The purpose of this document is to describe the prairie geologic and hydrogeologic setting and to introduce the reader to the physical systems typically found in the agricultural regions of the Canadian Prairies; to describe the information required to characterize specific sites for manure storage; to describe a process which should be followed to collect the required information; to define geologically secure conditions for storing liquid manure; and establish geologic thresholds at which enhanced design is necessary for storing liquid manure. This document focuses on the storage of liquid manure. Although many principles of this document may relate to solid manure storage, or even manure application and use, the primary application of this information is for the storage of liquid manure or contaminated runoff. This document concentrates on aspects of environmental protection, rather than on structural engineering criteria. The primary audience for this document is consulting or design engineers, along with livestock developers. The document will also assist other parties and agencies, such as municipal governments and local stakeholders, to understand how manure storage design decisions are made. Although this document describes a process for characterizing sites, and establishes thresholds requiring enhanced design, this document should not be taken as exhaustive or comprehensive. Developers, operators, design engineers and regulatory agencies share a responsibility to see that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the environmental suitability of sites for specific intensive livestock operations.