This GIS dataset depicts the surficial geology of the Dizzy Creek area (NTS84N/SE) (polygon features). The data are created in geodatabase format and output for public distribution in shapefile format. These data comprise the polygon features of Alberta Geological Survey Map 540, Surficial Geology of the Dizzy Creek Area (NTS 84N/SE).

This GIS dataset depicts the surficial geology of the NTS map area 83P (point features). The data are created in ArcInfo format and output for public distribution in Arc export (E00) and shapefile formats.

The Geological Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin was designed primarily as a reference volume documenting the subsurface geology of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. This GIS dataset is one of a collection of shapefiles representing part of Chapter 11 of the Atlas, Devonian Beaverhill Lake Group of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Figure 3, Beaverhill Lake Isopach. Shapefiles were produced from archived digital files created by the Alberta Geological Survey in the mid-1990s, and edited in 2005-06 to correct, attribute and consolidate the data into single files by feature type and by figure.

This GIS dataset depicts the surficial geology of the NTS map area 83O Northeast ( point features). The data are created in ArcInfo format and output for public distribution in Arc export (E00) and shapefile formats.

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.

In 2014, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) initiated a Play-Based Regulation (PBR) pilot project as a step towards implementation of the Unconventional Regulatory Framework. One of the goals of the PBR pilot is to encourage companies in the unconventional play area to work together on plans for surface development to minimize the numbers of facilities and surface impacts. This dataset is one of a series created using earth observation imagery to assess surface change caused by energy exploration. The PBR area extends from Twp. 52, Rge. 7, W 5th Mer. to Twp. 70, Rge. 5, W 6th Mer., covering the towns of Edson, Fox Creek, Mayerthorpe, Whitecourt, Swan Hills, and Valleyview. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2010 and 2011 and Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification data derived from 2011 were used to produce this dataset. The LULC changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation recovery data, classified into 6 classes: 1 - shrub land, 2 - grassland, 3 - agricultural areas, 4 - coniferous forest, 5 - broadleaf forest and 6 - mixed forest.

The Geological Atlas of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin was designed primarily as a reference volume documenting the subsurface geology of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. This GIS dataset is one of a collection of shapefiles representing part of Chapter 10 of the Atlas, Devonian Elk Point Group of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, Figure 6, Distribution of Lower Middle Devonian, Headless Equivalents. Shapefiles were produced from archived digital files created by the Alberta Geological Survey in the mid-1990s, and edited in 2005-06 to correct, attribute and consolidate the data into single files by feature type and by figure.

All available bathymetry and related information for Willow Lake were collected and hard copy maps digitized where necessary. The data were validated against more recent data (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 'SRTM' imagery and Indian Remote Sensing 'IRS' imagery) and corrected where necessary. The published data set contains the lake bathymetry formatted as an Arc ascii grid. Bathymetric contours and the boundary polygon are available as shapefiles.

The dataset was developed as part of the Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) project covering all of NTS 73M, southern three-quarters of 74D and southeast part of 84A. It contains all the linear landform features such as eskers, flutings and melt-water channels, etc. Part of the dataset was complied by air photo interpretations and followed by random ground-truthing (NTS73M) by AGS geologists. Dataset was then merged with other existing surficial geology maps (NTS 74D and 84A). Analysis of surficial geological materials, aspects of local relief, and morphological characteristics of surface landforms form an integral component in the evaluation of recharge fluxes to regional groundwater flow systems. To assist in the evaluation of groundwater recharge, terrain analysis maps were constructed in GIS format at a scale of 1:50 000 and 1:250 000 for most of the study area, including all of map NTS 73M (Winefred), the southern three-quarters of map NTS 74D (Waterways), and the southeast part of NTS 84A (Algar). Surficial geology maps of the portion of the study area that lies within map area NTS 83P (Pelican) were published by the surficial geology group in the Minerals Section of the Alberta Geological Survey. The terrain analysis maps in NTS 73M and NTS 84A were constructed almost entirely from the interpretation of 1:60 000 scale aerial photographs, supplemented with only a minor amount of ground verification. Terrain analysis maps in the area defined by NTS 74D were constructed from both aerial photograph analysis as well as from published surficial geology information (Bayrock, L. and Reimchen, T., 1973). Classification of the terrain was based on interpretations of landform types, tonal reflections of surface materials, differences in vegetative cover, and differences in drainage patterns and characteristics, all of which can be identified on aerial photographs. It is for this reason that the maps are referred to as aerial photograph terrain analysis maps, rather than surficial geology maps, which generally have a greater amount of ground verification. The reader is therefore cautioned that a higher degree of uncertainty exists regarding the information depicted on the terrain analysis map, compared to that on a surficial geology map.

The Cold Lake oil sands area - Township 56 to 69, Range 1 to 11, west of the 4th Meridian, falls within the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP). As part of Alberta's Land-use Framework, LARP was developed in 2012 to set the stage for robust growth, vibrant communities and a healthy environment within the region. One of its implementation objectives is to balance the economic development of oil sands and impacts on the ecosystem and environment. This is to be achieved through enhanced science-based monitoring for improved characterization of the environment and to collect the information necessary to understand cumulative effects. Landsat multispectral imagery for 2011 and 2012 and land use and land cover classification data derived from 2012 were used to produce this dataset. The land use and land cover changes include vegetation loss from anthropogenic disturbances, such as infrastructure related to oil and gas exploration, forestry and agriculture, and vegetation recovery from these disturbances. This digital data release contains the vegetation loss data from 2011 to 2012, classified into 9 classes: 1 - exposed land/cut blocks/harvested areas, 3 - transitional bare surfaces, 4 - mixed developed areas, 5 - developed areas, 6 - shoal, 7 - shrub land, 8 - grassland and 9 - agricultural areas. These categories can be used as baseline data for planning, managing and monitoring surface infrastructure needs and impacts.