Site Reconnaissance Tool
Query 16 geospatial layers at any location
The Site Reconnaissance Tool queries 16 geospatial datasets at once, returning geology, soils, wildlife, hydrology, land use, and regulatory context at any location in Alberta. Results are organized into sections and exportable as a PDF report for inclusion in environmental assessments.
Tool screenshot coming soon
Key Features
- •Query 16 geospatial layers from a single map click
- •Bedrock geology, surficial geology, and drift thickness characterization
- •Natural subregion and land cover classification
- •Wildlife sensitivity zones and species at risk ranges with seasonal timing windows
- •AGRASID soil landscape data including drainage class and texture
- •Elevation, slope aspect, and groundwater protection level
- •Crown land status, historical resource sensitivity, and municipal context
- •Proximity to landfills and contaminated sites
- •Copyable text summaries for each section
- •PDF report export
How It Works
Select a location
Click anywhere on the map within Alberta. The tool identifies the Legal Land Description and coordinates automatically.
Query layers
The tool sends your coordinates to the reconnaissance API, which performs point-in-polygon queries against 16 provincial geospatial datasets.
Review results
Results are organized into expandable sections: Geology, Soils, Wildlife, Hydrology, Land Use, and Regulatory. Sections with notable findings (e.g., wildlife within the site) are auto-expanded.
Copy or export
Copy individual section summaries to clipboard, or export the complete reconnaissance report as a formatted PDF.
Data Sources
Geological Survey of Canada / Alberta Geological Survey
Alberta Geological Survey surficial materials mapping
Overburden thickness estimates from AGS
Digital elevation model derived from LiDAR and SRTM
Alberta Parks natural subregion classification
Annual Crop Inventory land cover classification
Alberta soil landscapes with texture and drainage
Sensitivity zones with seasonal timing restrictions
Species distribution ranges and habitat areas
Aquifer vulnerability and groundwater sensitivity
Provincial crown land dispositions
Archaeological and palaeontological sensitivity
Municipal district and county boundaries
Active and closed landfill locations
Common Use Cases
- 1Pre-screening a site before a Phase I ESA to identify potential areas of environmental concern
- 2Characterizing subsurface geology and soil conditions for contamination risk assessment
- 3Identifying wildlife timing restrictions that could affect field work scheduling
- 4Documenting regulatory context (crown land, historical resources) for permit applications