Aquifer Delineation
Project Description
Improved aquifer boundaries for shallow and buried aquifers must be delineated in the
state to enhance aquifer management and protection abilities. Existing
geology maps, cross sections, test hole and well data, and aerial photography,
often times in conjunction with drilling, well installation, water-level
measurement, and water sampling, will be used to delineate aquifer boundaries at
a scale of 1:100,000. The aquifer boundaries will be incorporated into a
GIS so they can be integrated with other environmental data sets.
Although the overall goal of this effort is to accomplish what is described in
the paragraph above, a short-term need has been recognized for production of
maps depicting the depth from land surface to the first mappable aquifer
material. Therefore, a new map series titled Aquifer Materials Map is
being produced for counties in the glaciated region of South Dakota.
What does an Aquifer Materials Map show?
It shows areas that are underlain by aquifer material. The aquifer
materials are categorized by depth intervals consistent with the state's General
Water Pollution Control Permits for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and
for Concentrated Swine Feeding Operations. The map does not show
individual aquifers but instead shows the first type, and depth, of mappable
aquifer material to be encountered.
Why is an Aquifer Materials Map needed?
*Environmental issues such as source water protection, aquifer contamination,
water availability and development, concentrated swine operations, and non-point
source pollution require that areas underlain by aquifers be accurately defined.
*Shallow aquifers in the state are used extensively for drinking water
supplies. It is necessary to define the boundaries of these aquifers in
order to protect these drinking water supplies.
*South Dakota Codified Law 34A-3A-24 places restrictions on the location of
concentrated animal feeding operations. Shallow aquifer materials maps are needed to
assist in implementing this law.
*Aquifers of various depths are used for drinking water and in many cases are
the only options for public and private water supplies. The need for
reliable information on aquifers will become most critical during times of
drought when decreases in water levels and water yield may occur. Maps of
this type will aid in addressing water supply issues.
Who would use an Aquifer Materials Map?
These maps are being produced in response to a need for maps depicting the depth
from land surface to the first mappable aquifer material. This type of
information is needed by the public and by DENR regarding South Dakota's General
Water Pollution Control Permits. The information is also needed by county
and municipal governments to more effectively address other land-use decisions.
How can I obtain an Aquifer Materials Map?
These maps are available as a printed map or can be downloaded in PDF format. To
order a printed map or download a PDF, click on the status map below. GIS
shapefiles for the maps can be downloaded from
ftp://jurassic2.sdgs.usd.edu/digitalmaps/am/.
Contacts:
Derric Iles, Tim Cowman, Layne Schulz, Ann Jensen, Tom Rich