# Water-table elevation

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: Water-table elevation
Abstract: Modeled water-table elevation in Houston County, Minnesota.
Purpose: Houston County Groundwater Atlas, Part B
Time Period of Content Date:
Currentness Reference: Data were obtained in 2020
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: Water-table elevation
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: Water-table information was derived from the following datasets:
- NRCS soil survey tabular and spatial data, using the minimum annual depth to water table values for non-perched wet soil polygons. A grid of points spaced 100 meters apart was established over the wet soil polygons. The depth to water table values from each polygon were extracted to this grid of points across the state. The water-table elevation value for each point was equal to the 30-meter DEM derived using LiDAR data value minus the minimum annual water table depth.
- National Wetlands Inventory, using features for which water regimes = D, F, or H. National Wetland Inventory features with an area greater than one acre were given points spaced 100 meters apart around the perimeter of the feature. Water features with an area less than one acre were given a centroid. The water-table elevation value for each point was obtained from the 30-meter DEM derived using LiDAR data.
- Stream Routes with Stream Types, using features for which strm_type_desc = Centerline (River), Drainage Ditch (Perennial), or Stream (Perennial). The streams were converted to points spaced 100 meters apart along each feature. The water-table elevation value for each point was obtained from the 30-meter DEM derived using LiDAR data.
- Minnesota County Well Index (Verified Locations), using features for which Aquifer = QWTA. The water-table elevation value for each point was equal to the 30-meter DEM derived using LiDAR data value minus the static water level depth.
The points were merged into one feature class and the Topo to Raster tool was run on the feature class to generate the water-table elevation model with a 30-meter cell size; drainage was not enforced.
Water-table elevation is poorly defined in the areas delineated as prone to karst feature development. Within the karst area (delineated from GW-01 Minnesota Regions Prone to Surface Karst Feature Development), the water table often exceeds 100 feet deep and is best approximated by the groundwater elevation of the Prairie du Chien and Jordan aquifers.

## 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_water_table_elevation
Field Name | Valid Values | Definition | Definition Source
--- | --- | --- | ---
ELEVATION | - | Modeled water-table elevation in feet, "karst", or "water" |

## 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_water_table_elevation
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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