Geotechnical data comes from investigations performed by geotechnical engineers to obtain information on the physical properties of soil and rock underlying a site for proposed structures. The investigations include surface exploration and subsurface exploration of a site. In addition, site investigations will often include subsurface sampling and laboratory testing of the soil samples retrieved. The digging of test pits and trenching may also be used to learn about soil conditions at depth. Geotechnical data is relevant to our permafrost database as it contains logs of ice encountered at various depths.Yukon Geological Survey has been compiling geotechnical data from various organizations and branches. The main datasets being compiled are the following:Northern Climate ExchangeCommunity Services, Land BranchEnergy Mines and Resources, Abandoned MinesTransportation Engineering BranchAlaska Highway Borehole DatabaseAgriculture soil profilesDistributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)

The term “geotechnical investigation site” refers to locations where geotechnical (surveys and instrumentation) and geophysical data are available. This data includes:Geotechnical investigation sites (site_inv_geotech_p): Geotechnical surveys produced by or for the Ministry from the 1990s, from the active database of the Directorate of Geotechnics and Geology (DGG). Data is added as it is validated.This file is accompanied by a Stratigraphic Characteristics table (site_inv_geotech _STRATI.csv). This contains stratigraphic information for the majority of sites and can be linked to the location file using the “NO_UNIQUE” primary key.BDG geotechnical investigation sites (site_inv_geotech_bdg_p): Geotechnical drilling and drilling from an “inactive” database entrusted to the DGG by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife (MRNF), since the mid-1980s. These are drilling and survey data compiled by the MRNF in the 70s and 80s for “predictive” or “geotechnical soil suitability” mapping campaigns.As it is an inactive database (not evolving), there are no updates to be expected.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

Geotechnical reports are indexed within a database maintained by HPW-TEB Geotechnical Unit. Meta data associated to each geotechnical report are captured within this indexing table, including report reference number, title, author, highway and km start and end. The table has been modified to include columns that aid in georeferencing geotechnical reports. Added columns include route ID, Latitude, and Longitude.Transportation Engineering Branch is continually improving its geographical information systems with a major focus on creating linear referencing routes within ArcGIS. Georeferencing geotechnical reports will utilize the linear referencing routes in creating points and line shape files by referencing the highway number and km points or ranges as defined within the indexing table.Distributed from [GeoYukon](https://yukon.ca/geoyukon) by the [Government of Yukon](https://yukon.ca/maps) . Discover more digital map data and interactive maps from Yukon's digital map data collection.For more information: [geomatics.help@yukon.ca](mailto:geomatics.help@yukon.ca)

To support improved groundwater geoscience knowledge for southern Ontario, a regional 3-D model of the surficial geology of southern Ontario has been developed as a part of a collaboration between the Ontario Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Canada. Covering approximately 66,870 km2 in area, the model is a synthesis of existing geological models, surficial geology mapping, and subsurface data. The model is a simplified 9-layer reclassification of numerous mapped local surficial sediment formations in places over 200 m thick with a total volume of approximately 2,455 km3. The model integrates 1:50,000 scale surficial geology mapping with 90 m bathymetrically corrected topographic digital elevation model (DEM) and 8 existing local 3-D models. Archival subsurface data include 10,237 geotechnical and stratigraphic boreholes, 3,312 picks from geophysical surveys, 15,902 field mapping sites and sections, 537 monitoring and water supply wells and 282,995 water well records. Roughly corresponding to regional aquifer and aquitard layers, primary model layers are (from oldest to youngest): Bedrock, Basal Aquifer, Lower Sediment, Regional Till, Post Regional Till Channel Fill, Glaciofluvial Sediment, Post Regional Till Mud, Glaciolacustrine Sand and Recent Sediment / Organics. Modelling was completed using an implicit modelling application (LeapFrog®) complemented by an expert knowledge approach to data classification and rules-based Expert System procedure for data interpretation and validation. An iterative cycle of automated data coding, intermediate model construction and manual data corrections, expert evaluations, and revisions lead to the final 3-D model. A semi-quantitative confidence assessment has been made for each model layer surface based on data quality, distribution and density. This surficial geology model completes the development of a series of regional 3-D geological and hydrogeological models for southern Ontario.

The Permafrost Information Network (PIN) geotechnical borehole database combines existing database compilations into a standard structure. The standardized database was created to be accessible from the PIN web application as a data layer. Further information regarding data compilation can be accessed from the PIN web application.

A hydrogeological unit is defined as any soil or rock unit or zone that by virtue of its hydraulic properties has a distinct influence on the storage or movement of groundwater. It is considered the main dataset from the GGP point of view. Hydrogeological units are ranked into five levels (from largest to smallest): 1) hydrogeological region, 2) hydrogeological context, 3) aquifer system, 4) hydrostratigraphic unit, and 5) aquifer. Here are formal definitions for these different types of hydrogeologic units. - Hydrogeological region Hydrogeological regions are areas in which the properties of sub-surface water, or groundwater, are broadly similar in geology, climate and topography. There are 9 such regions identified in Canada (ref?). - Hydrogeological context Hydrogeological contexts are units of reporting, conceptually narrower than regions, and are additionally delineated by physiographic and hydrogeological aspects. - Aquifer system ""A heterogeneous body of intercalated permeable and poorly permeable material that functions regionally as a water-yielding hydraulic unit; it comprises two or more permeable beds [aquifers] separated at least locally by aquitards [confining units] that impede groundwater movement but do not greatly affect the regional hydraulic continuity of the system"" (Poland et al., 1972). - Hydrostratigraphic unit (HSU) ""Body of sediment and/or rock characterized by ground water flow that can be demonstrated to be distinct under both unstressed (natural) and stressed (pumping) conditions, and is distinguishable from flow in other HSUs"" (Noyes et al.) - Aquifer ""A formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs"" (Lohman et al, 1972, p. 21). The rank attribute is used to specify the scope of the described unit. The general principle behind this specification is to allow the same data structure to apply to various types of hydrogeological units, from the local aquifer to the almost continental hydrogeological region. The dataset includes properties such as identification, physiography, geology, aquifer description and properties, water balance, groundwater use and risk. It features numerical values or a general description when no values are available. The description can also be used to add context to the numerical values. For each property, metadata identifying the source of the original data, links to similar data in GIN, and description of the processes, algorithms or methodology used to obtain these datasets will be available to complement the data. This dataset is designed to capture and represent a set of synthesized information pertaining to hydrogeological units through maps and succinct table reports. Some attributes (or properties) of the dataset are irrelevant depending of the rank of the unit. In general, this dataset is organised to include multiple properties associated with aquifers and larger hydrogeologic units. These properties are grouped into categories, which include identification, physiography, geology, aquifer description, water balance, groundwater use and risk. The numerical values associated with each of the properties can be used to create thematic maps; hence, the importance of using standardized units of measurement and definitions for these properties. When numerical values are not available, a general description may be supplied instead. The description can also be used to add context to the numerical values. Because this dataset is the cornerstone of the national view on groundwater, supplemental contextual information (metadata) must be part of the data. Thus, for each property, metadata identifying the source of the original data, links to similar data in GIN, and a description of the processes, algorithms or methodology used to obtain these datasets will be available to complement the data.

The bedrock geologic units designate units of the same types of rock which composed the solid rock exposed at ground surface (as outcrop) or which underlies unconsolidated surficial sediments. This dataset represents a general description of the stratigraphy and geology, including geologic unit thickness, morphology, age and rank. It features a list of the geologic unit names and types of rock (lithology) in the hydrogeological unit, from a controlled vocabulary. While the preferred format to deliver this data is by using a shapefile and its linked attributes, this dataset can be delivered also by providing link to external data which should have at least the same properties or also by joining a georeferenced image of the map.

Hydraulic properties characterize a hydrogeological unit. The hydraulic properties considered for this dataset are the transmissivity, the hydraulic conductivity, the storage coefficient, the specific storage coefficient and the porosity. Hydraulic properties are estimated by performing aquifer tests (pumping tests, slug tests). The hydraulic tests and their duration are managed in this dataset. The methods used to create the dataset are described in the metadata associated with the dataset. The dataset exhibits a general description of hydraulic properties of the hydrogeological unit, including hydraulic test, total test duration, method and date. It includes numbers and/or ranges describing the aquifer tests results. Note that an alternate raster representation could be used in complement to the discrete point-based representation.

Surficial geologic units are unconsolidated materials overlying bedrock. The dataset represents a general description of the stratigraphy and geology, including geologic unit thickness, morphology, age and rank. It features a list of the geologic unit names and types of sediment in the hydrogeological unit. While the preferred format to deliver this data is by using a shapefile and its linked attributes, this dataset can be delivered also by providing link to external data which should have at least the same properties or also by joining a georeferenced image of the map.

GEO - Geological and geophysical (geoscientificInformation)The earth sciences. For example, resources describing geophysical features and processes; minerals; the composition, structure, and origin of the earths rocks; earthquakes; volcanic activity; landslides; gravity information; soils; permafrost; hydrogeology; and erosion