# Potentiometric contours

This page last updated: 11/25/2025
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
Title: Potentiometric contours
Abstract: Estimated potentiometric contour elevations of the bedrock aquifers in Houston County, Minnesota.
Purpose: Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B
Time Period of Content Date:
Currentness Reference: Data were acquired or accessed between 2014 and 2021
Progress: Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency: None Planned
Spatial Extent of Data: Houston County, Minnesota
Bounding Coordinates: -91.731
-91.217
43.853
43.493
Place Keywords: Houston County, Minnesota
Theme Keywords: Potentiometric surface contours, bedrock aquifer
Theme Keyword Thesaurus: None
Access Constraints: None
Use Constraints: Users may wish to verify critical information; sources include both the references here and information on file in the offices of the Minnesota Geological Survey and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Every effort has been made to ensure the interpretation shown conforms to sound geologic and cartographic principles. This map should not be used to establish legal title, boundaries, or locations of improvements.
Contact Person Information: CGA, GIS Specialist
Minnesota DNR - Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4025
Phone: 651-259-5693
Email: county.groundwater.atlas.dnr@state.mn.us
Browse Graphic: None available
Associated Data Sets: Houston County Geologic Atlas, Part A, published by the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS). More information and downloadable data for Part A available on the MGS site: http://www.mngs.umn.edu/county_atlas/countyatlas.htm

## Section 2: Data Quality

Attribute Accuracy: 1:100,000
Logical Consistency: Data are topologically correct using ArcGIS Pro 3.3
Completeness: Complete
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
Lineage: These files were made with water level information from two general sources: driller's logs from the County Well Index (CWI) database managed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Geological Survey with verified locations and measurements by DNR staff in conjunction with well sampling for this atlas project. The driller's log data represent a dataset that was collected over a period of several decades and spans seasonal and multi-year climatic trends of wet and dry conditions. Where the dataset included both CWI driller's log information and water levels collected by DNR staff, the DNR data were used.
Static water elevation data from CWI and DNR project data were contoured with the Topo to Raster tool (no drainage enforcement) to produce an elevation raster per aquifer unit, from which contours were generated.

## 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:
Detailed Citation:
Table Detail:

houston_potentiometric_contours
Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source
--- | --- | --- | ---
AQUIFER | - | Aquifer code assigned in the County Well Index. |
CONTOUR | - | Elevation of potentiometric surface contour of the bedrock aquifers in feet |
LN_TYPE | enumerated | Potentiometric contours are attributed as dashed or solid lines to communicate uncertainty and association with mapped aquifers. |
| solid | Portion of contour that overlies mapped aquifer polygons. |
| dashed | Portion of contour between mapped aquifer polygons, displayed for visual continuity and to help the map user understand the overall flow patterns. |

## Section 6: Distribution

Publisher: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Ecological and Water Resources Division
Publication Date: 11/25/2025
Contact Person Information: CGA, GIS Specialist
Minnesota DNR - Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4025
Phone: 651-259-5693
Email: county.groundwater.atlas.dnr@state.mn.us
Distributor's Data Set Identifier: houston_potentiometric_contours
Distribution Liability: These data were prepared from publicly available information only. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the factual data on which these files are 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 Department of Natural Resources.
Ordering Instructions: Download zip file of metadata and feature classes by clicking "I AGREE" below.
PDFs of the County Groundwater Atlas plates can be downloaded at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/mapping/status.html
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: 11/25/2025
Contact Person Information: CGA, GIS Specialist
Minnesota DNR - Ecological and Water Resources
500 Lafayette Rd
Saint Paul, MN 55155-4025
Phone: 651-259-5693
Email: county.groundwater.atlas.dnr@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: 11/25/2025
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