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.