Principal Aquifers of the 48 Conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Metadata also available as - [Outline] - [Parseable text] - [XML] - [DIF]
Frequently-anticipated questions:
- What does this data set describe?
- How should this data set be cited?
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- What does it look like?
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- What is the general form of this data set?
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How does the data set describe geographic features?
- Who produced the data set?
- Why was the data set created?
- How was the data set created?
- How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
- How can someone get a copy of the data set?
- Who wrote the metadata?
What does this data set describe?
- Title:
- Principal Aquifers of the 48 Conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Abstract:
- This map layer contains the shallowest principal aquifers of the conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, portrayed as polygons. The map layer was developed as part of the effort to produce the maps published at 1:2,500,000 in the printed series "Ground Water Atlas of the United States". The published maps contain base and cultural features not included in these data. This is a replacement for the July 1998 map layer called Principal Aquifers of the 48 Conterminous United States.
- Supplemental_Information:
-
The Ground Water Atlas of the United States (GWA) chapters include
additional information that may be relevant to the use of this map layer,
such as maps of alluvial and glacial aquifers that overlie the aquifers in
this map layer, as well as other information described below.
The areal extent of the aquifers, as shown in this map layer, represents the area in which a named aquifer is the shallowest of the principal aquifers. These aquifer areas are not necessarily the only areas in which ground water can be withdrawn, for two reasons: 1) The aquifers shown may have a larger areal extent than is represented here. The boundaries in this map layer generally represent an interpretation of the surface location (outcrop), or near-surface location (shallow subcrop) of the uppermost principal aquifer for the area. An aquifer may extend beyond the area shown, but be overlain by one or more other aquifers, and (or) low-permeability material. 2) There may be areas of water-bearing surficial material not shown in this map layer. Major alluvial aquifers that occur along main watercourses are not shown. Significant unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers, that are not indicated in this map layer but are important sources of water, may occur locally in glaciated regions. The user of this map layer is advised that to get complete information regarding areas that serve as sources of water, more information about surficial aquifers needs to be obtained, particularly in glaciated areas.
This map layer was constructed by combining data created for or from the regional GWA chapters. Minor aquifers that are important local sources of water were mapped in some regions, so the regional maps in the GWA may show more detail than this map layer. The data were reviewed, adjusted, and published based on new information provided by national, State, and local scientists. The juxtaposition of regionally mapped aquifers has led to some instances where an aquifer outcrop or shallow subcrop is bounded by a State line. This is a result of the regional mapping and national categorization methods used and is not meant to imply a hydrogeologic change coincident with a State boundary.
The aquifer outcrop and shallow subcrop boundaries represent broad, regional categories and should not be interpreted as site-specific. Comments regarding the names of aquifers or the hydrogeologic interpretation of the aquifers can be directed to the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Office of Ground Water, ogw_webmaster@usgs.gov.
This map layer was used as part of the effort to publish a 1:5,000,000- scale 'Principal Aquifers' map in the National Atlas of the United States of America series of printed maps. The printed map can be considered a representation of this map layer with the exceptions of: the smaller scale, slight differences in the coastline due to generalization, base and cultural information, and delineation of the glacial-deposit area.
These data were developed in conjunction with the publication of the GWA. For documentation purposes, areas are referred to by their corresponding GWA chapter letter, or by State. This list shows the relationship between State names and GWA chapters:
HA 730-B Segment 1-California, Nevada HA 730-C Segment 2-Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona HA 730-D Segment 3-Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska HA 730-E Segment 4-Texas, Oklahoma HA 730-F Segment 5-Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi HA 730-G Segment 6-Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina HA 730-H Segment 7-Idaho, Oregon, Washington HA 730-I Segment 8-Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming HA 730-J Segment 9-Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin HA 730-K Segment 10-Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee HA 730-L Segment 11-Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia HA 730-M Segment 12-Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont HA 730-N Segment 13-Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin IslandsRefer to <http://capp.water.usgs.gov/gwa/gwa.html> for a graphic depiction of the GWA chapter regions, as well as more information about the GWA.It may be helpful to refer to the printed GWA chapters when using the Data, however, there are significant differences between this national map layer and the printed chapters. Because the GWA regional chapters were written by different authors, there were areas of different interpretations and category delineations, aquifer names, etc., that became apparent when combining the regions.
The following listings show the differences between aquifer names in the GWA chapters and the aq_name and aq_code used in this map layer. See the Entity and Attribute Information section for definitions of the data attributes.
GWA chapter HA 730-B Name from fig 11, page B4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Basin and Range volcanic- 601-Southern Nevada rock aquifers volcanic-rock aquifers Coastal Basins aquifers 103-California Coastal Basin aquifers Northern California Basin 104-Pacific Northwest fill aquifers basin-fill aquifers GWA chapter HA 730-C Name from fig 11, page C4 ____________________________________________________________ Names and categories the same GWA chapter HA 730-D Name from fig 5, page D4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Mississippi embayment 109-Mississippi River Valley aquifer system alluvial aquifer Great Plains aquifer 304-Lower Cretaceous aquifers Confining unit 999-Other rocks Dune sand 107-High Plains aquifer GWA chapter HA 730-E Name from fig 4, page E3 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ EDWARDS-TRINITY AQUIFER SYSTEM Edwards-Trinity aquifer 501-Edwards-Trinity aquifer system Edwards aquifer 501-Edwards-Trinity aquifer system Trinity aquifer 501-Edwards-Trinity aquifer system Confining unit 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-F Name from fig 7, page 4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ MAJOR AQUIFER SYSTEMS Surficial aquifer system 109-Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer 203-Mississippi embayment aquifer system 501-Edwards-Trinity aquifer system 999-Other rocks Mississippi embayment 109-Mississippi River Valley aquifer system alluvial aquifer 203-Mississippi embayment aquifer system 204-Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system 999-Other rocks Tokio-Woodbine aquifer 999-Other rocks Ouachita Mountains aquifer 999-Other rocks CONFINING SYSTEMS AND CONFINING UNITS Western Interior Plains 999-Other rocks confining systems Confining unit 109-Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer 203-Mississippi embayment aquifer system 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-G Name from fig 3, page 3 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Sand and gravel aquifer 201-Coastal lowlands aquifer system Piedmont and Blue Ridge 611-Piedmont and Blue Ridge aquifers crystalline-rock aquifers Appalachian Plateaus 310-Pennsylvanian aquifers aquifers Interior Low Plateaus 503-Mississippian aquifers aquifers Confining unit 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-H Name from fig 5, page H4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Unconsolidated-deposit 101-Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers aquifers 104-Pacific Northwest basin-fill aquifers 105-Northern Rocky Mountains Intermontane Basins aquifer system 112-Puget Sound aquifer system Pliocene and younger 606-Snake River Plain basaltic-rock aquifers basaltic-rock aquifers 610-Pacific Northwest basaltic-rock aquifers Miocene basaltic-rock 606-Snake River Plain aquifers basaltic-rock aquifers 607-Columbia Plateau basaltic-rock aquifers 610-Pacific Northwest basaltic-rock aquifers Aquifers in pre-Miocene 401-Basin and Range rocks carbonate-rock aquifers 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-I. See Process Description regarding differences between this data and the printed Ground Water Atlas chapter in Western Montana Name from fig 7, page I4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Quaternary volcanic and 610-Pacific Northwest sedimentary rock aquifers basaltic-rock aquifers Upper Tertiary aquifers 105-Northern Rocky Mountains Intermontane Basins aquifer system 107-High Plains aquifer 314-Lower Tertiary aquifers 316-Wyoming Tertiary aquifers Lower Tertiary aquifers 107-High Plains aquifer 314-Lower Tertiary aquifers Upper Cretaceous aquifers 301-Colorado Plateaus aquifers 315-Upper Cretaceous aquifers Lower Cretaceous aquifers 301-Colorado Plateaus aquifers 304-Lower Cretaceous aquifers Confining unit 301-Colorado Plateaus aquifers GWA chapter HA 730-J Name from fig 7, page J4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Cretaceous aquifer 304-Lower Cretaceous aquifers MISSISSIPPIAN AQUIFER Carbonate rocks 503-Mississippian aquifers Sandstone 311-Marshall aquifer Crystalline-rock aquifer 999-Other rocks Confining unit 312-Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-K Name from fig 5, page K4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Blue Ridge aquifers 611-Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers MISSISSIPPI EMBAYMENT AQUIFER SYSTEM Upper Claiborne, middle 109-Mississippi River Valley Claiborne, middle Wilcox, alluvial aquifer and lower Wilcox 203-Mississippi embayment aquifer system McNairy-Nacatoch 204-Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system Pennsylvanian aquifers 999-Other rocks Confining unit 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-L Name from fig 7, page L4 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ NORTHERN ATLANTIC COASTAL PLAIN AQUIFER SYSTEM Surficial aquifer 111-Surficial aquifer system 205-Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system Chesapeake aquifer 205-Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system Castle Hayne-Aquia aquifer 418-Castle Hayne aquifer Severn-Magothy aquifer 205-Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system Peedee-upper Cape Fear 205-Northern Atlantic aquifer Coastal Plain aquifer system Potomac aquifer 205-Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system PIEDMONT AND BLUE RIDGE AQUIFERS Aquifers in early Mesozoic 308-Early Mesozoic basin basins aquifers Carbonate-rock aquifers 417-Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers Crystalline-rock aquifers 611-Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers Valley and Ridge 416-New York and New England carbonate-rock aquifers carbonate-rock aquifers 505-Valley and Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers APPALACHIAN PLATEAUS Permian and Pennsylvanian 310-Pennsylvanian aquifers aquifers Not a principal aquifer 611-Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers GWA chapter HA 730-M Name from fig 10, page M5 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ SANDSTONE AQUIFERS Mesozoic sandstone and 308-Early Mesozoic basin basalt of the Newark aquifers Supergroup Lower Paleozoic 309-New York sandstone aquifers CRYSTALLINE-ROCK AQUIFERS Adirondack 999-Other rocks GWA chapter HA 730-N Hawaii name from fig 35, page N14 Puerto Rico name from fig 71, page N24 aq_code-aq_name ____________________________________________________________ Volcanic rock aquifers 608-Hawaiian Volcanic-rock aquifers 609-Hawaiian Sedimentary deposit aquifers MINOR AQUIFERS Coastal embayment aquifers 999-Other rocks Volcaniclastic-, igneous-, and sedimentary-rock aquifers Confining unit 999-Other rocks NORTHCOAST LIMESTONE AQUIFER SYSTEM Upper aquifer 419-Puerto Rico North Coast Limestone aquifer system Lower aquifer 419-Puerto Rico North Coast Limestone aquifer systemRelated Spatial and Tabular Data SetsA map layer showing the areal extent of sand and gravel aquifers of alluvial and glacial origin north of the line of Quaternary continental glaciation is included in the online, interactive National Atlas of the United States. This map layer ends at the southern limit of glaciation in the United States; areas north of the limit line contain significant sand and gravel glacial deposits that are important sources of water for local areas.
For additional information on principal aquifers, please see the Aquifer Basics page at <http://capp.water.usgs.gov/aquiferBasics/index.html>.
The final data are being served to the public in the following formats: Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS), Arc/INFO Export, or ArcView Shapefile.
- How should this data set be cited?
U.S. Geological Survey, 200310, Principal Aquifers of the 48 Conterminous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA.
Online Links:
- What geographic area does the data set cover?
- West_Bounding_Coordinate: -124.755908
- East_Bounding_Coordinate: -66.939561
- North_Bounding_Coordinate: 49.385619
- South_Bounding_Coordinate: 24.518322
- What does it look like?
- Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
- Calendar_Date: Oct-2003
- Currentness_Reference: Publication date
- Calendar_Date: Oct-2003
- What is the general form of this data set?
- How does the data set represent geographic features?
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
- GT-polygon composed of chains (4637)
- What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000278. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees.
The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
The ellipsoid used is GRS1980.
The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.0.
The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
- How are geographic features stored in the data set?
- How does the data set describe geographic features?
- Aquifer (described by aquifrp025 or aquifrp025.dbf)
- A formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains
sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities
of water to wells and springs.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Objectid
- Internal feature number.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Range of values Minimum: 1 Maximum: 4637 - Shape
- The representation of the entity in the data.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Value Definition Polygon 2-dimensional element - Rock_name
- The name of the permeable geologic material that composes the aquifer.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Value Definition Carbonate-rock aquifers Formations composed of limestone and (or) dolomite. Igneous and metamorphic-rock aquifers Formations composed of volcanic rocks. Sandstone and carbonate-rock aquifers Formations composed of sandstone, limestone, and (or) dolomite. Sandstone aquifers Formations composed of sandstone. Semiconsolidated sand aquifers Formations partially solidified sand. Unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers Formations composed of loose sand and gravel. <blank> Other rocks. Rocks that are generally poorly permeable but locally may contain productive aquifers. - Rock_type
- The code number relating to the rock_name.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Value Definition 100 Unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers. 200 Semiconsolidated sand aquifers. 300 Sandstone aquifers. 400 Carbonate-rock aquifers. 500 Sandstone and carbonate-rock aquifers. 600 Igneous and metamorphic-rock aquifers. 999 Areas that are other rocks. - Aq_name
- The aquifer unit name.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Value Definition (see table below) The names used in this map layer are listed below. There should be a direct correlation between the values of the rock_type and rock_name attributes, and between the aq_name and aq_code attributes. The aq_names are as follows: aq_code -- aq_name 101 -- Basin and Range basin-fill aquifers 102 -- Rio Grande aquifer system 103 -- California Coastal Basin aquifers 104 -- Pacific Northwest basin-fill aquifers 105 -- Northern Rocky Mountains Intermontane Basins aquifer system 106 -- Central Valley aquifer system 107 -- High Plains aquifer 108 -- Pecos River Basin alluvial aquifer 109 -- Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer 110 -- Seymour aquifer 111 -- Surficial aquifer system 112 –- Puget Sound aquifer system 114 –- Puerto Rico south coast aquifer 115 –- Willamette Lowland basin-fill aquifers 116 –- Columbia Plateau basin-fill aquifers 117 –- Snake River Plain basin-fill aquifers 201 -- Coastal lowlands aquifer system 202 -- Texas coastal uplands aquifer system 203 -- Mississippi embayment aquifer system 204 -- Southeastern Coastal Plain aquifer system 205 -- Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain aquifer system 301 -- Colorado Plateaus aquifers 302 -- Denver Basin aquifer system 304 -- Lower Cretaceous aquifers 305 -- Rush Springs aquifer 306 -- Central Oklahoma aquifer 307 -- Ada-Vamoosa aquifer 308 -- Early Mesozoic basin aquifers 309 -- New York sandstone aquifers 310 -- Pennsylvanian aquifers 311 -- Marshall aquifer 312 -- Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system 313 -- Jacobsville aquifer 314 -- Lower Tertiary aquifers 315 -- Upper Cretaceous aquifers 316 –- Wyoming Tertiary aquifers 401 -- Basin and Range carbonate-rock aquifers 402 -- Roswell Basin aquifer system 405 -- Ozark Plateaus aquifer system 406 -- Blaine aquifer 407 -- Arbuckle-Simpson aquifer 410 -- Silurian-Devonian aquifers 411 -- Ordovician aquifers 412 -- Upper carbonate aquifer 413 -- Floridan aquifer system 414 -- Biscayne aquifer 416 -- New York and New England carbonate-rock aquifers 417 -- Piedmont and Blue Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers 418 -- Castle Hayne aquifer 419 –- Puerto Rico North Coast Limestone aquifer system 420 -– Kingshill aquifer 501 -- Edwards-Trinity aquifer system 502 -- Valley and Ridge aquifers 503 -- Mississippian aquifers 504 -- Paleozoic aquifers 505 -- Valley and Ridge carbonate-rock aquifers 601 -- Southern Nevada volcanic-rock aquifers 606 -- Snake River Plain basaltic-rock aquifers 607 -- Columbia Plateau basaltic-rock aquifers 608 -- Hawaiian Volcanic-rock aquifers 609 –- Hawaiian Sedimentary deposit aquifers 610 -– Pacific Northwest basaltic-rock aquifers 611 -– Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers 999 –- Other rocks. Rocks that are generally poorly permeable but locally may contain productive aquifers. - Aq_code
- The code number relating to the aquifer unit name. There should be a
direct correlation between the values of the Rock_type and Rock_name
attributes, and between the Aq_name and Aq_code attributes. See table
above under Aq_name.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Range of values Minimum: 101 Maximum: 999 - Shape_leng
- The perimeter of the shape in file units. In the distributed file,
file units represent decimal degrees.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Range of values Minimum: 0.00227382883 Maximum: 606.73264435600 - Shape_area
- The size of the shape in file units. In the distributed file,
file units represent square decimal degrees.
(Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Range of values Minimum: 0.00000020307 Maximum: 56.31953779930
Who produced the data set?
- Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Who also contributed to the data set?
This map layer was created and modified over a period of at least five years by several staff members of the U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Discipline, Cartographic and Publications Program in Madison, Wisconsin. Completion of this map layer and associated metadata was funded, in part, under a cooperative joint funding agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- To whom should users address questions about the data?U.S. Geological Survey
c/o Chief, Cartographic and Publications Program, Water Resources Division
505 Science Drive
Madison, WI 53711-1061
USA
608-238-9333 (voice)
Why was the data set created?
These data are intended for use in publications, at a scale of 1:2,500,000 or smaller. Due to the small scale, the primary intended use is for regional and national data display and analysis, rather than specific local data analysis.
How was the data set created?
- From what previous works were the data drawn?
- GWA HA 730-B (source 1 of 24)
-
Planert, M. (comp.), and Williams, J.S. (comp.), 1995, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 1: California, Nevada: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-B, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for California and Nevada
- GWA HA 730-C (source 2 of 24)
-
Robson, S.G. (comp.), and Banta, E.R. (comp.), 1995, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 2: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-C, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah
- GWA HA 730-D (source 3 of 24)
-
Miller, J.A. (comp.), and Appel, C.L. (comp.), 1998, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 3: Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-D, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska
- GWA HA 730-E (source 4 of 24)
-
Ryder, P.D. (comp.), 1996, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 4: Oklahoma, Texas: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-E, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for Oklahoma and Texas
- GWA HA 730-F (source 5 of 24)
-
Renken, R.A. (comp.), 1998, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 5: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-F, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
- GWA HA 730-G (source 6 of 24)
-
Miller, J.A. (comp.), 1990, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 6: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-G, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina
- GWA HA 730-H (source 7 of 24)
-
Whitehead, R.L. (comp.), 1994, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 7: Idaho, Oregon, Washington: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-H, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
- GWA HA 730-I (source 8 of 24)
-
Whitehead, R.L. (comp.), 1996, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 8: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-I, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming
- GWA HA 730-J (source 9 of 24)
-
Olcott, P.G. (comp.), 1992, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 9: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-J, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
- GWA HA 730-K (source 10 of 24)
-
Lloyd, O.B., Jr. (comp.), and Lyke, W.L. (comp.), 1995, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 10: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-K, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee
- GWA HA 730-L (source 11 of 24)
-
Trapp, H., Jr. (comp.), and Horn, M.A. (comp.), 1997, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 11: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-L, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia
- GWA HA 730-M (source 12 of 24)
-
Olcott, P.G. (comp.), 1995, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 12: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-M, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
York, Rhode Island, and Vermont
- National aquifers file (source 13 of 24)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Unpublished material, National aquifers file.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Internal file
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Preliminary aquifer map of the 48 conterminous States.
- Atlas-State boundaries (source 14 of 24)
-
National Atlas of the United States, 1998, State Boundaries of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston,VA.
Online Links:
- Type_of_Source_Media: Online
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
- Source_Contribution: Coastline and international boundary
- Atlas-principal aquifers_1998 (source 15 of 24)
-
James. A. Miller (comp.), 19980701, Principal Aquifers of the Conterminous United States: U.S. Geological Survey, Madison, WI, USA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Online
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for the conterminous United States.
- GWA HA 730-N-HI (source 16 of 24)
-
Oki, D.S. (comp.), Gingerich, S.B. (comp.), and Whitehead, R.L. (comp.), 1999, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 13: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-N, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 1000000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifer data for Hawaii.
- GWA HA 730-N-PR (source 17 of 24)
-
Olcott, P.G. (comp.), 1999, Ground Water Atlas of the United States-Segment 13: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: Hydrologic Investigations Atlas HA 730-N, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Stable-base material
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- PP 1424-D (source 18 of 24)
-
Vaccaro, J.J. (comp.), and Jones, M.A. (comp.), 1998, Hydrogeologic framework of the Puget Sound Aquifer system, Washington and British Columbia: Professional Paper PP 1424-D, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2000000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Dividing line between the Puget Sound Aquifer system and the Willamette
Lowland basin-fill aquifers.
- PP 1424-B (source 19 of 24)
-
Woodward, D.G. (comp.), Gannett, M.W. (comp.), and Vaccaro, J.J. (comp.), 1998, Hydrogeologic framework of the Willamette Lowland aquifer system, Oregon and Washington: Professional Paper PP 1424-B, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 250000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Dividing line between the Puget Sound Aquifer system and the Willamette
Lowland basin-fill aquifers.
- PP 1418 (source 20 of 24)
-
Westjohn, D.B. (comp.), and Weaver, T.L. (comp.), 1998, Hydrogeologic framework of the Michigan Basin regional aquifer System.: Professional Paper PP 1418, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Contribution: Name change for the Marshall aquifer.
- WRIR (source 21 of 24)
-
Batten, W.G. (comp.), Brown, T.A. (comp.), Mills, P.C. (comp.), and Sabin, T.J. (comp.), 1997, Rock-stratigraphic nomenclature, lithology, and subcrop area of the Galena-Platteville bedrock unit in Illinois and Wisconsin.: Water Resources Investigations Report WRIR 97-4054-B, 1 sheet, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.
- Type_of_Source_Media: CD-ROM
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for the Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer System extension in
Illinois.
- Hawaii aquifers (source 22 of 24)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished material, Hawaii Aquifers.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Internal file
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifers for Hawaii.
- Caribbean aquifers (source 23 of 24)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished material, Caribbean Aquifers.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Internal file
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution: Aquifers for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Principal aquifers 2001 intermediate file (source 24 of 24)
-
U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished material, Principal Aquifers intermediate file.
- Type_of_Source_Media: Internal file
- Source_Scale_Denominator: 2500000
- Source_Contribution:
-
Aquifer data for the conterminous United States.
- How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
- Date: 1993 (process 1 of 6)
-
Aquifer outcrop line work for each GWA chapter was compiled on mylar at
a scale of 1:2,000,000, and reduced to 1:2,500,000 for further
production work. For chapters HA 730-G, -H, and -J, the outcrop lines
were scribed at a line width of 0.006 inch. Film positives made from
the scribed materials were scanned on a drum scanner, vectorized, and
converted to Arc/INFO coverages. For chapters HA 730-B, -C, -D, -E, -F,
-I, -K, -L, and -M, the aquifer compilation was either hand digitized,
and (or) scanned on a drum scanner, vectorized and converted to Arc/INFO
coverages. The data were then checked, cleaned up, and attribute
creation was done.
The Arc/INFO coverages were plotted and checked against the source compilations. Polygons were attributed using Arcedit. The coverages for GWA chapters HA 730-B, -C, -D, -E, -F, -I, -K, -L, and -M were used to generate output files that were imported into Adobe Illustrator for map publication. Each completed map, at a scale of 1:2,500,000, was reviewed for content and accuracy by the chapter lead cartographer, Water Resources Discipline Geohydrologic Map Editor, and chapter author.
Individual chapter coverages were appended into one continuous coverage. Arcedit was used for edgematching and to remove duplicate labels. No DISSOLVE was done on the coverage; an equivalent of a DISSOLVE was done manually in Arcedit in conjunction with attribute checking, by removing arcs that divided adjacent polygons with the same attributes. Several iterations of editing were performed. These mostly involved ensuring all polygons had labels and aquifer information and ensuring polygons had correct aquifer information. No polygons were removed for generalization.
Data sources used in this process:
- HA 730-B
- HA 730-C
- HA 730-D
- HA 730-E
- HA 730-F
- HA 730-G
- HA 730-H
- HA 730-I
- HA 730-J
- HA 730-K
- HA 730-L
- HA 730-M
Data sources produced in this process:
- National aquifers file
- Date: 1997 (process 2 of 6)
-
Plots of the national aquifers file were made at 1:2,500,000, covering
the areas of the regional GWA chapters. Each plot was compared to the
printed GWA chapter aquifer maps. Where applicable (chapters HA 730-B,
-C, -D, -E, -F, -I, -K, - L, and -M), an Adobe Illustrator file of the
coverage data was compared on-screen with the Illustrator file used to
print the published map. Discrepancies between the coverage file and
print file were noted, and the coverage updated to match the published
map. Where a line appeared to shift noticeably (approximately 1/8 inch
at a scale of 1:2,500,000) across the boundary of two adjacent GWA
chapter regions, the line was adjusted for a smoother appearance. The
adjustments may have been made on one or both sides of the region
boundary, depending on a cartographic assessment of the instance.
Coastline Location
The 1:2,500,000 principal aquifer maps in the Ground Water Atlas publications used a coastline and international boundary, derived either from the map separates from the National Atlas of the United States of America (published 1970), or from the Digital Line Graph (DLG) data created from the 1970 National Atlas. GWA chapters HA 730-G, -J, and -H used coastline and boundary filmwork photo-mechanically reduced from the 1:2,000,000 National Atlas map separates. The remaining chapters used coastline and boundary data from the DLG's. A revision of the DLG data took place in 1997, after the creation of the chapter aquifer map data.
After the edgematching, a decision was made to replace the coast and international boundary of this national-level aquifer data with one derived from a newer version of 1997 DLG data. State boundary data from the National Atlas was used to provide the coastline and two aquifer boundaries that coincide with State lines.
The existing outline (coastline and international boundary line) was removed, the new outline added to the coverage, and the remaining aquifer contact lines snapped to the new outline. The coverage was re- cleaned, data categories checked onscreen and with plots, and corrected. Line and labeling corrections, such as undershoots, overshoots, and improper labels were corrected in Arcedit.
There are some slight locational differences between this map layer and the printed GWA chapters. For example, there are several small differences in the number of small islands in coastal areas and the categorization of these small islands was assigned to either the nearby principal aquifer category or as Not a principal aquifer, depending on the location and categorization of similar small islands in the printed GWA chapters. There are other differences in the categorization of some land/shoreline-related features. For example, an area symbolized as a bay in a GWA chapter may be land in this map layer.
Western Montana
During the review of a printed map made from this national-level aquifer data, the compiler, James A. Miller, requested a change in the representation of aquifers in western Montana. The area affected is in the following counties: Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Granite, Lewis and Clark, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Jefferson, Broadwater, Gallatin, Beavershead, and Madison. These areas fall under the Northern Rocky Mountain Intermontane Basins Regional Aquifer Systems Analysis (RASA). With one exception, the aquifers, as shown in GWA chapter I, figure 7 in the listed counties were removed and replaced with unconsolidated-deposit areas as shown in GWA chapter HA 730-I, figure 6. The exception is an area in northern Flathead county, listed as an Upper Tertiary aquifer in GWA chapter I, figure 7, that was retained as an area but reclassified as a Lower Tertiary aquifer.
Data sources used in this process:
- National aquifer file
- HA 730-B
- HA 730-C
- HA 730-D
- HA 730-E
- HA 730-F
- HA 730-G
- HA 730-H
- HA 730-I
- HA 730-J
- HA 730-K
- HA 730-L
- HA 730-M
- Atlas-State boundaries
Data sources produced in this process:
- Atlas-principal Aquifers_1998
- Date: 2000 (process 3 of 6)
-
Aquifer data was taken from digital files created in Adobe Illustrator
for Ground Water Atlas chapter HA 730-N of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. Where polygons ended at the shoreline, National
Atlas State boundaries were used. The final Illustrator file was
exported into a DXF file. The DXF file was converted to a coverage.
Using the TRANSFORM command, the coverage containing the aquifer lines
was rubber-sheeted to the coverage containing registration tics, and was
then projected from geographic coordinates to Albers Equal-Area Conic
projection for verification purposes. The aquifer coverage was cleaned,
the topology was built, and labels were added. Attributes were added as
necessary.
Data sources used in this process:
- Atlas-State boundaries
- GWA HA 730-N-HI
Data sources produced in this process:
- Hawaii aquifers
- Date: 2000 (process 4 of 6)
-
Aquifer data was taken from digital files created in Adobe Illustrator
for Ground Water Atlas chapter HA 730-N of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. Where polygons ended at the shoreline, National
Atlas State boundaries were used. The final Illustrator file was
exported into a DXF file. The DXF file was converted to a coverage.
Using the TRANSFORM command, the coverage containing the aquifer lines
was rubber-sheeted to the coverage containing registration tics, and was
then projected from geographic coordinates to Albers Equal-Area Conic
projection for verification purposes. The aquifer coverage was cleaned,
the topology was built, and labels were added. Attributes were added as
necessary.
Data sources used in this process:
- Atlas-State boundaries
- GWA HA 730-N-PR
Data sources produced in this process:
- Caribbean aquifers
- Date: 2001 (process 5 of 6)
-
The Principal Aquifers map published in 1998 was reviewed and modified,
resulting in 57 aquifers, 36 of which were the same geographically as in
the 1998 publication. Aquifers were aggregated, divided, renamed and
updated from more recent publications, using a variety of techniques,
which include scanning, importing unpublished digital data and paper
compilation at 1:2,500,000 scale. The updated Adobe Illustrator aquifer
data was exported into a DXF file. The DXF file was converted to a
coverage. Using the TRANSFORM command, the coverage containing the
aquifer lines was rubber-sheeted to the coverage containing registration
tics, and was then projected from geographic coordinates to Albers
Equal-Area Conic projection for verification purposes. The aquifer
coverage was cleaned, the topology was built, and labels were added.
Attributes were added as necessary.
Data sources used in this process:
- Atlas-principal Aquifers_1998
- HA 730-B
- HA 730-C
- HA 730-D
- HA 730-E
- HA 730-F
- HA 730-G
- HA 730-H
- HA 730-I
- HA 730-J
- HA 730-K
- HA 730-L
- HA 730-M
- PP 1424-D
- PP 1424-B
- PP 1418
- WRIR
Data sources produced in this process:
- Principal aquifers 2001 intermediate file
- Date: 2003 (process 6 of 6)
-
The Principal Aquifers coverages of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands were merged with the coverage of the conterminous United
States. The coverage was read into ArcGIS and both a personal
geodatabase and a shapefile were created.
Data sources used in this process:
- Principal aquifers 2001 intermediate file
- Hawaii aquifers
- Caribbean aquifers
- What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
U.S. Geological Survey, 200209, Aquifers of Alluvial and Glacial Origin: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, VA.
Online Links:
How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
- How well have the observations been checked?
- How accurate are the geographic locations?
- How accurate are the heights or depths?
- Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
This map layer includes aquifer information for the 48 conterminous United States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
Polygon and chain-node topology are present. Each polygon is closed and has one label point.
How can someone get a copy of the data set?
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: None
- Use_Constraints:
- None. Acknowledgment of the Ground Water Atlas of the United States and (or) the National Atlas of the United States of America would be appreciated in products derived from these data.
- Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
USA
1-800-426-9000 (voice)
- What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
- What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the U.S. Geological Survey, no warranty expressed or implied is made by the U.S. Geological Survey regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
- How can I download or order the data?
- Availability in digital form:
Data format: ESRI Personal Geodatabase Network links: <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>
Data format: ESRI Shapefile Network links: <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>
Data format: SDTS Network links: <http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html>
- Cost to order the data: There is no charge for the map layer.
- Availability in digital form:
Who wrote the metadata?
- Dates:
- Last modified: 26-Apr-2005
- Metadata author:
-
U.S. Geological Survey
c/o Chief, Cartographic and Publications Program, Water Resources Division
505 Science Drive
Madison, WI 53711
USA
608-238-9333 (voice)
- Metadata standard:
- FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
