ba6dee03-9598-54ec-e054-002128a47908 English dataset British Geological Survey +44 115 936 3100 Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth NOTTINGHAM NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG12 5GG United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk pointOfContact 2026-04-03 UK GEMINI 2.3 http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13607706 OSGB 1936 / British National Grid (EPSG::27700) BGS Permeability Index version 8 2021-01-07 creation http://data.bgs.ac.uk/id/dataHolding/13607706 The BGS Permeability Index dataset shows estimated rates of water movement from the ground surface to the water table. The v8 dataset incorporates the latest geology mapping (BGS Geology 50k). This includes updates to the lithology-coding schema, the LEX_RCS. A 2-part code used to identify the named rock unit from the BGS lexicon of named rock units (LEX) followed by a Rock Classification Scheme (RCS) code which describes the rocks lithological characteristics e.g. texture and composition. Updates to these codes and latest dissolution hazard data sourced from BGS GeoSure: Soluble Rocks have been reviewed and classified as part of the version 8 release. The dataset covers Great Britain and is presented at a scale of 1:50 000, based on the geological data at the same scale. However, in areas where the geology is not mapped to this scale, the next best available scale is used. The BGS Permeability Index can be used to compare the relative permeability of deposits at the regional scale, indicating where highly permeable rocks could allow rapid infiltration to occur, or where less permeable rocks are present and water could pond on the ground surface. The dataset can be used as a component in a wide range of geo-environmental assessments such as natural flood management, Sustainable Drainage Systems, engineering desk studies, slope stability, and aquifer vulnerability. It is for use at the regional scale and is not recommended for use at the site-specific scale. Enquiries British Geological Survey 0115 936 3143 0115 936 3276 Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth NOTTINGHAM NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG12 5GG United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk distributor Enquiries British Geological Survey 0115 936 3143 0115 936 3276 Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth NOTTINGHAM NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG12 5GG United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk originator Enquiries British Geological Survey 01491 838800 01491 692345 Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford WALLINGFORD OXON OX10 8BB United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk distributor Enquiries British Geological Survey 01491 838800 01491 692345 Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford WALLINGFORD OXON OX10 8BB United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk originator Enquiries British Geological Survey United Kingdom not available distributor Enquiries British Geological Survey United Kingdom not available pointOfContact unknown https://resources.bgs.ac.uk/images/geonetworkThumbs/ba6dee03-9598-54ec-e054-002128a47908.png Geology GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 publication Ground water movement Hydrogeology Permeability BGS Thesaurus of Geosciences 2022 revision UK Location (INSPIRE) Citable Data dataCentre NERC_DDC otherRestrictions license Either : (i) the dataset has not been formally approved by BGS for access and use by external clients under license; and / or (ii) the dataset contains 3rd party data or information obtained by BGS under terms and conditions that must be consulted before the dataset can be provided to, or accessed by, BGS staff or external clients. Refer to the BGS staff member responsible for the creation of the dataset if further advice is required. He / she should be familiar with the composition of the dataset, particularly with regard to 3rd party IPR contained in it, and any resultant access restrictions. This staff member should revert to the IPR Section (IPR@bgs.ac.uk) for advice, should the position not be clear. otherRestrictions The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused. The dataset is made available to external clients under BGS Digital Data Licence terms and conditions. Revert to the IPR Section (iprdigital@bgs.ac.uk) if further advice is required with regard to permitted usage. vector English geoscientificInformation ISO 3166_2 2009 revision GBN British Geological Survey Gazetteer: Geographical hierarchy from Geosaurus 1979 creation GREAT BRITAIN [id=139600] -8.3400 2.6900 49.8400 60.8600 1879 2021 ESRI Shapefile 1994 Enquiries British Geological Survey 0115 936 3143 0115 936 3276 Environmental Science Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth NOTTINGHAM NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NG12 5GG United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk distributor Enquiries British Geological Survey 01491 838800 01491 692345 Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford WALLINGFORD OXON OX10 8BB United Kingdom enquiries@bgs.ac.uk distributor Enquiries British Geological Survey United Kingdom not available distributor https://www.bgs.ac.uk/datasets/permeability/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link BGS Datasets - Permeability Resource page for dataset with contact and licensing details. offlineAccess https://doi.org/10.5285/7f9c6bb5-1e7a-4405-ae59-d893a80df2b3 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--related Citation Information - Digital Object Identifier (DOI) British Geological Survey (2021): BGS Permeability Index version 8. British Geological Survey. (Dataset). https://doi.org/10.5285/7f9c6bb5-1e7a-4405-ae59-d893a80df2b3 information dataset dataset INSPIRE Implementing rules laying down technical arrangements for the interoperability and harmonisation of Geology 2011 publication See the referenced specification false Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 publication See http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:323:0011:0102:EN:PDF false The BGS Permeability Index dataset V8 is derived from the 4 geological themes of BGS Geology 50k: mass-movement, artificial, superficial deposits and bedrock. Each polygon in the BGS Geology 50k is attributed with a 2-part code; LEX-RCS code (rock unit-lithology combination). The LEX-RCS code is assigned (attributed) with 3 further codes to indicate the Predominant Flow Mechanism, and the Maximum and Minimum Permeability. The dataset was produced by dissolving the individual themes of BGS Geology 50k based on LEX-RCS and joining to a Microsoft Access lookup table of all the LEX-RCS combinations with their assigned permeability codes. The first code 'Predominant Flow Mechanism' indicates how fluid will migrate from the ground surface through the unsaturated zone of each rock unit and lithology combination and has three classes: Intergranular, Fracture or Mixed (intergranular and fracture). The second and third codes (Maximum and Minimum Permeability) indicate the range of flow rates likely to be encountered in the unsaturated zone for each rock unit and lithology combination to which five classes have been assigned for the Maximum and Minimum Permeability codes: very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The Maximum and Minimum Permeability values represent a likely permeability range for the specified rock unit and lithology combination at, and immediately below, its outcrop or subcrop (rather than at any significant depth). The Maximum Permeability represents the fastest potential vertical rate of migration through the unsaturated zone likely to be encountered in the specified rock unit-lithology combination. The Minimum Permeability represents the minimum, and in some cases more normal, bulk rate of vertical movement likely to be encountered. Where a widely variable combination of lithologies occurs within a rock unit this Minimum Permeability value reflects the probable movement rate likely to be encountered in the least permeable horizons. These 3 codes were ascribed solely on the known hydrogeological characteristics of the various lithologies, considering their age, dissolution potential, degree of cementation/induration and fracturing. In unconsolidated deposits, intergranular flow is the predominant flow mechanism. In most consolidated sedimentary rocks, and igneous and metamorphic rocks, fracture flow will occur and hence a wide range of permeability values can occur for any one lithology. The potential for dissolution and degree of cementation, lithological variation and induration are also factors that affect measured values.