Print this pageOverview of An Interactive Online Internet-based Map Server (IMS) for Wyoming's Northern Powder River Basin
The IMS is an interactive model that allows the user to view geologic columns with depth to and thickness of geologic units at any point on the map, simple geologic cross sections, and plan view maps that show the extent of 32 different coal deposits within the Eocene Wasatch and Paleocene Fort Union formations. Formation tops for the Upper Cretaceous Lance Formation, Fox Hills Sandstone, and Bear Paw/Pierre Shale were added to the project.
Water
quality data from available wells were also a component of the project
that is accessible with the IMS. The intended purpose of the IMS is as a
predictive tool for developers, water users, coalbed
natural gas producers, and regulators to more accurately estimate the quality
of ground water prior to production. Interpolated water quality values are
available at any point in the project area and both a bubble plot and a
color-contour map show the location and the range of values for various
constituents.
In addition to the geologic and water quality components, the IMS allows the
user to add or subtract roads, county boundaries, well locations, water quality
sample sites, and public land surveys. The scale of the map is changeable and
users may enlarge or shrink particular areas of interest within the predefined
project area.
The northern Powder River Basin IMS was developed by the Wyoming State
Geological Survey in cooperation with a private consultant and several state
and federal agencies with funding provided by the Wyoming Water
Development
Commission.