MoDNR denies aquifer study is tied to data center development
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) is refuting online rumors that its ongoing aquifer study in northeast Missouri is connected to data center development. MoDNR clarifies that the study, part of the Northeast Missouri Aquifer Characterization Project, is a continuation of a project from the 1950s aimed at locating alternate water sources for residents and agriculture due to severe droughts.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) has issued a press release to counter online rumors suggesting its aquifer study in northeast Missouri is linked to data center development. Scott Kaden, MoDNR's groundwater section chief, stated that the study is a continuation of a project initiated in the 1950s and not a response to any data center request.
The Northeast Missouri Aquifer Characterization Project is being conducted by the department's Water Resources Center, aligning with recommendations from the Missouri Water Resources Plan. Its primary goal is to identify new and accessible potable groundwater sources to support residents and the agricultural community in the region, particularly during drought conditions.
Work for the study is progressing in Adair, Knox, and Lewis counties, following earlier research in Schuyler, Scotland, and Clark counties. A final phase will cover Macon, Shelby, and Marion counties, with full conclusions and maps expected next year. Kurt Schaefer, director of MoDNR, highlighted that the effort addresses feedback from residents in northeast Missouri, a region heavily impacted by droughts since 2020 due to its reliance on surface water.
The study involves collecting subsurface information through borehole logs, passive seismic data, and airborne electromagnetic surveys. Kaden acknowledged that these activities have sparked curiosity and concern among some residents, prompting the department's clarification.