Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Manitoba Soil Resource Information
Helping you make the best farm and land use decisions
Index to Reconnaissance Soil Survey Reports
Biophysical Land Classification Reports
Soil Survey reports are intended to be a primary source of basic soil information having a wide range of applications including agriculture, environmental, forestry, wildlife, and engineering, to name a few.
Soil surveys identify the soils in an area, classify, describe them and notes the capabilities of the land.
There are two basic kinds of surveys:
- the detailed survey, which is based on a large number of observations of soils in an area,
- the reconnaissance survey, based on fewer observations. Soils are sampled throughout the area and the samples are analysed for chemical and physical properties. These are described and interpreted as to their suitability for agriculture and other uses.
Soil maps are based on field observations, backed up by aerial photography. Detailed soil maps are commonly at scales of 1:20,000, 1:40,000 or 1:50,000 while reconnaissance maps are at scales of 1:100,000, 1:125,000 or 1:126,720. Soils are arranged into types on the basis of properties such as parent material, drainage, texture, slope and salinity.
As well as containing technical information about the chemical and physical properties of soil, reports and maps also include a non-technical section dealing with management practices that may be useful to the farmer. More recently, soil survey data have been broadened to include soil requirements for a variety of crops, plus suitability for irrigation and infrastructure development such as roads, septic fields, buildings and recreation uses. Soil survey data can be used to appraise land quality, as a basis for farm loans and a guide for the purchase of land. It can also provide a key layer of information, integral to the development of precision farming management practices.
| Soil survey maps and
reports are available for nearly all agricultural areas
in southern Manitoba. For more information contact:
|
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural
Initiatives Soil Resource Section Room 346, Ellis Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-6114 Fax: (204) 474-7643 |
Index to Reconnaissance Soil Survey Reports
Reconnaissance Soil Survey reports provide a systematic inventory of Manitoba's soil resource at a scale of 1:100 000, 1:126 720 and 1:125 000. A report consists of a coloured map which indicates the distribution and area of soil map units and a report which provides a general description of the surveyed area, physical features, factors affecting soil development and an evaluation of the soil's agricultural, engineering and urban uses.
| Report No. | Project Name |
Scale | Date Printed/ Status |
| 3 | South Western | 1:126 720 | 1940 |
| 4 | South Central | 1:126 720 | 1943 |
| 5 | Winnipeg-Morris | 1:126 720 | 1953 |
| 6 | Rossburn-Virden | 1:126 720 | 1956 |
| 7 | Carberry | 1:126 720 | 1957 |
| 8 | West-Lake | 1:126 720 | 1958 |
| 9 | Grandview | 1:126 720 | 1957 |
| 10 | Nelson River Basin | 1:100 000 | 1959 |
| 11 | Pasquia | 1:63 360 | 1960 |
| 12 | Fisher-Teulon | 1:100 000 | 1961 |
| 13 | Swan River1 | 1:126 720 | 1926 |
| 14 | South Eastern | 1:126 720 | 1964 |
| 15 | Lac du Bonnet | 1:126 720 | 1967 |
| 16 | Grahamdale | 1:126 720 | 1971 |
| 19 | Red Rose-Washow Bay | 1:126 720 | 1975 |
| 21 | Ste Rose du Lac | 1:125 000 | 1981 |
| 22 | The Pas | 1:125 000 | 1982 |
| 23 | Waterhen | 1:125 000 | 1985 |
| R18 | Swan Lake2 | 1:125 000 | 1996 |
| R20 | Grand Rapids2 | 1:125 000 | 1984 |
| R21 | Cormorant2 | 1:125 000 | 1975 |
| R22 | Wekusko2 | 1:125 000 | data |
| R23 | Pointe du Bois2 | 1:125 000 | data |
| R25 | Red Deer Lake3 | 1:34 860 | 1966 |
| R26 | Cross Lake-Norway House2 | 1:125 000 | data |
| R28 | Soils and Salinity Conditions in the Pasquia Lake Area | 1:50 000 | 1984 |
| R29 | Duck Mountain Forest Reserve2 | 1:125 000 | data |
1 Map area with R18, Swan Lake
2 Map/data available
3 Report/Map available
| 2 and 3 available through: | Reconnaissance Soil Survey Reports are available from: |
|
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Soil Resource Section |
Statutory Publications 200 Vaughan Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1T5 Phone: (204) 945-3101 or your local GO Office |
Index of Detail Soil Reports
Detail Soil Reports (1:20 000, 1:40 000, 1:50 000) provide detailed and comprehensive soil resource information to supplement and expand on information contained in the Reconnaissance soil survey reports. As well as basic soil information, a variety of derived and interpretive maps can be generated including Soil Suitability for Agriculture, Soil Suitability for Irrigation, Drainage, Salinity, Potential Impact of Irrigation.
| Project No. |
Project Name |
Scale | Date Printed/ Status |
| 17 | Portage la Prairie | 1:20 000 | 1972 |
| 18 | Morden-Winkler | 1:20 000 | 1973 |
| 20 | Boissevain-Melita | 1:20 000, 1:40 000 |
1978 |
| 29 | Winnipeg Region (D14) | 1:20 000 | 1975 |
| 30 | Brandon Region (D15) | 1:20 000 | 1976 |
| D13 | LGD Alexander-Organic Soil Study | 1:63 360 | 1975 |
| D17 | Roseau River-Organic Soil Study | 1:20 000 | 1977 |
| D19 | Pelican-Rock Lake | 1:20 000 | 1983 |
| D20 | West Portage-MacGregor | 1:20 000 | 1982 |
| D21 | Lake Minnewasta | 1:20 000 | 1978 |
| D22 | Killarney | 1:20 000 | 1979 |
| D23 | Matlock-Gimli-Riverton | 1:20 000 | 1981 |
| D24 | Glenboro | 1:20 000 | 1979 |
| D25 | Sandy Lake | 1:20 000 | 1980 |
| D26 | Brokenhead | 1:20 000 | 1979 |
| D27 | Rockwood | 1:20 000 | 1980 |
| D28 | Oak Lake | 1:20 000 | 1979 |
| D29,30 | Bird River-Lac du Bonnet | 1:20 000 | 1980 |
| D31 | Gindstone Point | 1:20 000 | 1979 |
| D32 | Paint Lake1 | 1:10 000 | 1980 |
| D33 | Cranberry Portage1 | 1:5 000 | 1980 |
| D34 | Dauphin | 1:20 000 | 1981 |
| D35 | South Riding Mountain Planning District | 1:20 000 | 1990 |
| D36 | West Interlake | 1:20 000 | 1981 |
| D37 | Swan River | 1:20 000 | 1987 |
| D38 | Hadashville Organic | 1:20 000 | 1981 |
| D40 | Falcon Lake-Brereton Lake1 | 1:20 000 | data |
| D41 | Quesnel Lake-N. Shore Winnipeg R. |
1:20 000 | data |
| D42 | Duck Mountain | 1:20 000 | 1982 |
| D43 | Spruce Woods E.L.C.1 | 1:40 000 | data |
| D45 | Pine Creek | 1:20 000 | 1983 |
| D46 | Arborg-Riverton | 1:20 000 | 1982 |
| D47 | Roblin | 1:20 000 | 1983 |
| D48 | Flin Flon | 1:20 000 | 1989 |
| D49 | RM's of Ste Anne, La Broquerie and part of GD Stuartburn | 1:50 000 | 1985 |
| D50 | City of Brandon | 1:20 000 | 1984 |
| D51 | Westbourne | 1:20 000 | 1985 |
| D53 | Altona, Emerson, Gretna, Ile des Chenes, Landmark, Letellier, Rosenort, St. Jean |
1:20 000 | 1984 |
| D54 | Russell-Binscarth | 1:20 000 | 1985 |
| D55 | Ste. Rose du Lac | 1:20 000 | 1985 |
| D56 | Souris, Wawanesa, Virden | 1:20 000 | 1986 |
| D57 | Fraserwood, Inwood, Komarno | 1:20 000 | 1986 |
| D58 | Hallboro-Neepawa | 1:20 000 | 1984 |
| D59 | Beaudry Park1 | 1:20 000 | 1986 |
| D60 | RM's of Dufferin, Grey, Roland, Thompson and part of Stanley |
1:20 000, 1:50 000 |
1988 |
| D61 | Meditation Lake1 | 1:20 000 | data |
| D62 | Wanipigow Lake1 | 1:20 000 | data |
| D63 | Shellmouth Reservoir North | 1:20 000 | 1987 |
| D64 | South Assiniboine River | 1:20 000 | 1987 |
| D65 | Birtle, Elkhorn, Hamiota, Newdale, Rapid City, Shoal Lake, Strathclair |
1:20 000 | 1987 |
| D66 | Benito-Durbin1 | 1:50 000 | data |
| D67 | St. Eustache, Springstein, Perimeter Strip, Brunkild, La Salle River |
1:20 000 | 1989 |
| D68 | Spruce Point Mine1 | 1:10 000 | 1985 |
| D69 | Snow Lake1 | 1:20 000 | 1985 |
| D70 | Lorne RM | 1:50 000 | 1987 |
| D71 | Whitemouth Peatland1 | 1:50 000 | 1987 |
| D73 | Victoria Beach-Elk Island1 | 1:20 000 | 1990 |
| D74 | South Norfolk | 1:20 000, 1:50 000 |
1987 |
| D75 | Victoria RM | 1:20 000 | 1989 |
| D76 | Rhineland RM | 1:20 000 | 1991 |
| D77 | Pembina RM | 1:50 000 | 1993 |
| D80 | Norfolk RM | 1:20 000 | 1991 |
| D81 | Plum Lakes Porject1 | 1:20 000 | 1991 |
| D82 | Hanover RM | 1:50 000 | 1993 |
| D83 | Louise RM1 | 1:50 000 | 1993 |
| D84 | Argyle RM1 | 1:20 000 | 1991 |
| D85 | North Cypress RM1 | 1:20 000 | 1991 |
| D86 | Strathcona RM1 | 1:50 000 | 1993 |
| 1 Soil reports and maps or data available from: | Detail Soil Survey Reports are available from: |
| Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural
Initiatives Soil Resource Section Room 346 Ellis Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-6114 Fax: (204) 474-7643 |
Statutory Publications 200 Vaughan Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1T5 Phone: (204) 945-3101 or your local GO Office |
Biophysical Reports
A system of inventory known as a "biophysical land classification" was used to describe various land attributes such as a soil, surficial deposits, landforms, permafrost and water in northern and eastern Manitoba. Interpretation of this basic information for environmental sensitivity, capability for wildlife, forestry, recreation etc. is possible by relating it to more dynamic features such as vegetation and wildlife populations within an overall climatic framework.
| Report No. | Project Name |
Scale |
Date Printed/ Status |
| B1 | Lake Winnipeg, Churchill and Nelson River | 1:250 000, 1:50 000 |
1973 |
| B2 | Churchill Transportation Corridor | 1:125 000 | data |
| B3 | Hayes River, 54C | 1:125 000 | 1976 |
| B4 | Kettle Rapids, 54D | 1:125 000 | 1976 |
| 77-3 | Hecla, 62P-Carroll Lake, 52M | 1:125 000 | 1977 |
| 78-1 | Bernes River, 63A-Deer Lake, 53D | 1:125 000 | 1978 |
| 78-2 | Knee Lake, 53M | 1:125 000 | 1978 |
| 78-7 | Oxford House, 53L | 1:125 000 | 1978 |
| 79-2 | Sipiwesk Lake, 63P-Split Lake, SE - 64A | 1:125 000 | 1979 |
| B10 | Island Lake, 53E | 1:125 000 | data |
| B11 | Norway House, 63H | 1:125 000 | data |
| This information, in guide and map form, is available through: | Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural
Initiatives Soil Resource Section Room 348 Ellis Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474-6114 Fax: (204) 474-7643 |
Special Soil Resource Products
Specific Manitoba soil resource products are available at different scales and levels of detail.
A generalized Soil Landscape Map provides an overview of major soils for all of Manitoba at a scale of 1:1 000 000. This Soil Landscape Map has been used to derive a series of maps depicting soil degredatation by wind, water and salinization. Also, publications describing minor element content of surface soils, engineering equivalents of the soils and the soil component of the ecological framework have been based on the Soil Landscape Map.
Several intensive soil surveys (1:5 000) have been carried out on smaller sites with the purpose of describing the soil conditions in sufficient detail to assist in planning and managing the soil resources in support of specific research purposes.
| Report No. | Special Soil Resource Products |
| 93-1 | Soils of the Carman Research Farm N½ 23-6-5W 1:5 000 map and report |
| 94-1 | Minor Element Content of Agricultural Soils in Manitoba Report |
| 94-3 | Soils of the Manitoba Zero Tillage Research Association Research Farm, Sec31-Tp11-Rge12W 1:5 000 map and report |
| 95-1 | Soils of the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre, S½ 31-Tp11-Rge12W 1:5 000 map and report |
| 96-1 | Soils of the Roblin Effluent Irrigation Site, NE¼ 20-Tp25-Rge28W 1:5 000 map and report |
| 96-3 | Water Erosion Studies in Manitoba-A Status Assessment report |
| 97-1 | Minor Element Content of Agricultural Soils in Manitoba (supplemental maps and data for elements not included in 94-1) |
| 97-2 | Unified Soil Classification System for engineering Applications 1:2 000 000 map and report |
| 5242/B | Soil Landscape Map of Manitoba 1:1 000 000 map and legend |
| 5257/B | Wind Erosion Risk Map of Manitoba 1:1 000 000 map and legend |
| 5259/B | Water Erosion Risk Map of Manitoba 1:1 000 000 map and legend |
| 5261/B | Soil Salinity Map of Manitoba 1:1 000 000 map and legend |
| This information is available through: | Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural
Initiatives Soil Resource Section Room 346, Ellis Building, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Phone: (204) 474 6114 Fax: (204) 474-7643 |
For further information, contact your GO Representative.
