For more information on the USGS-the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS.For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprodTo order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.Suggested citation: Thamke, J.N., LeCain, G.D., Ryter, D.W., Sando, Roy, and Long, A.J., 2014, Hydrogeologic framework of the uppermost principal aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins, United States and Canada (ver. 1.1, December 2014): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5047, 38 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145047. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii
AcknowledgmentsThe authors thank Kei Lo, Saskatchewan Government Water Security Agency, for providing water-level data and electronic versions of resistivity logs for thousands of water wells throughout southern Saskatchewan. The authors also thank Dan Kohlruss, Arden Marsh, Bill Slimmon, and Melinda Yurkowski (Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Ministry of the Economy) for providing their insight to bedrock geology in southern Saskatchewan and providing resistivity logs for hundreds of oil wells throughout southern Saskatchewan.
AbstractThe glacial, lower Tertiary, and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems in the Williston and Powder River structural basins within the United States and Canada are the uppermost principal aquifer systems and most accessible sources of groundwater for these energy-producing basins. The glacial aquifer system covers the northeastern part of the Williston structural basin. The lower Tertiary and Upper Cretaceous aquifer systems are present in about 91,300 square miles (mi 2