This is a 1000 m cell-sized raster dataset of the upper surface of the Sunchild Aquifer, modelled from the >55% sand point data derived by depth-slice analysis of well-log data. Alberta Geological Survey Bulletin 66 provides details on this grid dataset. The dataset is in ESRI ASCII grid format.

This is a 1000 m cell-sized raster grid dataset of the top of the sandstone of the Haynes member of the Paskapoo Formation. We mapped the sandstone using 3-D geostatistical modelling algorithms from data derived from sand calculations of 25 m thick slice intervals of the Paskapoo Formation. We selected the >55% sand isovalue to define sandstone, based on the results of mini-models that show vertical hydraulic connections being established if sand abundance is 55% or greater. This grid represents the upper surface of that three-dimensional body defined by the >55% sand threshold value. Alberta Geological Survey Bulletin 66 provides a detailed description of how the unit was defined. The dataset is in ESRI ASCII grid format.

This digital dataset represents the modelled outputs of the three-dimensional distribution of sandiness in the Paskapoo Formation, Alberta, Canada. Sand-abundance values were determined from log analysis of water-well lithologs and petroleum exploration downhole-geophysical logs, specifically gamma-ray logs. We derived the sandiness values by calculating the average sandiness in 25 m thick slices above the base of the Paskapoo Formation in a borehole and by assigning the average value (P50) to the midpoint of each slice interval. Alberta Geological Survey Bulletin 66 provides detailed descriptions of the methodology. We tested the borehole sand-abundance values in a 3-D variogram prior to kriging in a regular block model consisting of cells with dimensions of 1000 m on the x and y planes and 25 m in the z (elevation) direction. Values of modelled sandiness range from 0 (absence of sand) to 1 (100% sand) and are assigned elevations based on two datums: 1) a stratigraphic level corresponding to the height of the midpoint of each respective 25 m thick slice interval above the base of Paskapoo Formation, and 2) the elevation of the midpoint of the slice above sea level. Importing the modelled results of sandiness into model viewing software, such as Voxler, permits the user to generate three-dimensional isovalue plots illustrating the differences in distribution and geometry of aquifers as different cutoff or threshold criteria are applied. The dataset also enables one to delineate the regional lithostratigraphic units nested within stratigraphically complex rock formations.

This GIS dataset is a result of the compilation of all existing Alberta Geological Survey sand and gravel geology and resource data into digital format. Data sources include Alberta Geological Survey maps and reports produced between 1976 and 2006. References are provided as an attribute so the user can refer back to the original maps and reports. Attributes include study level, material description, references, area, sand and gravel thickness, and gravel and sand volumes. In 2009, data from newly mapped area NTS 83N/NE were added.

This dataset maps the thickness of the Lacombe aquitard as defined by outputs of a 3-D model of sandiness in the Paskapoo Formation. The Lacombe aquitard consists of >65% non-sandy material in stacked, 25 m thick slices above the base of the Paskapoo Formation.

This GIS dataset represents a reclassification of existing surficial map information for the purpose of portraying the distribution of sand and gravel deposits in Alberta. The surficial geology of Alberta ungeneralised digital mosaic (Alberta Geological Survey DIG2013-0001) represents the primary source of information used in this reclassification. This dataset was updated with more recently published 1:100,000 scale surficial geology maps, and where appropriate new polygon features that were digitized from line features in the Glacial Landforms of Alberta (Alberta Geological Survey Map 604 and DIG2014-0022). The updated surficial geology mosaic was then reclassified using a thematically-based attribute table which categorizes the original surficial geology features based on their sand and gravel component. Attributes within this table comprise: (1) an approximation of the material type (MATERIAL). (2) the aerial proportion that this material represents of the polygon, as a percentage (PROPORTION). (3) an indication of whether the sand and gravel unit is mapped at the land surface or is buried (SRF_BURIED). (4) the depositional environment relating to the sand and gravel unit (GENESIS). (5) the reference source to the original data (SOURCE_MAP). (6) the GIS dataset from which the features were derived (DATASET). and (7) the mapping scale (SCALE). The MATERIAL honours the original surficial geology polygons when sufficiently precise texture/material information was provided. Otherwise MATERIAL is based on the typical range of materials that are associated with each surficial geology unit on a litho-genetic basis, using the standard Alberta Geological Survey surficial geology legend. When multiple surficial geological units that contain sand and gravel are present within a single polygon (i.e. 60% eolian deposits and 40% fluvial deposits), MATERIAL reflects the unit with the greatest proportion. For geological units whose material properties are of marginal significance as a sand and gravel deposit, particularly those that contain a mixture of silt and sand, a hierarchy was used to determine whether they are included as sand and gravel deposits. Fluvial deposits, littoral and nearshore deposits, and eolian deposits with a silt textural modifier in the original mapping data were included as potential sand and/or gravel deposits because these units are often interspersed with sand and/or gravel materials. Glaciolacustrine deposits with a silt textural modifier were not included because this environment generally does not result in the deposition of extensive sand and gravel sediments. After all of the attributes had been updated, all polygons that may contain some component of sand or gravel were extracted from this dataset to create the sand and gravel potential for Alberta digital mosaic. With this dataset, users can view the extent of surficial sand and gravel deposits in the province in a single GIS layer without the need to interpret this information from a variety of legends in the original surficial geology datasets. Users can further highlight polygons that may represent more suitable targets for sand and gravel based on the estimated material type (i.e. by eliminating polygons that typically contain large amounts of silt and fine sand), the estimated proportion of sand and gravel within the polygon, and depositional environment. This dataset best portrays sand and gravel potential that occurs at the land surface or in the very near surface, and does not attempt evaluate the sub-surface distribution of sand and gravel units. This dataset also does not provide any direct assessment of aggregate quality or thickness, and the material information is mostly inferred from the general association between certain surficial material types and their geological, depositional environment. Furthermore, the sand and gravel potential dataset is based on surficial geology maps produced at different scales and using different legends, therefore the detail and amount of information provided by these polygons will exhibit regional variations. The mapping scale for each polygon is provided in the SCALE attribute.