SASKATCHEWAN

Water Security Agency

Mapping

Prior to the 1960s, there was little information on the regional geology and groundwater resources in Saskatchewan. During the early 1960s, the Saskatchewan Research Council initiated the Geology and Groundwater Resource mapping program. These maps provided a better understanding of the regional geology by illustrating the bedrock geology and topography. The program established the extent of major bedrock aquifers and defined the economical depth of groundwater exploration. Although there was insufficient information to differentiate glacial deposits, in which the majority of wells in the province are completed, the program established the thickness of glacial deposits and the depth to bedrock. The Geology and Groundwater Resources map series provided a basis for evaluation of groundwater resources in Saskatchewan. It also indicated the occurrence, quality, and behaviour of the groundwater resources in supporting the development, management, and protection of these water supplies.

In 1986, the Water Security Agency, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Research Council, began to update these groundwater maps. The objective of the program is to further define the bedrock geology and delineate and map the extent of potential water bearing zones in the glacial deposits. The maps illustrate the location, extent, and depth of potential aquifers throughout Saskatchewan. Detailed geological cross section maps were also produced to complement the groundwater maps. Maps were based on National Topographic Survey (NTS) map sheets at a scale of 1:250,000. To date, 20 maps sheets have been completed.

In 2004, the Water Security Agency, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Research Council, initiated development of the third generation groundwater mapping for Saskatchewan. The work builds on the earlier generations but includes more detail on what is known about groundwater resources. Third generation maps illustrate the spatial extent, distribution, and depth of potential aquifers throughout Saskatchewan for both glacial and bedrock deposits. Detailed cross sections complement the groundwater maps. Information on location of potential aquifers, water supply potential, and sensitivity to contamination are described in the accompanying reports. Third generation maps were completed on the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework, enabling these maps to be published on the internet and accessible to the general public.

Water Well Maps

The Water Well Maps were originally produced by the Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology (University of Saskatchewan) in 1987, as part of the Soil Salinity Project.  The information contained in these maps illustrates the spatial extent and distribution of water wells in the Province, the groundwater levels, and depth.  The majority of the information contained in these maps originated from the water well surveys completed by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in 1935.  Although the groundwater information is outdated, it does provide historic groundwater levels of the groundwater resources in Saskatchewan.  These maps were plotted by hand on mylar at 1:50,000 scale with 25 feet contour intervals.

These maps are available to the public upon request.  Please contact the Water Security Agency for further information at 306.694.3900 or groundwater@wsask.ca.

Limitations:

The static water levels shown on these maps were taken from the water well survey by the GSC in 1935.  The water levels are not representative of the current water levels in the aquifers.  The completion aquifer of the water wells is unknown.  Water wells shown on these maps may no longer exist or may not exist at the location displayed on the maps.  Information contained in these maps should not be used for decisions on development or well installation without site specific test drilling to verify the local geological and hydrogeological conditions.