Buried aquifer sensitivity

This page last updated: 11/25/2025 Metadata created using Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines

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Overview
Data Quality
Data Organization
Coordinate System
Attributes
Distribution - Get Data
Metadata Reference

Section 1: Overview

Originator:Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Title: Buried aquifer sensitivity

Abstract: Bedrock aquifer pollution sensitivity 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: Pollution sensitivity, 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: In Houston County, buried aquifer pollution sensitivity is equivalent to bedrock aquifer pollution sensitivity since the cumulative fine-grained thickness model was not used to calculate aquifer sensitivities for this atlas. The pollution sensitivity ratings are based on estimated vertical travel times inferred from tritium analysis, carbon-14 age dating, the presence or absence of anthropogenic indicators, dye trace investigations, the presence or absence of sinkholes and stream sinks, and the findings from many previous investigations.

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_buried_aquifer_sensitivity**
Field Name	Valid Values	Definition
AQUIFER	-	County Well Index aquifer code
RATING	enumerated
	VH	very high: hours to months
	H	high: weeks to years
	M	moderate: years to decades
	VL	very low: centuries to millennia

Section 6: Distribution

Publisher: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Ecological and Water Resources Division

Publication Date: 11/25/2025

Distributor's Data Set Identifier: houston_buried_aquifer_sensitivity

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

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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