# Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B

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: Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B
Abstract: ArcGIS files depicting characteristics of the groundwater system of Houston County, Minnesota.
Purpose: Geographic information system (GIS) layers cartographically depict spatially analyzed data used in the production of the Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B, County Atlas Series C-33.
A county atlas is a systematic study of a county's geologic and groundwater resources. Geologic studies include both glacial deposits and bedrock units. Groundwater studies include the distribution of surficial and buried aquifers; hydrogeology of the surficial, buried sand and gravel, and bedrock aquifers; estimation of groundwater residence time; and sensitivity to pollution of bedrock aquifers and the near-surface materials.
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: Buried aquifer, groundwater, water chemistry, residence time, wells, water table, pollution sensitivity
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: Geologic Atlas of Houston County, 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: --
Logical Consistency: Data are topologically correct using ArcGIS Pro 3.3
Completeness: Complete
Horizontal Positional Accuracy:
Lineage: Review of available data:
Investigations begin with a review of existing information, such as earlier geologic maps, soil maps, hydrologic reports, and information provided by well drillers. Minnesota Geological Survey staff review and interpret driller's logs, and enter the data into the County Well Index (CWI), an interactive database of water-well information.
Collection of data from the field:
Field studies are conducted to measure static water level elevations and sample groundwater for chemistry of selected wells. These studies, combined with pre-existing data, are used to create maps of water-table, buried sand and gravel, and bedrock hydrogeology (elevation, potentiometric surface, flow direction, aquifer parameters, groundwater residence time), and sensitivity of groundwater system to pollution.
Creation of GIS layers:
Using a variety of techniques, data are converted into ArcGIS feature classes or grids for cartographic display and spatial analysis. Metadata for individual layers contain more detailed lineage information.

## 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: The Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B consists of 6 separate GIS data layers that were shown on the maps and plates of the atlas.
Detailed Citation:
Table Detail:

Used in report and/or plates
Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source
--- | --- | --- | ---
buried_aquifer_sensitivity | - | Pollution sensitivity of the bedrock aquifers |
chemistry | - | Wells, springs, and surface water sampled for chemistry by DNR staff and others |
near_surface_sensitivity | - | Pollution sensitivity of the near-surface materials |
potentiometric_contours | - | Potentiometric surface contours of the bedrock aquifers |
water_table_elevation | - | Modeled water-table elevation |
well_data | - | Well data used by DNR staff to construct aquifer and related maps |

## 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:
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 report and 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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