Winnipegosis reefs in the Meadow Lake area are considered to be a continuation of the northwesterly trending belt of Middle Devonian reefs that extend from Manitoba into Saskatchewan. Within the study area, four reef masses have been outlined where the total Winnipegosis carbonate development exceeds 200 feet. Dolomitization in the Winnipegosis has been less intensive in the Meadow Lake area than in many parts of Saskatchewan and original rock textures are often preserved.

The Winnipegosis Formation has been divided, in the Meadow Lake area, into two lithologic units. The lower, termed the Lower Winnipegosis, is an organic fragmental limestone characterized by the occurrence of abundant bituminous material, crinoidal debris, Tentaculites, and numerous amber-colored spore cases. The thickness distribution and lithologic nature of this unit suggest that shoals were developed in the early Winnipegosis seas providing local platforms for later reef growth. The upper unit of the Winnipegosis Formation, termed the Upper Winnipegosis, consists of reef and off-reef deposits. The reefs are composed predominantly of a pale yellowish grey calcarenite with angular to subangular limestone fragments well cemented by finely crystalline, clear calcite. Associated with the calcarenites are minor precipitated limestones and skeletal material consisting of calcipheres, ostracods, Foraminifera, and algae. The off-reef facies consists largely of two rock types; a back-reef yellowish grey, unfossiliferous, dense, finely crystalline limestone and a forereef saccharoidal dolomite with minor bituminous shale partings.

End_of_Record - Last_Page 197-------