Layer: Pumping Tests

Source: NRR, Geoscience and Mines Branch

Pumping Tests

The Nova Scotia Pumping Test database is maintained by Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NRR) and contains an inventory of pumping tests submitted to the province, typically in support of a water withdrawal approval application. Information recorded in the database includes details about the well construction and pumping test, and the interpreted hydrogeological properties.

Note that the value -9999 in the data table denotes a null value.

Abbreviations:

Geology HU = Hydrostratigraphic Unit
Depth (m) = Well depth, metres
Static (m) = Depth to static water level, metres
Pump Setting (m) = Depth to pump, metres
Average Rate (m3/D) = Average pumping rate, m3/d
Available Draw Down (m) = Available drawdown, metres
Max Draw Down (m) = Maximum drawdown, metres
Total Recovery (m) = Total water level recovery, metres
Recovery = Recovery time, minutes
Tapp (m2/d) = Apparent transmissivity, m2/d
K (m/d) = Hydraulic conductivity, m/d
SC (m2/d) = Specific capacity, m2/d
Q20 (m3/d) = Potential long-term pumping well yield, m3/d
Q20 (l/min) = Potential long-term pumping well yield, Litres per minute
Storativity = Aquifer storage coefficient

Geology Codes:

AR: Arisaig Group
BF: Balfron Formation
BL: Blomidon Formation
BP: Boss Point Formation
BR: Bass River Formation
CA: Canso Group
CJ: Cape John Formation
CU: Cumberland Group
DC: Undifferentiated Devonian-Carboniferous rocks
FI: Fisset Brook
FL: Fountain Lake Group
FO: Fourchu Group
FU: Fundy Group (includes Triassic)
G: Unknown (likely Goldenville Formation)
GB: Gillies Brook Formation
GE: Georgeville Group
GO: Goldenville Formation
GR: George River Group
GT: Granitic bedrock (unknown age)
HC: Undifferentiated Hadrynian-Cambrian rocks
HO: Horton Group
HX: Halifax Formation
KE: Kentville Formation
JG: Joggins Formation
M: Meguma Group
MA: Mabou Group
MACN: MacNeil Formation
MCCB: McCoy Brook Formation
MI: Millsville Formation
MG: Malagash Formation
MM: MacMillen Formation
MO: Morien Group
MR: Middle River Formation
NG: New Glasgow Formation
NO: North Mountain Formation
PB Polly Brook Formation
PI: Pictou Group
PR: Parrsboro Formation
PTHD: Port Hood Formation
QZ: Quartzite
RI: Riversdale Group
RR: Ragged Reef Formation
SB: South Bar Formation
SM: Springhill Mines Formation
SR: Stirling Group
ST: Stellarton Formation
TO: Torbrook Formation
TT: Tatamagouche Formation
WH: White Rock Formation
WI: Windsor Group
WO: Wolfville Formation

FC: Fluvial Cretaceous
GFA: Glaciofluvial/Alluvial
GLTPC: Glaciolacustrine/Till Plains/Colluvial
GMM: Glaciomarine/Marine
HTD: Hummocky Till/Drumlins

Notes About Georeferencing Fields

UTM Coordinates (Northings and Eastings)
Northings and eastings are in NAD83, zone 20 metric units.

UTM coordinates in the database have been approximated based on the various levels of available georeferencing accuracy. The method used is recorded in the Georef M field, the source of the data is recorded in the Georef S field, and the associated accuracy of the UTM is recorded in the Georef A field.

Georef M
This field indicates the georeferencing method used to assign UTMs to the well logs. The following ten codes are used in the database:

G = GPS
Well UTMs estimated using GPS or survey equipment. Note that the UTM coordinates of wells constructed after 2004 have been recorded by well contractors using handheld GPS units (well drillers only). These UTMs were taken directly from the coordinates reported on the original well logs from 2004-2006, whereas the well logs entered after 2006 were subject to QA/QC. Well locations have also been identified based on available reporting (e.g. System Assessment Reports, etc.).

M = Map
Well UTMs estimated from map or site plan showing approximate well location.

D1 = Centroid of Property using Nova Scotia Property Registration Database (NSPRD)
Where a Property Identification (PID) number could be associated with a well log, the centroid of the property was used to assign a UTM to the well log.

D2 = Property Location using Nova Scotia Property Registration Database (NSPRD)
The UTMs were estimated by recording latitude and longitude coordinates of the assumed building location for a given PID using Property Online (NSPRD) and converting to northing and eastings. In some cases the UTMs were estimated from a GPS measurement at the site.

A1= Nova Scotia Mapbook Centroid
The centroid of the grid reference assigned to the well log was used to generate a UTM for the well log.

A2 = Nova Scotia Atlas Centroid
The centroid of the grid reference assigned to the well log was used to generate a UTM for the well log.

B1 = NTS Claim Centroid
The centroid of the grid reference assigned to the well log was used to generate a UTM for the well log.

B2= NTS Tract Centroid
The centroid of the grid reference assigned to the well log was used to generate a UTM for the well log.

C = Community Centroid from Nova Scotia Gazeteer file
The Nova Scotia Gazeteer was used to locate the well log based on the community location on a map.

Georef S
This field indicates the source of the georeferencing. In some cases the UTM was recorded at the wellhead and is indicated as ‘Well UTM’, whereas in other cases a UTM of the property or another on-site well was recorded. These UTMs are indicated as ‘Site UTM’. Some of the common sources of georeferencing include the following:
-Nova Scotia Mapbook (Mapbook)
-Nova Scotia Atlas (Atlas)
-NTS Grid System (NTS-Tract,Claim)
-Well UTM - Well Log (UTM recorded by driller)
-Nova Scotia Property Registration Database (NSPRD)
-System Assessment Report
-Nova Scotia Gazeteer File
-CBWRDB (Historical Mapping contained in the Cape Breton Water Resource Database)

Georef A
This field provides an approximation of the accuracy of the UTMs. The following is a general guide of the methods used to estimate the georeference accuracy:

G = GPS
Where PDOP or UTM accuracy information was recorded, these values are used to indicate georeference accuracy. In most cases this information was not recorded, however, and it was assumed that the georeference accuracy using GPS is on the order of ±15 m.

M = Map
Well UTMs estimated from map or site plan showing approximate well locations. The estimated georeference accuracy generally ranges from 50 to 100 m.

D1 = Centroid of Property using Nova Scotia Property Registration Database (NSPRD)
To provide a general indication of the accuracy of the UTM estimate, the square root of the property PID area recorded in the NSPRD is shown as the estimated georeference accuracy.

D2 = Property Location using Nova Scotia Property Registration Database (NSPRD)
To provide a general indication of the accuracy of the UTM estimate, the square root of the property PID area recorded in the NSPRD is shown as the estimated georeference accuracy.

A1 = Nova Scotia Mapbook Centroid
The minimum georeference accuracy is estimated as ½ of the hypotenuse of the 1000 m x 1000 m grid square (±707 m).

A2 = Nova Scotia Atlas Centroid
The minimum georeference accuracy is estimated as ½ of the hypotenuse of the 938 m x 875 m grid square (±641 m).

B1 = NTS Claim Centroid
The minimum georeference accuracy is estimated as ½ of the hypotenuse of the 1652 m x 1542 m grid square (±1130 m).

B2 = NTS Tract Centroid
The minimum georeference accuracy is estimated as ½ of the hypotenuse of the 412 m x 386 m grid square (±282 m).

C = Community Centroid from Nova Scotia Gazeteer file
The minimum georeference accuracy is estimated as ½ of the hypotenuse of the largest distance separating any two communities in the Nova Scotia Gazeteer file for both northing and eastings (±7829 m).