County Geologic Atlases (Part B - Groundwater)

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100,000
2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$250,000
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$250,000
2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,000,000
Fund Source
Clean Water Fund
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2009
Activity Type
Analysis/Interpretation
Assessment/Evaluation
Digitization/Online Information Access
Inventory
Mapping
Research
Counties Affected
Statewide
Statewide
Project Overview

The DNR works with the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) to convey valuable geologic and groundwater information and interpretations to government units at all levels, but particularly to local governments, private organizations and citizens. The MGS focuses on geology (Part A reports) and DNR focuses on groundwater (Part B reports). These provide useful information for projects completed by community planners, industry, agriculture, citizens and state agencies related to groundwater. The reports are routinely used to make informed decisions for projects related to water, natural resources, and land-use planning. Typical applications include long-term water supply planning and well construction design, wellhead protection planning, groundwater modeling, identification of valuable natural resources and planning for their use and protection, planning for landfills, septic systems, industrial sites and feedlots, emergency response to contaminate releases, and community education. When completed, the atlas is an economic benefit for a county and its communities. The DNR Atlas Program also completes specialty studies including groundwater dye tracing, monitoring sentinel springs, and projects to find the source of pathogens in groundwater and public water supplies.

About the Issue

Approximately 75 percent of Minnesotans get their water for drinking and other needs from groundwater. A stable, long-term and reliable source of high quality groundwater is an economic benefit to communities. An atlas provides detailed information about an area's groundwater that helps communities find reliable water sources and manage them to maintain availability and quality for generations. Without informed water supply planning, groundwater pumping or land-use changes could impact public water quality and availability and degrade surface waters (wetlands, lakes, rivers, and unique resources such as trout streams and fens).

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2023, Ch. 40, Article 2, Section 5(i)
Appropriation Language

$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for accelerating completion of or updates to county geologic atlases and supplementing water chemistry or chemical movement studies.

2024 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$100,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The DNR will support specialized drilling, water chemistry and dye trace studies as needed to enhance geologic atlases and other water quality investigations.

Direct expenses
$31,201
Direct expenses
$87,030
Measurable Outcome(s)

After the adjusted budget forecast a portion of the Clean Water funds from FY21 rolled forward from in FY22, the DNR Atlas staff continued the unique groundwater dye-tracing studies in the cities of Pequot Lakes and Riverton in support of the MN Department of Health's Pathogen Project to identify the source of pathogens and other contaminants in nearby water supply wells.

The DNR Atlas staff also completed dye tracing at several southeastern Minnesota locations in collaboration with local partners and MPCA to understand the groundwater sources of trout streams and other surface waters and continued monitoring for flow, temperature, and nitrate concentrations at additional springs. The information is also used in developing the County Groundwater Atlas. DNR completed ten new traces including:

  • Two traces with MDH at a Pathogen Project site in northeastern Minnesota
  • Two traces west of Harmony in Fillmore County that greatly expanded our understanding of the Odessa springshed
  • One trace west of Harmony in Fillmore County that importantly expanded the Engle springshed to the borders of the Big Spring Quarry
  • One trace near Mystery Cave that assisted in delineating the springsheds of Saxifrage and Crayfish springs
  • One trace northeast of Mystery Cave that greatly assisted in delineating the Meyer’s Spring springshed and our understanding or groundwater-surface water interactions there.
  • Three traces at Bear Spring in conjunction with Olmsted County and U of M partners that have assisted in characterizing aquifer properties of the Galena Group
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$150000 the first year and $150000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2021 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Direct expenses
$49,638
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The May 2020 budget forecast required agencies to reduce Clean Water Fund spending by $17.6 million dollars. Funding for the atlas program in FY21 was cut but the ENRTF portion of the funding continued.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY21 the DNR published the Groundwater Atlas of Winona County and continued or completed data collection and analysis for: Becker Cass Dodge Hennepin Houston Hubbard Isanti Kandiyohi Nobles Olmsted Rock and Wadena counties. DNR supported special high-quality drilling and coring to obtain detailed geologic information for atlases in Cook and Polk counties. As a result of reduced funding from DNR and the Clean Water Fund the amount of drilling scheduled for FY21 was reduced slowing overall progress for those counties. The drilling schedule was also negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced field activities. Leveraging Clean Water funding that rolled forward from FY20 the DNR Atlas staff continued groundwater dye-tracing studies in the cities of Pequot Lakes and Riverton and expanded dye-tracing activities at YMCA Camp du Nord in support of the MN Department of Health's Pathogen Project to identify the source of pathogens and other contaminants in nearby water supply wells. The DNR Atlas staff also completed dye tracing at several southeastern Minnesota locations in collaboration with local partners and MPCA to understand the groundwater sources of trout streams and other surface waters and continued monitoring at several stations for flow temperature and nitrate at additional springs.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2019 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$150000 the first year and $150000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2020 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$150,000
Direct expenses
$113,913
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY20 the DNR Atlas Program will use Clean Water Fund to supplement geological and water chemistry information in Dodge Olmsted Kandiyohi Rock and Nobles counties. The DNR will publish atlases for Houston Winona Morrison Redwood Brown and Kanabec counties that were partially supported with Clean Water Funds. The DNR will conduct groundwater dye tracing studies at two locations and begin work at two additional locations in support of Minnesota Department of Health studies to identify the sources of pathogens and other contaminants in water supply wells. The DNR will also conduct dye tracing at up to four locations in southeastern Minnesota to better understand the groundwater flow related to trout streams and other surface waters and continue to five monitor sentinel springs.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY20 the DNR published Groundwater Atlases for Morrison Redwood Brown and Kanabec counties and continued or completed data collection and analysis for: Winona Houston Hubbard Hennepin Dodge Olmsted Becker Cass Isanti Wadena Rock and Nobles counties. Covid-19 slowed progress on several counties and shifted work activities. DNR supported special high-quality drilling and coring to obtain detailed geologic information for atlases in Lincoln Pipestone Chippewa and Yellow Medicine. Leveraging Clean Water funding the DNR Atlas staff completed groundwater dye tracing studies at McCarthy Beach State Park and YMCA Camp du Nord in support of a Minnesota Department of Health effort to identify the source of pathogens and other contaminants in nearby water supply wells. DNR Atlas staff also began work on dye trace studies in support of the pathogen project in cities of Pequot Lakes and Riverton. The DNR Atlas staff also completed dye tracing at several southeastern Minnesota locations to understand the groundwater sources of trout streams and other surface waters and continued monitoring at several stations for flow temperature and nitrate at additional springs.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$125000 the first year and $125000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2019 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Direct expenses
$114,205
Administration costs
$10,109
Number of full time equivalents funded
0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY19 DNR will use Clean Water Fund to supplement geological and water chemistry information in Aitkin Olmsted and Steele counties. The DNR will publish atlases for Houston Meeker Morrison and Washington counties that were partially supported with Clean Water Funds.

DNR will conduct groundwater dye tracing studies at two locations in support of Minnesota Department of Health studies to identify the sources of contaminants in water supply wells. DNR will also conduct dye tracing at two locations in southeastern Minnesota to better understand the groundwater flow related to trout streams and other surface waters.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY19 the DNR published Groundwater Atlases for Washington and Meeker counties and continued or completed data collection and analysis for eight others: Hubbard Hennepin Dodge Olmsted Becker Cass Morrison and Wadena. We supported special high-quality drilling and coring to obtain detailed geologic information in Aitkin Steele St. Louis Lake Dakota Pennington Otter Tail and Lac Qui Parle.

Leveraging Clean Water funding the DNR Atlas staff continued a groundwater dye tracing study at McCarthy Beach State Park and began a study at YMCA Camp du Nord near Ely in support of a Minnesota Department of Health effort to identify the source of pathogens and other contaminants in nearby water supply wells. The DNR Atlas staff also completed dye tracing at four southeastern Minnesota locations to understand the groundwater sources of trout streams and other surface waters and established continuous monitoring stations for flow temperature and nitrate at three additional springs.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2017 Regular Session Ch. 91 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$125000 the first year and $125000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2018 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$125,000
Direct expenses
$120,045
Administration costs
$12,700
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY18 the DNR will publish atlases for Houston Meeker Morrison Sherburne and Wright counties and complete data analysis and draft text and figures for six others: Brown Kanabec Redwood Wadena Washington and Winona. We will support completion of special high-quality drilling and coring by the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) in Kandiyohi Rock and Nobles counties to obtain detailed geologic mapping data for Part A of new atlases.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY18 the DNR published Part B atlases for Clay Sherburne and Wright counties and completed data collection and analysis for eight others: Becker Cass Houston Isanti Meeker Morrison Wadena and Washington. We supported special high-quality drilling and coring to obtain detailed geologic information in Dodge Kandiyohi Nobles and Rock counties.

DNR staff completed a groundwater dye tracing study at McCarthy Beach State Park in support of a Minnesota Department of Health effort to identify the source of contaminants in nearby water supply wells. DNR also completed dye tracing at three southeastern Minnesota locations to understand the groundwater sources of trout streams and other surface waters.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

(h) $250000 the first year and $250000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2017 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$250,000
Direct expenses
$426,559
Administration costs
$33,338
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.3
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY17 the DNR will publish atlases for Anoka Nicollet Sibley Renville and Clay counties and complete data analysis and draft text and figures for six others: Houston Meeker Morrison Sherburne Winona and Wright. We will continue building on Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) work in Part A of each atlas by acquiring detailed subsurface geologic data to better interpret existing well logs. We will also continue supporting MGS efforts to provide access to legacy atlas data and related MGS databases which helps us develop Part B of each atlas.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY17 DNR published Part B atlases for Anoka Nicollet Sibley and Renville counties and completed data analysis and draft text and figures for six others: Clay Houston Meeker Morrison Sherburne and Wright. We supported the completion of special high-quality drilling and coring by the Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) in Cass Hubbard and Isanti counties to obtain detailed geologic mapping data for Part A of new atlases. We also continued to support the acquisition of legacy atlas data and related MGS databases.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2015 First Special Session Ch. 2 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

(h) $250000 the first year and $250000 the second year are for developing county geologic atlases.

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$250,000
Direct expenses
$515,953
Administration costs
$26,915
Number of full time equivalents funded
4.1
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

The DNR will complete atlases for Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley counties. Here is a summary of our goals for each county active in the atlas program in FY2016:

Clay: finish collecting expanded samples.
Renville: finish collecting expanded samples and continue analyzing data and writing the report.

Houston: finish collecting expanded field data; start analyzing data.
Winona and Morrison: start collecting expanded field data; start analyzing data.
Anoka Sherburne and Wright: continue analyzing data and writing reports.

We will continue to use Clean Water Funds to build on the work by MGS in Part A of each atlas with scientific boreholes as described in the FY15 outcomes. We will also use Clean Water Funds to support MGS’s work to provide access to legacy atlas data and related MGS databases which help us develop Part B of each atlas.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY16 the DNR completed the Blue Earth County atlas began the final internal and external review of the Nicollet and Sibley County atlases and made substantial progress on atlases for eight other counties. Specifically we completed data collection and continued analyzing data and writing reports for Anoka Sherburne Renville and Wright; we finished collecting expanded samples for Clay and Houston and started analyzing data for the latter; and we started collecting and analyzing expanded field data for Winona and Morrison. Also in FY16 we continued building on Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) work in Part A of each atlas and supported MGS efforts to provide access to legacy atlas data and related MGS databases. This helps us develop Part B of each atlas.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$615000 the first year and $615000
the second year are for developing county
geologic atlases.

2015 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
Direct expenses
$602,706
Administration costs
$73,033
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.4
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY15 the DNR will complete atlases for Chisago Blue Earth and Anoka counties. We will also finish expanded field data collection for Sherburne Wright and Renville counties. Data analysis and report preparation will continue for Nicollet and Sibley counties. Data analysis will be initiated for Sherburne Wright and Renville counties. We may start data collection in Clay county. Funds will also be used to expand work by the MGS to drill scientific boreholes to acquire detailed subsurface geologic data to improve interpretation of existing well logs for Part A atlases. Funds will be used to complete data acquisition at the research borehole installed at Afton State Park and properly seal the borehole.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY15 DNR County Geologic Atlas staff completed the Chisago County Geologic Atlas Part B. We continued to work on the atlases Blue Earth Nicollet Sibley Renville Clay Anoka Wright and Sherburne counties. The following is a status report for FY2015 for each active county atlas:

Blue Earth Nicollet Sibley Anoka: in data analysis and report preparation stage.
Renville: collecting and analyzing data.
Clay: started collecting data.
Wright: data collection complete; in data analysis and report preparation stage.
Sherburne: entered data analysis stage

We used Clean Water Funds to expand the number of groundwater samples collected for each atlas project. We expanded work by the MGS to drill scientific boreholes which allowed us to get detailed subsurface geologic data. This data helps us better interpret existing well logs from Part A atlases. We also used funds to finish collecting data at the research borehole installed at Afton State Park and then to properly seal the borehole.

Compared to planned outcomes for FY15 we finished most of the work we planned to do except the completion of atlases for Blue Earth and Anoka counties. The Blue Earth atlas Part B is in final draft; we continue to work on the Anoka report. We also made significant progress on the Nicollet and Sibley atlases. We did not finish collecting data for Renville County because of the laboratory data was not delivered on time but it is scheduled for the first quarter of FY16.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2013 Ch. 137 Art. 2 Sec. 6(h)
Appropriation Language

$615000 the first year and $615000
the second year are for developing county
geologic atlases.

2014 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$615,000
Direct expenses
$404,825
Administration costs
$50,987
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.9
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY14 DNR will complete atlases for Carver and Chisago counties. DNR will also finish expanded field data collection for Anoka County. Data analysis and report preparation will continue for Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley counties and continue or initiate data analysis for the Anoka County atlas. DNR will start data collection in Renville Wright and Sherburne counties. Vacancies will be filled and progress made on the hiring of positions for the expanded staffing level. Funds will also be used to expand work by the MGS to drill scientific boreholes to acquire detailed subsurface geologic data to improve interpretation of existing well logs for Part A atlases.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY14 DNR completed the County Geologic Atlas (Part B) for Carver County with the Chisago County Geologic Atlas (Part B) in final editing (publication expected September). Report preparation is underway for the Anoka County Geologic Atlas (Part B) with a draft completed. A Science Report Lead and an Editor were hired in the second half of FY14. The editor position had been vacant for about a year which delayed report preparation. The science report lead is a new position as team lead for the geographic information system (GIS)/cartography-maps/editing staff working together on atlas reports. Data analysis continued for Nicollet and Sibley counties but at a low level due to a staff vacancy. Final report preparation continued for the Blue Earth atlas. Field data collection was completed and data analysis started for Anoka county. New field data collection was initiated for Sherburne and Wright counties. Funds were used to expand the number of groundwater samples collected for each atlas project. Funds were used to expand work by the MGS to drill scientific boreholes to acquire detailed subsurface geologic data to improve interpretation of existing well logs for Part A atlases. Funds were also used to conduct scientific data acquisition at a research borehole installed at Afton State Park.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(f)
Appropriation Language

$500000 the first year and $500000 the second year are to investigate physical and recharge characteristics as part of the collection and interpretation of subsurface geological information and acceleration of the county geologic atlas program. This appropriation represents a continuing effort to complete the county geologic atlases throughout the state in order to provide information and assist in planning for the sustainable use of groundwater and surface water that does not harm ecosystems degrade water quality or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This appropriation is available until December 31 2014.

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
Direct expenses
$106,184
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.5
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY13 DNR will complete atlases for Carver McLeod and Chisago counties. DNR will also finish expanded field data collection for Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley counties and continue or initiate data analysis for those three atlases. Funds will also be used to expand work by the MGS to drill scientific boreholes to acquire detailed subsurface geologic data to improve interpretation of existing well logs for Part A atlases.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY13 DNR completed County Geologic Atlases (Part B) for McLeod county. Data analysis and report preparation was initiated or continued for Carver Chisago Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley counties. Field data collection was completed for Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley. No new field data collection was initiated for additional counties. Work was delayed because of understaffing due to vacancies; three atlas staff took promotions to other units or agencies. The MGS drilled several scientific boreholes for detailed subsurface geologic data to improve interpretation of existing well logs for Part A atlases.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(f)
Appropriation Language

$500000 the first year and $500000 the second year are to investigate physical and recharge characteristics as part of the collection and interpretation of subsurface geological information and acceleration of the county geologic atlas program. This appropriation represents a continuing effort to complete the county geologic atlases throughout the state in order to provide information and assist in planning for the sustainable use of groundwater and surface water that does not harm ecosystems degrade water quality or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This appropriation is available until December 31 2014.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
Direct expenses
$23,350
Administration costs
$0
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY 12 DNR will complete four atlases (Benton Carver McLeod Chisago) and begin data collection and analysis on three additional counties (Blue Earth Nicollet Sibley).

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY12 DNR completed the Benton County Geologic Atlas (Part B); data analysis and report preparation continued for Carver McLeod and Chisago Counties. Field data collection was initiated for Blue Earth Nicollet and Sibley Counties.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(f)
Appropriation Language

$500000 the first year and $500000 the second year are to investigate physical and recharge characteristics as part of the collection and interpretation of subsurface geological information and acceleration of the county geologic atlas program. This appropriation represents a continuing effort to complete the county geologic atlases throughout the state in order to provide information and assist in planning for the sustainable use of groundwater and surface water that does not harm ecosystems degrade water quality or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This appropriation is available until December 31 2014.

2011 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$0
Direct expenses
$243,388
Administration costs
$32,400
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY10 and 11 DNR will complete two atlases for each fiscal year.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY11 DNR completed the Carlton County Geologic Atlas (Part B). DNR also collected field data for Atlases in Benton Carver McLeod and Chisago Counties and continued data analysis and began report production for the Atlases in Benton and Chisago Counties.

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2009 Ch. 172 Art. 2 Sec. 5(f)
Appropriation Language

$500000 the first year and $500000 the second year are to investigate physical and recharge characteristics as part of the collection and interpretation of subsurface geological information and acceleration of the county geologic atlas program. This appropriation represents a continuing effort to complete the county geologic atlases throughout the state in order to provide information and assist in planning for the sustainable use of groundwater and surface water that does not harm ecosystems degrade water quality or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This appropriation is available until December 31 2014.

2010 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$1,000,000
Direct expenses
$26,705
Administration costs
$30,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
0.0
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

DNR will complete two atlases for each fiscal year.

Measurable Outcome(s)

In FY 10 DNR completed the Todd County Geologic Atlas Part B. Clean Water funding is used to improve the quality of County Geologic Atlases by collecting additional subsurface geologic samples expanding the number of sites sampled for water chemistry starting the process of installing a research well to collect stratified groundwater data from multiple aquifers and purchasing and repairing equipment.

Project Manager
First Name
Paul
Last Name
Putzier
Organization Name
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Street Address
500 Lafayette Road
City
Saint Paul
State
MN
Zip Code
55155
Phone
(651) 259-5692
Email
paul.putzier@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency