GIS Data Sources

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Active Wastewater Facilities

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: This dataset represents the locations, classifications, and physical characteristics of NPDES and SDS wastewater facilities regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The locations represent the treatment building and this data set does not contain locations of influent, effluent, ambient, or land application monitoring locations. Tribal permits are administered at the federal level and not represented here.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Altered Watercourses

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: MPCA stream lines where streams are categorized based on the status of hydrologic alteration (channelized, ditched, or impounded).

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Annual Precipitation (1991-2020) Departure from Record (1895-2020)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: The layer displays the difference (in inches) between the recent annual total precipitation (averaged over the 1991-2020 30-year climate normal) when compared to the annual total precipitation for the entire climate record (averaged over the years 1895 to 2020). Positive values indicate an increase in annual precipitation, and negative values indicate a decrease. The map layers include a raster and contours to visualize the variability in climate across the state. Source data includes precipitation data from the NOAA Global Historic Climate Network - Monthly dataset (GHCNm). The monthly values are summarized at each of the 14,522 gridded observation points for each climate attribute and converted into a interpolated surface to generate rasters covering the state with a spatial resolution of 1km grid cells.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Annual Precipitation, 1991 to 2020

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer displays the annual total precipitation (in inches) averaged over the years of 1991 to 2020 (30-year climate normal). The map layers include a raster and contours to visualize the variability in climate across the state. Source data includes precipitation data from the NOAA Global Historic Climate Network - Monthly dataset (GHCNm). The monthly values are summarized at each of the 14,522 gridded observation points for each climate attribute and converted into a interpolated surface to generate rasters covering the state with a spatial resolution of 1km grid cells.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Aquifer Recharge Potential through Wetland Restoration in Bonanza Valley

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This data prioritizes locations for wetland restoration within the Bonanza Valley Ground Water Management Area (GWMA). The objective of the prioritization was to identify locations that are suitable for wetland restoration and, when restored, are likely to provide recharge to the groundwater supply. This data supports the objectives outlined in the Bonanza Valley GWMA Plan.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Assessed Streams/Lakes/Wetlands, 2024

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: This is the set of waterbodies assessed by MPCA's surface water quality assessment process for the 2024 303(d)/305(b) integrated report to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For assessed waterbodies they are evaluated relative to a specific assessed use (e.g., acquatic consumption, aquatic life, aquatic recreation, drinking water, or limited resource value) and are determined to be fully supporting, not supporting, or to have insufficient findings to make a determination. These waterbodies are a subset and enhancement of the 1:24,000 scale National Hydrography Dataset (NHD).

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Average Annual Temperature (1991-2020) Departure from Record (1895-2020)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: The layer displays the difference (in degrees fahrenheit) between the recent average annual temperature (averaged over the 1991-2020 30-year climate normal) when compared to the average annual temperature for the entire climate record (averaged over the years 1895 to 2020). Positive values indicate an increase in average annual temperature, and negative values indicate a decrease. The map layers include a raster and contours to visualize the variability in climate across the state. Source data includes temperature data from the NOAA Global Historic Climate Network - Monthly dataset (GHCNm). The monthly values are summarized at each of the 14,522 gridded observation points for each climate attribute and converted into a interpolated surface to generate rasters covering the state with a spatial resolution of 1km grid cells.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Average Annual Temperature, 1991 to 2020

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer displays the average annual temperature (in degrees fahrenheit) averaged over the years of 1991 to 2020 (30-year climate normal). The map layers include a raster and contours to visualize the variability in climate across the state. Source data includes temperature data from the NOAA Global Historic Climate Network - Monthly dataset (GHCNm). The monthly values are summarized at each of the 14,522 gridded observation points for each climate attribute and converted into a interpolated surface to generate rasters covering the state with a spatial resolution of 1km grid cells.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

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Bridge and Culvert Inventory

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)

Definition: This data set contains points indicating the location of bridges and culverts that are included in the MN Department or Transportation database, this is not a comprehensive collection of bridges and culverts.

Data Source: Not available for download.

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CWI Max Arsenic (ug/L)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: This point layer shows the maximum recorded Arsenic sample result (ug/L) for wells in the Minnesota County Well Index. Only wells with known Arsenic sample results are included. Unique well numbers are not included in this layer.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

CWI Max Nitrate (mg/L)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: This point layer shows the maximum recorded Nitrate sample result (mg/L) for wells in the Minnesota County Well Index. Only wells with known Nitrate sample results are included. Unique well numbers are not included in this layer.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Catchments (sub-divided HUC12)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: A MN DNR managed watershed boundary layer. The Catchments are the smallest watershed boundary that the Watershed Health Index scores are calculated to. There are 10,018 catchments in the data set.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Catchments by Hydrologic Position

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Catchment watersheds symbolized based on a modeled streamflow. Streamflow is modeled through custom regression analysis that predicts discharge based on upstream area, upstream land cover, and observed precipitation.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Change in Impervious Cover Index

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer depicts the change in the Impervious Cover Index scores, comparing the 2001 index scores to the 2016 index scores. Positive values correspond to areas that have increasing health scores, negative values correspond to areas with decreasing health scores. See the WHAF Impervious Cover Index write-up for more details on how the index scores are calculated.

Data Source: The WHAF health scores are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website, for additional data contact [email protected]

Change in Perennial Cover Index

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer depicts the change in the Perennial Cover Index scores, comparing the 2001 scores to the 2016 scores. Positive values correspond to areas that have increasing health scores, negative values correspond to areas with decreasing health scores. See the WHAF Perennial Cover Index write-up for more details on how the index scores are calculated.

Data Source: The WHAF health scores are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website, for additional data contact [email protected]

Change in Water Withdrawal Index

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer depicts the change in the Water Withdrawal Index score, comparing the average index for all available years (1990 - 2019) to the average index for the most recent 5-years (2015 - 2019). Scores are represented at the DNR Catchment watershed scale (DNR Level 08), where positive values correspond with an increasing health score (lower stress) and negative values correspond with a decreasing health score (higher stress). See the WHAF Water Withdrawal Index write-up for more details on how the index is calculated.

Data Source: The WHAF health scores are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website, for additional data contact [email protected]

City Boundaries

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: The boundaries of municipal areas in Minnesota. A subset of the City, Township, and Unorganized Territories (CTU) Boundaries (CTU_TYPE = 'CITY'). Cities are labeled at large scales, zoom in to view labels on map.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Cooperative Stream Gages (CSG)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA); U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Definition: This layer depicts the stream gage locations on the MN DNR and MPCA Cooperative Stream Gaging website. A URL link to view site details and observations are available in the data layers attributes. Time series data collected at the stream gage can be viewed and downloaded thru the URL. Use the identify function to access the link. For additional data contact [email protected]

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

County Boundaries

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)

Definition: The boundaries for counties within Minnesota. This is a cartographic product and does not represent the precise legal boundary.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Crop Data Layers

Data Owner: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Definition: The Cropland Data Layer (CDL) uses satellite imagery to create a land classification map for specific crop types. The CDL is produced annually.

Data Source: The National Agricultural Statistics Service website provides access to data, and metadata for each year of availability.

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DNR Major Watersheds (HUC8)

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: DNR major watersheds are administrative watersheds within the state of Minnesota that are analogous in size and location to the USGS HUC 8 watersheds.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

DNR Observation Wells

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer depicts the DNR Observation well locations by monitoring status and aquifer type. Time series data collected at the well can be viewed and downloaded thru the Cooperative Ground Water Monitoring (CGM) website. A URL link to view site details and observations are available in the data layers attributes, use the identify function to access the link. For additional data contact [email protected]

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

DNR Regions

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Administrative regions for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

DWSMA

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: Once a Wellhead Protection Area is established, a Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) is created to provide planning boundaries on the land surface in order to more easily manage the groundwater below.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

DWSMA Vulnerability

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: This polygon layer contains different vulnerability assessments within Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. Aquifers and wells used for public water supplies vary widely. Some are very shallow and unprotected and can be easily contaminated by activities at the ground surface. Others are deeper or more protected by geologic materials; these tend to exhibit a low vulnerability to overlying land uses. The types of management activities required within Wellhead Protection Areas will vary based largely on these vulnerability assessments.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Delisted Streams/Lakes, 2024

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: This is the set delisted waterbodies as determined by MPCA's surface water quality assessment process for the 2024 reporting cycle to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Once impaired, these waterbodies have subsequently been found to be meeting water quality standards due to either restoration activities or unknown reasons. Waterbodies declared delisted prior to 2024 are also included in this dataset unless they have been delisted. Water bodies are labeled according the the specific parameter that it has been delisted for. These waterbodies are a subset and enhancement of the 1:24,000 scale National Hydrography Dataset (NHD).

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Drinking Water Wells per Section

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: This polygon layer displays the number of drinking water wells (as defined in the Minnesota County Well Index) within each Public Land Survey section.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

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Ecological Classification System Land Type Associations

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Land Type Associations are units of land within Subsections that are defined using glacial landforms, bedrock types, topographic roughness, lake and stream distributions, wetland patterns, depth to ground water table, soil parent material, and pre-European settlement vegetation. Minnesota has 291 land type associations.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Ecological Classification System Provinces

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Provinces are units of land defined using major climate zones, native vegetation, and biomes such as prairies, deciduous forests, or boreal forests. There are 4 Provinces in Minnesota. 

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Ecological Classification System Sections

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Sections are units of land within Provinces that are defined by origin of glacial deposits, regional elevation, distribution of plants, and regional climate. Minnesota has 10 sections.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Ecological Classification System Subsections

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: Subsections are units of land within Sections that are defined using glacial deposition processes, surface bedrock formations, local climate, topographic relief, and the distribution of plants, especially trees. Minnesota has 26 subsections.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Ecological Patches and Connectors

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This data identifies the location of intact habitat (patches) based on the needs of key indicator species for each biome in Minnesota. The core habitat areas are then connected using a least-cost analysis (connectors).

Data Source: Not available for download.

Ecoregions (Level III)

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: Ecoregions are areas where ecosystems (and the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources) are generally similar. This layer displays Level III ecoregions and is derived from Omernik (1987) and from mapping done in collaboration with EPA regional offices, other Federal agencies, state resource management agencies, and neighboring North American countries.

Data Source: The source data and metadata can be downloaded from the U.S. EPA's website. 

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FEMA Flood Hazard Zones (DFIRM)

Data Owner: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Definition: This layer shows the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM) for counties that have been evaluated since 2003. This layer includes the extent of the floodway, the 100-year flood elevation (or 1%t annual chance flood elevation), the 500-year floodelevation (or 0.2% annual chance flood elevations), areas of undetermined flood hazard (Zone D), and areas with reduced flood risk due to presence of a levee. Percentages represent the chance of a flood equals or exceeds the elevation in any given year.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

FEMA Flood Hazard Zones (FIRM Unmodernized)

Data Owner: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Definition: This layer shows the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for counties that have paper-based mapping of floodplain areas (evaluated prior to 2003). These data are a legacy dataset and are in the process of being replaced by modern Digital Flood Insurance Rate (DFIRM) maps. When new DFIRMS are accepted for a county, the coverage of the flood hazard areas according to the paper-based maps will be removed from this layer and added to the FEMA DFIRM layer. This layer includes the extent of the floodway, the 100-year flood elevation (or 1%t annual chance flood elevation), and the 500-year floodelevation (or 0.2% annual chance flood elevations). Percentages represent the chance of a flood equals or exceeds the elevation in any given year.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Restrictions, 2024

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)

Definition: This polygon layer displays quarter sections that have restrictions in the amount of fall nitrogen fertilizer application for 2023 due to the presence of vulnerable groundwater areas. These areas are derived by compiling layers that contribute to groundwater vulnerability including: Karst topography, coarse textured soils, and near surface bedrock. Quarter sections were included if greater than 50% of the quarter section by area falls into one or more of the vulnerable categories. Areas are excluded from this layer if they are in a county with less than 3% cropland or are within a climate exclusion area. Additionally, Fall Nitrogen Fertilizer Application will be restricted in Drinking Water Management Areas (DWSMAs) that are rated moderate, high, or very high vulnerability and have nitrate concentrations at or greater than 5.4 mg/L.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Fast Forest Disturbance

Data Owner: University of Minnesota; Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Definition: This layer shows the most recent fast forest disturbance for a given area as delineated from satellite imagery dating back to 1974. The change patches are further classified by the agent of change (land conversion, forest fire, flooding, timber harvest, wind/weather, or other).

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Feedlots

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: This dataset contains point locations of animal feedlot facilities in Minnesota. The attributes include animal counts by species, and animal units.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

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Geologic Sensitivity at Wells

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)

Definition: Pollution sensitivity (also known as aquifer vulnerability or geologic sensitivity) refers to the time it takes recharge and contaminants at the ground surface to reach the underlying aquifer. This raster layer was created by calculating the sensitivity at individual wells and then interpolating between them to create a smooth layer. The wells used to make this figure vary in depth but overall provide a picture of the geologic sensitivity of aquifers below the water table. (This method was employed due to the absence of an available statewide dataset depicting pollution sensitivity, or vulnerability, of aquifers.)

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Geomorphology of Minnesota - Sedimentary Association

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This layer describes the sedimentary association or rock type for soils.

Data Source: Not available for download.

Groundwater Dominated Lakes

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: This polygon layer represents lakes that have watershed area to lake area ratios of 10 or less and are larger than 10 acres (lakes larger than 100,000 acres are excluded because they may behave differently from smaller lakes). Because of their relatively small watersheds, these lakes are likely to have a significant groundwater component relative to surface water. Lakes with a ratio of between 5 and 10 may be groundwater dominated, especially if the sediment around the lake is predominantly sandy. Lakes with a watershed to lake area of less than 5 are very likely groundwater dominated, either through relatively large groundwater inflow, outflow, or both. Lakes with a ratio of greater than 10 are likely surface water dominated. However, the ultimate determination of whether a particular lake is dominated by groundwater flow requires more site specific information. The Groundwater Dominated Lakes feature class is derived from the DNR Lakes and Open Water and DNR Level 09 Autocatchment datasets.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Groundwater Management Areas

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: A Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) is the surface and subsurface area within which a GWMA Plan is implemented.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Groundwater Provinces

Data Owner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)

Definition: The groundwater province map summarizes groundwater resource differences at a regional level. The data is primarily based on bedrock and glacial geologic conditions that drive the type and properties of aquifers.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

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HUC10 Watersheds

Data Owner: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Definition: USGS Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD), there are approximately 530 HUC 10 watersheds in Minnesota.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

HUC12 Watersheds

Data Owner: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Definition: USGS watershed boundaries, there are approximately 2,500 HUC 12 watersheds in Minnesota.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Hillshade Topography

Data Owner: Minnesota Geospatial Information Office (MNGeo)

Definition: A representation of elevation data derived from MN LiDAR data collection and USGS National Elevation Dataset. The image mimics the effect of a light being cast across a 3-dimensional surface. This hillshade was generated using a simulated light position of 315 degrees azimuth, which conforms with typical hillshade design.

Data Source: The source data and metadata are available for download through the Minnesota Geocommons website.

Historic Aerial Images

Data Owner: University of Minnesota (UMN)

Definition: The Borchert Map Library at the University of Minnesota has created a catalog of scanned historic aerial images. Each point in this dataset corresponds to the center of one of these scanned images. Points are color coded by the decade in which the image was collected, the point attributes contain a hyperlink to view or download the image.

Data Source: A catalogue of aerial photograph holdings can be accessed from the Borchert Library webpage.

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Impaired Streams/Lakes/Wetlands, 2024

Data Owner: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

Definition: This is the set impaired waterbodies as determined by MPCA's surface water quality assessment process for the 2024 reporting cycle to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Waterbodies declared impaired prior to 2024 are also included in this dataset unless they have been delisted. Multiple symbolizations are available for these data either including all impairments by waterbody type, impairments grouped together by related impairment parameters, or impairments by corresponding affected use. These waterbodies are a subset and enhancement of the 1:24,000 scale National Hydrography Dataset (NHD).

  • Impaired Lakes:
    • Chloride: Chloride (Cl-)
    • Fishes bioassessment: Fish bioassessments (FishesBio)
    • Mercury: Mercury in fish tissue (Hg-F), Mercury in water column (Hg-W)
    • Nutrients: Nutrients
    • PFOS: Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in fish tissue (PFOS-F)
    • Industrial contaminants: Dioxin, PCB in fish tissue (PCB-F), PCB in water column (PCB-W)
    • Pesticides: Chlorpyrifos (Clpyr), DDT, Dieldrin, Toxaphene
    • Sulfate: Sulfate (SO4)
    • Other contaminants: Ammonia, unionized (Amm-U)
  • Impaired Streams:
    • Sediment: Turbidity (T), Total suspended solids (TSS)
    • Fishes bioassessment: Fish bioassessments (FishesBio)
    • Invertebrate bioassessment: Aquatic macroinvertebrate bioassessments (InvertBio)
    • Bacteria: Escherichia coli (E. coli), Fecal Coliform (FC)
    • PFOS: Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in fish tissue (PFOS-F), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in water column (PFOS-W)
    • Industrial contaminants: PCB in fish tissue (PCB-F), PCB in water column (PCB-W)
    • Pesticides: Acetochlor (Ace), Chlorpyrifos (Clpyr), Copper (Cu), DDT, Dieldrin
    • Dissolved Oxygen: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
    • Mercury: Mercury in fish tissue (Hg-F), Mercury in water column (Hg-W)
    • Nutrients: Nutrients, Nitrate
    • Chloride: Chloride (Cl-)
    • Sulfate: Sulfate (SO4)
    • Other contaminants: Aluminum (Al), Ammonia, unionized (Amm-U), Arsenic (As)
    • Other stressors: ph, Water temperature (Temp)
  • Surficial sand and gravel – aquifer close to the land surface; recharges quickly due to lack of overlying fine-grained material.
  • Buried sand and gravel – aquifer not close to the land surface; recharges slowly due to presence of overlying fine-grained material.
  • Sandstone bedrock – aquifer typically not close to the land surface; recharge rate depends on composition and thickness of overlying material.
  • Carbonate bedrock (limestone) – aquifer often close to the land surface; recharge rate depends on composition and thickness overlying material. Because carbonate bedrock dissolves over time, water can move quickly over long distances through conduits and caves and is highly vulnerable to contamination in near-surface conditions.
    • See areas mapped as karst on GRAPS Pollution Sensitivity of Near-Surface Materials.
  • Crystalline bedrock – aquifer often close to the land surface; recharge rate depends on overlying material. The rock itself is relatively impermeable, so water moves through fractures only; wells typically have low yields.
    • See areas in northeastern and southwestern Minnesota mapped as bedrock at or near surface on GRAPS Pollution Sensitivity of Near-Surface Materials.
  • Weathered material – aquifer typically not close the land surface; recharges slowly due to presence of overlying fine-grained material. Water quality can be highly mineralized; used as an aquifer because of no overlying sand and gravel.
  • Watershed District – Watershed districts are local units of government that work to solve and prevent water-related problems. The boundaries of the districts closely follow those of a natural watershed (an area in which all water drains to one point). They are created through a local petition process. Minnesota Statute Chapter 103D governs the formation and operation of watershed districts. To find contact information for staff within each Watershed District view the Watershed District Directory.
  • Watershed Management Organization – A watershed management organization (WMO) is defined as a watershed district wholly within the seven-county, Twin Cities Metropolitan Area or a joint powers entity established wholly or partly in the metropolitan area by special law or agreement to perform some or all of the functions of a watershed district. This WMO was created in 1982 when the Minnesota Legislature approved the Metropolitan Area Surface Water Management Act (Minnesota Statutes 103B.201 to 255). To find contact information for staff within each Watershed Management Organization view the Watershed Management Organizations Directory.
  • County Administered – If neither a Watershed District or Watershed Management Organization exists, then responsibility of water planning falls onto the county.

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