamics has found that selecting the right geological tools is critical to successfully meeting our clients’ resource exploration and development goals. We start with designing an exploration program that defines our clients’ resource needs and expectations, the limitations of the resource, physical and environmental constraints of the project area, and project economics. It is during this initial task that we work with our clients to choose the right geological tools and expertise needed to meet exploration and development goals.

Hydrodynamics applies our geological exploration experience to working in remote wilderness areas. We have worked in extreme weather conditions for drilling programs from 130˚ F in Death Valley to subzero temperatures in Midwest winters.

Subsurface Resource Exploration & Development Case Studies

Death Valley National Park Spring Water Investigation

Location: Death Valley National Park
Hydrodynamics conducted an investigation of the major springs in Death Valley National Park. The goal of the study was to determine the source of the spring waters. Twenty-six springs were visited and water was sampled. The chemistry of the springs was specific to the mountain block they were…
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Death Valley Exploration Drilling Program

Location: Death Valley
Hydrodynamics managed the drilling and construction of four deep and three shallow LCA monitoring wells in the Death Valley region. The project involved extensive geophysical surveys of the region, core sampling of boreholes, pump testing, and geochemical analysis to determine the source of the…
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Furnace Creek Springs in Death Valley National Park

Location: Furnace Creek Springs
Hydrodynamics conducted a study to evaluate the potential impact of pumping from new Travertine Spring water supply wells on Furnace Creek spring flows. The study involved geological mapping, geophysical surveying, drilling geology sampling, and numerical modeling to determine potential impacts.
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Progressive Pacific vs City of San Jose: Groundwater Analysis for Litigation Support

Hydrodynamics modeled dewatering conditions present during the construction of a major water pipeline in San Jose, California.
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Funeral Mountains, Death Valley Park

Location: Death Valley
Hydrodynamics developed a numerical model of groundwater flow through the Southern Funeral Mountain Range in DVNP to characterize inter-basin groundwater flow in the Death Valley Region. The model was based on Hydrodynamics exploration drilling, geological field mapping, and spring flow monitoring.
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Washoe County Department of Water Resources, Nevada

Location: Washoe County, Nevada
Hydrodynamics conducted a ground water investigation of the Winnemucca Ranch for development of spring water resources. The investigation required geological mapping, geophysical surveying, and development of spring water collection system.
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How Can We Help?

We welcome your call to discuss your unique project needs.

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Why Hire Us?

  • Dr. Bredehoeft has managed exploration geology programs for the U.S. Geological Survey for 30 years.
  • Michael King was a partner with an exploratory well drilling company.
  • Hydrodynamics managed geological mapping, exploration drilling, and geophysical survey programs for the Yucca Mountain.
  • Hydrodynamics is managing exploration drilling and geophysical programs for multiple energy storage projects throughout the United States.

Featured Content

Dr. John Bredehoeft and Michael King have over 35 years of experience each on exploration and development projects that range from groundwater supplies for private land developers and water utilities to exploration for oil and gas with major oil and gas companies through out the Central and Western United States. We use this experence to design the right resource exploration and development program for our clients. Dr. Jansen with Hydrodynamics has been an exploration geophysicist for major oil and gas companies, and has applied that experience to Hydrodynamics’ groundwater resource and energy storage projects for the past 11 years.