Capreol Area

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Ontario Geological Survey

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 95

CAPREOL AREA

(NTS41I/NE) Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury

John F. Gartner

1980

Ministry of Ministry of Natural Northern Resources Affairs Ontario Hon. James A.C. Auld Hon. Leo Bernier Minister Minister Dr. J. K. Reynolds Art Herridge Deputy Minister Deputy Minister OMNR-OGS 1980 Printed in Canada

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NORTHERN AFFAIRS AND IS MANAGED BY THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Every possible effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this report, but the Ministry of Natural Resources does not assume any liability for errors that may occur. Source references are included in the report and users may wish to verify critical information.

Publications of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and price list are avail able through the Map Unit, Public Service Centre, Room 6404, Whitney Block, Queen©s Park, Toronto, and the Ontario Government Bookstore, 8QO Bay Street, Toronto.

Orders for publications should be accompanied by cheque or money order pay able to the Treasurer of Ontario.

ISSN 0709-4671 ISBN 0-7743-4371-0

Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this report be made in the following form:

Gartner, John F. 1980: Capreol Area (NTS 41I/NE), Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury; Ontario Geological Survey, Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 95, 16 p. Accompanied by Map 5001, scale 1:100 000.

1200-80-HofC CONTENTS

Page 1.0 Introduction...... l 2.0 Geological Setting ...... 2 2.1 Bedrock...... 2 2.2 Quaternary...... 3 3.0 Engineering Terrain Units ...... 4 3.1 Bedrock Landforms ...... 4 3.1.1 Description ...... 4 3.1.2 Significance ...... 4 3.2 Morainal Landforms...... 5 3.2.1 Description ...... 5 3.2.2 Significance ...... 7 3.3 Glaciofluvial Landforms ...... 7 3.3.1 Description ...... 7 3.3.2 Significance ...... 10 3.4 Glaciolacustrine Landforms...... 10 3.4.1 Description ...... 10 3.4.2 Significance ...... 11 3.5 Alluvial and Organic Landforms...... 12 3.5.1 Description ...... 12 3.5.2 Significance ...... 12 4.0 Summary of Engineering Significance ...... 13 5.0 References...... 15

TABLE l - Summary of engineering significance...... 14

MAP (accompanying report)

Map 5001 (coloured) - Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study, Data Base Map, Capreol (NTS 41I/NE). Scale 1:100 000.

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 95

CAPREOL AREA

(NTS41I/NE)

Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury

John F. Gartner1

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

This report contains an inventory of regional engineering terrain condi tions in the Capreol area, Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury. The area, which covers NTS block 41I/NE, lies between Latitudes 46030©N and 47000©N and Longitudes 80000©W and 81000©W. This report forms part of a series of publications which provide similar terrain data for some 370 000 km2 of northern Ontario.

The purpose of the mapping is to provide a guide for engineering and resource planning functions at a level of detail consistent with a scale of l: 100 000. The terrain information is contained on the Data Base Map (OGS Map 5001, accompanying this report).

Consulting Engineering Geologist, Gartner Lee Associates Limited, Markham, Ontario. Manuscript approved for publication by the Chief, Engineering and Terrain Geology Section, January 3, 1980. This report is published with the permission of E.G. Pye, Director, Ontario Geological Survey. Interpretation of existing black and white aerial photographs, at a scale of approximately 1:38 000, was the primary method of obtaining this terrain information. The interpretation was checked with published and unpublished literature which documented previous field visits and obser vations. During the fall of 1977, roads in the area were traversed and observed terrain conditions recorded as further verification of the office studies. Thus, the map represents a reconnaissance overview of the engi neering conditions of the terrain.

An engineering terrain legend was developed to facilitate the mapping and to provide a common information base for the entire map series. This legend is shown on the accompanying Data Base Map. Further information on the mapping techniques, legend format, and possible uses of this terrain data is available in the "Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study Users© Manual" (Gartner, Mollard, and Roed 1980), a companion publication to this series of maps and reports.

2.0 GEOLOGICAL SETTING:

2.1 BEDROCK:

A major bedrock structural boundary lies within the Capreol map-area. This feature, the Grenville Front, trends roughly east-northeast across the southern part of the area, separating the highly metamorphosed rocks of the Grenville Structural Province to the southeast from the relatively unaltered rocks of the Southern and Superior Structural Provinces to the northwest (Card and Lumbers 1977).

The rocks south of the Grenville Front are predominantly gneisses derived from pre-existing clastic sediments: A fairly large anorthositic intrusive body is located in southern Dana Township and northern Crerar Township, with an offshoot extending westward into Henry and Loughrin Townships.

Most of the bedrock north of the Grenville Front consists of sedimentary rocks of the Middle Precambrian Huronian Supergroup, particularly the Gowganda, Lorraine, and Mississagi Formations. These rocks have been extensively intruded by Middle Precambrian Nipissing Diabase dikes and sills, especially in the northwestern portion of the map-area. The grano phyre, norite-gabbro, and associated sedimentary rocks of the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive occur on the western edge of the map-area, west and southwest of Wanapitei Lake. A narrow belt of Early Precambrian meta- volcanics extends from Wanapitei Lake northwestwards through Parkin Township. Early Precambrian felsic igneous and metamorphic rocks occur south of this belt and in the extreme northwest corner of the map-area.

The mineral potential of the area has been assessed by Springer (1977, 1978). Nickel, copper, and numerous associated elements have been observed throughout most of the area north of the Grenville Front. The mafic intrusive rocks of the Sudbury Nickel Irruptive, which outcrop around the margin of the Sudbury Basin, have high potential for nickel, copper, and the platinum metals. The segment of a metavolcanic belt which extends into the northeast corner of the map-area has high potential for the occurrence of nickel and copper. The potential of the remaining rocks in the map-area is rated as "medium" or "least".

2.2 QUATERNARY:

The general direction of glacial advance across northern Ontario was toward the south-southwest. During this advance, ground moraine com posed of stony sandy till was deposited over much of the bedrock.

During deglaciation, the receding ice front deposited several easterly trending moraines across northern Ontario. Parts of one of these features occur in the southern part of the map-area, in the townships of Hanmer, Capreol, Street, Scadding, Davis, and Janes. Glaciofluvial kame, esker, and outwash deposits, also associated with deglaciation, are common throughout the area.

Approximately 11 000 years ago, when the ice front lay immediately north of the map-area, a post-Algonquin glacial lake (Prest 1970) inundated the southern part of the area. The waters of this lake washed fine-grained material from the surface till and redeposited it as lacustrine silt and sand in the depressions between bedrock highs.

Since deglaciation, floodplain alluvium has been deposited along most drainage courses. The texture of the alluvial material tends to reflect the nature of the glacial materials present in the stream or river valley. Organic deposits have accumulated in many poorly drained depressions in areas of bedrock, ground moraine, glaciofluvial, and glaciolacustrine terrain. 4

3.0 ENGINEERING TERRAIN UNITS:

3.1 BEDROCK LANDFORMS:

3.1.1 Description:

Rock knobs (RN) are the only bedrock landform in the Capreol map-area. Relief is generally high and rugged in the northern half of the area, but decreases to moderate and undulating in the southern half.

A thin mantle of ground moraine till (tMg) covers most of the map-area. The till is generally absent or less than l m thick over bedrock knobs, but may thicken to several metres on the flanks or between the knobs. Peaty organic terrain is usually associated with the till as a subordinate landform:

RN(tMG,pOT7R) Mj-D(M)

Surface drainage conditions are dry on the dominant rock knob landform, but are mixed wet and dry on the subordinate landforms.

East and west of the community of Falconbridge, in the southwest corner of the area, there is very little till lying atop the bedrock. The dominant terrain unit letter codes are:

RN(pOT) RN Mn-M Mu-D

3.1.2 Significance:

RESOURCES: Portions of the rock could be crushed and used for aggre gate, but a detailed evaluation of the rock quality would be necessary. Several locations south of the Grenville Front have been quarried for stone resources. Since ground water within the bedrock is confined to fractures, faults, and joints, supplies are limited and unpredictable.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: Irregular and complex bedrock-controlled slopes are a major constraint in terms of construction. Excavations will probably require blasting, and site-grading will involve the importation of earth fill. Foundation properties are excellent on bedrock. Route alignments will require expensive cut-and-fill techniques.

Because of the complex bedrock slopes and shallow overburden through out much of the area, development activities will generally be more difficult. Management of the land for any development will be complex because the terrain is sensitive to surface erosion, especially when cleared of vegetation.

WASTE DISPOSAL: Bedrock areas are generally poor sites for the disposal of any form of waste. Tile beds, lagoons, and landfills will all require the importation of soil fill. Fractures in the bedrock could act as conduits for the migration of effluents, and the pollution impact on surface drainage could be significant.

3.2 MORAINAL LANDFORMS:

3.2.1 Description:

Ground moraine (MG) is common in the Capreol map-area. It forms a thin veneer over the bedrock and is shown as a subordinate landform in the rock knob terrain units previously described. The till thickens to become a dominant landform in only a few areas, namely southeast of Wanapitei Lake and in the north-central part of the map-area.

Typical terrain unit letter codes are:

tMG/RN tMG/RN Mn-D Lu-M

The dominant landform is stony sandy ground moraine till overlying bed rock knobs. Relief is moderate to low, topography is knobby to undulating, and surface drainage conditions are dry or mixed wet and dry.

Hummocky moraine (MH) is present at three places within the map-area: (1) in Fraleck Township in the northwest corner, (2) south-southeast of Wanapitei Lake in Street Township, and (3) near Murray Lake in the central part. The first two of these occurrences are typically designated:

tMH(RN) Mn-D

The hummocky moraine is composed of stony sandy till; bedrock knobs are present as a subordinate landform. Moderate relief and knobby topo graphy are typical, and surface drainage conditions are dry.

The Murray Lake occurrence is a complex terrain unit:

tbsgMH,sgGO(RN) Mnk-D

The hummocky moraine consists of boulders, gravel, sand, and till, and is closely associated with gravelly sand outwash deposits. Rock knobs are a subordinate landform. Relief is moderate and the topography is knobby and kettled. Surface drainage conditions are dry.

A very well defined end moraine (ME) is located immediately south of Capreol, on the western margin of the map-area. This feature trends in an east-southeasterly direction and is represented by the letter code:

tsbME Mrh-D

The end moraine is composed of bouldery sand till. The feature is ridged and hummocky, and has moderate relief. Surface drainage conditions are dry. A similar feature is located in the southeast corner of Scadding Township, approximately 25 km to the east-southeast.

These two end moraines, plus a similar hummocky moraine - outwash complex located in Janes Township, represent a former ice marginal position. The Capreol end moraine was noted by Boissonneau (1965). He also indicated that a number of features located to the west of the Capreol map-area are probably related to it. The two additional features noted here have not been previously documented, but are undoubtedly a continuation of the same ice margin position. 3.2.2 Significance:

RESOURCES: Sand gravel deposits are associated with the hummocky and end moraine features in Street and Janes Townships, in the southern part of the area. Abrupt grain size variations and oversized boulders, which are characteristic of these ice marginal deposits, may pose problems during any extraction operations. Other morainal deposits in the area may contain minor quantities of sand and gravel. Moderate quantities of ground water may be available in the thicker morainal deposits.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: Construction conditions are generally favourable within ground moraine units. Bearing capacities should be adequate for normal structures, but excavations may encounter large boulders, particularly in areas of hummocky moraine. Bedrock may be encountered in deep excavations in any type of moraine. Since the till found in this area is generally sandy, few material handling problems are expected.

WASTE DISPOSAL: Thicker ground moraine deposits have good potential as waste disposal sites. Hummocky and end moraine are only fair to poor prospects for waste disposal. Because they are associated with permeable esker, kame, and outwash materials, the possibility of hydraulic connec tions to ground and surface waters must be assessed. Slope conditions put constraints on the siting of septic tile beds and lagoons.

3.3 GLACIOFLUVIAL LANDFORMS:

3.3.1 Description:

Glaciofluvial outwash (GO) deposits are common in the Capreol map-area. They are associated with the valleys of the Vermilion, Wanapitei, East Wanapitei, Sturgeon, Kabikotitwia, and Temagami Rivers. One other large area of outwash, located in the south-central part of the map-area, is not associated with any present-day major river system.

The letter code

sGO Lp-Dh is typical of many of these deposits. The deposits are predominantly sandy, have low relief, and are planar in form. Surface drainage conditions are dry, but a high water table is suspected. Peaty organic terrain is occasionally a subordinate landform:

sGQ(pOT) Lp-M

One segment of the outwash system in the Wanapitei River valley, in the northwest corner of the map-area, has an unusually high gravel and boulder content:

gsbGO Lnk-D

Two major glaciofluvial delta (GD) deposits are located in the southwest corner of the map-area. The delta located south of Capreol, represented by the letter code

sGD Lpl5 consists mainly of sand, has low relief, and is planar in form. Well logs indicate that this deposit is 35 m or more in thickness. Numerous pits have been opened in the deposit, but a considerable quantity of material still remains. Several kames, an esker, and an end moraine have been mapped in association with this deposit.

The other delta occurs at the south end of Wanapitei Lake. At its southern end, this deposit is very similar to the delta at Capreol, but it is quite different at the north end. The letter code

indicates that the deposit consists of sandy gravel, has low relief, and is terraced, kettled, and planar. Water well records show this deposit to be 60 m or more in thickness. An esker is present in the central "core" area of the delta along much of its length. All deltas, except the small one located due west of Capreol Station, are thought to have formed near the ice front during and immediately after its retreat northward from the Cartier I Moraine discussed by Boissonneau (1968). The moraine at Capreol and the moraine features in Street and Janes Townships are believed to represent the Cartier I position in this map-area. The Capreol Station delta is probably related to an ice marginal position north of the map-area.

Glaciofluvial eskers (GE) were mapped in a number of places. Several eskers, trending approximately north, are scattered across the northern half of the map-area. Most of these features are depicted by the graphic symbol ( X^^ ), rather than the terrain unit letter code. For those eskers that are large enough, a typical letter code is:

sgGE Lr-D

This indicates that they consist of gravelly sand and have low relief, ridged surfaces and dry surface drainage conditions. Eskers in the southern part of the map-area are located at or adjacent to the Cartier I ice marginal position (e.g. at Capreol, on the delta at the south end of Wanapitei Lake, and in Street and Janes Townships).

Glaciofluvial kame (GK) deposits occur in association with other landforms. Portions of the delta at Capreol and the Cartier I Moraine in Janes Township have notable kame associations. Several kame features in the southern part of the map-area (e.g. in Henry Township) have subordinate amounts of rock knobs:

tsgGK(RN) Mn-D

This letter code indicates that the kame consists of gravelly sand and till, relief is moderate, and the topography is knobby. Surface drainage con ditions are dry and rock knobs are a subordinate landform. Near the Wanapitei River, kame features are found in conjunction with outwash:

sGK.sGO Mn-D JO

3.3.2 Significance:

RESOURCES: Glaciofluvial esker, kame, and delta deposits have good potential as sources of sand and gravel. Outwash deposits may contain usable aggregate, but most are too fine in texture for this use and ground water levels may be high. Glaciofluvial deposits situated in bedrock valleys, such as those of the Vermilion and Sturgeon Rivers, have fair to good potential as sources of ground water.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: These landforms are suitable for most types of construction. Bearing capacities are adequate f or most structures, and excavation and grading should be relatively easy, especially in the two major delta deposits in the southwest corner of the map-area. Bedrock may be encountered in excavations in those areas where terrain unit letter codes indicate near-surface bedrock, such as south of Glen Afton. Dewa- tering may be necessary in excavations in outwash materials with wet, mixed, or high water table conditions.

WASTE DISPOSAL: Glaciofluvial landforms are not naturally suited to the disposal of any type of waste. Problems are related to the movement of contaminants and to possible hydrologic connections between the waste disposal site and ground water supplies. Careful investigations should be undertaken to determine the impact of waste disposal on the environment.

3.4 GLACIOLACUSTRINE LANDFORMS:

3.4.1 Description:

Glaciolacustrine lake plain deposits (LP) are found along the southern edge of the Capreol map-area. Glacial Lake Post-Algonquin, a high level predecessor of the present Lake Huron, inundated a portion of the southern part of the area, washing the silt and sand from much of the till and redepositing it as lacustrine lake plain sediments. The lacustrine sediments are generally found in depressions between bedrock highs. 11

A large part of the town of Hanmer, situated near the western margin of the map-area, is built on an extensive lacustrine plain:

smLP Lp-Mh

The sediments consist of silty sand, relief is low, and the landform is planar. Surface drainage conditions are mixed wet and dry, and a high water table is suspected. A similar, fairly thick lacustrine plain deposit occurs in Gibbons Township in the southeast corner of the map-area. Other thinner deposits in the area are associated with bedrock and/or organic terrain, as indicated by the the letter code:

smLP7RN(RN,pOT) Lp-M

3.4.2 Significance:

RESOURCES: Lacustrine plain deposits have little potential as sources of aggregate. Ground water resources will be scarce due to the fine-grained nature of the sediments and the fact that they often form only a thin veneer over bedrock.

GENERAL CONSTRUCTION: Construction conditions are generally poor due to the high percentage of silt in lacustrine sediments. The materials are easy to excavate but difficult to handle and compact, especially in wet conditions. Poor drainage and the frost susceptible nature of these soils may require increased pavement thicknesses for roads. The sediments may have low shear strengths, and foundations for heavy structures may be costly where the deposits are deep (e.g. near Hanmer and in Gibbons Township). Excavations may encounter bedrock where deposits are thin.

WASTE DISPOSAL: Where surface sand is present and bedrock and ground water are not close to surface, septic tank effluent can be disposed of effectively. Sanitary landfills, if not properly designed, could cause surface contamination problems. Therefore, this landform is rated as only fair for landfills and unlined lagoons. 12

3.5 ALLUVIAL AND ORGANIC LANDFORMS:

3.5.1 Description:

Alluvial plains (AP) occur along the Sturgeon River and along several rivers south of Capreol. In many places, these landforms are nearly l km wide. A typical terrain unit letter code is:

smAP Lp-W

This indicates that the alluvial plain is composed of silty sand, relief is low, the surface of the landform is planar, and surface drainage conditions are wet.

Organic terrain (OT) is found in many parts of the map-area. It usually occupies low, poorly drained ground and forms a thin veneer over other landforms, such as outwash or lacustrine plains. Typical examples are several areas south of Wanapitei Lake, depicted by the letter code:

pOT/sGO Lp-W

This indicates that peaty organic terrain overlies glaciofluvial outwash sand. The unit is low in relief and planar in form, and surface drainage conditions are wet.

3.5.2 Significance:

Alluvial plains may contain small quantities of aggregate, but high ground water levels may pose problems for extraction. High water levels may also necessitate dewatering for excavations. Alluvial plain sediments may exhibit wide ranges in grain size, and pockets of organic material often occur. Alluvial plain areas are prone to flooding.

Organic terrain possesses poor geotechnical properties for any form of engineering activity. Construction will have to contend with soft and compressible soils, adverse ground water conditions, and poor access. 13

4.0 SUMMARY OF ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE:

Bedrock is the most important terrain unit in the Capreol map-area from an engineering standpoint. Complex soil conditions exist in the southern part of the area in the vicinity of the ice marginal positions. Variable thicknesses of lacustrine sediment occur in the southern portion of the map-area, and ground moraine and outwash sediments are scattered throughout.

Table l is a summary of the general engineering significance of the more common terrain units found in the map-area. This table is intended only as a guide to help the reader in assessing the overall significance of the map-units. Site-specific work is necessary to define actual ground condi tions. Also, it should be realized that there are a number of conditions, such as drainage and slope, which are not considered in the table, but which may affect the engineering significance of the various terrain units. WASTE LIGHT RESOURCE DISPOSAL CONSTRUCTION POTENTIAL SUITABILITY CONDITIONS r r w g O 11 PI O w P) •OA "-l xcavat: O g o 2' m J"l a 0 1a i w ea W 1 o' o" 1 JO " ^ Q A OJ ST ri 3 C l s. CA A 13 JO 13 O O S O Q ffi o Difficult ST 2 BEDROCK •-j0 S- Excellent B' S 1 13 11 B' O (C o E vO

0 O O O O O O 13 0 O 0 o o o o O 0 g 0 0 o 0 o o o o o *"* ^* Q a o. Q. a a a D. 11 i] 11 13 11 O 0 0 11 O 0 p) 0 0 0 cr o o o o s- JO a a D. iac 2 T) 11 O 11 0 0 u 13 R"(li P) 0 S" o 0 o O r 8 o o o s a a a PII

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11 d o Q o Q O O 11 S" 0)R- o o o o 0 o o Si. Q o 0 o o o o o R d a a D- Q- a a O. rf o o r i] 11 11 13 11 i] i] 13 o VR' R1- o O w o 3 0 •-i0 ••iO o r r o 0 o C o w -1 H JJ3

13 13 15 13 13 13 13 11 13 KL ^ o 0 o 0 O O o O r o o O 0 O o e. O *! Z n •i r! •-j •-i fe r C IS r •a 2 O (t A 0 o JO ffi ffi ffi O ffi (-1o o H Q "0 "0 "0 13 13 T) 2y 0 0 O O o 0 •2 O o O O o O t-1 "-I o ... 15

5.0 REFERENCES:

Boissonneau, A.N. 1965: Surficial Geology, Algoma, Sudbury,©Timiskaming and Nipis sing; Ontario Department of Lands and Forests, Map S465, scale l :506 880 or l inch to 8 miles. Surficial geology 1962, 1963. 1968: Glacial History of Northeastern Ontario II. The Timiskaming- Algoma Area; Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol.5, No.l, p.97-109.

Burwasser, G.J. 1979: Quaternary Geology of the Sudbury Basin Area, District of Sudbury; Ontario Geological Survey, Report 181, 103p. Accompanied by Map 2397, scale 1:50 000.

Card, K.D. and Lumbers, S.B. 1977: Sudbury-Cobalt, Algoma, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Sudbury and Timiskaming Districts; Ontario Geological Survey, Map 2361, Geological Compilation Series, scale 1:253 440 or l inch to 4 miles. Geological compilation 1974, 1975.

Fairbairn, H.W. 1939: Geology of the Ashigami Lake Area; Ontario Department of Mines, Vol.48, Pt.10, p.1-15. Accompanied by Map 48m, scale l :31 680 or l inch to V2 mile.

Gartner, John F., Mollard, J.D., and Roed, M.A. 1980: Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study Users© Manual; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5288, 99p.

Prest, V.K. 1970: Quaternary Geology of Canada; p.675-764 in Geology and Economic Minerals of Canada, edited by R.J.W. Douglas, Geological Survey of Canada. Economic Geology Report No.l, 5th edition, 838p.

Regional Municipality of Sudbury, Planning Department 1975: Sudbury Area, Potential Aggregate Deposits; preliminary map only. 16

Sado, E.V. 1977: Quaternary Geology of the Coniston (411/7) and Coppercliff (411/6) Areas Plus Portions of the Regional Municipality of Sudbury, District of Sudbury; p.154-155 in Summary of Field Work, 1977, by the Geological Branch, edited by V.G. Milne, O.L. White, R.B. Barlow, and J.A. Robertson, Ontario Geolo gical Survey, Miscellaneous Paper 75, 208p.

Springer, Janet 1977: Ontario Mineral Potential, Northern Part of Sudbury Sheet and Part of North Bay Sheet, Districts Sudbury and Manitoulin; Ontario Geological Survey, Preliminary Map P.1512, Mineral Deposits Series, scale 1:250 000. Compilation 1976, 1977. 1978: Ontario Mineral Potential, Southern Part of the Sudbury Sheet, Districts of Algoma, Nipissing, Sudbury, Parry Sound, and Mani toulin; Ontario Geological Survey, Preliminary Map P.I511, Mineral Deposits Series, scale 1:250 000. Compilation 1976.

Sudbury Area Planning Study Team 1973: Sudbury Area Planning Study, Inventory of Data Pertaining to the Supply of Urban Land; Schedules A, B, and C.

Thomson, Jas. E. 1957: Geology of the Sudbury Basin; Ontario Department of Mines, Vol.65, Pt.3 (1956), p.1-56. Accompanied by Map 1965-1, scale l :63 360 or l inch to l mile. Ontario Geological Survey

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 95

CAPREOL AREA

(NTS41I/NE) Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury

John F. Gartner

1980

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NORTHERN AFFAIRS AND IS MANAGED BY THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Orders for publications should be accompanied by cheque or money order pay able to the Treasurer of Ontario.

ISSN 0709-4671 ISBN 0-7743-4371-0

Parts of this publication may be quoted if credit is given. It is recommended that reference to this report be made in the following form:

1200-80-HofC CONTENTS

TABLE l - Summary of engineering significance...... 14

MAP (accompanying report)

Map 5001 (coloured) - Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study, Data Base Map, Capreol (NTS 41I/NE). Scale 1:100 000.

Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study 95

CAPREOL AREA

(NTS41I/NE)

Districts of Nipissing and Sudbury

John F. Gartner1

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

2.0 GEOLOGICAL SETTING:

2.1 BEDROCK:

2.2 QUATERNARY:

3.0 ENGINEERING TERRAIN UNITS:

3.1 BEDROCK LANDFORMS:

3.1.1 Description:

RN(tMG,pOT7R) Mj-D(M)

Surface drainage conditions are dry on the dominant rock knob landform, but are mixed wet and dry on the subordinate landforms.

East and west of the community of Falconbridge, in the southwest corner of the area, there is very little till lying atop the bedrock. The dominant terrain unit letter codes are:

RN(pOT) RN Mn-M Mu-D

3.1.2 Significance:

3.2 MORAINAL LANDFORMS:

3.2.1 Description:

Typical terrain unit letter codes are:

tMG/RN tMG/RN Mn-D Lu-M

tMH(RN) Mn-D

The hummocky moraine is composed of stony sandy till; bedrock knobs are present as a subordinate landform. Moderate relief and knobby topo graphy are typical, and surface drainage conditions are dry.

The Murray Lake occurrence is a complex terrain unit:

tbsgMH,sgGO(RN) Mnk-D

tsbME Mrh-D

3.3 GLACIOFLUVIAL LANDFORMS:

3.3.1 Description:

The letter code

sGQ(pOT) Lp-M

One segment of the outwash system in the Wanapitei River valley, in the northwest corner of the map-area, has an unusually high gravel and boulder content:

gsbGO Lnk-D

Two major glaciofluvial delta (GD) deposits are located in the southwest corner of the map-area. The delta located south of Capreol, represented by the letter code

The other delta occurs at the south end of Wanapitei Lake. At its southern end, this deposit is very similar to the delta at Capreol, but it is quite different at the north end. The letter code

sgGE Lr-D

tsgGK(RN) Mn-D

sGK.sGO Mn-D JO

3.3.2 Significance:

3.4 GLACIOLACUSTRINE LANDFORMS:

3.4.1 Description:

A large part of the town of Hanmer, situated near the western margin of the map-area, is built on an extensive lacustrine plain:

smLP Lp-Mh

smLP7RN(RN,pOT) Lp-M

3.4.2 Significance:

3.5 ALLUVIAL AND ORGANIC LANDFORMS:

3.5.1 Description:

Alluvial plains (AP) occur along the Sturgeon River and along several rivers south of Capreol. In many places, these landforms are nearly l km wide. A typical terrain unit letter code is:

smAP Lp-W

This indicates that the alluvial plain is composed of silty sand, relief is low, the surface of the landform is planar, and surface drainage conditions are wet.

pOT/sGO Lp-W

This indicates that peaty organic terrain overlies glaciofluvial outwash sand. The unit is low in relief and planar in form, and surface drainage conditions are wet.

3.5.2 Significance:

4.0 SUMMARY OF ENGINEERING SIGNIFICANCE:

11 d o Q o Q O O 11 S" 0)R- o o o o 0 o o Si. Q o 0 o o o o o R d a a D- Q- a a O. rf o o r i] 11 11 13 11 i] i] 13 o VR' R1- o O w o 3 0 •-i0 ••iO o r r o 0 o C o w -1 H JJ3

5.0 REFERENCES:

Burwasser, G.J. 1979: Quaternary Geology of the Sudbury Basin Area, District of Sudbury; Ontario Geological Survey, Report 181, 103p. Accompanied by Map 2397, scale 1:50 000.

Fairbairn, H.W. 1939: Geology of the Ashigami Lake Area; Ontario Department of Mines, Vol.48, Pt.10, p.1-15. Accompanied by Map 48m, scale l :31 680 or l inch to V2 mile.

Gartner, John F., Mollard, J.D., and Roed, M.A. 1980: Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study Users© Manual; Ontario Geological Survey, Open File Report 5288, 99p.

Regional Municipality of Sudbury, Planning Department 1975: Sudbury Area, Potential Aggregate Deposits; preliminary map only. 16

Sudbury Area Planning Study Team 1973: Sudbury Area Planning Study, Inventory of Data Pertaining to the Supply of Urban Land; Schedules A, B, and C.

Thomson, Jas. E. 1957: Geology of the Sudbury Basin; Ontario Department of Mines, Vol.65, Pt.3 (1956), p.1-56. Accompanied by Map 1965-1, scale l :63 360 or l inch to l mile. Ministry of Hon- James A c Aulc| Minister Natural ^ , v D Dr. J. K, Reynolds Resources Deputy Minister Ontario r V!i ^n Ontario Geological Survey Map 5001 Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study

MQUNTAlFf, f |LEV|URY g A. ..J^t-Aw. T E M A G A M li ffflfiKLAKE ALGOMA

\I6Z1 \Lookoui Tower One centimetre represents one kilometre

ENGINEERING TERRAIN LEGEND

The legend comprises four main components arranged as follows; Cucumber! j RNttMG/RI l MATERIAL LANDFORM \Matagamasi JiJ\- \ 7^^^ /© l J Of1- *P r TOPOGRAPHY DRAINAGE

Examples: dominant landform (eysouihh "Jlron i Lake f material -subordinate landform RJHtMG/Rl •tMG(RN)' u(Hj)-D- -drainage

~~ relief of subordinate landform

local topographic variety of dominant landform relief -slash indicates a veneer of one landform overlying a pOT/sGO second landform Lp-W LETTER SYMBOLS MATERIAL h boulders, bouldery r rubble C clay, clayey s sand,sandy g gravel, gravelly m silt, silty p peat, muck t till

LANDFORMS ALLUVIAL MORAINAL AP Alluvial plain ME End moraine MG Ground moraine COLLUVIAL MH Hummocky moraine CS Slope failure CT Talus pile GD Ice contact delta, esker CW Slopewash and debris delta, kame delta, delta creep sheet, minor talus moraine EOLIAN G E Esker, esker complex, cre vasse filling ED Sand dunes GK Kama, kame field, kame terrace, kame moraine GO Outwash plain, valley ORGANIC train OT Organic terrain GLACIOLACUSTRINE ^A4 X ; i LB Raised (abandoned) beach BEDROCK ridge LD Glaciolacustrine delta RL Bedrock plateau Howie/ b Maclennan LP Glaciolacustrine plain RN Bedrock knob Redrock RP Bedrock plain RR Bedrock ridge /R Bedrock below a drift veneer TOPOGRAPHY LOCAL RELIEF H Mainly high local relief M Mainly moderate local re ^k^Wj ' lief L Mainly low local relief VARIETY c channeled p plain d dissected, gullied r ridged j jagged, rugged, cliffed s sloping V iGQ.tbsgGKmN) ©-( j* cliffy volcanic rock signa t terraced ^MJk^Ji^A ZJtiLy l-'i ture u undulating to rolling ferf^^T/^T k kettled, pitted w washed, reworked n knobby, hummocky DRAINAGE SURFACE CONDITION W Wet h Suspected high water table D Dry M Mixed wet and dry GRAPHIC SYMBOLS tta-sgMH.lbsgGK(RN) Major end moraine (symbol located over ridge crest if Small landslide scar present) Well expressed drumlins and Sand orgravel pit drumlinoid ridges Quarry or mine workings evi All other linear ice-flow fea dent from airphotos or field tures --v- observation (crossed picks are "Garson Esker ridge (continuous, dis shown in the area of open continuous; the symbol does excavation) not indicate direction of flow) Other man-made features Abandoned shoreline (contin (rock dumps, tailings, la uous, discontinuous) goons, landfills, etc.; type of Local dune area (type and lo feature mentioned where cation of individual dunes not identifiable) indicated) Steep-walled valleys, often srs-raias Abandoned river channel, bedrock-controlled features spillway, or ice marginal (continuous, discontinuous) channels , . Talus (defined, inferred, base 1 of talus triangle indicates Escarpment downslope side of escarp \ Jfefe^' ment) Line joining the same terrain l^ftt vs^ units ii^t^fjHr NOTES (SEE BACK FOR EXPLANATORY NOTES) NOTE!: This map is intended to be an inventory of regional engineering terrain conditions. Its purpose is to provide a guide for engineering and resource planning functions The boundaries of the terrain units shown on the map are approximate only, consistent with a 1:100,000 scale. Site specific investigations are required in order to obtain detailed information for a particular area. The map user should refer to the accompanying report for a fuller description of terrain in the study area, methods used and a technical discussion of the legend format. NOTE 2: Colour is used to enhance what is considered to be the dominant engineering condition in simple, complex or layered terrain units, NOTE 3: Not all letter and graphic symbols shown in the legend necessarily appear on this map sheet Information from this publication may be quoted if appropriate c i edit is given. Reference to this map is recommBnrlRd as follows: Gartner. J. F. to Warren and Highway 17 1 978 Northern Ontario Engineering Geology Terrain Study, Data Base Map, Capreol. Ontario Geological Survey, Map 5001, Scale 1:100 000 Published 1978 BEDROCKTERRAIN:

—RNftWG.pOT/R) —— — Rock knobs are often bare, or covered with a metre or less of bouldery sandy till thickening on the flanks to 3m to 5m. Relief is usually in range of l 5m to 60m. The letter H is used to designate relief >60m. Terrain is rugged, with Sleep and complex slopes. Many confined organic bogs (pOT) are trapped between outcrops. Rock knobs are RN(pOT) well drained and dry (D); organic deposits are wet (W). Mu-M — Hock knobs with little or no drift cover over the bedrock. Bare outcrops are dominant. Swarnpsare common between These rock highs.

MORAINES: MG — Ground moraines a re generally composed of silty sandy till (t) hut may be extremely bouldery (tb) The till overlies rock knobs (7 RN) or rock plains (/' RP) at less than 5m depth and rock knobs (RN) arc common within the landform. Relief is usually less than 1 5m and the terrain is undulating, and usually dry, although there are some poorly drained a rea s (W). MH.ME — Hummocky moraines and end moraines form part of the complex ice margin deposits, These landforms are concentrated in Scadding, Street, Davis and Janes Townships. Ths units include outwash (GO) and rock knobs (RN), with many individual kame hills. Relief up to 30m and knobby terrain is common. Materials range from tills to sands and gravels with a high incidence of cobbles and boulders. GLACIOFLUVIAL: GO — Outwash deposits are luund in the Sturgeon and Wanapitei River valleys and the materials are mainly glaciofluvial sands with minor gravel (s). Outwash also occurs in large flat plains associated with the ice margin fronts, where there are associated organic deposits (pOT) and wet conditions (W). Outwash is also common over rock (sGO/ R P) and over giound moraine (sGO/tMG). GD — Dstta deposits have been identified south of Wanapitei Lake trending down to Falcon bridge and Sudbury. These flat deposits f lank an esker complex, and the material is predominantly sand (s) with some gravelly sand (sg). The deposits are sometimes kettled (k). Another small delta exists at Callum, and this deposit is mainly sandy, but does have some gravel strata. A sandy delta plain exists south of Capreol. GE — Eskers. The main esker of the map sheet extends from Wanapitei Lake to Falconbridge. It is gravelly (g) m texture and exhibits classic kettle holes. GK — Kames are located in association with outwash (GO) and hummocky moraines (MH) in only a few areas on the map sheet, Some of the knobs (n) in the MH landforms are in fact individual kame hills. GLACIOLACUSTRINE: LP — Lacustrine deposits within the map sheet are mainly very fine sandy silts (ms) and are generally not too deep, with the exception of the Sudbury area. Varved clays are common at depth.

ORGANICTERRAIN: OT — Organic terrain is quite common. The surface material is usually peat (p) and the deposits are level plains |Lp) and wet (W). In some cases the organics cover sandy outwash (pOT/ sGO) ALLUVIAL: AP —Alluvial plain. The Sturgeon River exhibits a classic meander flood plain developed in sandy outwash deposits confined between bedrock valley walls. The surface is often dry, but the ground water table is close to the surface (Dh). This map was prepared m March, 1 978 by: J. F. Gartner, P.Eng, GARTNER LEE ASSOCIATES LIMITED Consulting Engineering Geologists and Hydro-geologists, Toronto, Canada. Published 1978

Base map derived from 1 inch to 2 miles Provincial Series, Surveys and Mapping Branch, Ministry of Natural Resources.