Zones that represent areas of homogeneous hydrologic and geomorphological characteristics

The BC Hydrologic Zones represent regions of similar climate and terrain resulting in somewhat homogeneous hydrology characteristics. The zones were defined previously by Obedkoff and others. This dataset has been extended into the neighbouring province, territories, and states for regional flood frequency analysis studies. See Bulletin 2020-1-RFFA British Columbia Extreme Flood Project – Regional Flood Frequency Analysis – Technical development report and manual to complete a regional flood frequency analysis.

Hydrogeological Regions provide a framework to introduce the regional hydrogeology of Canada and to connect apparently disparate studies into a broader framework. The hydrological regions are first order areas used to capture and summarize data that will help develop more detailed profiles of each region. Comparison of findings within and between regions will allow scalable extension to sub-regional and watershed scale mapping.Canada has been classified into nine principal hydrogeological regions. Each region is described briefly based on the following five hydrogeological characteristics (Heath, 1984):system components and geometry;water-bearing openings;rock matrix composition;storage and transmission;recharge/ discharge.The hydrogeological classification emphasizes major geological provinces and rock formations. Fundamental water-bearing openings and rock matrix properties help determine the quantity (storage), flux (transmission), and composition of formation waters. These same properties and any overlying sediment cover affect recharge/ discharge rates for regional formations. While regional attributes are general, a simple aquifer mapping scheme can further describe the nature and character of aquifers in each region. For example, general groundwater settings across the country could be described as has been done by USGS principal aquifers [1]. Thus the regional framework can potentially link from national scales to watershed scales by identifying typical aquifer types based on readily available geological maps that use water-bearing character as a common attribute.The nine hydrogeological regions include:CordilleraMountains with thin sediment over fractured sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks of Precambrian to Cenozoic age. Intermontane valleys are underlain by glacial and alluvial deposits of Pleistocene age.Plains (Western Sedimentary Basin)Region-wide basin of sub-horizontal Paleozoic to Cenozoic sedimentary rocks are overlain by thick glacial deposits filling buried valleys. Incised post-glacial valleys provide local relief. Shallow gas, coal, and brines may occur.Canadian ShieldUndulating region of thin glacial sediment overlying complex deformed, fractured PreCambrian igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Region contains several terrains: sedimentary basins, structural belts, and glacial-lacustrine basins.Hudson Bay (Moose River) BasinSedimentary basin of Paleozoic to Mesozoic sub horizontal carbonate and clastic sediment covered by surficial deposits, with low relief and poor drainage.Southern OntarioEastern Great Lakes region is underlain by gently-dipping Paleozoic, carbonate, clastic and gypsum-salt strata overlain by glacial sediments up to 200 m thick with tunnel valleys. Karst, bedrock valleys, shallow gas and brines are also important components.St. Lawrence LowlandsLowlands underlain by shallow-dipping Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and thick glacial sediment in glacial-marine basins. Appalachian and Precambrian uplands discharge water to valleys. Shallow gas and saltwater intrusion are possible.AppalachiaUpland to mountainous region with thin surficial sediment on folded Paleozoic sedimentary and igneous rocks. Range of rock types yields a wide range of water compositions. Valleys contain important alluvial aquifers.Maritimes BasinLowlands with flat-lying, Carboniferous clastic , salt, and gypsum rocks contain shallow coal deposits. Surface glacial sediment is thin and discontinuous. Salt water intrusion is possible.PermafrostArctic islands and most areas north of 60o contain frozen ground affects on groundwater flow. Diverse topography and geology define sub-regions of sedimentary basins and crystalline rocks. Glacial sediment is thin, discontinuous; local peat accumulations are significant.

Site Regions and Site Districts of Ontario represent an early Ecological Land Classification (ELC) system originally developed by Angus Hills. This dataset was revised by the ELC Working Group in 2000 to better reflect new information and new technology. The Site Regions of Ontario was used for descriptive, planning, and resource management purposes. This upper level in its hierarchy was most useful for provincial and regional roll-ups of data and for strategic planning. Site Districts of Ontario is a more detailed lower (finer-scale) level of the hierarchy, and was more useful for detailed resource management prescriptions and other local and site planning applications. This layer is designed to be used as a spatial selection tool and as a background layer suitable for overlay and or intersection with numerous scales or current hydrologic data.

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) regions were created to help manage ministry programs and resources at a regional level. Extents of the regions were originally compiled by description of: metes and bounds, topographic features, geographic township boundaries, territorial district boundaries, etc. MNR regions consist of a number of districts. This product requires the use of geographic information system (GIS) software.

This dataset uses RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images to identify open water regions within ice-covered rivers during winter, with the aim to assess hydrokinetic resources near remote communities reliant on diesel fuel for electricity generation. The data is processed with the HyRASS, a machine learning-based SAR image processing and classification algorithm.Disclaimer:This dataset was designed to identify open water regions within ice-covered rivers for assessing hydrokinetic resources near remote communities reliant on diesel fuel for electricity generation and is subject to the following limitations: • This dataset was derived from RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images. While these images are generally reliable, they are subject to inherent limitations, including resolution constraints, potential distortion, and occasional inaccuracies in real-time conditions capture. • The HyRASS algorithm is designed to pinpoint open water areas using satellite images, with a particular emphasis on RCM quad polarization (QP) imagery. This specialization means that its effectiveness depends on the accessibility of this specific type of imagery. Consequently, the data it produces might not cover a broad spectrum of time periods. For more reliable results, it's essential to classify areas more regularly, ensuring that detected open water regions are consistent over time.This dataset is intended for preliminary assessment and should not be the sole basis for making critical decisions or investments related to hydrokinetic energy projects. Further validation and in-depth analysis are strongly recommended, and users should conduct their own due diligence and additional research to verify the data accuracy and relevance for specific applications. By accessing and using this dataset, users acknowledge and accept these disclaimers. The providers of this dataset explicitly absolve themselves of any responsibility or liability for any consequences arising from the use, reliance upon, or interpretation of this dataset. Users are advised that their use of the dataset is at their own risk, and they assume full responsibility for any actions or decisions made based on the information contained therein. This disclaimer is in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and by accessing or utilizing the dataset, users agree to release the providers of this dataset from any legal claims, damages, or liabilities that may arise from such use.

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.

These boundaries are kept for historic purposes only. The Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Operations Regions dataset is comprised of all the polygons that represent the operations regions established for the Ministry of Environment and Parks to provide environmentally responsible services and management of the province's sustainable resources. Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Operations Regions were approved and effective May 29, 2013. These regions were made obsolete when the Ministry of Environment and Parks split into the Ministry of Forestry and Parks and the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas.

Records of marine mammal sightings (N = 5,324) collected by ASOs and submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) between 1979-2024, across three DFO regions: the Arctic, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Maritimes. Methods for initial data compilation are provided in the associated technical report "Marine mammal records collected by the at-sea observer (ASO) program in Arctic, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Maritimes regions: a summary of challenges and opportunities for future research." Cite this data as: Feyrer, L.J., Colbourne, N., Lawson, J.W., Moors-Murphy, H.B., Ferguson, S. Dataset update to Marine mammal records collected by the At-Sea Observer program in Arctic, Newfoundland and Labrador and Maritimes regions. Published: February 2025. Ocean Ecosystems Science Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, N.S.

Polygon feature layer of Manitoba's economic regionsThis feature layer depicts the boundaries of economic regions in Manitoba. There are eight regions in Manitoba, defined by Statistics Canada. Fields included [Alias (Field Name): Field description] Economic Region (Economic_Region): The name of the economic region For more information, see Regional Economic Profiles on the Manitoba  government  website.FF