# Aggregate Resource Mapping Program - Compilation of Gravel Pits, Quarries, and Prospects

This page last updated: 03/28/2021
Metadata created using Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines

Go to Section:

1. Overview
2. Data Quality
3. Data Organization
4. Coordinate System
5. Attributes
6. Distribution - Get Data
7. Metadata Reference

## Section 1: Overview

Originator:Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Division of Lands and Minerals, Mineral Potential Evaluation Section
Title: Aggregate Resource Mapping Program - Compilation of Gravel Pits, Quarries, and Prospects
Abstract: This spatial dataset of pits, quarries, and prospects is based on a compilation of GIS aggregate resources (sand and gravel, crushed stone) reconnaissance scale data spanning twenty county projects completed over a number of years (1987-present) by the DNR's Aggregate Resource Mapping Program (ARMP). The attribute data available varies as a result of the varied years of completion and changes in databases structure and verbiage over time. The past project GIS data has been loaded into the current file geodatabase used by the Aggregate Resource Mapping Program. Therefore the data from the most recent completed counties (Kandiyohi, Aitkin, Stearns, Kanabec, Olmsted) have the most complete attribute table, while the earlier mapped counties (Sherburne, Wright, Isanti) have limited attribute data.
This dataset includes information gathered in the field by Aggregate Mapping Resource Program geologists since 1987. It includes 6,393 aggregate resource or prospective sites in Minnesota. There are pits and quarries that are currently being mined or have been mined. Several sources of information identify pit locations: topographic maps, aerial photographs, soil surveys, Mn/DOT (Aggregate Source Information System) ASIS files, LiDAR topographic data, fieldwork, gravel operators, and other miscellaneous sources. Pits range in size from less than 1 acre to greater than 50 acres and may be active, inactive, or reclaimed. The aggregate quality of the pit varies.
Purpose: To display a compilation of current (at the time of mapping) and historic mining pit (gravel, sand, borrow, quarry) locations sourced from the Aggregate Resource Mapping Program completed projects.
About the Aggregate Resource Mapping Program:
The Aggregate Resource Mapping Program (ARMP) began in 1984 when the Minnesota Legislature passed a law (Minnnesota Statutes, section 84.94) to: Identify and classify aggregate resources out side of the Twin Cities metropolitan area; Give aggregate resource information to local units of government and others for making comprehensive land-use and zoning plans; Introduce aggregate resource protection; and Promote orderly and environmentally sound development of the resource.
Aggregate Mapping Home Page: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/index.html
Aggregate Mapping Methodology: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/methodology.html
Time Period of Content Date: 03/28/2021
Currentness Reference: 2021
Progress: Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency: Continually
Spatial Extent of Data: State of Minnesota
Bounding Coordinates: -97.23
-89.53
49.37
43.5
Place Keywords:
Theme Keywords: Aggregate Resource Mapping Program, gravel pit, Sand pit, quarry, crushed stone, sand and gravel, Aggregate Source Information System (ASIS)
Theme Keyword Thesaurus:
Access Constraints: None
Use Constraints: Use Disclaimer:
Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the factual data on which this map interpretation is based. However, the Department of Natural Resources does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or any implied uses of these data. Users may wish to verify critical information; sources include both the references here and information on file in the offices of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Every effort has been made to ensure the interpretation shown conforms to sound geologic and cartographic principles. No claim is made that the interpretation shown is rigorously correct, however, and it should not be used to guide engineering-scale decisions without site-specific verification. This information should not be used to establish legal title, boundaries, or locations of improvements.
Data Disclaimer
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the reuse of data provided herewith, regardless of its format or the means of its transmission. There is no guarantee or representation to the user as to the accuracy, currency, suitability, or reliability of this data for any purpose. The user accepts the data 'as is', and assumes all risks associated with its use. By accepting this data, the user agrees not to transmit this data or provide access to it or any part of it to another party unless the user shall include with the data a copy of this disclaimer. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources assumes no responsibility for actual or consequential damage incurred as a result of any user's reliance on this data.
Contact Person Information: James Olson, GIS Analyst
Minnesota DNR - Lands and Minerals
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 651-259-5429
Email: james.olson@state.mn.us
Browse Graphic: Click to view a data sample.
Associated Data Sets: Other Compiled Aggregate Mapping GIS Datasets:
Sand and Gravel Resource Potential; Crushed Stone Resource Potential; Geologic Field Observationsl; and Test Holes.
List of Completed DNR Aggregate Mapping Project's Web Pages to Download Maps and Original GIS Data and Metadata at:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/completed/index.html
Kandiyohi County (2021)
Aitkin County (2014)
Stearns County (2012)
Kanabec County (2012)
Portions of Northern St. Louis and Northern Lake Counties (2010)
Olmsted County (2010)
Carlton County and Fond du Lac Reservation (2009)
Mille Lacs County (2007)
Meeker County (2006)
Renville County (2003)
Le Sueur County (2003)
Itasca County (2003) - Contracted with MGS
Benton County (2002)
Dodge County (2002)
Chisago County (2000) - Contracted with MGS
Nicollet County (1999)
Blue Earth County (1999)
Clay County (1995)
Isanti County (1991)
Wright County (1989)
Sherburne County (1987)
Completed MGS Aggregate Endowment of the 7-County Twin Cities Metropolitan Area
7-County Mapping Web page: Information and links to view and download report, maps, and original GIS data and metadata for this MGS mapping project.

## Section 2: Data Quality

Attribute Accuracy:
Logical Consistency:
Completeness: The data is as complete as when the county project was completed.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
Vertical Positional Accuracy: None
Lineage: This varies since the data is a compilation of gravel pits, sand pits, borrow pits, quarries, and prospects collected between 1987-2020. Please consult the original project metadata found at the Aggregate Mapping Program's completed project page at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/completed/index.html
Generally speaking, these data points were captured from several different digital GIS data sources at the time of mapping, including USGS 1:24000 quadrangles, 1:12000 USGS DOQs (from 1991), Farm Service Agency (FSA) color air photos (from 2003-04, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2019), Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Survey point data, and the ASIS (Aggregate Source Information System) dataset from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
For counties completed after 2006 the points were edited in the field with a GPS (+/- 3 Meters), tablet PC, and ArcGIS Desktop. For counties completed prior to 2006 points were penciled in on printed USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle maps and later digitized on screen using GIS software.

## Section 3: Spatial Data Organization (not used in this metadata)

## Section 4: Coordinate System

Horizontal Coordinate Scheme: Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM Zone Number: 15
Horizontal Datum: NAD83
Horizontal Units: meters
Vertical Datum:
Vertical Units:
Depth Datum:
Depth Units:

## Section 5: Attributes

Overview: This dataset consists of aggregate resource pit, quarry, or prospect information such as; location, type, source, material, relative size, material thickness and overburden, depth to water table, dominant texture, lithology, status, and geologist comments. Much of this information is not available for Counties completed prior to 2000. After 2005 the attribute data stays pretty consistent.
An example attribute table with descriptions for field observations is provided here from the Kanabec County Aggregate Map:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate/aggregate_pits_attribute_example_kanabeccounty.pdf
If you need more information please consult the original project data and metadata found at the Aggregate Mapping Program's completed project page at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/aggregate_maps/completed/index.html
Detailed Citation:
Table Detail:

Fields and Attributes
Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source
--- | --- | --- | ---
PitComp_ID | - | A unique ID used as a reference in the compiled dataset. |
Source | enumerated | Aggregate pit data source. Where did it come from? |
|  | Minnesota Department of Transportation database called Aggregate Source Information Systems. If the location did intersect a gravel pit, the locations were interpreted off of existing gravel pit sheets to relocate the mines to as specified on the sheet. This was ranked highest because of associated quality and texture data. Some locations were modified to better correlate to present gravel pit boundaries and on top of USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic Map symbols. |
| Topographic Map | These gravel pits are located from USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles. This was ranked second highest because of the widespread use of the maps. Where field checked, some of these pit types were changed from gravel to borrow or sand pits to reflect the material excavated. |
| Field Work | These pits were located while in the field. These pits were ranked third highest due to the fact they were directly observed for quality, texture, and spatial accuracy. |
| Soil Survey | The records for these pits are from the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO) Aitkin County. The dataset was downloaded in June 2010. These pits were ranked fourth highest. |
| Air Photo | Gravel mines were also located and some attributes were interpreted with air photography. These pits were ranked last because they were remotely interpreted. |
| LiDAR | LiDAR is giving an opportunity to see disturbed surfaces like never before. This is a new source. |
Type | - | The type of pit, quarry, or prospect observed |
Field_Chk | enumerated | A new field asking the question was the pit or quarry field checked. If so, how? |
| Observed on Site |  |
| Observed from Road |  |
| Observed from Air Photo |  |
ASIS_numbr | - | Aggregate Source Information System Number (MN/DOT Database). An empty field means that it does not have an ASIS number. |
Material_1 | - | Primary material observed in the gravel pit. |
Material_2 | - | Secondary material observed in the gravel pit. |
Size | enumerated | Refers to the relative size of the pit. |
| Small | Small pits are less than five acres. These pits are usually used by private landowners or for small jobs. |
| Medium | Between 5 and 15 acres in size. These pits are used by landowners and for small construction jobs. |
| Large | These pits are generally greater than 15 acres and are typically used by commercial aggregate operators. |
Thickness | - | The thickness of the deposit expressed in combination with a modifier. Not Available indicates that the measurement does not apply or was not observed. |
Overburden | - | Expresses overburden thickness in the pit by using a value in combination with a modifier if appropriate. Not Available indicates that the measurement does not apply or was not observed. |
Watertable | - | The depth of the water table expressed in combination with a modifier. Not Available indicates that the measurement does not apply or was not observed. |
Status_1 | - | Refers to the status of the pit at the time of mapping. |
Status_2 | - | Associated with the field 'Status_1'. This field further explains the condition of a partially or fully reclaimed gravel pit. The status could be a combination of more than one use. |
Dom_litho | - | Dominant lithology of the pit. |
Dom_text | - | The dominant texture of the pit. |
Comments | - | Geologist comments related to the pit. |
County | - | The county or project area that the data was collected for. |
Year Current | - | The year the aggregate data was published. |

## Section 6: Distribution

Publisher: Minnesota DNR - Lands and Minerals
Publication Date: 03/28/2021
Contact Person Information: Zeb Thomas, GIS Data Systems Coordinator
Minnesota DNR - GIS
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 651-259-5637
Email: zeb.thomas@state.mn.us
Distributor's Data Set Identifier: geos_aggregate_mapping
Distribution Liability: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources General Geographic Data License Agreement is online: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/sitetools/data_software_license.html
Ordering Instructions: Visit the web site noted in the online linkage section, or send an email to the Distribution Contact listed in this metadata record
Online Linkage: I AGREE to the notice in "Distribution Liability" above. Clicking to agree will either begin the download process, link to a service, or provide more instructions. See "Ordering Instructions" above for details.

## Section 7: Metadata Reference

Metadata Date: 03/28/2021
Contact Person Information: James Olson, GIS Analyst
Minnesota DNR - Lands and Minerals
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155
Phone: 651-259-5429
Email: james.olson@state.mn.us
Metadata Standard Name: Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines
Metadata Standard Version: 1.2
Metadata Standard Online Linkage: http://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/committee/standards/mgmg/metadata.htm

This page last updated: 03/28/2021
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