Water-Supply and Irrigation Paper No. 182 Series 0, Underground Waters, 62 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

CHAKLES D. WALCOTT, DIKECTOK

FLOWING WELLS AND MUNICIPAL 

WATER SUPPLIES

IN THE

SOUTHERN PORTION

OF THE

SOUTHERN PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN

BY

FRANK LEVERETT AND OTHERS

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT FEINTING OFFICE

1906
CONTENTS,

Page.

Introduction, by Frank Leverett............................................. 1

Scope of report........................................................ 1

Geographic features.................................................... 4

Water-bearing formations............................-....--..------.--. 7

Structure of drift....................................................... 8

Character of drainage................................................... 9

Rainfall............................................................... 10

Ground-water table..................................................... 11

Wells and appliances................................................... 12

Quality of water....................................................... 14

Subterranean water temperature......................................... 14

Legislation............................................................ 21

Flowing wells.......................................................... 22

Municipal and institutional water supplies................................. 23

Monroe County, by Frank Leverett........................................... 25

Topography........................................................... 25

Flowing wells.......................................................... 25

General statement.................................................. 25

Eastern artesian belt................................................. 26

Middle artesian belt................................................ 27

Milan-Cone district................................................. 27

Well data by townships.................................................. 29

Lower Huron River region, by Myron L. Fuller................................ 33

Introduction........................................................... 33

General statement...................................................... 33

Geology................................................................ 34

Surface materials................................................... 34

Rocks............................................................ 35

Water supplies......................................................... 35

Willow-Exeter region............................................... 36

Carleton region.................................................... 38

Swan Creek region................................................. 38

Huron River region................................................ 40

Rockwood region................................................... 41

Detroit River region................................................ 43

Grosse Isle........................................................ 43

Decline of water supply................................................. 44

Present conditions.................................................. 44

Causes of decline................................................... 45

Conclusions......................................................... 47

¥.' ayne County, by William Hittell Sherzer.................................... 48

General statement...................................................... 48

Rainfall............................................................... 49

Surface waters......................................................... 50

Reservoirs.......................................................... 50

Lakes............................................................. 51

Streams........................................................... 52

Detroit River.................................................. 52

Smaller streams................................................ 58
IV CONTENTS.

Wayne County, by William HitteU Sherzer Continued. Page.

Ground waters......................................................... 60

Lacustrine and river deposits........................................ 60

Formation of deposits.......................................... 60

Water supply.................................................. 61

Glacial deposits.................................................... 64

Formation of deposits.......................................... 64

Water supply........................................._........ 65

Bed rock.......................................................... 73

Geologic formations............................................ 73

Water supply.................................................. 73

Lenawee County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 78

General statement...................................................... 78

Waterworks............................................................ 79

Adrian............................................................ 79

State Industrial Home for Girls...................................... 80

Hudson........................................................... 80

Tecumseh......................................................... 80

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 80

Flowing wells.......................................................... 82

York district....................................................... 82

Holloway district.................................................. 87

Ogden Township................................................... 89

Sand Creek........................................................ 91

Morenci........................................................... 91

Medina............................................................ 94

Rollin Township................................................... 94

Hudson Township.................................................. 95

Tipton district..................................................... 95

Wolf Creek district................................................. 97

Hillsdale County, by Frank Leverett. ........................................ 98

Topography........................................................... 98

Waterworks..........................................................: 99

Hillsdale........................................................... 99

Jonesville......................................................... 99

Reading.......................................................... 99

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 100

Flowing wells.......................................................... 100

Ransom Township................................................. 100

Jerome........................................................... 101

Moscow Township.................................................. 102

Wheatland Township............................................... 102

Alien Township.................................................... 102

Camden........................................................... 103

Cambria Township.................................................. 103

Branch County, by Frank Leverett........................................... 104

General statement...................................................... 104

Waterworks........................................................... 104

Coldwater......................................................... 104

Quincy........................................................... 104

Union City........................................................ 104

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 105

St. Joseph County, by Frank Leverett........................................ 105

General statement...................................................... 105

Flowing wells.......................................................... 105

Klingers Lake,.................................................... 105
CONTENTS. V

St. Joseph County, by Frank Leverett Continued. Page.

Waterworks. ........................................................... 106

Three Rivers. ...................................................... 106

Sturgis._...._......................-........-...-...-..--.-...--..- 107

Centerville..........-..................-....-..-.----..-.-.-.--...- 107

Constantine....................................................... 107

Cass County, by Frank Leverett............................................. 108

Topography.____._...___....._...-..__..--.....-.......--..--..------- 108

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 108

Flowing wells.......................................................... 108

Glenwood district-................................................. 108

Long Lake........................................................ 109

West of Dowagiac.................................................. 109

Fish Lake.....--...---.-------.---.--..---.--.-.-----.--.-----.-.- 109

Waterworks........................................................... 109

Dowagiac......................................................... 109

Cassopolis................-...--..--.----.------.-..--..-.-.------- 110

Marcellus......................................................... 110

Berrien County, by Frank Leverett............................................ 110

Topography........................................................... 110

Waterworks........................................................... Ill

Miles............................................................. Ill

Buchanan......................................................... 112

Three Oaks........................................................ 112

Benton Harbor.................................................... 112

St. Joseph......................................................... 112

Eau Claire........................................................ 113

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 113

Flowing wells ......................................................... 113

Galien district..................................................... 113

Weesaw Township.................................................. 114

New Buffalo district................................................ 114

Pipestone district.................................................. 114

Bainbridge district................................................. 117

Pawpaw Lake..................................................... 118

Van Buren County, by Frank Leverett........................................ 119

Topography........................................................... 119

Waterworks........................................................... 120

Bangor........................................................... 120

Decatur........................................................... 120

Hartford.......................................................... 120

Lawrence......................................................... 120

Pawpaw.......................................................... 120

South Haven...................................................... 120

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 121

Flowing wells.......................................................... 121

Hartford Township................................................. 121

Pawpaw Township................................................. 122

Antwerp Township ................................................ 123

Waverly Township................................................. 123

Arlington Township................................................ 124

Bangor Township............................................ .. 125

Geneva Township.................................................. 125

Columbia Township................................................ 125

Bloomingdale...................................................... 126

Pine Grove Township............................................... 126
VI

Page.

Kalamazoo County, by Frank Leverett.................... .................. 127

Topography........................................................... 127

Waterworks........................................................... 127

Kalamazoo........................................................ 127

Vicksburg......................................................... 129

Fulton and Oshtemp................................................ 129

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 130

Flowing wells.......................................................... 130

Calhoun County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 131

Topography........................................................... 131

Waterworks........................................................... 131

Albion............................................................ 131

Battle Creek........._..._........._......._..__.__.._.___._...._.. 131

Marshall......................................._................... 132

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 132

Flowing wells.......................................................... 132

Jackson County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 133

Topography........................................................... 133

Waterworks........................................................... 134

Jackson........................................................... 134

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 135

Flowing wells......................................................... 135

Jackson........................................................... 135

Norvell-Brooklyn-Clarks Lake district................................ 136

Washtenaw County, by Frank Leverett....................................... 138

General statement...................................................... 138

Ann Arbor............................................................ 140

General supplies................................................... 140

Flowing wells...................................................... 141

Waterworks at Ann Arbor........................................... 142

Waterworks-.......................................................... 145

Ypsilanti.......................................................... 145

Chelsea........................................................... 146

Village supplies........................................................ 146

Dexter............................................................ 146

Saline............................................................ 146

Milan............................................................. 146

Flowing wells.......................................................... 146

Pittsfield Junction district........................................... 146

Sharon Township.................................................. 149

Manchester district................................................. 150

Allegan County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 152

Topography........................................................... 152

Waterworks........................................................... 152

Allegan........................................................... 152

Otsego and Plainwell............................................... 153

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 153

Flowing wells.......................................................... 153

Watson-Otsego district.............................................. 153

Western part of county............................................. 155

Graatschap area, by Isaiah Bowman.................................. 155

Wayland area, by Isaiah Bowman.................................... 155

Barry County, by Frank Leverett............................................ 160

Topography.... ................................... u ^..^..,........... 160
CONTENTS. VII

Barry County, by £ rans .Ueverett Continued. Page.

Waterworks, by Isaiah Bowman......................................... 161

Hastings.......................................................... 161

Nashville.......................................................... 162

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 163

Flowing wells, by Isaiah Bowman........................................ 163

Eaton and Ingham counties, by Isaiah Bowman............................... 164

General statement, by Frank Leverett.................................... 164

Waterworks........................................................... 165

Eaton Rapids...................................................... 165

Charlotte.......................................................... 166

Mason............................................................ 168

Flowing wells.......................................................... 168

Charlotte district-.................................................. 168

Bismarck-Roxana district........................................... 169

Leslie district...................................................... 169

Lansing and vicinity, by A. C. Lane.......................................... 170

Geology............................................................... 170

Physical characteristics.................................................. 171

Character of the drift............................................... 171

Depth to rock..................................................... 171

Quality of water................................................... 172

Waterworks........................................................... 173

Flowing wells.......................................................... 174

Flows from drift................................................... 174

Flows from rock................................................... 174

Miscellaneous flows................................................. 175

Oakland County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 176

General statement..................................................... 176

Waterworks........................................................... 177

Pontiac........................................................... 177

State asylum for the insane.......................................... 177

Milford........................................................... 178

Oxford, by Charles A. Davis......................................... 178

Holly, by Charles A. Davis.......................................... 180

Birmingham, by Jon A. Udden...................................... 182

Rochester, by Jon A. Udden......................................... 182

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 183

Flowing wells .......................................................... 184

Ortonville district, by Charles A. Davis............................... 184

Groveland Township, by Charles A. Davis............................. 187

Big Meadows area, by Charles A. Davis............................... 188

Troy district, by Frank Leverett and Jon A. Udden..................... 188

Avon Township, by Jon A. Udden.................................... 195

Macomb County, by Frank Leverett-......................................... 196

General statement....-..............................-..-..--.--..-.--- 196

Waterworks........................................................... 197

Mount Clemens.................................................... 197

New Baltimore.................................................... 198

Richmond and Lenox.............................................. 198

Armada.......................................................... 199

Romeo........................................................... 199

Miscellaneous village supplies........................... ....... ............. 200
VIII CONTENTS.

Macomb County, by f rank Leverett Continued. Page.

Flowing wells......................................................... 201

Bruce Township................................................... 201

Washington-Ray district............................................ 202

Utica area........................................................ 202

Lake St. Clair shore................................................ 203

St. Clair County, by Frank Leverett.......................................... 205

General statement..................................................... 205

Waterworks........................................................... 205

Capac............................................................ 206

Yale............................................................. 206

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 208

Flowing wells.......................................................... 209

East Greenwood district............................................ 209

Clyde Township................................................... 210

Smiths Creek...................................................... 211

Columbus Township................................................ 212

Lapeer County, by Frank Leverett........................................... 213

General statement..................................................... 213

Waterworks........................................................... 214

Imlay City, by Charles A. Davis..................................... 214

Lapeer, by Charles A. Davis......................................... 216

Michigan Home for Feeble-Minded................................... 216

Almont........................................................... 217

Colunibiaville..................................................... 217

Miscellaneous village supplies............................................ 217

Flowing wells......................................................... 218

Attica Township................................................... 218

Lum............................................................. 218

Burnside district................................................... 218

North Branch district.............................................. 220

Clifford........................................................... 221

Silverwood district................................................. 221

Colunibiaville districts.............................................. 224

Northern Clinton County, by Isaiah Bowman.................................. 225

General statement..................................................... 225

Flowing wells......................................................... 225

Eureka district.........'...........................:............... 225

Maple Rapids district............................................... 228

St. Johns district................................................... 228

Shepardsville district............................................... 230

Elsie and vicinity, by Charles A. Davis. ............................... 230

Waterworks........................................................... 233

Ovid............................................................. 233

St. Johns......................................................... 233

Fowler........................................................... 234

Eagle............................................................ 235

Ionia County, by Isaiah Bowman............................................. 235

General statement..................................................... 235

Flowing wells and springs............................................... 235

Belding........................................................... 235

Clarksville district................................................. 237

Hubbardston district............................................... 239

Ionia district...................................................... 240

Shiloh area....................................................... 244
CONTENTS. IX

Ionia County, by Isaiah Bowman Continued. Page.

Waterworks................................... . . ., ... ............. 244

Lake Odessa...................................................... 244

Muir and Lyons................................................... 245

Portland......................................................... 245

Montcalm County, by Isaiah Bowman....................................... 246

General statement..................................................... 246

Flowing wells......................................................... 246

Cedar Lake....................................................... 246

Crystal Lake district............................................... 247

White Fish Lake.................................................. 248

Waterworks.......................................................... 249

Carson City....................................................... 249

Edmore.......................................................... 249

Greenville........................................................ 250

Howard City..................................................... 251

Stanton.......................................................... 252

Ottawa County, by Isaiah Bowman.......................................... 254

General statement..................................................... 254

Flowing wells......................................................... 254

Conklin district.................................................... 254

Coopersville areas................................................. 255

Drenthe area...................................................... 257

Bear Creek area................................................... 258

Harrisburg area................................................... 259

Waterworks.......................................................... 260

 Grand Haven..................................................... 260

Coopersville...................................................... 263

Holland.......................................................... 263

Zeeland.......................................................... 265

Miscellaneous analyses of well waters, by Isaiah Bowman........................ 266

Kent County, by John F. Nellist............................................ 267

Drainage and water power.............................................. 267

Waterworks.......................................................... 268

Grand Rapids..................................................... 268

Michigan Soldiers' Home........................................... 270

Rockford......................................................... 270

Sparta........................................................... 270

Lowell........................................................... 270

Flowing wells......................................................... 270

Cannon........................................................... 271

Ada Township..................................................... 271

Sparta........................................................... 271

Paris Township.................................................... 271

Belmont.......................................................... 272

Grand River Valley district......................................... 272

Lowell, by Isaiah Bowman. .......................................... 274

Sand Lake, by Isaiah Bowman...................................... 275

Nonflowing wells...................................................... 277

Salt wells............................................................. 277

Springs............................................................... 277

Index.................................................................... 279
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page. 

PLATE I. Artesian water map of Michigan.................................... 5

II. Geologic map of Michigan.......................................... 8

III. A, Large spring at United States fish hatchery, Northville, Wayne

County, Midi.; B, View of the Grosse Isle flowing well.............. 44

IV. A, Type of drilling apparatus used at Ypsilanti and vicinity; B, Bonsteel 

flowing well in 1902, showing old wooden casing and size of stream 

thirty-two years after completion................................. 140

V. Map of Troy flowing-well district, Oakland County, showing topographic

features in that and bordering districts............................. 188

FIG. 1. Sketch map showing area covered by report.......................... 2

2. General average of flowing-well temperatures in the Southern Peninsula of

Michigan....................................................... 17

3. Diagram showing fluctuations in air and well temperatures at Ann Arbor,

Mich.......................................................... 20

4. Map of York and Milan-Cone flowing-well districts.................... 28

5. Plat of York village, showing distribution of flowing wells.............. 82

6. Map of Holloway flowing-well district, Lenawee County. .............*.. 87

7. Flowing wells in Ogden Township, Lenawee County................... 90

8. Plat of Morenci, Mich., showing flowing wells......................... 92

9. Map of southern part of Rollin Township, Lenawee County, showing distribution of flowing wells......................................... 94

10. Flowing wells near Tipton, Lenawee County.......................... 95

11. Flowing wells near Ransom, Hillsdale County......................... 101

12. Flowing wells (from rock) near Cambria, Hillsdale County.............. 103

13. Map of Pipestone flowing-well district, Berrien County................. 115

14. Flowing wells in Bainbridge and Watervliet townships, Berrien County.. 118

15. Map of Waverly flowing-well district, Van Buren County............... 123

16. Arlington township flowing wells, Van Buren County.................. 124

17. Map of part of Bloomingdale, Van Buren County...................... 126

18. Flowing wells in Sharon Township, Washtenaw County................ 149

19. Location of flowing wells in Watson and Otsego townships, Allegan

County, in relation to topography and drainage..................... 154

20. Map of Wayland flowing-well district, Allegan County.................. 156

21. Plat of Eaton Rapids, showing distribution of flowing wells............. 165

22. Conditions at Oxford, Oakland County............................... 179

23. Conditions at Oxford, Oakland County............................... 180

24. Diagram across valley at Ortonville, Oakland County.................. 184

25. Plat of Ortonville, Oakland County, showing location of flowing wells. . . 185

26. Cross section of Troy flowing-well district, Oakland County............. 180

27. Map of Rochester, Oakland County, and vicinity, showing distribution of

flowing wells and their topographic relations........................ 195

28. Map showing relation of flowing wells in Washington and Ray townships,

Macomb County, to lake beaches and moraine.................... ... 201
ILLUSTRATIONS. XI

Page.

FIG. 29. Map showing relations of flowing wells in Clyde Township, St. Clair County. 210

30. Flowing wells in Columbus Township, St. Clair County................. 212

31. Flowing wells near North Branch, Lapeer County..................... 220

32. Distribution of flowing wells in and near Silverwood, in Lapeer and Tuscola

counties........................................................ 222

33. Map showing Eureka flowing-well area in relation to drainage and moraine. 226

34. Flowing wells near St. Johns, Clinton County......................... 229

35. Illustration of flow obtained by trenching............................ 229

36. Map of Belding flowing-well area.................................... 236

37. Location of Clarksville flows........................................ 238

38. Area in and near Ionia in which flows are found....................... 241

39. Relation of Cedar Lake flows to topography and drainage.............. 247

40. Possible extent of Conklin field over sections where flowing wells occur.... 254

41. Coopersville flowing wells.......................................... 255

42. Map of Bear Creek and Drenthe flowing-well districts.................. 258

43. Location of flowing wells at Harrisburg, Ottawa County, and area of probable flows...................................................... 259

44. Plat of Grandville, Kent County, showing distribution of flowing wells.... 273

FLOWING WELLS AND MUNICIPAL WATER SUPPLIES 

IN THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE SOUTHERN

PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN,

By FRANK LEVERETT AND OTHERS.

INTRODUCTION. 

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

SCOPE OF REPORT.

A large amount of data on water supplies was collected by the 

writer in the course of glacial investigations made under the direction 

of Prof. T. C. Chamberlin in the last five years in the Southern 

Peninsula of Michigan. These investigations resulted in a partial 

acquaintance with conditions in about 200 separate flowing-well 

districts and brought out matters of such exceptional importance 

that arrangements were made to extend them by examining each 

of the flowing-well districts in the State sufficiently to determine 

its essential characteristics, present state of development, and 

probable capacity for future development. It was arranged also 

that the quality of various classes of waters, both surface and underground, as well as water supplies of the cities and villages, should 

be given attention. As the mineral waters of the State had 

already been discussed in some detail by the State geologist, Dr. A. C. 

Lane, in Water-Supply Paper No. 31 of the United States Geological 

Survey, it was deemed unnecessary to prepare another report on 

that subject, but arrangements were made with Doctor Lane for 

embodying in this report the large amount of material which had 

accumulated at his office relative to other classes of water supply, 

and also for furnishing reports on certain counties in which special 

investigations had been carried on by the State survey. The results 

of all these studies, so far as they apply to the southern counties 

(see fig. 1), are embodied in the present report; the remainder will 

appear in a companion report on the middle and northern counties 

of the Southern Peninsula of Michigan.
Z WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

In completing the necessary field work for this report several persons were employed for a short time and were assigned to separate 

districts, as follows: Jon Andreas Udden, of Rock Island, 111., was 

employed from July to December, 1904, in an investigation of the 

southern counties, chiefly those south of Kalamazoo River, and 

parts of Macomb and Oakland counties, in the eastern part of the

FIG. 1. Sketch map showing area covered by report.

State. Mr. Isaiah Bowman, of Yale University, was engaged for 

six weeks in August and September, chiefly in the region tributary 

to Grand River. Prof. C. A. Davis, of the University of Michigan, 

was employed during July, August, and September in the investigation of the southern and eastern portions of the basin of Saginaw
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 182 PL. I

WELL DISTRICTS

NOT NAMED ON MAP

1. MULLET LAKE

2. CLARION

3. WALLOON LAKE

4. MELROBE

5. BOYNE FALLS

6. SPRINGWATER

7. NORWOOD (TWO)

8. INTERMEDIATE LAKE

9. CARP LAKE

10. BEULAH

1 1. HERRING LAKE

12. LINCOLN

13. WHITTEMORE

14. EDWARDS LAKE

15. CHAPMAN LAKE

16. HOUOHTON LAKE

1 7. DOLPH (TWO)

18. MOBAIN (TWO)

19. TANNER

20. AMBER

21. BABS LAKE

22. CLARE

23. GLAOWIN

24. PORT AUSTIN (TWO)

25. RESCUE

26. EAST BAY SHORE

27. UNIONVILLE 

(SEVERAL POOLS)

28. WEST BAY SHORE

29. MOUNT FOREST

30 KAWKAWLIN

31. LARKIN

32. MIDLAND (TWO)

33. INQERSOLL

34. STEARNS

35. BETHANY

36. SALT CREEK

37. ALAMANDO

38. WINN

39. SHERIDAN

40. FREMONT (FOUR)

41. ENSLEY

42. GREENWOOD

43. LATTIN

44. TIGRIS

45. ELBRIDGE

45. WEAR'E

48. SHELBY (TWO)

49. FRUITLAND

50. CASNOVIA

51. LAKE HARBOR

52. WHITEFISH LAKE

B3. CRYSTAL (FOUR)

54. ARCADA

55. ALMA (SEVERAL)

55. PINE RIVER (THREE)

57. FREMONT (TOWNSHIP)

5S. SWAN CREEK

59. BRANT

60. BRADY

61. LUCE

62. CHESANING (TWO)

B3. WISNER (FOUR)

64. GILFORD

65. KINGSTON

66. JUNIATA

67. PORT SANILAC (TWO)

68. VALLEY CENTER

69. EAST GREENWOOD

70. ATKINS

71. COLUMBUS (TWO)

72. ST. CLAIR SHORE (TEN)

73. ATTICA

74. RICHFIELD (THREE)

75. MUNDY

76. BYRON

77. SHEPARDSVILLE

78. BEAR CREEK

79. ROXANA (THREE)

80. COHOCTAH (TWO)

81. PINCKNEY

52. ATLAS

53. GROVELAND

84. BRUCE

85. RAY

. 86. ERIE SHORE

B7. PITTSFIELO

88. YORK

89. CHELSEA (TWO)

90. SHARON

91. PINE CREEK

92. GENEVA

93. ARLINGTON

94. WAVERLY (TWO)

95. ANTWERP

96. BAINBRIDGE

97. MOSCOW

98. WHEATLAND

99. CAMOEN

100. BLISSFIELD

101. WAYNE-MONROE 

	FAILING AREAS

Flowm^^welldi etricte 

ra. tber- -^e&rtolistofnamas

in. thf siafiK order as U 

-used fbr t7ie counties )

raE'-v-x.^f*

.fwAr^rn--^. Areas wiflvmsny "wells 

ft-OTa limestone 

Chiefly nonf lowing

Unshaded areas have nonflowing 

wells chiefly fix>m the drift deposits

Towns ha\Tiv^ waterworks 

Towns Tvithout waterworks

^fBellBire' j £ *-Otswi-- " -\-\ JTJff* jj^/' kM ft r-,:i -^

tA .FOiM&ii,

. i A. . JB-TSJ*-" umuiJ*i»^\S* £/ TI ^ ^- \ff> -NvVvvVvv^^ ^/^ip^w 5K1- H^St^f^ssiil "~_ \1 ^\* U__ZJ+ ^^.W^yVa/X \ «^\ ) . ' 4TT"1"''

^-wns^f^r^ - U'^-^v^ ^ x "\ ;..-*fcMy 6W'1?iU ^^ V''°t^r -4 -^r*ssi

U-^^?;^ *V i Hsp^a JHXacivrlle -^ J ^^^gi l^jJ&?&& SflM*^^ fe4lumWvUI ?fcjrn i- /""" 

\3 ^/ -., + JTCo^lST^ AQcWortU"> *shiU)h ' l^'^fSeka^ ff-4p»ie.|J ".rjl mualW,, r^T '^ ^2\^r £^ '

I^?5!SIlLi^L ^y^eldlnf'^p^ -^owc^^^^^^^^^nj^^

;U 1 I

te I'NoMtiSt/eet -

1 V ' V, | . - T^t V

K -^Pi)Hr)ami ..._^^|u^ , - ^ .

^- JU ^kJl af?SsW

_"^_ .!V-£aL'sn_ JH. _._^f.

N 1J [A

Contours by FranU Leverett fromvarioussources.,-nciuding AL\P SHOWINCr DISTRIBUTION OF FL.OAVIN G'^V'EIJ , DISTO1CTSAND WATERWORKS

U.S.Geolog,cal Survey atlassheets SOTriniEHN OF MICHIGAN

COUNTIES

1. EMMET

2. CHEBOYGAN

3. PRESQUE ISLE

4. ALPENA

6. MONTMORENCY

6. OT8EGO

7. CHARLEVOIX

8. ANTRIM

9. LEELANAU

10. BENZIE

11. GRAND TRAVERSE

12. KALKASKA

13. CRAWFORD

14. OSCODA

16. ALCONA

16. IOSCO

17. OGEMAW

18. ROSrOMMON

19. MTSSAUKEE

20. WEXFORD

21. MANISTEE

22. MASON

23. LAKE

24. OSCEOLA

26. CLARE

26. GLADWIN

27. ARENAC

28. HURON

29. BAY

30. MIDLAND

31. ISABELLA

32. MECOSTA

33. NEWAYGO

34. OCEANA

35. MUSKEGON

36. MONTCALM

37. GRATIOT

38. SAGINAW

39. TUSCOLA

40. SANILAC

41. ST. CLAIR

42. LAPEER

43. GENESEE

44. SHIAWASSEE

45. CLINTON

46. IONIA

47. KENT

48. OTTAWA

49. ALLEGAN

60. BARRY

51. EATON

52. INGHAM

53. LIVINGSTON

54. OAKLAND

55. MACOMB

56. WAYNE

57. WASHTENAW

58. JACKSON

59. CALHOUN

60. KALAMAZOO

61. VAN BUREN

62. BERRIKN

63. CASS

64. ST. JOSEPH

65. BRANCH

66. HILLSDALE

67. LENA WEE

68. MONROE

Scale

30 60 miles

7 8P kilometers

Contour irrlervaUOOfeet 

DaJtnm is mawssea-TcveL

19O5
SCOPE OF EEPOET. 3

River. Mr. W. M. Gregory, of the department of physiography in 

the Cleveland, Ohio, high school, was employed during July, August, 

and part of September in the investigation of the northwestern 

portion of the Sagiiiaw River basin, and also of flowing-well districts 

in the northern part of the peninsula, in Cheboygan, Emmett, Grand 

Traverse, Benzie, and Manistee counties, to which he had previously 

given some attention in connection with stream measurements 

under Mr. Robert E. Horton. Mr. M. L. Fuller, of the Geological 

Survey, under whose direction the work was carried on, visited 

several of the men in the field and spent August and part of September in an investigation of the deficiency of water supplies along 

the Huron River Valley near Detroit and in a detailed study of the 

flowing wells in four western counties, Oceaiia, Newaygo, Mecosta, 

and Osceola. Muskegon County was investigated by Mr. C. D. 

McLouth, of the department of physics of the Muskegon high school; 

Kent County, by Mr. J. F. Nellist, a civil engineer of Grand Rapids; 

Bay County, by Mr. W. F. Cooper, of the State geological survey, 

and Wayne County by Prof. W. H. Sherzer, of the State Normal 

College at Ypsilanti, who also furnished the data for the report on 

Monroe County. Doctor Lane, the State geologist, investigated and 

reported on conditions in the vicinity of Lansing and also prepared 

a brief report on Huron County condensed from his more elaborate 

State report. The present writer's investigations during the last 

season were chiefly in Sanilac, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties, on the 

eastern border of the State, and in Charlevoix, Antrim, and Benzie 

counties, in the northwestern part. Mr. S. J. Lewis, of the United 

States Geological Survey, was detailed for a special investigation of 

the quality of waters and spent about a month in the State, in 

January and February, 1905, during which time he made about 90 

analyses. Dr. V. C. Yaughan, dean of the medical school of the 

University of Michigan, kindly placed at the disposal of the Survey 

a large number of analyses made for sanitary purposes but including 

determinations of hardness, chlorides, and sulphates. Field analyses 

were also made by Messrs. Fuller, Gregory, and Bowman, which will 

be found in connection with their reports, herewith presented. 

Reports were submitted by all those engaged in this investigation 

with the exception of Mr. Uddeii, who merely turned in his tabulated, 

data and notebooks. Much work, however, was necessary in order 

to bring the several reports to a more nearly uniform standard and 

the present writer has amplified portions, inserted additional data 

at many points, and supplied most of the geologic and other general 

descriptions. The several reports, however, naturally differ somewhat in mode of treatment according to the personal standards of 

the individual writer.
4 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES.

The Southern Peninsula of 'Michigan is bordered on its entire western coast by Lake Michigan, on the north by the Straits of Mackinac, 

and on the east, from north to south, by Lake Huron, St. Clair 

River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie, successively. 

Its only land border is on the south, and this is divided between 

the States of Ohio and Indiana. The range in latitude is a little 

more than 4°, from about 41° 45' to about 45° 50' north. The area 

is 40,761 square miles, or about 71 per cent of the entire State (57,430 

square miles). Lansing, the State capital, is situated south of the 

center of this peninsula.

The population of the Southern Peninsula, as given in the census 

of 1900, is 2,169,620, or about 90 per cent of the population of the 

entire State (2,420,982). This population is very largely in the 

southern half; if a line be drawn midway between the northern and 

southern ends, only two cities, Manistee and Alpena, with populations 

exceeding 10,000 will be found to the north, while there are 14 such 

to the south. Fifteen counties of the northern half of the peninsula, 

with an aggregate area of 8,160 square miles, had in 1900 a combined 

population of only 93,704, or less than one-third the population of the 

city of Detroit (285,704). In consequence of this unequal distribution of population, there is an unequal development and utilization 

of water resources. In the northern counties there are entire townships which have no records of wells or tests of underground water 

supplies, while in the southern counties the underground water 

supplies have been tested sufficiently'to afford a fair basis for this 

report.

The map (PI. II) presents the principal reliefs of the peninsula. It 

will be observed that a plain 20 to 40 miles wide runs along the 

southeastern edge of the State, rising from less than 600 to about 

800 feet above sea level. This plain was covered by ice from the 

Huron and Erie basins, and later by large Glacial lakes. West of 

this is a prominent belt of rolling country about 25 miles wide, 

interspersed with numerous small lakes and representing a strong 

development of morainic topography. Its altitude ranges from about 

800 to 1,300 feet, with a general elevation of nearly 1,000 feet. This 

constitutes a catchment area from which the waters are distributed 

to the east and the west, both in surface streams and in underground 

courses. The head furnished the underground waters in this catchment area gives rise to numerous flowing wells which are found on 

the plains to the southeast and to the northwest.

A broad plain extends from Saginaw Bay southwestward well 

toward the southern edge of the State. Through this plain an ice 

obe, known as the Saginaw lobe, is found to have flowed, its extreme 

limits on the southeast being marked by the belt of morainic country
CARBONIFEROUS

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GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. 5

just mentioned, on the northwest by an equally prominent morainic 

belt, and 011 the southwest by moraines of less prominence lying in 

the southern end of the State. During the retreat of this ice lobe 

there were halts at several lines which are marked by small morainic 

ridges. These small ridges serve as catchment areas for flowingwell districts on the inner or iceward border of the inrraines.

West of the district covered by the Saginaw ice lobe is another 

rolling belt of country running from the southwestern part of the 

State northward nearly to Grand Traverse Bay. Like the belt in 

the southeastern part of the State, this contains numerous small 

lakes. Its altitude ranges from about 800 to 1,700 feet, the highest 

point being a few miles south of Cadillac, in northern Osceola County, 

near latitude 44° 15' and longitude 85° 20'. This is by far the highest 

point in the Southern Peninsula, there being few others which exceed 

1,500 feet. This belt was formed between the Saginaw ice lobe and 

a still larger ice lobe occupying the Lake Michigan basin. It is a 

catchment area for flowing-well districts on each side and there are 

also depressions in it found to be favorable points for the development 

of flowing wells. This belt is crossed by the principal rivers of southern Michigan (the Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph), while Muskegon River has its source in it in the north-central part of the 

State, and leaves it only a few miles before entering Lake Michigan.

Along the eastern border of Lake Michigan, from the southern end 

of the State northward to Oceana County, or to about the middle of 

the western border of the southern peninsula, the country is genrally low for a few miles back from the lake, with the exception of a 

strip of dunes formed adjacent to the present beach. But from 

Oceana Count}' northward to the Strait of Mackinac there come out 

to the lake shore at frequent intervals headlands which are the 

termini of prominent ridges that form or connect with moraines a 

few miles back. The low tracts between these headlands are favorable places for the development of flowing wells.

The interior of the northern half of the Southern Peninsula is an 

elevated tract in which extensive sand plains have been developed 

in connection with the moraines. On these plains and on some 

of the moraines connected with them there formerly stood extensive 

tracts of pine forest, now largely cut away. Since the lumbering days 

the plains have been developed somewhat for agriculture, but are 

3till in large part very sparsely settled.

On the northeastern border of the peninsula, from near Alpena to 

:he Straits of Mackinac, rock ledges become conspicuous as a topographic feature, but elsewhere in the State they are subordinate to the 

glacial features outlined above. The rock ledges have low escarpments facing the northeast, along the base of which are occasional 

small lake basins. The drift in this region is thin, and wells are 

consequently largely in rock.

IRR 182 06 2
fi WELLS A1STD WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

On the projecting point between Little Traverse and Grand 

Traverse bays, in the northwestern part of the peninsula, is a drumlin 

area to which attention is directed in the discussion of Antrim and 

Charlevoix counties in Water-Supply Paper No. 183.

The features of the State thus briefly outlined receive fuller treatment in connection with the discussions of each county.

On the retreat of the ice from the basins bordering and including 

the Great Lakes large bodies of water were held between the ice and 

the rims of these basins. One, in the Lake Michigan basin, was known 

as Lake Chicago and discharged southwest from the site of that city 

to Illinois River. Another, in the Sagiiiaw basin, was known as 

Lake Saginaw and discharged westward through Grand River intp 

Lake Chicago. A third, covering the western end of Lake Erie and 

the southern part of Lake Huron, stood at several successive levels 

in accordance with the lowest available outlet, the highest being 

known as Lake Maumee, with its outlet past Fort Wayne to the 

Wabash and later past the present site of Imlay, Midi., westward 

into Grand River and Lake Chicago. Below this is the largest shore 

line of the series, known as the Belmore beach, which borders Lake 

Whittlesey, whose outlet was westward from the present site of 

Ubly, Mich., into Lake Saginaw. A little lower than the Belmore 

beach is the Arkona, which antedates the Belmore and was submerged at the time the Belmore was forming. The lake which formed 

the Arkona beach was probably confluent with Lake Saginaw and 

discharged westward through Grand River to Lake Chicago. Two 

lower beaches, known as the Upper Forest and the Lower Forest, 

mark the border of Lake Warren, which covered the Saginaw and 

southern part of the Huron basin as well as Lake Erie, and discharged 

westward, for a time at least, through Grand River to Lake Chicago. 

Below the Forest beaches are two others, known as the Grasmere and 

Elkton, which appear to be the shores of a lake that discharged 

eastward past Syracuse, N. Y., to Mohawk and Hudson rivers. At 

still lower levels are beaches which are conspicuous on the borders 

of the Lake Huron and Lake Michigan basins, especially in the 

vicinity of the Straits of Mackinac. One is known as the Algonquin 

beach. Lake Algonquin, which formed it, discharged along the present 

line of drainage through Lake Erie to the Ontario basin into a Glacial 

lake known as Lake Iroquois, whose outlet was through the Mohawk 

and Hudson. A lower beach, known as the Nipissing beach, borders 

a post-Glacial lake, Lake Nipissing, and was formed as the lake was 

changing from a discharge eastward from Georgian Bay through 

Mattawa and Ottawa rivers into the St. Lawrence to the present 

line of discharge through St. Clair River.

The sand and gravel in these beach ridges and on the lake beds 

frequently serve as sources of supply in shallow wells, water being 

found at the base of the sand or gravel.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES* IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

WATER -BE AiriNG FORMATIONS.

The greater part of the Southern Peninsula is covered so deeply 

with drift that wells do not reach rock. The shaded portions of the 

map (PI. I) show the parts of the State where rock is within easy 

reach of the drill and is drawn upon to some extent for drinking 

water. In the northern end of the peninsula water is found chiefly 

in limestone if not in the drift. There is also a limestone district in 

the southeastern part that serves extensively as a source for drinking 

water; in some cases in southeastern Lenawee County the wells are 

driven through shale to reach the limestone. The extensive district 

running from Hillsdale and Calhoim counties northeastward to 

Saginaw Bay obtains water chiefly from sandstones of the coal 

measures and from the Marshall sandstone if water is not found in 

the drift. There are, however, small limestone districts in this region, 

the full extent of which has not been worked out. Sandstone is also 

drawn upon occasionally in western Wayne, southern Washtenaw, 

and northern Lenawee counties in the deep flowing wells. The 

Sylvania sandstone of Monroe County is also an important water 

bearer, yielding a good quality of water. There are small areas 

around Grand Rapids in Kent and eastern OttawT a counties and 

around Wayland in northeastern Allegan County wrhere wells are 

driven to the Marshall sandstone.

Water is found in the glacial formations at various horizons, 

wherever gravel or sand chances to be present. The clay plains 

bordering St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and Detroit River are 

deficient in gravel and sand, and are perhaps the poorest water 

bearers in the peninsula. As a rule water in large quantities is easily 

obtained in the drift. Even in the regions where wells are driven 

to rock, as indicated by the shaded portions of PI. I, there are numerous wells obtaining water from the glacial deposits. The water 

from rock is usually softer in sandstone areas than that from the 

overlying drift, and for that reason is preferred and is the cause for 

going to the rock in many instances.

The sand along the present shore and also along abandoned shores 

of the Great Lakes is often of sufficient depth to furnish w^ater, though 

not that of the best quality in many cases. It so happens that these 

sand deposits occur on parts of the lake plain where the glacial 

formations are deficient in wT ater-bearing beds and thus become of 

great importance locally. In general, however, the water from the 

underlying glacial formations is preferred and is used wherever it 

can be easily obtained.

The newest formations drawn upon for water are the beds of bog 

lime bordering the little lakes. Pipes are driven down into the marl, 

sometimes with a sledge hammer, far enough to get the water. In 

some cases, in the northern part of the State, flowing wells have been
8 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

obtained by penetrating the marl a few feet. Conspicuous instances 

are found on the borders of Pine Lake at East Jordan, South Arm, 

and Boyne, and on the borders of Intermediate Lake near Bellaire.

STRUCTURE OF DRIFT.

The structure of the drift is intimately related to the drainage 

conditions that attended the melting of the ice. It is more variable 

in Michigan, both on the surface and below, than in a large part of 

of the neighboring States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. In those 

States the till, or commingled drift, greatly predominates over the 

sand and gravel, or assorted drift, and contains a large percentage 

of fine clayey material. In Michigan sand and gravel form a large 

part of the drift, and much of the till is loose textured. The great 

amount of loose-textured drift seems attributable to the voluminous 

discharge of water resulting from the convergence of ice lobes. It is 

best developed on the high portions of the State, which were built up 

between the ice lobes. The most clayey portion of the drift is found 

in plains bordering the lake basins. On these plains more difficulty 

is found in obtaining adequate supplies of water than in the higher 

tracts bordering them. Portions of the plains have a thin coating 

of sand deposited in the beds of the Glacial lakes that covered them 

after the withdrawal of the ice, and in these localities many wells 

draw their supply from the surface sand.

Flowing wells are usually found under a bed of clayey drift, and 

for this reason, as well as because of topographic conditions, the 

largest artesian districts are found on the old lake plains. (See PI. I.)

The clayey drift differs greatly in degree of induration at different 

horizons, and the sand and gravel also become cemented at certain 

horizons. The induration in the clay or till seems to be largely a 

result of secondary changes produced slowly and is in some cases an 

index of age. The surface till sheet, which is of the Wisconsin stage, 

is generally a soft adhesive clay even where very fine textured, and 

well diggers and drillers find very little difficulty in penetrating it. 

Below this the drift is found to be extensively indurated, so that 

excavation is difficult and the till approaches a shale in its resistance. 

The precise nature of the induration has not been ascertained. It is 

thought that much of this indurated clayey drift was deposited in a 

Glacial stage earlier than the one which formed the upper part of the 

drift, probably the Illinoian stage. In some places a soil appears 

between the two sheets of till, showing that an interval separates 

them. The buried soils are much more abundant in northern 

Indiana than in southern Michigan, but they have been noted in 

well borings as far north as Bay and Oceana counties.

Another kind of induration of the drift is very common in flowingwell districts. Just above the water bed which yields the flow is
CHARACTER OF DRAINAGE. 9

found a cemented crust, having a thickness usually of only a few 

inches. This crust is apparently due to contact with the water, but 

the precise chemical or physical changes that have produced it have 

not been given much attention. In some cases it has the appearance 

of bog iron ore, and in others it is chiefly carbonate of lime; probably 

the quality of the water determines the nature of the crust. A crust 

has also been frequently noted in sand and gravel deposits just 

above the water table, where it is somewhat constant at a definite 

horizon.

It is a common experience to find sand so close textured that it 

will not furnish water fast enough to supply the wells. Such sand 

is encountered in the plains perhaps more frequently than in the 

rolling or morainic belts. It is the custom in such places to continue 

the drilling to a looser textured bed, though in some localities no 

such bed is found. If a looser textured bed is reached, the water 

often rises in the pipe to a higher level than in the overlying sand, 

the sand apparently serving as a cover to prevent the upward escape 

of water from the porous bed. In a few places flowing wells have 

been obtained in which nothing but sand was penetrated from the 

surface down to the coarser bed that yielded the flow. Instances are 

cited in the discussion of certain flowing-well districts (pp. 143-144).

CHARACTER OF I>RAIXAGJE.

The character of the drainage depends on the structure of the drift 

as well as on the topography. Where the soil is very loose textured, 

as on gravel plains and on many of the larger moraines, very little 

surface run-off occurs, so that even the steep hillsides show little 

or no gullying. Basins are numerous on the gravel plains and to 

some extent among the moraines. When of sufficient depth to 

extend below the water table they contain water, but a large proportion of them are so shallow as to have dry bottoms. The drainage 

lines are therefore best developed in the clayey portions of the State, 

where the rainfall can not be quickly absorbed by the soil.

The regimen of the streams varies also in accordance with the 

structure of the drift. Where the drift is loose textured the streams 

are supplied by seepage from the underground drainage and are not 

subject to freshets, nor to very low stages, but in the clayey tracts, 

where the surface drainage is the principal factor, there is a marked 

difference between the high- and low-water stages of the streams. 

Often, however, the sources of streams are in districts having a loosetextured drift, while the lower courses run through clayey districts; 

in such cases the streams have a correspondingly regular flow. Data 

concerning the flow of the principal streams of the peninsula may be 

found in the reports on stream measurements which appear in the 

water-supply series of the United States Geological Survey. The
10 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

regularity of flow, as well as the considerable fall of the principal 

streams of the peninsula, renders them valuable for water power to an 

exceptional degree, considering the small size of their drainage basins. 

The subject of water power, however, is not taken up in the present

report.

RAINFALL.

From the reports of the Weather Bureau it appears that the rainfall 

is greatest in the southern tier of counties and decreases northward to 

a little beyond the middle of the peninsula, when a change occurs 

toward heavier precipitation. This is set forth in the following table, 

which gives the average precipitation by tiers of counties from south 

to north, each tier having a uniform width of 24 miles:

Average annual precipitation in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan,

Inches.

First or southern tier (Monroe to Berrieu CountyI.............................. 34. 59

Second tier (Wayne to Van Buren County)..___...._...._.._-.__.__._,..__.... 31. 99

Third tier (Macomb to Allegan County)....................................... 30. 81

Fourth tier (St. Clair to Ottawa County)...................................... 31. 19

Fifth tier (Sanilac to Muskegon County)...................................... 30. 66

Sixth tier (Bay to Oceana County)........................................... 27. 21

Seventh tier (Arenac to Mason County)....................................... 25. 44

Eighth tier (losco to Manistee County)..._............_...._......_.......... 26. 62

Ninth tier (Alcona to Benzie County)......................................... 33. 04

Tenth tier (Alpena to Leelanaw County)....................................... 32. 53

Eleventh tier (Presque Isle to Charlevoix County).............................. 28. 07

Twelfth tier (northern Cheboygan and Emmet counties)........................ 31. 41

Average for the peninsula.........................,...._....__......._ 30. 30

The distribution of precipitation by months and the percentages 

by seasons in the southern, central, and northern sections of the Peninsula are given in the following tables, which are based on the 

monthly rainfall data of the Weather Bureau:

Average monthly rainfall in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan. 

[Inches.]

Southern Central Northern 

' third. third. , third.

July.....................................................................

0

9

o

o

3

9

0

2

0

9

33

31

34

(«

M

76

8?

47

1.

9

0

f)

9

9

9

1.

4.47

2.08

3.41

3.10

2.28

1.60
GROUND-WATER TABLE.

Distribution of precipitation in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan, by sfa.fo7J.s-.

[Per cent.]

11

Season.

Winter (December-Febri

Autumn (September-No

Southern 

third.

21.23 

26.00 

28. 70

100. 00

Central 

third.

18.73 

26. 43

28.28

100.00

Northern 

third.

18.40 

22.15 

30. 63 

28.82

100.00

Entire 

peninsula.

19.45 

24.86 

29.20 

26.48

99.99

It appears from the above tables that the rainfall is most deficient 

in the winter months at a time when the frozen ground would prevent 

its absorption, but is well distributed throughout the growing season 

all over the peninsula. It should be noted that the greater evaporation in the southern part of the peninsula causes it to be a drier region 

than the northern part, notwithstanding the fact that it has a little 

more rain. Determinations made at Signal-Service stations, and discussed by T. Kussell in the Monthly Weather Review for September, 

188S, show that the evaporation near the southern border of the State 

is 37 to 38 inches a year, while in the latitude of Port Huron and 

Grand Haven it is about 29 inches, and at Alpena 24.3 inches. Only 

a small part of the evaporation occurs in the winter months, or during 

the time of deficient precipitation, so the deficiency is not noticeable. 

Indeed, as a rule snow remains continuously over much of the peninsula from December to March.

OROUXD-WATER TABLE.

The ground-water table as ordinarily understood marks a level to 

which the saturation of the earth's crust rises. In a region of heavy 

rainfall it is commonl}^ very near the surface, but in arid regions it 

may lie at a considerable depth and is sometimes beyond the general 

direct percolation of the rainfall, there being a moist layer at the surface supplied by the rainfall, under which the material is dry down to 

the ground-water table. Ordinarily the ground-water table in the 

Southern Peninsula of Michigan lies only a few feet below the surface, 

within easy reach of the roots of trees and other plants. A few 

places, however, have been revealed by well borings in which comparatively dry material is present between the moist surface beds and the 

ground-water table. The most conspicuous instance is found in 

Emmett County north of Little Traverse Bay, where the wells on an 

elevated table-land, underlain by gravel and sand, reach depths of 

350 to 400 feet before striking the water table; instances of this are 

cited in Water-Supply Paper No. 183. The rainfall in that region 

appears to moisten chiefly the surface portion, but is yet adequate to 

the needs of the forests, orchards, and crops. On many of the elevated gravel plains the water table is 40 to 60 feet, and occasionally
12 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

100 feet, below the surface, and wells must be driven to those depths 

to obtain water, and yet vegetation ordinarily thrives on these plains. 

Similar conditions are found in a number of the prominent moraines, 

in which a sheet of bowldery till at the surface is underlain by sand and 

gravel of considerable depth. The till at the surface is kept moist by 

the rainfall, so that the crops obtain the necessary water. In all these 

localities there are probably places where conditions are such that the 

rainfall percolates directly down to the water table, but there does 

not appear to be a general percolation to this depth.

Where the ground-water table lies only a few feet below the surface, 

and the percolation of the rainfall to it is general, marked fluctuations 

are found in its level corresponding with the amount of rainfall. The 

underground drainage into the streams is maintained in times of 

drought as well as in wet seasons, and the water table drops down or 

flattens out beneath the hills to depths sufficient to seriously affect not 

only the crops but the supplies for wells. As a result the so-called surface wells (which are merely basins sunk into the upper part of the 

ground-water table) are being rapidly abandoned, and driven wells 

reaching to deeper supplies substituted. This condition is also conducive to health, for many of these shallow or surface wells are receptacles for all sorts of filth.

There is a slight variation in the ground-water table due to barometric changes, the level of water in the open wells being highest in 

times of low barometer or just before a storm. It is barometric fluctuation of his sort which produces the blowing wells reported at various 

points in the State. According to the testimony of well owners, 

barometric conditions also affect flowing wells, an increase in the rate 

of flow resulting from a decrease in atmospheric pressure.

An instance of remarkably high water table is found in the dunes 

along the shore of Lake Michigan, where a fine or uniform texture sand 

in sharp ridges, with a height of 150 to 200 feet above the lake, is 

found to be wet to within a very few feet of the surface Because of 

this condition some of the dunes are covered with hardwood forests.

WELLS AKI) APPLIANCES.

One of the most common types of well is the large open or dug well, 

walled or curbed, which furnishes a basin in which the water collects 

or stands. This kind of well is in very common use on the farms, and 

is also in use as a collecting reservoir in the villages for the waterworks 

supply. In districts where the drift is of a clayey texture and the 

yield of water is small these larger wells serve a valuable purpose as 

collecting basins, and in many cases can not be dispensed with even 

though known to be more or less subject to surface contamination.
WELLS ATSTD APPLIANCES. 13

A type in use locally, especially in clayey districts, is known as the 

bored well, the excavation being made by means of a large auger. 

These wells are usually lined with tile. They can be sunk without 

difficulty to depths of 50 to 100 feet. Some of the oldest flowing wells 

in southeastern Michigan are of this type.

A type which is coming into very general use throughout the State 

is known as the tubular well. It is made with the ordinary churn 

drill, the material being brought up by means of a sand pump. The 

size of these wells ranges from 2 inches or less up to about 8 inches. 

They are in very common use in the villages for obtaining public 

water supplies, as well as throughout the country districts. Ordinarily they are driven some distance into the water bed, making up 

in vertical direction for the small diameter or the well, no casing being 

used after entering the water bed. Where flowing wells are obtained, 

however, it is customary to stop the drilling about as soon as the 

water bed is reached. The drills used in making wells of this type 

are usually handled by steam or horsepower, but in some instances 

only hand power is used, the drill being lifted by a windlass a fe\v feet 

and dropped into the hole.

In some cases no drill is used, but the pipe is driven to the water 

bed, the material being removed by a sand pump if the well is deep 

or if it has a large-sized pipe. Shallow wells with small pipe are 

often driven through to the water bed without sand pumping. It is 

common to attach a sharp perforated cone or "point" to admit the 

water, which aids in reducing the resistance to driving the pipe. In 

some cases these wells are made by simply using a maul to drive the

pipeIn the discussion by Mr. Davis attention is directed to strainers

or screens which are employed in the tubular wells and to the clogging 

which they experience."

Windmills are in very common use throughout the State as a 

means for lifting the water to the surface. In some of the deeper 

wells on elevated tracts the windmill has become a necessity, for the 

water in some instances has to be lifted about 200 feet one case 

was found in which the lift was 400 feet. In this well a 12-foot 

wheel was in use.

Many flowing wells are allowed to discharge the water without 

restriction, but there is a growing sentiment in favor of using reducers 

or faucets to prevent waste. b In some cases pumps have been 

attached in order to prevent the slop attending the flow, or, where 

the wells are weak, to increase the supply.

a Flowing wells and municipal water supplies of the middle and northern portions of the Southern 

Peninsula of Michigan: Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No.183, U. S. Geol. Survey, 1906. 

6 For State laws on this point see pp. 21-22.
14 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

QUALITY OF WATER.

The chemical character of the water, both surface and underground, has been considered at some length by Doctor Lane, in WaterSupply Paper No. 31, where numerous analyses are presented. The 

present report contains many additional analyses, some of them 

made by chemists in the laboratory and some by men in the field. 

Although the latter are designed to show the general characteristics 

of the waters, without pretense to the accuracy of a laboratory 

analysis, the results are usually correct within a few parts per million.

In general, the waters from all horizons, both surface and underground, in the Southern Peninsula are hard, compared with waters 

found in regions in which readily soluble rocks, like limestone and 

gypsum are not present. There are very few waters in which the 

carbonate of lime is less than 150 parts per million.

Salt is present in varying amounts, from a mere trace up to several 

thousand parts in a million. An analysis of one water from the 

drift made by Mr. Lewis shows 2,829 parts per million of chlorine, 

the well being supplied presumably from water contributed to the 

drift from the underlying sandstone. Ordinarily the drift waters 

show less than 25 parts per million.

Sulphated and sulphureted waters are found at various points in 

the State, both in the drift and in the underlying rock, but ordinarily 

the drift waters have very small amounts of sulphureted hydrogen 

gas, and sulphates seem to be principally in the portions of the State 

where gypsum forms a conspicuous ingredient in the drift, as in the 

region bordering Saginaw Bay and reached by the Saginaw glacial 

lobe, and in the region near the gypsum outcrops around Grand 

Rapids.

Iron is commonly supposed to be present in large amount in the 

flowing wells and in wells of similar character whose waters are confined below impervious beds. In some cases its presence is proved 

by the staining of objects over which the water passes, but in many 

instances what seems an abundant iron oxide precipitate is in the 

main a vegetable growth of algse. The few available analyses indicate that the amount of iron is small compared with other mineral 

constituents.

SUBTERRANEAN WATER TEMPERATURE.

Considerable attention has been given to the temperature of the 

water in flowing wells in order to obtain information concerning the 

heat gradients due to depth and to latitude. It was found, however, 

that the temperatures obtained are of very little value in showing 

the increase of heat with depth, for as a rule wells in a given district 

having variations of 100 or even 200 feet in depth, if in Glacial
SUBTERRANEAN WATER TEMPERATURE. 15

deposits, are very similar in temperature. The circulation of subterranean waters appears therefore to be such that little of value 

can be determined concerning the heat gradient within 200 feet of 

the surface.

The change in temperature corresponding to the latitude, however, is very marked, there being a difference of about 5.5° in about 

4° of latitude between the southern and northern ends of the peninsula. The air temperature shows a similar range, but averages 

about 4° lower than the water temperature. The true temperature 

of the water at the bottom of a well can be obtained only in wells of 

rapid flow having but little exposure of pipe. Nor can the pipe he 

carried horizontally through the soil without affecting the temperature. It was not possible in the hasty examinations in the field to 

determine the causes of variation from the bottom temperature in 

any given well, since this would necessitate much inquiry into all 

the surrounding conditions. As a result man}' of the temperatures 

given in the numerous tables of data concerning flowing-well districts are liable to be misleading.

Interesting variations in temperature of the wells of a given latitude suggest several problems. For example, wells in swamps are 

generally a little cooler than wells of similar depth on the dry land, 

especially if the wells are comparatively shallow in both cases. Thus 

the wells in the celery swamp south of Ann Arbor have a temperature of a little less than 50° F., while those on the dry land in the 

vicinity are commonly 51°. The question arises whether the evaporation from a swamp, being greater than that from the dry land, 

may not prevent the heating of the soil beneath to the degree experienced in that region on ground where evaporation is less; also, 

whether the slow heat conductivity in a swamp may not cause waters 

beneath it to have exceptionally low temperature.

The flowing-well district in southeastern Oakland County known 

as the Troy district has salt water in its eastern portion and fresh 

water in its western portion from wells of similar depth, and the 

temperature of the salt water averages somewhat lower than that of 

the fresh water. The salt water probably conies up from the underlying rock, and one would naturally expect it to be warmer instead 

of colder than water supplied entirely from the drift.

The observations oil temperature were made in 1904, when the air 

temperature was considerably below the normal, the average temperature for the year being 2.7° below the normal throughout the 

peninsula. This raises the question whether flowing wells of moderate depth may not have suffered a slight lowering of temperature 

because of this deficiency in heat received by the surface. On the 

whole, flowing wells less than 30 feet in depth are found to present a 

slightly lower temperature than do wells exceeding that depth, but
16 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEIST MICHIGAN.

there are so many exceptions that some doubt is felt as to the lowering effect of the low air temperature of 1904 on even the shallowest 

of the flowing wells. Some of the very shallow flowing wells may, 

however, receive contributions of water from considerable depths, 

or from beyond the influence of the low air temperature. In the 

city of Ann Arbor there are springs having a uniform temperature 

of 51° throughout the year, which must come from depths sufficiently 

low to have been unaffected by the low temperature of 1904 or even 

by the winter severity of cold.

There are certain districts in which the temperature is different 

from what would be expected for that part of the. State, a conspicuous case being the wells in the vicinity of Grand Traverse Bay, in 

Antrim and Grand Traverse counties, the temperature of which is 

generally 48° to 50°, whereas about 47° is to be expected. The 

high temperature at Traverse City may be referable to the great 

depth of the wells, the general depth being over 300 feet, but this 

would not apply to the shallow wells at Williamsburg and around 

Intermediate Lake. There is, however, a possibility that these 

shallow wells are supplied b}r water rising from considerable depths.

The observations on temperatures were taken by several thermometers which have not as yet been standardized. They were, howrever, compared by tests made on the same wT ells at Ann Arbor and 

found to agree within a fraction of a degree. Errors from this source 

are not likely, therefore, to be appreciable.

In the table below the general averages of air and water temperatures are presented for each tier of counties, as in the rainfall table 

already given, the counties being of the uniform width of 24 miles. 

The excess of the water temperature above the air temperature is 

probably in large part due to the blanketing effect of snow, which 

prevents the earth from reaching the low temperature which the 

severity of winter might otherwise give it. The extent to which 

this and other factors, such as the topography, the character of the 

soil, etc., apply is a matter difficult of determination.

General averages of air and water temperature* in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan.

[Degrees F.]

First or southern tier (Monroe to ReTien County)....................

Second tier (Wayne to Van Buron County >............................

Third tier (Macomh to Allegan County I.'..............................

Fourth tier (St. Clair to Ottawa County I..............................

Fifth tier fSanilac to Muskegon County i...............................

Sixth, tier (Huron to Oceana County i..................................

Se_venth tier (Arenac to Mason County i...............................

Eighth tier (losco to Manistee County)................................

Ninth tier (Alcona to Benzie County)'.................................

Tenth tier (Alpena to Leelanaw County) ..............................

Eleventh tier (Presque Isle to Charlevoix a,nd Emmet counties).......

Air.

48.25

48.1

47

46.4

46.5

45.5

44.5

43.4

43.6

41.3

43

"Water.

52.25

51.3

50.3

50.1

49.4

48.9

48.1

47.7

47.8

47.2

46.8

Excess

of water 

temperature.

4

3.2

3.3

3.7

2.9

3.4

3.6

4.3

4.2

5.9

3.8
SUBTERRANEAN WATER TEMPERATURE. 17

The averages of water temperatures given in the above table are 

based on the temperatures of strong wells which appear to have been 

subject to little surface heating. They fall slightly below an average 

based on all the wells, weak and strong. The accompanying map 

(fig. 2) presents the results of a grouping of all the wells except those 

that are known to be subject to surface heating.

FIG. 2. General average of flowing-well temperatures in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan.

Monthly observations were made between May, 1904, and May, 

1905, at Ann Arbor, Midi., on the temperature of springs and wells of 

various classes, an attempt being made to include all classes within
18 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

easy reach of the city. Three springs were selected one on State 

street issuing from the base of a gravel deposit, another on the White 

estate, west of the city, issuing from the base of a till bluff, and a third 

which bubbles up from the bed of a ravine on the Rash property in 

the western part of the city. Five shallow dug wells and one deep 

dug well were taken because of the various conditions which they 

include, one being in a ravine, another on the brow of a bluff, another 

on a gravel terrace, and two others on an elevated moraine, one being 

covered and the other open. The deep dug well maintains a water 

level 40 feet below the surface, while the shallow wells have water 

within 5 to 22 feet of the surface. Two shallow tubular wells, in one 

of which the water stands near the surface and in the other at a depth 

of 18 feet, were selected, and two deep tubular wells which overflow. The tubular wells showed very little range in temperature, but 

the dug wells varied greatly. The bubbling spring showed a steady 

temperature, while the springs issuing from the hillside were influenced 

by the seasons. The lagging of the effect of summer heat and winter 

cold was a matter of principal interest in connection with the obserjvations on the dug wells, the effect of the former culminating in 

October and that of the latter about April. The accompanjdng 

diagram (fig. 3, p. 20) sets forth this feature, while the observations are presented in the following table:
Observations on wells and springs in and near Ann Arbor, Midi., Ma

Name and location.

piped several rods.

piped several rods.

Bash Spring. 

Scbaobcrle well; on gravel terrace

capped by clay.

gravel into till. 

Observatory well; on mominc, with

plank cover. 

Carrollwell; on moraine near observwindlass. 

Nicdcrbammcr well; on slope of ravine.

old Huron Rivercbannel.

daily observations at tbe observatory.

('lass.

.....do............

Dug..............

.....do............

....do............

.....do............

' do ,....(10............

.ilu. .......

Tubular (2 -inch i .

.....do............

Pump.

Iron ... - .

Tron . . .

Tron. ....... 

.....do......

.....do......

Depth 

in leet.

0

0

12

IS

80

15

36

28

11"

72

Iluud 

in loot.

0

0

r-j

1-17 

-40

f-n

t-14 

(-20

-IS

+ 3

May. June.

5]. 2

50. S

51

j-45.5

4M

R!

.51

51

47.5

47

j 40. 5 48. 5

4\ 3 40

}4P

J46. 5

46.5

4(1. 5

50 51

49. S 50. 5

51. 1 51

51 51

5S. 4 06. 7

July.

54.5

51.:;

51

40

4S

4P.o

49.8

48

4S

51

50.3

51

51

70. S

Aug

55.5

51.5

51

50

4S. 9

51. 0

50. 5 

51 

50 

51.15

51

51

51

07. 3

» Original bead +22 feet; loss of bead due in part to leakage 
20 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 21 

LEGISLATION.

There are two important legislative acts in reference to Michigan 

water supplies, copies of which are presented below:

[Act No. 43, Public Acts of 1897; 4484-4486, Compiled Laws, 1897.] 

AN ACT to provide for the analysis of water in use by the public in certain cases.

TTie people of the State of Michigan enact:

SECTION 1. That in any case where any city, village, or township in this State shall be 

supplied with water for domestic uses by any individual, company, or corporation, city or 

village, or where there is within such city, village, or township any water in swales, wells, 

rivers, or other places, which might be the cause of disease or epidemic, a sample of such 

water may he sent to the University of Michigan for analysis, by the mayor of such city or 

village, or by any alderman or trustee of such village, or by the supervisor of any such 

township, upon the resolution of the common council of such city, or board of trustees of 

such village, or the township board of such township, for that purpose duly passed.

SECTION 2. Upon receipt of such sample the regents of the University of Michigan shall 

cause a correct analysis of such sample of water to be made, and a correct statement of the 

properties contained therein, with a further statement whether or not such sample contains 

any substance deleterious to health, and return such analysis, together with the statement 

aforesaid to the person so sending the same, free of charge, except the actual cost of materials and animals used in making such analysis and experiment.

SECTION 3. It shall be the duty of the board of regents of the University of Michigan to 

cause a record to be kept of every sample of water received under and by virtue of this 

statute, and in no case shall a second analysis be required of the same water within one year 

except in the case of the breaking out of some disease among the consumers of such waters, 

and then only upon the certificate of at least two physicians engaged in active practice in 

that community that in their opinion such disease arises from the use of said water.

Approved March 26, 1S97.

[Act 107, session of 1905.]

A BILL to regulate the use of artesian and other wells; to prevent the waste of waters 

therefrom, and provide a remedy therefor.

The people of the State of Michigan enad:

SECTION 1. Any artesian-or flowing well, the water of which is unnecessarily allowed to 

run to waste in an unreasonable manner to the depletion or lowering of the head or reservoir 

thereof to the detriment or damage of other wells supplied from the same head or reservoir, 

shall be deemed a nuisance, and its owner and the owner of the land on which it is situated 

shall be subject to all the actions for abatement and damages in favor of the person or 

persons injured that are or may be provided by law for other nuisances or tortious acts.

SECTION 2. Where any well is supplied by a head, reservoir, stratum, or vein, or by 

percolating waters common to other streams or wells, and the owner thereof or his lessee or 

licensee puts its waters to a use unreasonable or unnecessary in view of the condition and 

situation of the land on which it is situated, and through such unreasonable or unnecessary 

use, lowers or depletes the head, pressure, or supply of water of any spring or well dependent 

on the same head, vein, or stratum, to the detriment or injury of the owner or any person 

entitled to the use thereof, the well so unreasonably and unnecessarily used shall be deemed 

to be a nuisance, and its owner and the owner of the land on which it is situated shall be 

subject to all the actions for abatement and damages in favor of the person or persons 

injured, that are or may be provided by law for other nuisances or tortious acts.

SECTION 3. Where any decree is rendered under this act declaring any well a nuisance

because of the waste or unreasonable use of its waters and directing the abatement thereof,

such decree shall specify in some practicable manner the daily amount or volume of water

that may be used or allowed to flow therefrom without violating such decree, and specify

IRR 182 06 3
22 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

such reasonable time as to the court shall seem just within which the provisions thereof 

shall be carried into effect: Provided, That any such decree may be reopened at any time 

after entry on the question of reasonable use on a proper showing of change of circumstances 

or other equitable reason therefor.

FLOWING WELIjS.

Although the number of flowing-well districts already exceeds 300, 

it is probable that many more can be developed in low places either 

among or along the borders of the moraines and in the valle}7s of 

streams. The fact that wells are usually placed near the dwellings 

and that the sites for the dwellings are naturally on well-drained and 

usually elevated points accounts for the small amount of testing that 

has been made on the lower land, where flows might be expected.

The flowing wells already in operation have been put to comparatively little use, and there seems to be a general lack of appreciation of 

the applications that can be made of these fountains. It is a common 

thing to find flowing wells running to waste in dooryards in rural districts in seasons of drought, when the gardens and lawns are suffering 

for lack of water. In many cases it would be necessary only to attach 

a hose to obtain means for properly irrigating the premises. The 

wasted water might also, in some instances, by the installation of a 

hydraulic ram, be forced to tanks in the attics of farmhouses, where 

it would have the pressure necessary for distribution through the 

buildings and would also afford a supply for fire protection. In some 

cases the wells have been used to fill ponds stocked with fish, and 

thus yield a valuable resource for farm and market a device which 

might be more generally adopted. The principal use to which flowing wells have been put, however, aside from furnishing water for 

domestic and farm use, is that of cooling milk in the dairy houses, the 

very uniform temperature of the water fitting it admirably for this 

purpose.

In some flowing-well districts a loss of head has been reported, and 

in many districts individual wells are either losing head or have fallen 

short of the customary full head at the time of their construction. 

Where the loss of head is general throughout a district it may be 

inferred that there is an overdevelopment by which the water is d;awn 

out faster than it can be supplied from the surrounding formations. 

The Ann Arbor waterworks furnishes a case in point, the water drawn 

from the small field in which the wells occur having been sufficient to 

stop those on the border of the field from flowing. Often a single 

strong well on ground lower than the neighboring wells will draw 

down the head sufficiently to stop the wells from flowing. In cases 

of this kind the law pertaining to the restriction of artesian wells 

should be enforced. There seems to be a growing appreciation of the 

need for checking the flow of the strong wells and reducing the waste 

which is sure in time to work to the detriment of the district. 

(See pp. 21-22.)
MUNICIPAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WATEK SUPPLIES. 23

Flowing wells often are deficient in head and rate of flow because 

of defects in the casing, which allow leakage into upper strata, where 

the water pressure is less than in the lower portion of the wT ell. The 

head is also deficient where water is allowed to rise around the casing. 

This is in some cases due to imperfect driving of the casing and might 

be guarded against. Any obstructions either in the bottom of the 

wrells or at the top tend to reduce the head. Instances are found 

where, through carelessness, wells which had been cut off near the 

surface of the ground wT ere so filled by sand washed in from above as 

to cease flowing.

The district in southeastern Michigan in which a large number of 

flowing wells have failed was investigated and is reported upon by 

Mr. Fuller, who attributes the loss of head chiefly to drought and 

surface drainage.

Wells in certain regions have lost head through subsurface drainage, 

several instances of which are found in the coal-mining region bordering Saginaw Bay. The extensive pumping necessary to remove 

water and permit mining operations to be carried on drawrs down the 

head for considerable distances around, and often deprives the border 

district of its flows.

The conditions under which flowing w^ells may be obtained are so 

various that the reader is referred for detailed information to the 

special reports presented below.

MUNICIPAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WATER SUPPLIES.

In the entire State there were at the beginning of the year 1906 

about 250 cities and villages and at least 15 State institutions provided with waterworks systems. About 50 of the villages, howrever, 

use water chiefly for fire protection, and in some cases they have no 

distribution systems. The population of the towns and institutions 

provided with waterworks aggregated about 1,150,000 in 1900, when 

the last Federal census wT as taken; but in most of the towns a large 

part of the people have not connected wT ith the public supplies and 

still continue the use of private wells. On the basis of the number of 

taps reported, it is estimated that in the cities with a population 

between 10,000 and 100,000 about two-thirds of the people are connected with the public supply, and in towns of less than 10,000 population one-half or less are thus connected, while in Detroit, the only 

city with more than 100,000 population, nearly all are connected. 

From this it appears that the probable actual users of public supplies 

are between 750,000 and 800,000, or, say, 775,000, or 32 per cent of the 

entire population of the State in 1900 (2,420,982). Of these nearly 

600,000, or about 24 per cent of the population, are supplied from 

surface water, and less than 200,000 from wells. Of those not connected with public supplies probably not more than 20,000 depend
24 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

upon springs and surface waters, while about 1,625,000, or two-thirds 

of the State's inhabitants, depend upon private wells.

There are 37 towns on the borders of the State with a population of 

about 510,000 which obtain public supplies from the Great Lakes and 

their connecting streams, St. Marys, St. Clair, and Detroit rivers. 

The metropolis, Detroit, with a population of about 300,000, is among 

the number. The water from this source is not so hard as from the 

majority of the wells, and is therefore especially suitable for boiler 

use. In an unfiltered state it is often found to be unwholesome and 

in some cases dangerous for drinking because of contamination in the 

vicinity of intake pipes. The worst epidemics of typhoid in the State 

have prevailed in towns taking their supply from this source. It is 

therefore incumbent on the cities and villages thus situated to put 

in filtration plants with up-to-date methods of purification. Indeed, 

all surface water, including that from springs, streams, and inland 

lakes, should be properly filtered before it is used for drinking or 

other domestic purposes.

Many of the inland towns have taken public supplies from the 

streams and inland lakes, the population of such towns aggregating 

about 300,000. In not a few cases, however, the domestic use of the 

public supply is largely restricted to closets, baths, and lawn sprinkling, while private wells are used for drinking, there being considerable prejudice against drinking the public supply, not alone for fear 

of its contamination, but because it is less palatable than the well 

water. This is especially true in hot weather, when the surface water 

becomes too \varm to readily quench thirst. The streams and lakes 

are seldom rendered objectionable for drinking because of a muddy 

condition due to freshets, for on account of the prevalent porosity 

of the soil the rainfall is absorbed and, except in clayey districts, is 

largely supplied to streams by underground seepage. Only the most 

violent rains cause much disturbance of the streams. Michigan is 

more highly favored in this respect than the neighboring States.

Of the cities drawing public supplies from wells only 5 had in 1900 

a population of more than 10,000, namely, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Manistee. The supply at Jackson is from deep 

wrells in sandstone and probably is not excelled by any city in the 

State. Lansiug also obtains its supply from sandstone. The three 

others obtain supplies from glacial deposits or from the overlying 

gravel. Many smaller cities, the majority of villages with public 

supplies, and several of the State institutions are entirely supplied 

from wells, there being 29 using wells in rock, and 104 using wells in 

the drift, while 15 others are supplied in part from wells and in part 

from surface water. The rock wells are chiefly from sandstone, those 

from limestone being almost wholly restricted to the Northern Peninsula and to the northern part of the Southern Peninsula. Many data 

concerning the public as well as private supplies from wells wT ill be 

found in the special reports herewith presented.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 25

WATER SUPPLIES OF MONROE COUNTY."

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Monroe County lies in the southeast corner of Michigan, being 

bounded on the east by Lake Erie and on the south by the State 01 Ohio. 

Its entire surface was covered by the waters of glacial lakes, and is a 

smooth plain except for low gravel ridges formed at the shores of the 

lakes and for low dunes of sand. The Belmore beach, forming the 

shore of the Glacial Lake Whittlesey, crosses its extreme northwest 

corner and forms the highest land in the county, 740 feet above tide. 

A sandy belt 2 to <S miles wide, marking the borders of Lake Warren, 

urns through its western half from north to south. Another sandy 

belt crosses its eastern half, passing through Carletoii and just west of 

the city of Monroe and joining the western belt in the southern part of 

the county. In addition to these belts of sand there are narrow strips 

along the streams, so that about half the area of the count}' is estimated to be coated with sand. The remainder has a stiff clay soil.

The principal stream of the county is Raisin River, which runs 

eastward through its central portion and discharges into Lake Erie 

near the city of Monroe. Two of its tributaries, Saline and Macon 

livers, pass through the northwestern part of the county and enter 

Raisin River just below Dundee. Huron River forms part of the 

northeastern boundary of the county, while Stony Creek and Swan 

Creek drain the portion between Huron and Raisin rivers. The 

southern half of the count}" has only insignificant streams directly 

tributary to Lake Erie.

FLOWING WELLS.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

In the sand-covered areas the wells are usually but 10 to 20 feet in 

depth, the supply being obtained at the base of the sand. In the 

clayey portions of the county wells are usually sunk either to the rock, 

where that lies near the surface, or to beds of gravel and sand, which 

occur in the glacial deposits at depths of 20 feet or less to about 150 

feet. Three belts of artesian water strike across the county in a 

northeast-southwest direction, the eastern being along the shore 

of Lake Erie, the central from 5 to 12 miles back from the shore, and 

the western in the northwest township. Flowing wells in the eastern 

and central belts usually penetrate the rock a short distance and are 

very generally charged with compounds of iron and sulphur, as well 

as with lime and magnesium. The hydrogen-sulphide gas which 

the water carries decomposes on exposure to the air and the sulphur is

a Condensed in part from report by W. II. Sherzer, in Geology of Michigan, vol. 7. pt. 1, 1900.
26 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

deposited as a white mealy precipitate. The iron, which is present 

in the water mostly as a carbonate, becomes oxidized on exposure and 

is deposited over objects covered by the water, forming a yellowishbrown coating. When both iron and sulphur are present in the water 

iron sulphide results, giving the water an inky color. There are a 

number of wells of this character. Wells of the western district 

obtain water from the drift in most cases, and are generally free from 

hydrogen-sulphide "gas. The water in some cases is sufricienth' soft 

to be used for laundry purposes without softening compounds and 

appears suitable for boiler use. a

Continued drought makes no perceptible impression on the wells 

along the shore of Lake Erie, nor are they apparently affected by the 

opening of new wells. The extent of the belt has shown very little 

contraction down to the present time (1905). This maintenance of 

head and strength seems somewhat remarkable in view of the fact 

that the central flowing-well belt, lying a few miles to the west, has 

suffered a marked diminution in both, especially within the j^ears 1903 

and 1904, as pointed out in the special report by M. L. Fuller on the 

failure of wT ells in lowrer Huron Valley (pp. 33-48). The failure in that 

district is referred by Fuller to the prolonged drought, which has 

resulted in a general lowering of the water table in that region. Possibly the belt along the lake stands so near the lake level that the 

water table can not be affected by drought to the extent that the 

higher region to the west has been affected.

Flows in the northwestern part of the county are maintaining their 

head, and in many cases their full strength, the drought having had 

little or no influence upon them. In that region the ground-water 

table is apparently subject to but little fluctuation, for the flows occur 

on a slope which rises rapidly westward to an elevated catchment area 

whose water table in the driest seasons is far above the level of the 

mouths of the flowing wells. It thus differs from the central flowingwell belt, whose catchment area appears to be in absorbent beds of 

sand near by, at a level but little higher than the mouths of the wells.

Detailed examinations of wells in the western belt were made Ivy 

Leverett in 1903 and of the flowing-well areas in the northeastern 

part of the county by Fuller in 1904; but those in the eastern and 

southern parts of the county have not been covered in detail, since a 

reconnaissance showed that most of the wells wT ere still maintaining a 

flow. These latter areas will be dismissed with a brief review based 

on Sherzer's discussion.

EASTERN ARTESIAN BELT.

The eastern artesian belt lies near the lake shore and consists of 

three detached areas, one small one in eastern Erie Township, a seca For analyses of water at Milan, see p. 147 .
MONROE COUNTY. 2?

ond about the mouth of the Raisin extending south-westward into 

Erie Township, and a third in eastern Berlin Township. The flow of 

water is exceptionally strong in some of these wells. Thus, at the 

Greening Brothers 1 nurseries, south of Monroe, the water reaches the 

surface with force enough to run sprinklers, and has a head of at least 

12 feet. Eastward, at Lake Erie, at the Lotus House, are two flowing wells in which the water will rise 20 feet above the surface, or 

25 feet above the lake. The heaviest flow of artesian water in this 

belt was struck in September, 1899, on the south bank of Otter Creek, 

2^ miles southeast of Lasalle, at the residence of Edward Sharkey. 

The well is 51 feet deep and enters rock 6 to 8 feet, and has a diameter 

of 3 inches. The water came with such force that when a plug was 

driven into the pipe, which prevented it from escaping freely, the 

water began to rise through the clay around the mouth of the well and 

formed a shallow lake about 100 feet across. The plug was afterwards 

withdrawn and an 8-iiich pipe inserted, from which a stream 2 feet 

broad and 4 inches deep flowed to Otter Creek.

MIDDLE ARTESIAN BELT.

The middle belt consists of three detached areas extending in a 

northeast-southwest direction across the county. The southernmost 

is a narrow area, 3 miles long by half a mile wide, in Bedford Township east of Lambertville. The head is slight, the highest rise noted 

being about 6 feet. The most northern area of this belt is in northeastern Exeter and northwestern Ash townships, where a rise of 3 

feet above the surface is about the limit. The water usually contains hydrogen-sulphide gas, and some of the wells proved so offensive 

that they were plugged. In northeastern Ash Township and northwestern Berlin Township the wells, as noted in the report by Fuller, 

have nearly all ceased flowing. The portion of this middle belt in the 

central part of the county is a large irregular area over which flows 

are scattered, occurring ordinarily only on the lowest ground.

MILAN-CONE DISTRICT.

This district lies in the northwestern township of the county and 

occupies a strip less than 1 mile wide and about 6 miles long, leading 

from the village of Milan southwestward past the village of Cone. 

Some of the wells have been flowing about fifty years, and show no 

marked decrease, but the water rises very little above the surface. 

Indeed, the flows are confined chiefly to a low strip lying under a 

beach line, where the surface had been cut a little below the general 

level of the plain. Immediately back of this beach to the west the 

water rises to an altitude greater than that at the flowing wells, but 

not quite high enough to come to the surface. Still farther west is a 

flowiiiR'-well district which touches the northwest corner of Monroe
28 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES TN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

County, but lies largely in Lenawee and Washtenaw counties, and is 

discussed under the Lenawee County supplies.0 This district was 

included by Sherzer with the Milan-Cone district.

The flowing wells of the district, of which tabulated data are presented below, all fall within Milan Township. The distance to rock 

increases from about 40 feet in the southeastern part to 150 feet or 

more in the northwestern. This is due partly to an increase of altitude to the northwest, the southeastern part being 650 feet and the

ff. 5 E. K. 6 E. 

FIG. 4. Map of York and Milan-Cone flowing-well districts.

northwestern 740 feet above tide. The township is sand covered 

only in the eastern part, and there the wells are shallow, as in London 

Township. Elsewhere the wells generally find supplies withou/ reaching rock at depths ranging from 25 to 150 feet. A few wells have been 

drilled into rock on the borders of the flowing-well district with a view 

to obtaining a flow, but adequate supplies of water were found in the 

drift. The flowing wells of the extreme northwest corner of the 

township are discussed in the report on Lenawee County. "

a See York flowing-well district, pp. 82-86.
MONEOE COUNTY 29

Wells of Milan-Cone disfrict.a

Section.

2

2 

2

2

2

2 

11

14 

14

15

15

15

15

Part of section.

 M

NE.J.......

NE.i....... 

NE.i.......

NE.J.......

NE.i. ...... 

NE.i.......

NE.i.......

NE.i.......

SW.i. ......

NW *

W. side. .... 

SW. i. ......

NE. i.......

Owner.

T. A. Wilson........

A. Van Wonner ....

J.& E. Gauntlett...

H. C. Sill... .........

A. J. Mesic.......... 

R.C. Alien..........

Warren Lewis ......

N. Ilolcomb. .. ......

Depth.

Feet. 

40

40

20±

20

20 

20

20

55

35

70

40

75

Elevation.

Feet.

C80 

680

680

080

680 

682

682

680

682 

678

685

680

682

6SO

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet.

688

682 

688

688

688 

688

688 

685

685

685

685 

676

690

685

685

15

16

16

20

20'^0

21

21

21

21

22

28

28

29

29

29 

29

30

^W 1

E.side......

S. side. .....

E . side. .....

RE.i.......

E . side. .....

W . side .....

W. side.....

NW.i......

W. side.....

N. side. .....

W. side..... 

W . side .....

E . side. .....

(?)

Thos. Welch........

John Denison ..... .

( 9 )

Henry Wilcox. ......

II. Downing.. ......

Mrs. P. Nolan. ......

A. Vanderwenter. ..

....do..............

Peter Tingley. ...... 

Frank Packard .....

Thos. Caswell.......

25 ± 684

30 690

10 682

682

685

685

682

692

092

090

690

690

690

090 

085 

685 

675 

6*v> 

685 

685 

685

Remarks.

Strongflow; south of Saline River. 

Weak flow; south of Saline River.

North side of Saline River; about 

20 feet in depth; flows weak to 

moderate.

Well in shallow sag. 

Made about 50 years ago. 

Moderate flow; water chalybeate. 

Three flowing wells, 60, 61,'and 70

feet; moderate flows from sand

below till. 

Strong well; soft water.

Well made about 1870; moderate

flow. 

Strong flow; made many years

ago.

Strong flow. 

Two strong flows.

Do. 

Two flows, now choked with sand:

one 3-inch well made 25 years;

the other 1-inch well made 18

years ago.

Pioneer well, made over 50 years. 

Good flow for the altitude. 

Two flows, one at only 10 feet,

another a few feet deeper. 

Two weak flows, 79 and 84 feet,

from sand below till: water soft. 

Strongflow.

Flows 3 gallons per minute from 

1-inch pipe 3 feet above ground; 

has been flowing 50 years.

Strong flow.

Not in use.

Weak flow.

Pump well.

Flow in field. 

Do.

Water from sand under cemented

crust below till. 

Water from sand below till.

« Data collected by Leverett in 1903.

London Township, which borders the Milan-Cone district on theeast, is largely sand covered and has few deep wrells. The distance 

to rock ranges from 20 to more than 100 feet, the drift being thickest 

in the northwest corner. So far as ascertained, no flowing wells have 

been obtained in the township. The ordinary depth of wT ells is about 

20 feet; but some along the north border reach 50 to 60 feet and enter 

rock. There are also a few rock wT ells scattered over the township.

WELL DATA BY TOWNSHIPS.

The tabulated well records given below wT ere collected and arranged 

by Prof W. H. Sherzer. They showr conditions at the time of his 

studies, which were completed in 1899. In some townships only 

general statements are furnished.
30 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Wells of Monroe County.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP (T.5 S., R. 10 E.).

[Flowing wells near the lake with some sulphur, little iron, and scarcely any oil or gas; usually hard 

water; depth 12 to 93 feet; depth to rock, 9 to 33 feet.]

Section.

6

8

9

15

17

17 

18

20

22

22 

23

26

26

28

30

33

34

Part of section.

SE.i.......

SW. part...

SW. I. ......

"NE.'i.""!!!!

SW. }......

E. side. ..... 

SE.i.......

NW. i......

sw. t.......

NW. part. . .

SE.J.......

SW. i. ......

Depth 

Owner. of 

well.

Feet.

L. Fountain ........ . ( ^

I ~b

G.H. Holmes........ .... ...

H. Valrance ......... J 34+

D. Plufe.............. 54

T. Laurarand. ....... j J^

C. B. Laringer. ....... ........

D. Lagineff..... ...... 25

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet. 

f 27

\ 29

28

20

18 

15?

33 

30

32

20

12 

20

22

20

(?)

12

Remarks.

bushels of white sand.

Flowing well, no sulphur or iron; water

hard. 

Head +4 feet; water hard.

4 wells. 

(Both wells flow; sulphur water from 

/ white sand under bed rock.

Sulphur and a little iron in water.

ASH TOWNSHIP (T.5 S., R.9 E.) 

[About half the wells flow; rock hard; very little gas; depth 10 to 35 feet; depth to rock 9 to 30 feet.]

1

3 

6-7

15 

15 

25

28

33 

33 

34

NE.i.......

SW.part...

NW. i......

SE.J.......

S. side.. ....

N. side......

NW. part...

J. Viels...............

J. C. Wilson..........

G. Meyer. ............

J. Miller..............

11

f 21 

t 33+

34.5 

24

30

30+

34+

10

26

30 

32

24 

30

30 

34

28

Flows 2J feet above surface, filling a 

J-inch pipe. 

Head -10 feet. 

(Flows obtained anywhere in these secJ. tions; water hard, in places sulphur- 

| ous. 

Two wells flow; iron water. 

Soft rock. 

Water hard, some iron; rock hard to 

drill. 

Hard rock. 

Water hard; much sand from top of rock, 

2 inches to pail of water. 

Head -11 feet. 

Sulphur water.

EXETER TOWNSHIP (T.5 S., R.SE.).

2 

3 

5 

5 

8 

10 

12 

14 

15 

15 

16

18

18 

20

29

S. side . . .' S. Manor

SE.i.......

SW. i. ......

S.side...... 

SW. corner. 

SW.i.......

Center. ..... 

E. side. ..... 

SW.i ....

SW. J.......

NW-i...... 

NW. i....

Center. .....

J. Wright.............

J. Holster. ...........

G. W. Palmer........

J.W. Wheeler........

'40 

.'0 

09 

50 

37 

36

49 

30

f 72^ i i®

40

( 25 

{ 30

42 

40 

35 

55 

50 

37 

36 

37

30

14 

72,i+ 

55 

27 

40 

25 

30

Head near surface; water dipped. 

Head +3 feet. 

Head -9 feet.

Flowing wells along creek to south. 

Flows sulphur water. 

Do. 

Flows. 

Head 4 feet;- used to flow. 

Head 7 feet; sulphur water. 

IRock at 55 feet J mile south: hard water 

J from gravel. 

Soft water. 

Sulphur water.

J-Two have sulphur water.

RAISINVILLE TOWNSHIP (T. 6 S., Rs. 7-S E.).

[Sulphur and iron not rare; water generally at top of rock; a few flows: depth 12 to 32 feet; depth to

rock 11 to 32 feet.]

FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP (T. 6 S., R.9 E.). 

[Wells generally shallow; rock at slight depth, 8 to 35 feet; depth of wells 13 to 35 feet.]
MONROE COUNTY. 31

Wells ofMonroe County Continued.

DUNDEE TOWNSHIP (T. G S., R. 6 E.). 

[Rock usually at 30 to 40 feet, hut sometimes 11 to 70 feet or more; depth of wells 10 to 103 feet.]

Section.

7

S

10

15

20

22

Part of section. Owner.

Stephen Ball.........

Depth 

of 

well.

Feet 

93

72

64

G2

103

40

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet.

72

58

48

38+

Remarks.

Sulphur water, probably from rock. 

40 feet of water; drift all clay. 

40 feet of water; from rock.

Sulphur water; some gas at 20 feet. 

Weak well with iron and sulphur.

SUMMERFIELD TOWNSHIP (T. 7 S., R. G E.).

[Wells in surface sand, 14 to 10 feet deep; near base of drift, 40 to 62 feet deep; in rock 70 to 97 feet or 

more. Depth to rock, 20 to GO feet.]

Center.

E.W.Cornell......

L. Plumodore. ....

C. L. Goodrich....

40 Water from gravel.

45 Water from rock, has sulphur and iron.

58 ' A little gas.

WHITEFORD TOWNSHIP (Tps. 8-9 S., R. 6 E.).

[Deepest drift south of Ottawa Lake' shallow wells in sand have soft water; deep wells both in glacial 

deposits and rock; depth to rock 0 to 100 feet; water hard; no burning gas and little IInS gas; many 

sink holes; wells often at base of drift.]

,.

g

17

18

19

20

28

29

30

34

33

«5

SW.J. ......

SW.part...

Mill...................

D. Dolby.. ........... 

F.Gibbs....... ......

73

100

80

116

114

40

104

122

42+

60

20

26

18

20

12

24

0

6 

22

55 feet.

a T. 9 S.; all the others in T. 8. 

IDA TOWNSHIP (T. 7 S., R. 7 E.).

[Good wells easy to obtain; rock in places very near surface near Ida and Lulu villages; flows on east 

side of township; depth of wells 10 to 4S feet; depth to rock 3 to 32 feet.]

3

4

9

10 

11

13

14

15

24

SE.J. ......

SE.i- ......

SE.i.......

NW. i...... "s'w'.'i.. '.'.'.'.'.

SE. \.......

S. side......

Chas. Stoty. .......... 

L. Hutting. ..........

M.Strabel............

Frank Long ......-.-.

27

11

20

36 

30 

f 10

I 18 

26

48

(?)

y>

23

12

30 

20

(?)

Well in sand.

Hard water from rock.

White sand (rock?) yields water.

JBoth wells flow.

Hard water; no rock. 

Could not case hole because of sand. 

Flowing well; there are several flows in 

section.
82 WELLS A1STD WATER SUPPLIES T1ST SOUTHERlSr MICHIGAN.

Wells of Monroe County Continued. 

BEDFORD TOWNSHIP (T. S S., R. 7 E.).

[Shallow wells 10 to 20 feet in sand form most numerous class; affected by drought; water from rock 

near Stony Ridge, which runs northeast and southwest across township; depth of wells 10 to 100 

feet; depth to rock nothing to 70 feet.]

Section.

16

23

29

32

35 

36

Part of section.

SE. i.......

SE.i. ......

NE.J.......

SE.-i. ......

Owners.

R. Du Shetler........

W, P. Bowen.. .......

Milton Gray . . ........ 

J.B.Sulier...........

Depth 

of 

well.

Feet.

\ 14

I 18 

6.5

09

54

98 

62

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet.

(1)

65

38

49

40 

58

Remarks.

wet season only; little sulphur. 

1 Water soft in 14-foot and hard in 18-foot

J well; latter in blue clay.

This and three or four other near-by wells 

flow. 

Strong sulphur.

MONROE AND VICINITY.

Miich sulphur: some iron; mineralized water in places. (For deep wells see Geology of Michigan, 

vol..-), pt. 2, p. 70, pi. -11.) Depth of wells 10 to 72 feet; depth to rock 2 to 60 feet.]

Geo. Loblier (on 

claim 419; the easternmost farm toward Lake Erie).

Head +12 feet.

LA SALLE TOWNSHIP (T. 7 S., R. 8 E.). 

[Many flowing wells near border of Lake Erie; depth 14 to 73 feet; depth to rock, nothing to 40 feet.]

18

19

20

29-30

31

33

SE. J. ......

NW. 1......

SE. i. ......

S.side......

:::::: ::: :::::::::: :

........................

J. A. Ranch... .......

20

68

18

73

22

15

15

t 2

1 -J

37 Affected by drought; flows part of year; 

little sulphur.

ERIE TOWNSHIP (Tps. 8-9 S., R. 8 E.).

[Flowing wells along Lake Erie shore; sulphur water mostly near lake; some iron; water generally 

hard: depth of wells 8 to 124 feet; depth to rock 2 to 124 feet.]

8 

10

16

19

28

9Q

OA

31

32

04

E . side. ..... 

SE.J. ......

S.side...... 

N. part.....

NW. J......

NE.l-------

NE.i.......

(b)

K. W. KennejT. .......

H. C. Plummer.......

F. Le Roy....:.......

F. Duval.............

55 45 

54 (?)

78 72 

f 55 1 r?)

1 70 I (l > 

102 ........

124 ........

42 40

68 62

51 46

62 60

60 60

Head 12 feet; water hard; some iron.

no sulphur nor iron. 

Head -8 feet.

No rock struck; rock at surface 40 rods 

west.

to 6 feet.

drought; water hard.

a T. 9 S.; others all in township 8. b On State line.
WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKN MICHIGAN. 33

WATER SUPPLIES OF THE LOWER HURON RIVER

REGION.

By MYRON L. FULLER. 

INTRODUCTION.

In the late spring and early summer of 1904 the shallow \vells 

throughout the region adjacent to the lower portion of Huron River, 

in southeastern Michigan, which up to that time, except for short 

seasons of drought and resulting weakness, had yielded abundant 

supplies of water, showed signs of failing. As the summer progressed 

the shortage became more severe, making it necessary in many cases 

to materially deepen the wells in order to secure the water necessary 

for ordinary domestic and farm purposes.

In July, 1904, Mr. Leverett made a reconnaissance in the vicinity 

of Carleton, Flat Rock, Willow, and Waltz, determining the general 

conditions as regards shortage. In August, the shortage still continuing, the writer visited the field and made a more detailed study 

of the conditions of the wells and of the causes of their failure, the 

results of which are presented herewith.

Acknowledgments for certain geologic and well data are made to 

Dr. A. C. Lane, Mr. Frank Leverett, and Prof. W. H. Sherzer. 

Thanks are also due to Mr. James Swan, of Detroit, owner of the 

Grosse Isle well, and to Mr. Edward Ready and other residents of 

Carleton for courtesies rendered.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

The region in which the shortage of water in 1904 was earliest felt, 

and in which it was severest, is a belt perhaps 10 miles wide along 

the borders of Wayne and Moiiroe counties, extending in a northwestsoutheast direction about 20 miles, parallel with and including Huron 

River, and reaching from a point near New Boston to the mouth of 

the river at the head of Lake Erie. The greater part of the affected 

belt lies south of the river, only a strip a mile or two in width falling 

on the north side. The shortage was most pronounced along Swan 

Creek, which parallels Huron River at a distance of 3 to 5 miles on 

the south. South of Swan Creek the wells are affected only for a 

short distance, usually not more than 2 or 3 miles.

The villages principally affected are Willow, Waltz, Carleton, Flat 

Rock, and Rockwood. In the portion of the belt east of Rockwood 

and Newport and between these towns and the lake no shortage wTas 

reported up to August, 1904.

The entire region is very flat, and the stream channels are shallow. 

The soil is generally clayey, although locally the clay is overlain by 

thin sheets of sand, which in places take the shape of low, flat, 

northeast-southwest ridges representing old beach lines of the lake
34 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKN MICHIGAN.

which formerly covered the region. The sand has also been shaped 

in places into ridges by the wind. The country has a gentle slope 

southeastward toward Lake Erie, usually not exceeding 5 feet to the 

mile, and this governs the stream courses.

The climate is tempered to a certain extent by the proximity of 

Lake Erie, being, with the exception of the southwest corner of 

Michigan, the warmest in the State. The average minimum temperature is 39°, the average maximum 57°, and the average mean 48°. 

The rainfall, which is about 30 inches, is low compared with the most 

favored portions of the State, where it reaches 35 to 40 inches, and 

is less than on the headwaters of Huron River. Normally the rainfall is lowest in January, when it is less than 2 inches a month, and 

highest in May and June, when it exceeds 3.5 inches a month.

GEOJLOGY.

SURFACE MATERIALS.

The material overlying the rock in the region consists of a clay 

with an admixture of sand and pebbles, technical!}- called till, which 

is not usually arranged in definite layers as in stratified deposits, 

but is a heterogeneous mixture, although occasional beds of quicksand or gravel or even scattered bowlders may occur. In consistency 

it is tough and clay like, and is of a grayish-blue color when fresh, 

but becomes yellowish through oxidation of the iron on exposure to 

the weather at the surface. Some surface bowlders occur in the 

part of the area nearest Detroit River.

Although having a flat surface, the thickness of the drift varies 

because of differences in the elevation of the underlying rock surface, 

which reaches much nearer to the top of the ground in some places 

than in others. The clayey deposits are 15 to 60 feet or more in 

thickness, 25 to 30 feet being a fair average in the regions back from 

the streams. The streams, however, have cut their channels into 

the cla}T to some depth and may even have cut entirely through it 

into the rock. Occasionally the rock reaches nearly or quite to 

the ordinary surface, as at the large quarries at Newport.

In a broad way the thickness of the clays may be said to increase 

as Detroit River and Lake Erie are approached. West of Carleton 

the thickness, as shown by wells, is commonly about 30 feet. East 

of that town the depth, though variable, is sometimes as much as 60 

feet, while near Rockwood it may be equally great.

The bowlders and the unstratified materials were derived from 

the ice sheet which once invaded the region or from a succession of 

such invasions, but the pockets and thin beds of gravel and sand 

which are included were deposited by water, perhaps in some cases 

simultaneously with the glacial deposits, while the sand beds which 

cover portions of the drift surface are the product of lakes which 

occupied the region after the retreat of the ice.
LOWEK HURON RIVER REGION. 35 

ROCKS.

The rocks underlying the clays in the lower Huron River region 

consist of limestones, sandstones, shales, etc., arranged in belts 

extending in a northeast-southwest direction, or at a right angle to 

the course of Huron River. They are reached by all but the shallow 

dug wells, and afford the greater part of the ground water found in 

the region.

In the northwestern portion of the area, or beyond a point a couple 

of miles northwest of Carleton, the rock is the Dundee limestone, a 

fairly pure, light-colored, flint-bearing Devonian limestone, perhaps 

100 feet in thickness, dipping northwestward 20 to 25 feet to the 

mile. It is characterized by waters more or less charged with 

sulphur in the form of hydrogen sulphide.

Below it lie the upper Monroe beds of drab Magnesian limestone 

or dolomite, sometimes carrying sand, gypsum, and other minerals. 

The dip is similar to that of the Dundee limestone. The waters are 

hard, but are not characterized by much sulphur.

Next below is the Sylvaiiia sandstone, a white sandstone outcropping beneath the clay from a point about a mile east of Carleton 

nearly to the mouth of Huron River. The dip is somewhat flatter 

than that of the preceding formations, and is more to the north than 

to the northwest. It yields water of good qualit}7 .

Last are the lower Monroe beds, which are generally similar to the 

limestones and dolomites constituting the upper part of the Monroe 

beds already described, but are often more siliceous than the latter. 

They outcrop parallel to the Sylvania sandstone in a narrow belt 

along Lake Erie and Detroit River. Their waters carry some 

sulphur.

WATER SUPPLIES.

Within the region under discussion the water supplies vary considerably in composition, head, volume, and shortage in time of 

drought. The wells are dug, drilled, or a combination of the two. 

The flowing wells ma}T be grouped in four areas: (1) Willow-Exeter; 

(2) Swan Creek; (3) Huron River; (4) Rockwood.

WILLOW-EXETER REGION.

The name Willow-Exeter region is applied to the area now or 

formerly furnishing wells, which extends from the vicinity of Willow 

southwestward past Waltz into the northeastern part of Exeter 

Township, Monroe County (in sees. 1, 11, 12, 13, and 14, with parts 

of sees. 2, 10, and 15). The belt lies transversely to the drainage 

of the region and is located mainly over the outcrop of the Dundee 

limestone.
36 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The dug wells obtain a very limited supply of nonsulphur water 

from the clays and associated gravel and sand. The drilled wells pass 

through the clay and permeate the rock sufficiently to obtain water 

strong in sulphur, which will frequently flow at the surface. The 

combined dug and drilled wells are usually dug about 15 feet and a 

small drill hole continued from the bottom down to the rock, which 

is usually penetrated a foot or two. Such wells are particularly 

adapted to those cases where the water will rise nearly but not quite 

to the surface. They furnish opportunities for storage and will ordinarily yield more water than the simple pipe wells, for the latter 

may become clogged when water is most needed.

The depth of the wells varies from about 15 feet to 55 or 60 feet, 

of which usually all but a foot or two is through clay. The area 

has been spoken of as one of flowing wells, but it is generally only at 

the lower points near the streams or in sags of the surface that good 

flows are obtained.

The portion of the district near Willow was visited on July 18, 

1904, by Mr. Leverett, who furnished the data in the following 

paragraph:

Extending a mile or more both to the east and west of Willow is a line of flowing wells 

averaging 60 feet in depth and obtaining sulphur water. They all draw from the same 

horizon and have always interfered more or less with one another. The flowing well of 

Henry Ludwig, on the west side of the NW., 3 sec. 28, which penetrated 50 feet of clay, etc., 

with a crust at its base before entering the rock seems to have had a marked effect on the 

wells near the village of Willow, reducing their head, or even, in some cases, stopping the 

flow altogether. The later wells in Willow have reduced the head of those earlier made, 

both in and west of the village.

The following table presents the main data collected by the writer:

Wells in Willow-Exeter region.

d,

a

1

EH «

o

section.

1 Head.

Owner. ^

oa

5

5

5

5

q

9

9

9

9

8

5 8

5

5

5

8

8

8

8

20

P

SF.i.... J. J. Lucke........

NW. \ . . J. S. Ankerbrandt .

20 Center.. Frank Woodward.

19 ' NF \ frp.nrem Bnre'ess

18 SW * Frnnk Diishppk ...

13 SF i John Wpnypl

13

13

NF J .Limes T)urm . . . .

SW.J...

13 , NW. i..

13 Tpntpr

14 NF.i...

J. Crimins. ........

Feet.

16

45

21

Maximum.

Feet.

-20

- in

IS - 0

33 4- (1

41 - 6

- 1

- 3

Henry Kingslny ... 28 ' + 0

Frank Ochs ....... 28 ± o

snort age 

pres_ noted.

Feet.

c

-20

-17 June ....

-10 ' - ..

-12

-3

- 2

± 0

July....

1902.....

Remarks.

Typical well in clay; no shortage.

Typical sandstone well; good 

water; no shortage.

Tiled well; roily before storm.

Two wells, type unknown; 

both dry.

Sandstone well; plenty of 

water left.

Plenty of water by pumping.

No shortage; sandstone water.

Plenty of sulphur water; a 

surface well; goes dry every 

season.

Sulphur water: went dry in 

spring, but water returned 

on cleaning.

Sulphur water; another well 

still flows.

Lowered, but still plenty. 

1902.....: Plenty of sulphur water, but 

less than before 1902; no 

recent shortage.
LOWER HURON RIVER REGION.

Wells inW illow-Exeter region Continued.

87

g Part of 

£ ' section.

Shortage,

Muxi- Pres-' noted. 

mum. ent.

s

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

8

q

9

9 

9

 '4

14

14

14

14

10

11

0

11

2

1

1

T>

IS

NW. J . .

SE.-J...

SW.J...

SW.J...

NW. i . .

S. side . .

y T? i

SW. i-...

SW. i...

SW.i...

RW. i...

NW. i . .

SE.i.... 

NKi...

Philip Zink........

J.W.Zink.........

0. S. Davis. .......

A. Fay............

,T. .1. Lucke. ....... 

J. H. Jewell........

2U

3< i

33

07

3f.

32

44

28

22

....

+ 3

- 4

__ 0

+ 0

+ 4

- 3

- 8

-14

- 3

 (1

L»

__ ^

+ 3

- 9

-16

-IS 

- 3

1903..... 

Spring..

G ood flow just struck.

No sulphur; plenty of water.

Sulphur water; no' recent dtcline. 

Sulphur water; as much as

usual.

New sulphur well. 

Aiwa vs improved by cleaning. 

Sulphur water; failed once,

but flowed again on cleaning. 

Fresh and sulphur well; no

unusual shortage. 

Do. 

Do. 

Sulphur water; weakened, but

supply returned on cleaning. 

Stopped at first, and permanently weakened by Vasher

well. * No change; sulphur water. 

No change; sulphur water;

surface wells dry. 

No shortage; surface wells

full. 

Sulphur water; no unusual

shortage. 

Sulphur well; improved by

cleaning; surface wells all

right. 

Sulphur water; flowed up to

May.

An examination of the above table will show that the conditions 

are not uniform. Several surface wells are reported dry, while in 

others the supply seems to be the same as usual. Xo decrease is 

noted in the wells in the sandstone, and most of the limestone wells 

(yielding-sulphur water) show little, if any, material shortage, although 

owners report losses which in several instances were returned wholly 

or in part after cleaning. Some interference exists.

The shortage appears to be such as would accompany an unusually 

dry season. The moderate decrease due to drought has not been 

uniform, but was felt first by the shallower wells, or by those yielding small supplies, and last by the deeper and stronger wells. The 

difference is generally most noticeable in the flowing wells, for a 

difference of a foot or two in head may determine whether a well will 

flow. Shortage in previous years is reported.

The elevation to which the water will rise declines from 622 feet 

above sea level in the western part of sec. 14, T. 5, R. 8, to 600 feet 

near the east line of sec. 19, the next township east, or a little over 

7 feet to the mile. This indicates a source of supply from the west, 

probably not more distant than the glacial hills near Ypsilanti. 

IRK 182 06 4
38 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

CAELETON REGION.

The Carleton region is one of nonflowing wells, lying between the 

Willow-Exeter and Swan Creek flowing-well districts. The wells 

are commonly about 30 to 35 feet deep and probably enter a few 

feet into the Sylvaiiia sandstone, from which they get supplies of 

nearly or quite sulphur-free water by pumping. In general no material shortage was reported in August, 1904, although the wells were 

somewhat lower than usual.

SWAN CREEK REGION.

The Swan Creek region is one of flowing wells extending southeastward along the valley of Swan Creek from near the Detroit Southern 

Railroad 1J miles northeast of Carleton to a point about the same 

distance from the Lake Shore station at Newport. At the north 

the district opens out and merges with the Huron River and Rockwood flowing-well districts. This is mainly over the outcrop of the 

Sylvania sandstone.

The drilled wells obtain their water on entering the rock, after 

passing through stiff impervious clays, and have hitherto yielded 

good flows of nonsulphurous water. Their depth commonly varies 

from 20 to 35 feet, according to location, the shallower ones being 

near the creek in the southern part of the district.

The data relating to the condition of the wells is most conveniently 

presented in the form of the table given below: besides the wells of 

the district proper, or flowing-well area, a few located a mile or so 

outside are given:

Wells in Swan Greek region (T. 5 8., R. 9 E.).

I4J

8CO

17

20 

21

20 

20 

21

28

28

22 

22 

22 

21

28 

28

28 

33

Part of 

section. Owner.

SE. J.... L. Graves. ....... ..

SW. \ .T T. Lfliit.enschlflp'pr

NE.J...

NE.i...

SW.i... 

SW-i... sw.i...

SE.J....

SE.J....

SE. J....

SE.J.... 

NE i. .

Frank Bergmoser . . . 

.....do....-.--.-..-..

.....do........... ...

Ed C. McCormick. . .

Josenh Esper.. ......

& -H

a

OJ

Feet. 

33

35

30

30

37

32

26

! 22 

1 28

 >s

30

20

He

Maximum.

Feet.

ad.

Present.

Feet.

Shortage 

noted.

June

± 0 

+ 0

- 0 

- 0

Spring..

May .... 

Anril

...... ......' May .... 

-10 -10 Aug....

 ."> 11 ' .T une ....

 3 15 .lime....

Remarks.

No decrease; suggests ditching as 

cause of shortage in other wells.

No decrease.

Two wells; no decrease in rock 

well; surface well failed.

Just to rock (surface well); failed.

Low; cleaned without result.

Dug 18 feet; water only in pipe.

To rock only; three wells; all 

went dry;' little better after 

cleaning.

Flowed 30 years ago; dug 8 feet; 

water in pipe only.

Nearly dry; always plenty before.

Dry; has'failed before.

Dug 13 feet; water in pipe only.

Deepened with success; another 

lower well stopped flowing.

Nearly enough water.

Loss ascribed to frozen ground 

and Newport quarry; improved 

by cleaning.

No trotible with wells.

Surface well; loss ascribed to frozen ground,
LOWER HURON RIVER REGION.

Wells in 8wan CreeTc region (T. o S., R. 9 E.} Continued.

G 

g

8

CO

27 

35 

33 

35

25

25

25

25 

24 

25 

26

23 

23 

23

23 

23 

23 

22

22

22 

22

15 

14 

15

15

14 

23

23

13 

13 

13

12 

11

11 

14

14 

11

11

10 

10 

10

16 

9

Part of 

section.

S. side . . 

NW. i . 

NW. \ . . NE.I...

SE.i.... 

SW.i...

NW. i . . 

W. side.. 

E.side..

NE.i...

S. side . .

S. side . .

SW.i... 

SW. i...

SW.I...

NE.i...

NE.i...

SE.i.... 

SE.i....

E.side.. 

W. side.. 

E.side.. 

NE.i...

N^idV"

NE.i... 

SW. \... 

NW. i . .

SW.}...

SE.i....

SE.i....

NE \

NW. i . . 

SW.}...

SE.i...

Owner. p,

fi

Fee

C.Muth........ ------ 21

George Calkins ....... 2

Nicholes Noel 1^

E. H. Van Tassel..... ....

Win. Southworth .... 3i

Head.

Maxi- Pres- 

'muni. ent.

. Feet. Feet. 

-HI ...... 

.' - 4 - 4

 (i -10 

- 5 -10

-12 -13 

-1(1 19

- (i - 6

Shortage 

noted.

Spring..

Vliilv '.'.'.'.

- 8 -10 .......

B. Parish............. 27 +4 + A 

...do . ............ 30 - 4 - s

Ed. Parish........... 2:

-....do................ If

G. A. Harpst... ------ 2f

Charles Kruger.

A. Benedict. .......... .... 

Eli Barrow. .......... ....

+ 2 -15

+ 0 (I 

- 8 -13

+ 0 +0 

- 4 -14

 ,j

. + 0 -11

. + 0 - 0 

. + 0 (1 

. + 0 IS

-4-0 0

June .... 

....do...

July.... 

May. . ..

Aug ....

June.. . .

June ....

G.Schweitzer........ 18 -0 -3 ..........

F. Baker...... ....... .... . + 0 - 0

H Gretzler S° "> 11

Barnard Parish. ..... 33 7 12 

C. M. Hood ........... 35 - (i - 12 

F. Reinhart... ....... 35 ----- -r_>

A. Vizard..... ........ 3.

J. F. Smith........... .... 

Henry Green ......... 3<

W. Baker...... ...... ....

Emily Clark.......... 3(

M Reeves

Alex. Todd ........... 2(

 f) -11

1 - 4 ......

- 8

1 S ...... 

5 -13

+ 0 (I

' + 0 - 0

1 -f 0 ! - 0

1902.....

Julv....

May....

June.... 

May.. ..

Spring..

May....

1902.....

Spring..

Remarks.

Dug 12 feet: water in boring only 

No change; large supply 

Low, but still plenty of wTater. 

Enters slowly, but "plenty of water. 

Surface well; a little less wTater

than usual. Two other smaller

wells in vicinity get plenty of

water.

To rock; no decrease noted. 

At barn; never dry before. Drilled

wells at house as much as usual. 

No trouble; one well used to flow. 

(On line between sees. 24 and 25. 

i Two wells out of three failed. 

Plenty of water; another well the

same. 

In field; has been low in August

of other years. 

At house; has been low in August

of other years. 

Failed suddenly; three similar

wells.

Flowed during summer of 1903. 

Still yielding water. 

New well near creek. 

Very low; loss ascribed to Grosse

Isle well.

Water in pipe only. 

Still yielding some water.

Still yields some water.

Water now stands just at top of 

pipe.

Near creek; well at house also 

failed.

Plenty of water by pumping; loss 

ascribed to Grosse Isle well.

Slight decrease; ascribed to 

Grosse Isle well.

Near creek: well at house also 

lowered, but improved by deepening.

Less than usual, but plenty.

Failed, but got plenty by going 2 

feet deeper.

Another well at house failed; 

plenty of water by cleaning.

Supply sufficient; similar well 

across road.

More water by deepening; another 

well dry.

New well; failure of old ones ascribed to Grosse Isle well.

Another similar well; supply sufficient; water also in dug well.

Enough water for cattle.

Dug 8 feet; water in pipe only; 

very low.

Dug 8 feet; water low in pipe.

Surface well; water by going 7 

feet deeper.

Scanty supply.

Got more water by going 8 feet 

deeper.

Three wells, 32. 33, and 35 feet 

deep, nearly dry; cleaned without success; no previous trouble.

Near creek: failed: always plenty 

before.

Another well iust to rock has sufficient for ordinary use.

Failed temporarily in August, 

1903, and again in spring of 1904.

Cleaned with little effect.

Plenty of water by pumping.
40 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

In the Swan Creek region nearly every well shows shortage, though 

the decrease is not uniform, the amount varying from a barely ribticeable decrease to a complete failure. The surface wells are very commonly dry, although even here there are exceptions. Some of the 

artesian wells have stopped flowing, while in others the water, though 

still running, rises to only a part of its former height. In the nonflowing drilled wells the loss of head is often but a few feet, but some 

of the drilled wells have entirely failed. In the combination of dug 

and drilled wells the water has generally sunk so low that it no longer 

enters the dug part. The natural springs which formerly issued 

above the valleys have nearly all ceased to flow.

Suggestions of shortage have appeared several times in past years, 

a number of wells having previously ceased to flow or gone dry temporarily. The beginning of the present shortage was felt in 1903, 

but during the fall the supply returned in part, although it was low 

during the winter, and fell off rapidly in the spring of 1904. Just 

at what time the failure began can not be determined. No one was 

looking for a shortage, and it was only when wells began to go dry 

that attention was paid to their condition, and it was found that an 

almost universal shortage prevailed.

Several remedies were tried, the first being the cleaning of the 

wells. In a few of the less serious cases this was effective and the 

supply returned, at least for a time, but in other cases the cause of 

failure was more deep seated and independent of imperfections of 

the well. In such cases cleaning did but little good and deepening 

was resorted to. In some cases the dug part was carried a few feet 

deeper, and, by giving more storage space for the water, afforded 

temporary relief, but the amount of water was seldom materially 

increased. The most effective result was obtained by deepening 

the portion of the well in the rock. Where this was done more water 

was almost always obtained, although of course it had to be pumped 

to the surface. Probable causes for the shortage are considered below 

in the discussion of the entire field affected.

HURON RIVER REGION.

The Huron River district extends along Huron River from a point 

a mile or two southeast of New Boston downstream to a point beyond 

Flat Rock, where it merges with the Rockwood and Swan Creek 

areas. The rock is largely Sylvaiiia sandstone, except at the northern 

end of the district. The wells range from about 25 to 60 feet in 

depth. A large portion of the wells flow, or did flow before the present shortage. At the northern end of the district the wells yield 

sulphur water, but in most of the remaining portions they yield water 

which is nonsulphur bearing.
LOWER HURON RIVER REGION. . 41

No special investigation was made in the New Boston part of the 

area this season, but the conditions are reported to be similar to those 

in the Willow-Exeter field, there being relatively little shortage. 

Some of the wells have, however, stopped flowing, but this is not 

characteristic of the present season alone. The well of Gus Miesner, 

in the SW. \ sec. 9, formerly yielded a flowT between 60 and 70 feet, but 

has now ceased flowing. Near the schoolhouse, on the west side of 

sec. 15, a well owned by Mr. Blum flowed a 4-inch stream of sulphur 

water when first sunk in 1887, but now flows less than 1 gallon a 

minute. The well is 65 feet deep. South of the schoolhouse Julius 

Kahn sunk a well in 1891 to a depth of 65 feet. This flowed at the 

start, but soon after ceased."

In the region between the bridge 2 miles east of Willow and Flat 

Rock most of the wells are still flowing, although some have ceased. 

North of the river the Horace Thompson well, in the southeast part 

of Huron Township, is still flowing sulphur water, after a lapse of 

thirty years, though at a level H feet lower than usual. The depth 

of the well is but 26 feet. In sec. 26 Mrs. Lawrence has a very weak 

flowing well of "black sulphur" water. In the northwest quarter 

of the same section Mr. Stoefflet sunk a well in June, 1904, to a depth 

of 96 feet, obtaining a full 2-inch stream of water. The well drained 

others for a quarter of a mile north and west and had to be plugged. 

South of the river the conditions are very similar: some wells have 

ceased flowing while others continue, though with diminished head.&

In a broad way it may be said that there is a general shortage in 

the region, but not so severe as in the Swan Creek district, for along 

the Huron many wells still furnish good supplies, or even flow, while in 

the latter region the failure is almost universal. Cleaning and, more 

especially, deepening the wells generally resulted in an improvement of conditions, though not in a complete restoration of the 

supply.

ROCKWOOD REGION.

The Rockwood area includes the region west and southwest of that 

town and between it and the Swan Creek area, together with the 

region near the town on the north side of Huron River. It can be 

considered as merging into the flowing-well areas of Swan Creek and 

Huron River on the west and with the Detroit River region 011 the 

east. The area is mainly over the outcrop of the Sylvania sandstone 

and yields waters generally free of sulphur. The wells are chiefly 

from 20 to 40 feet in depth and are nonflowing except near Huron

a Information furnished by W. M. Gregory, August 2, 1904. 

6 Information furnished by Frank LeveretT. July, 1904.
42 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

River. In the following table are given data relating to the condition of the wells as determined by the writer in August, 1904:

Well* in Rockwood region.

Township.

S. 

5

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5

5 

5

5 

5 

5

5 

5 

5

5 

5

£a

c3 

«

E.

8

8

8 

8 

8 

8 

8

8 

8 

8

8 

8

9

8 

8

8 

8 

8

8 

8

d a; 

1 I

17 

17

17 

17 

17

f

ft

7 

18

18 

18

13

18 

19

20 

20 

19

19 

29

NE . . .

NE . . . 

NE...

NE...

NW... 

NE... 

SE....

NW . . 

S W . . .

NW . .

NW . . 

SW...

SE.... 

SW... 

NW..

NW.. 

NW..

NE...

SE....

NW . .

Ownor. f

e

P

Head. 

~~ ~~ Shortage 

u Maxi- Pres- noted, 

mum. ent.

 Feet. Feet. Feet.

TI. D. Valranco.... ".0 + 3

Royal French. ....

Charles Bancroft . .

Benjamin Ban- 1 

croft. 

G. Van Riper. ..... ;

.. + 0

50 + 0

.. + 0

W + 2

30-2 

50 - C

il +0

>9 - 5 

if. - 5

Philip Baullv.. . ... 40 - 5 

Peter Pilkey . ...... 40 - 2

.....do............ ...

Albert Root....... 1

_ 4

2 -10 

2-3

-30

+ 0 

- 0 

 20 

- 0

- 8 

 1°

- 8

-25 

-14

-18 

-10

-17

-14 

-12

May.....

Spring . .

1903. ....

July....

June. . . .

Early...

July.... 

....do...

Remarks.

Has been dry before; loss 

ascribed to Grosse Isle well. 

Pump gave temporary relief; 

loss ascribed to Grosse Isle 

well. 

Water in pipe only. 

Diminished somewhat. 

Plenty by pumping. 

Nothing done. 

Failed suddenly after 32 years; 

no water by pumping; loss 

ascribed to Grosse Isle well. 

Two other wells ceased flowing. 

One-fourth ordinary supply. 

Flowing well also stopped.' 

Two other wells also failed, but 

came on again during winter. 

One stopped temporarily during winter, lost again in spring 

of 1904. 

Two wells, not very low in 1903.

Another smaller well. No previous trouble; loss ascribed 

to salt and oil wells. 

Water in base only. 

Decreased gradually. 

Low all winter. Water only in 

pipe. 

Low all winter. 

Do. 

Loss ascribed to Grosse Isle 

well. 

Usually plenty in summer. 

Do.

The facts set forth show a marked shortage of supplies, with many 

complete failures. Most of the artesian wells had flowed uninterruptedly for many years until they ceased in the summer of 1904, 

but a few stopped flowing in 1903, when the present shortage first 

began to be felt. During the winter of 1903-4 there was a slight 

increase over the preceding fall, but a considerable number of wells 

are known to have remained low all winter and one or two stopped 

flowing. While the flows of the individual wells stopped suddenly 

the stoppage was not simultaneous in different wells, but extended 

over a considerable period of time. The wells in the region have 

always been somewhat sensitive, as if flowing at or near their maximum head; hence a slight decrease of the head would cause them to 

stop flowing rather abruptly. Several of the wells have always 

flowed roily water before storms, and some ceased flowing during 

prolonged periods of westerly winds. The shortage is greatest to the 

west of Rockwood, becoming less near town as Detroit River is 

approached. Many of the wells that have ceased to flow still yield 

water by pumping, while cleaning and deepening often add materially to the supplies.
LOWEE HUEOtf EIVEE BEGION. 43 

DETROIT RIVER REGION.

This region includes the area between the Rockwood district and 

Detroit River. The region is low, being only a few feet above the 

river and lake level, and along the shore and creeks is often decidedly 

marshy. The region is, however, thickly settled and wells are 

abundant, probably averaging under 20 feet in depth. In general 

there has been no shortage, although in a few instances the water was 

thought to be a little below its maximum summer level. No particular cause of shortage was advanced other than a general belief that 

the numerous salt and other wells might have had some effect. It is 

probable that in reality the water was fully as high as is ordinarily 

the case, for Lake Erie, which controls the ground-water level adjacent to its shores, stood unusually high in the summer of 1904, being 

about 15 inches above its level of the preceding year.

GROSSE ISLE.

Grosse Isle is a north-south island about 9 miles long and 2 miles 

wide lying on the American side of the international boundary in 

the Detroit River, its center being opposite the town of Trenton, 16 

miles south of Detroit. The population is mainly located along the 

shores of the island, only one or two houses being in the interior, 

although the entire island is under cultivation. The surface is 

mainly clay or clayey silts, but rock is commonly found not far from 

river level, and in one point where it rises slightly higher is quarried.

Very few wells have been sunk on the island, the main supply 

being from pipes extending out beneath the surface to deep water in 

the river. The water is pumped directly from these pipes by means 

of windmills, no provision being made for filtering. As a result there 

is some typhoid on the island. The few wells that have been sunk 

in the interior penetrate clay to the rock, which is entered at about 

20 feet. The water of the dug wells is from the clay, but the drilled 

wells enter the rock and obtain an iron-bearing water carrying some 

sulphur. No shortage was reported in 1904, and a powerful flowing 

well recently made at the southern end of the island seems to have 

had no effect on the shallow wells. This powerful well is located on 

the property of James Swan, opposite Snake Island, about threefourths of a mile from the extreme southern point of Grosse Isle, and 

was 2 or 3 feet above the river level of 1904.

The well, which was sunk in search of oil or gas, was begun in 1903 

and completed in May, 1904, having reached a depth of 2,375 feet 

without obtaining anything of value. The diameter at top is 10 

inches, decreasing to 6 inches at the bottom. A 13-inch casing 

extends from the surface to the rock at 17 feet.
44 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN" MICHIGAN.

The first considerable flow of water was encountered at 420 feet, 

but at 450 feet a stronger flow was obtained. Both were fresh, but 

as the well was drilled deeper flows of sulphur water were encountered, 

which, although relatively small, were sufficient to impart to the 

water as it issued from the pipe an amount of sulphur recognizable 

by taste and by a sulphur deposit on the grass and stones about the 

well. The water is said to have been cased off during the progress 

of the drilling, from August, 1903, to May, 1904, when the casing was 

finally pulled. At present the water issues in a jet 11 inches high 

from the 13-inch pipe, forming a fountain of considerable size. (See 

PI. Ill, B.) The flow is calculated at about 50 gallons a second and 

forms two good-sized streams. It was tested to a maximum height 

of 22 feet above the surface. It is stated that the owner contemplates 

using it for a public supply for the island.

Analysis of water front James Swan's well on Grosxe Isle.a

Parts per Parts per 

million. million.

Potassium (K)................ 79.68

Sulphate radicle (SO4)......... 14, 245. 21

Carbonate radicle (CO3 )........ 871. 35

Silica (SiO2).-.---.........---. 188

Iron and alumina (Fe2O5 , A1205).. 14

Calcium (Ca).................. 5, 082. 96

Strontium (Sr)................ 317 , 0174555

Magnesium (Mg)............... 730. 57 | ' '

Sodium (Na).................. 216. 78

DECLINE OF WATER SUPPLY.

PRESENT CONDITIONS.

The conditions of the wells at the present time have been set forth 

in the preceding pages. With the exception of the narrow belt 

along the shore of Detroit River, where the supply is largely governed by the height of the river, the loss of supply has everywhere 

been felt in varying degrees. In the Willow-Exeter and Carleton 

regions the shortage is very light, while along Huron River it is only 

moderate. In the Swan Creek and Rockwood regions, on the contrary, the shortage is excessive, a large proportion of the wells having 

failed, entailing much inconvenience.

The present season does not mark the beginning of the decline, 

but rather its culmination. Investigations made by Prof. W. H. 

Sherzer previous to 1900 showed that even then shrinkage of supplies 

had been in progress for many years. In his report on Monroe 

County 6 he states that while continued drought makes no impression on many of the wells, the flow of others is reduced or almost 

or quite stopped. The opening of new wells was found to affect the 

flow of others in the neighborhood, and the areas over which artesian

o Made at chemical laboratory, University of Michigan, for the State Geological Survey, January 17, 

1905: F. K. Ovitz. analyst. Expressed by analyst in grams per liter and hypothetical combinations; 

recomputed to ionic form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.

*Rept. Geol. Survey, Michigan, vol. 7, pp. 194.
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 182 PL. Ill

A. LARGE SPRING AT UNITED STATES FISH HATCHERY, NORTHVILLE, WAYNE 

COUNTY, MICH.

11. VIEW OF THE GROSSE ISLE FLOWING WELL.

LOWER HURON RTVER REGION. 45

wells could be secured was found to he constantly contracting. Wells 

in the southern part of Erie Township, 3 miles hack from the lake, 

which formerly flowed, had then ceased.

The decline noted by Professor Sherzer as having already progressed for some time has continued. The areas of flowing wells outlined by him on his maps at that time are more extensive than those 

at the beginning of 1904, while by the close of the summer of that 

year very few flowing wells remained in some of the regions, as in 

the valley of Swan Creek and near Rockwood.

Not only have the artesian wells ceased to flow, but the water in 

the nonflowing wells is lower than formerly. In fact, the level of 

the ground water in the clayey portions of southeastern Michigan 

is distinctly lower than it was ten years ago and much lower than 

it was twenty years ago. It is only in a limited district that the 

pronounced falling off occurred during 1904.

The general decline which has been going on for many years is 

probably due to a gradual and far-reaching change of conditions, 

such as deforesting of the land, improvement in surface drainage, 

etc., but the rapid decline of the last two seasons is doubtless due to 

local causes acting with special force in the region in question.

CAUSES OF DECLINE.

Grosse Isle well. That the Grosse Isle well is the cause of the special 

decline in 1903 and 1904 may at first thought seem well sustained by 

the behavior of certain wells, as J. E. Brown's of the Swan Creek and 

Charles Bancroft's of the Rockwood district, which went dry when 

the big flow of the Grosse Isle well first began in 1903, but returned 

soon after the insertion of the casing, only to cease again after its 

withdrawal in May, 1904. This interpretation, however, seems 

opposed by the fact that numerous other wT ells much nearer Grosse 

Isle maintained nearly their usual flow, those nearest, even those on 

Grosse Isle itself, showing no decrease whatever. The conditions of 

underground drainage would need to be very exceptional, which 

would leave a near-by district unharmed while seriously affecting 

more remote districts, and belief in them would need be supported by 

indisputable evidence in the altered slope of the water table. In 

order to obtain light on this point the height to which water will rise 

was platted for each well in the Swan Creek-Rockwood region. It 

was found that this height showed an increase westward which averaged about 3 feet to the mile, indicating a source from that direction. 

The increase of head to the west or decrease to the east was found to 

be quite regular, with no local lowering or reversed slope that could 

be referred to a strong intake at a particular place. It was also found 

that the water level of the Grosse Isle gusher is higher than that of 

the shallow wells around it, and even higher than that of the wells of
46 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

the Rockwood and eastern portion of the Swan Creek area, being 25 

feet above the lake, or 597 feet above the sea, while the normal level 

in many of the wells which have been thought to feed it is several feet 

lower, in some of them being less than 590 feet. It would appear, 

therefore, that if any connection exists between the Grosse Isle well 

and the shallow wells in the Rockwood and Swan Creek areas the 

water would be forced up in the shallow wells rather than drawn 

away from them. The failure of such wells as the Brown and the 

Bancroft flows in 1903 was probably a mere coincidence. The precise 

point where the main water-bearing bed of the Grosse Isle well outcrops and takes in its main supply can not be stated. On the basis 

of the dip of the rock formations from southeast to northwest, at the 

rate of about 20 feet a mile, it would seem probable that the bed 

struck at 450 feet in this well will come to the surface somewhere 

west of Leamington in Canada. The supply seems, therefore, more 

likely to come from the Canadian than the Michigan side of Detroit 

River.

Newport quarry. The imderdrainage caused by the quarry at Newport was, next to the Grosse Isle well, most commonly advanced as a 

cause of the shortage along Swan Creek. A visit was accordingly 

paid to the locality and the conditions were investigated. It was 

found that a few of the wells near at hand have been affected, but 

the decrease in water supply is not universal even within a few hundred feet of the quarry. A quarter of a mile back no effect has been 

noted. From this it appears that the quarry can not be considered 

a factor in the shortage along Swan Creek or in the Rockwood 

region.

Low stage of streams. The level of streams generally determines 

that of the ground water in their vicinity, the latter subsiding as the 

streams fall. During 1904 both Huron River and Swan Creek were 

unusually low, and thus drew unusual quantities from the surrounding water table, which was thereby naturally lowered. Huron River, 

being a longer stream, and one having its source in a region of greater 

rainfall, was not so low as Swan Creek, the entire course of which is 

within an area of low rainfall. Moreover, the latter, flowing over clay 

nearly destitute of water, receives in considerable portions of its 

course only slight additions by percolation. It is probably for these 

reasons that the shortage is most marked along its course rather than 

in any other part of the region.

Early winter of 1903. This appears to have been an important 

factor in bringing on the present acute shortage. According to the 

official records, the permanent freezing of the gjound took place on 

November 17, which was before heavy snows and heavy winter rains 

had fallen. There was, therefore, little chance for the rainfall to soak 

into the ground during the winter and early spring months. This
LOWER HURON RIVER REGION. 4<

was made manifest by the low water in many of the wells during the 

winter, the result being that when spring opened the ground water 

was at an unusually low stage.

Deficiency of rainfall in 19(>4- The opening of the spring of 1904 

with a low ground-water supply was followed month after month 

during the summer by a deficient rainfall, and the shortage consequently became very serious. This is brought out by the following 

table, which gives the precipitation by months of 1904. Detroit lies 

about 25 miles northeast of the area; Grape and Dundee about 10 

and 20 miles southwest, respectively; Eloise less than 15 miles north, 

and Ypsilanti 20 miles nortrrwest. The deficiency, it should be noted, 

has been restricted to spring and autumn months, and thus causes a 

dry year even though the annual precipitation is about up to the 

normal:

Rainfall, in inches, in the ricinity of the lower Huron River region.

Month.

July. ...............

September. ........

November

December. .........

Detroit.

1904.

3.34 

2.55

1.65 

2.36 

1.08 

2.94 

3.20 

4.23 

.86

.19 

1.83

28.32

Normal.

1.94 

2.33 

2.29

2.24 

3.51 

3.69 

3.36 

2.71 

2.47 

2.53

2.69

32.33

Eloise.

1904.

3.98

1.01 

1.19 

.79 

2. 52 

3.69 

3.83 

0 

0 

1.S8

Normal.

1.69 

2.16 

3.01 

1.32 

3.27 

3.26 

4.16 

1.95 

2.61 

2.61 

2.38 

2.20

Dundee.

1904.

5.37 

4.06 

5. 45 

2.36 

3.06 

1.30 

2.84 

4.73 

4.30 

.82 

.05 

2.53

Normal.

2.41 

2.88 

4.53 

4.06 

3.52 

2.64 

2.11 

2.09 

2.02

Ypsilanti. Grape.

1904.

4. 54 

2.98 

4.92 

1.66 

2.58 

.56 

3.03 

3.92 

6.21 

1.09 

.09 

1.96

33.54

Nor- 1Qfu Normal. 1904' mal.

1.90 

2.46 

2.45 

2. 24 

4.09 

4.25 

3.33 

2.14 

2.86 

2.04 

3. 23 

2.38

33.97

4.17 

2.62 

3.16 

2.04 

2.71 

1.49 

2.96 

4.31 

4.67

QO

!02 

1.90

1.44

1.80 

2.32 

2.24 

3.61 

3.57 

2.63 

2.52 

2.36 

2.0U 

2.75 

2.02

30. 98 29. 26

CONCLUSIONS.

The low rainfall, which in the spring of 1904 varied from oneeighth to somewhat more than one-half of the usual amount at the 

stations in the tables, was, on the wThole, even less in the lower Huron 

River region itself. The deficiency of rainfall, following as it did an 

autumn and winter during which little water was absorbed owing to 

the frozen condition of the ground, together with the preceding dry 

season of 1903, seems ample to explain much if not all of the observed 

shortage.

Although considerable rain fell in July, and even more than the 

normal in August, it came largely as short heavy showers, and the 

water, instead of soaking into the ground, as in more gentle rains, 

formed streams and ran off rapidly. The part that soaked into theground wT as entirely insufficient to compensate for the many dry 

months which had preceded, especially as the relatively wet months 

of August and September were followed by several months when almost no rain fell. In this connection it may be remarked that,
4<S WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

while the shortage was felt in the region under discussion sooner than 

elsewhere, the drought became severe enough later in the summer to 

be felt through all the States bordering the Ohio and eastward to 

New England, causing much shortage in wells.

If, as seems probable, the failure of the wells is due largely to the 

severe drought of 1903-4, the return to the normal rainfall should 

result in an increase in the water supply, although, because of the 

excessive dryness of the ground, the increase in the available water 

may not be immediately noted. The full supply may not return 

until a wet year, or perhaps a succession of wet years, occurs.

In some cases the return of the water may not bring restoration 

to the wells, for water passages in clayey material when dried out 

may, to a certain extent, crumble and become more or less clogged, 

so that their capacity for carrying water is lessened or destroyed 

even when the ground again becomes soaked. The return in any 

case will probably not be complete, as the thorough ditching which 

the region has undergone will result in a permanent lessening of the 

water supply of the region.

The wells in the lower Huron River region obtain their supplies 

largely in the upper few feet of the rock. The water, judging from 

its head, is derived from glacial deposits overlying the rock in the 

region northwest of the area under discussion. It probably traverses the upper more open and jointed portion of the rock, because 

there is less resistance to its flow through the crevices and openings 

in the rock than through the compact clayey deposits which so generally overlie the rock formations of the region. The rock formations appear, therefore, to take in the water from the overlying glacial deposits, and, as shown above, a deepening of the wells into the 

rock has generally met with at least partial success. The great 

majority of wells now are exceptionally shallow compared with 

those of large areas in Michigan, where depths of 100 to 150 feet or 

more are common. It seems probable that wells of such depths in 

the region under discussion would yield permanent and abundant 

supplies.

WATER SUPPLIES OF WAYNE COUNTY. 

By WILLIAM HITTELL SHEEZER.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

The county of Wayne, with an area of 601.6 square miles, has, 

according to the State census of 1904, a population of 386,827, or 

one person for each acre of ground. Outside the cities and incorporated villages the average is 61 to the square mile, or one to every. 

10 acres.
WAYNE COUNTY. 

RAINFALL.

49

The following table, constructed from data supplied by the State 

weather service, shows the average monthly and annual precipitation in or near the county:

Precipitation, in inches, for WayneCounty and for adjoining portions of'Oakland, Washtenaw,

and Monroe counties.

Station.

Grape... ...................

Eloise

County.

\Vayn

Period

of observation

(years).

Monthly precipitation.

Jan.

34-35 1 01

Monroe...... 17-18 1.59

W a.vnt 7- 8

Birmingham ............... Oakland .....

Ypsilanti ..................

14-18

Fel).

1.82

1 . 93 2. 32

1.71 1.89

Washtenaw.. 20-23 2.00

1

Station.

July.

Birmingham ............. 2. 86

£ 5 ? %

2.54

Monthly precipitation.

Aug. Sept.

9 f,q 9 fi3

Oct. Nov.

9 as o K6

9 69 ° 50 1 94

2. 34 2. 79 2. 44

2.47

2. 00

1.91

2. 55 2. 38 2. 07

2 42 3. 02

3.77

2 53 3.01

2.97 1.85 1.08

Mar. Apr.

9 40 i 9 99

2. 32 2. 24

2. 68

2.16

1.71

2. 46

2.51 i 2.24

2. 71 2. 40

1

Dec.

2.35

Total 

years.

34

17

2. 16 ' 5

1.76

2.37

2.41

9

IS

4

May.

3.30

3.56

2.83

3.14

3.90

Average 

annual 

precipitation.

32. 13

29. 43

28.70

27. 50

33. 78

33.83

June.

3.83

3. 45

3.09

3.10

4.05

3.89

Annual pn-ci] - 

itation 

corrected 

for

epoch. &

30. 7 1

29 . 9

27. 55

34. 6ti

33. 83

n Private instruments, perhaps not in accord with Government instruments.

* The last column contains corrections for epoch made by averaging the Detroit annual records for 

each term of years represented liy observations at other stations. The monthly averages have not 

been corrected for epoch. In the case of Ypsilanti the average annual precipitation for eighteen years 

was taken, since there are gaps in the record for the, longer period on which the monthly averages 

are based.

The monthly averages are based on all the records available for 

each station, whether consecutive or not, and include March, 1905. 

It is unfortunate that they do not all cover equally long periods of 

time, for then the totals would be more strictly comparable. The 

distribution of the rainfall over the year is a matter of no little importance, since a frozen condition of the soil leads to the run-off of much 

water that would otherwise be absorbed and contributed to the 

underground supply. The average rainfall for the county is about 

31 inches; over a belt extending across the middle, from Monroe 

northward into Oakland County, it is 10 to 15 per cent less, but it 

increases eastward to the Detroit River and still more rapidly to 

to the west. For the last seventeen years the records for a station 

in each belt are complete: Ypsilanti, 33.91 inches; Grape, 29.43 

inches; Detroit, 30.78 inches. In all the years for which we have 

records at Eloise and Birmingham, located in the central belt, the 

precipitation is less than it is immediately to the east and to the 

west. It is interesting to observe that this central belt, with its
50 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

diminished precipitation, is in a sand-covered region, the covering 

having been produced in a way to be presently described, and it 

seems that the extra heat radiated from such a soil might readily 

reduce the amount of moisture precipitated over the region. A 

study of the above table shows that the reduction is most pronounced 

for the month of June, when we have maximum sun power combined with least protection of the soil by crops. This, however, is 

only a partial explanation, since the reduction in the precipitation 

for this belt extends over the entire year, when the question of soil 

must be largely eliminated. Prof. M. S. W. Jefferson has suggested that the series of high moraines extending in a northeastsouthwest direction across Washtenaw and Oakland counties may 

cause the increase of precipitation in the western belt, while the 

descending and slightly warmed currents, having a prevailing easterly course, would part less readily with their moisture until the 

immediate effect of the Great Lakes was felt. In other words, we 

may have here some such effect as is produced by the "Chinook" 

winds of our Western States. The morainic belt stands from 800 

to 1,100 feet above tide, while the drier belt east of it is only 650 to 

660 feet above. Further observations upon rainfall, temperatures, 

and directions of storms in this and adjoining areas would throw 

light on the subject.

SURFACE WATERS.

EESEEVOIES.

From data obtained from Prof. M. E. Cooley, of the University 

of Michigan, State Geologist Lane has estimated that 38 per cent of 

the total precipitation may be collected from roofs and secured in 

cisterns," and that with a rainfall of 32 inches, practically the same 

as that of Detroit, every 100 square feet of horizontal surface will 

yield 100 cubic feet of water annually, or about 25 barrels. This is 

but a little more than one-third of what actually falls on a roof of 

such area, the remainder being lost in wetting the roof, evaporation, 

blowing or sliding of snow, etc. Where limited quantities of practically pure water are required, as for laundry or domestic purposes, 

nurseries, and boilers, simple precautions would secure a much larger 

percentage. In addition to the dust, coal dirt, and organic matter 

derived from the collecting surface, this water contains similar 

matter taken from the air, and in addition appreciable amounts of 

ammonia, nitric and nitrous, sulphuric and sulphurous acids, carbon 

dioxide, and other gases of the atmosphere. There are large reservoirs in the brickyards to the west of Detroit, where excavations 

made into the old lake clays, to be presently mentioned, serve as

a Lane A. 0., Water resources (if Lower Peninsula of Michigan: Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. 30, 

U. S. Geol. Siu-vey, 1X99, p. 45.
WAYNE COUNTY. 51

collecting basins for the surface drainage and supply the necessary 

water for softening the stiff clays, the driven or bored wells at the 

brickyards supplying merely drinking water. Throughout the 

county cisterns are used in dwellings, and in districts where wells are 

hard to obtain they are connected with barns for use of stock.

I AXES.

Location. In striking contrast with its neighbors, Oakland to 

the north and Washtenaw to the west, Wayiie County is surprisingly deficient in lakes or permanent ponds. Aside from the small 

bayous on the river flats, the only natural lakelet lies 1 mile east of 

Northville (sec. 2, Northville Township), and is known locally as 

Yerkes Lake. It has a maximum diameter of about 1,000 feet, 

and is drained by a small stream into the middle branch of River 

Rouge. Occupying a depression between the morainic knolls of 

the region, it receives considerable surface drainage, and is said also 

to be fed by springs and to be well stocked with fish. Owing to its 

slight elevation above the village of Northville, it has not been 

utilized for water- supply. Although so poorly supplied with inland 

lakes, Wayne County touches Lake St. Clair on the north and 

extends to Lake Erie on the south.

The water of Lake St. Clair is \itilized to a greater or less extent 

by the residents of Grossepoint Township. Many of those who 

adjoin the lake pump the water direct by means of windmills and 

distribute it over their grounds from elevated storage tanks. Drinking water is ordinarily procured from wells, to be described later.

Waterworks. The village of Grossepoint Farms is supplied with 

water drawn from the lake at a point about If miles from the shore, 

this great distance being necessitated by the shallowness of the lake. 

The plant was installed in 1890 by the Grossepoint Construction 

Company and is operated in connection with an electric-light plant. 

The original cost was $65,000. The water flows by gravity into a 

settling basin, from which it is pumped direct. Two Walker pumps 

are used, with a daily capacity of 5,750,000 gallons. The ordinary 

pressure is 35 pounds to the square inch and the fire pressure is 90 

pounds. In 1897 there were 4 miles of mains, 110 taps, and 27 

public hydrants. During the }Tear 1904 the pumpage was 76,600,140, 

or a daily average of 209,290 gallons. There is a resident population 

of only 615; but this large daily average does not mean a daily per 

capita consumption of 340 gallons, for the excessive amount is due 

in part to the large number of summer transients.
52 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

STREAMS. 

DETROIT RIVER.

General statement. The water supply of about seven-eighths of 

the entire population of Wayne County is derived from Detroit 

River, naturally one of the most magnificent streams of potable 

water in the world, when volume, purity, temperature, and constancy 

are considered. Opposite the center of the city of Detroit its breadth 

is 2,200 feet, its average depth is 37 to 38 feet, and there is maintained a rather constant velocity of 2 miles an hour. With the level 

of Lake Erie at normal, it is calculated by the United States engineers 

that there flows by Fort Wayne in the southern part of the city each 

second 209,900 cubic feet. In the American channel the maximum 

velocity is 21 miles an hour, and the average somewhat less than 2 

miles. During July and August, 1897, detailed measurements of 

the flow were made by Clarence W. Hubbell, engineer of the Detroit 

waterworks. Float methods gave an average flow of 65,000 cubic 

feet a second and current meters one of 53,000 cubic feet for this 

channel. When the channel is covered with ice and the Canadian 

channel is open the flow is reduced to 36,000 cubic feet a second. 

The temperature of the water ranges from 32° to 70° F., and the 

greatest vertical range between the top and bottom has never been 

observed to exceed one-half degree. Between shore and midstream 

the temperature of the water may vary as much as 8° or 9°, and 

this fact may be used to detect possible contamination from tributary 

streams.

Lake St. Clair, which extends nearly to Detroit, has served for 

many years as a great settling basin, as is shown by its shallow condition and the growing delta at its head. The turbidity of the river 

water is low except after storms, when the bottom of Lake St. Clair 

may be more or less disturbed and the small tributary streams bringin sediment. The following is the latest available mineral analysis 

of the river water:

Mineral analysis of Detroit River water.a

Parts per Parts per 

million. . million.

Calcium (Ca).................... 24. 61

Magnesium (Mg)................. 7. 44

Aluminum (Al).................. 1. 80

Sulphate radicle (SO4 )............. 7. 62

Chlorine (Cl)..................... 2. 99

Silica (SiOo)..................... 1. 59

Iron (Fe)_....................... Trace.

Sodium (Na)..................... 2. 76 Total.......................99. 66

Potassium (K).........-.-.-.-... Trace, j Total mineral matter............. 101. 24

Carbonate radicle (CO3 )........... 50. 85 ' Organic and volatile matter....... 36. 39

'i Twenty-first Ann. Kept. Michigan Board of Health. 1902, p. 03. Expressed by analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic lorm at United States Geological Survey. For other 

mineral analyses see Lane, A. C. Lower Michigan mineral waters: Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. ,'U, 

U. S. Oeol. Survey, J899, pp. 18-19.
WAYNE COUNTY. 5d

Waterworks. The city of Detroit, with a population of 317,591 a 

and an area of approximately 29 square miles, is supplied with Detroit 

"^iver water from a single pumping station, believed to be the largest 

in the world. The reservoir formerly used has been given up and the 

pumping is direct, through two distinct systems, an upper and a lower. 

The central station is located in the extreme eastern part of the city, 

opposite Belle Isle, and the water is taken from the American channel 

I'hrough three boiler-plate intake pipes, 5 and 6 feet in diameter, 

provided with box strainers placed in 28 feet of water. 6 These 

ntakes are 1,030 feet, 1,505 feet, and 1,505 feet in length, respectively, 

and reach out from the west shore into the channel 500 feet and 1,000 

"eet. Through these pipes the water flowT s by gravity into a settling 

msin 365 by 775 by 16 feet deep. Straining wells are interposed 

letween this basin and the pumping wells.

In order to secure water from nearer the center of the main channel there has been constructed a 10-foot tunnel 3,160 feet long, lined 

Tvitli 1.5 feet of vitrified brick and terminating in a substantial stone 

°rib located about 800 feet above the head of Belle Isle. This tunnel 

'as above it about 36 feet of stiff blue clay and about 30 feet of 

^vater. Connecting with this river tunnel is a shore tunnel, lined 

-vith common brick and leading to the receiving basin or direct to 

the pumps.

The pumps used are six in number: One 30,000,000 comp. beam, 

two 24,000,000 comp. beam, one 24,000,000 triple Allis, two 25,000,000 

triple Allis-Chalmers; total daily capacity, 152,000,000 gallons. For 

the year 1904 the average daily consumption was 59,385,121 gallons, 

or 183 gallons per capita. The average cost of pumping is $3.37 

per million gallons. The total length of mains is 644 miles, of which 

559 belong to the city proper and 85 to the suburbs, being paid for 

by the villages supplied. The total number of fire hydrants is 4,100, 

and of service taps in the city 63,656. The total estimated cost of 

the plant is $7,344,456. The income for 1904 for metered water was 

$155,266 and for unmetered water $277,126.

The suburban villages supplied are Hamtramck (population 1,559), 

Highland Park (612), Woodmere (5,034), River Rouge (2,474), and 

Delray (6,627). These villages present a combined population of 

16,306, of which it is estimated that 12,926 are supplied with water 

through 2,570 taps. The water is all metered and double city rates 

are charged.

With the system of direct pressure it has been found impracticable 

to force the water to all parts of the city, portions of which are 60 to 

70 feet above the river, or to the upper floors of the taller buildings. 

Accordingly in 1898 a double system was installed, each with its own
54 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

set of pumps and mains, one operated under low and the other under 

high pressure. Frequent tests at various points in the two systems 

show a mean pressure in the lower of 17.4 to 51.8 pounds per square 

inch, and in the upper of 26.6 to 60 pounds per square inch. Buildings more than five stories high are provided with their own private 

pumps.

Below the city of Detroit the people along the river front, owing to 

the nature of the ground water and the poor drainage, are dependent 

on Detroit River. The villages of Ford and Trenton and the city of 

Wyandotte are supplied by pumping plants drawing water from 

near the west bank. On Grosse Isle water is pumped by windmills 

directly from the river into elevated tanks and used for stock and 

lawns and for domestic supplies, although good well water is also 

procurable. Wyandotte and Trenton own their own waterworks 

systems, operating them in connection with electric-light plants.

Ford is supplied with water by the Michigan Alkali Company, 

whose plant was installed in 1893. The village (population 1,372) 

laid 5 miles of mains at a cost of $18,500, the company having 1 mile. 

The water is drawn from within the harbor line and pumped direct 

by five pumps one Holly of 5,000,000 gallons capacity, two Snow 

of 6,000,000 each, and two Nordling of 3,000,000 each, giving a total 

daily capacity of 23,000,000 gallons. The average daily pumpage 

is 17,000,000 gallons, large quantities being used for manufacturing 

purposes. The village possesses 40 hydrants and 163 service taps. 

No meters are in use, the ordinary dwelling paying a flat rate of $4 

per annum. The village is without sewers.

Immediately to the south of Ford, and adjoining it, is located the 

city of Wyandotte, with a population of 5,425. The water plant was 

built by the city in 1889-90 at an original cost of $61,371. The intake 

pipe reaches out 150 feet beyond the harbor line and the pumping is 

direct, with a Hughes pump of 1,500,000 gallons capacity and a Laidlaw-Dunn-Gordoii of the same capacity, making a total daily capacity 

of 3,000,000 gallons. The average daily consumption is 500,000 gallons, which, based on the entire population, represents a per capita 

consumption of about 92 gallons. It is estimated that about 90 per 

cent of the people are actually using this water, the remainder 

depending on shallow wells. There are 120 public hydrants, 1,300 

service taps, and 11 miles of mains. The ordinary pressure is 45 pounds 

and the fire pressure 80 pounds. Only a small amount of water 

is metered and this to the few larger consumers. Lying so nearly 

at a level with the river itself the drainage is poor, while the prevailing sandy soil acts as a sponge and retains much impurity. The city 

is sadly in need of the best system of sewers that can be procured. 

Money has already been appropriated for building these, and it is 

unfortunate that sufficient unanimity of opinion can not be secured 

to push the work to completion.
WAYNE COUNTY. 55

Four miles south of Wyandotte lies the village of Trenton, located 

011 higher ground and with a clay soil. The village, with a population of 1,201, installed its own plant in 1896 at a cost of $11,300. 

The intake pipe reaches out 210 feet into the American channel, 

between the mainland and Grosse Isle. A Worthington pump of 

1,000,000 gallons capacity is used, with a second high-pressure pump 

of 750,000 gallons capacity. There are 22 hydrants, and in 1897 

there were 160 taps and 4 miles of mains. The ordinary pressure is 

35 pounds, and the fire pressure 100 pounds. The annual cost of operating is estimated at $1,700. It is further estimated that 85 per cent 

of the population use the river water. The average daily pumpage 

is 130,600 gallons, or 109 gallons per capita for the entire village. No 

sewers have yet been projected.

Contamination. Although naturally of excellent quality, Detroit 

water is not above suspicion and safety lies only in constant vigilance. Not far from 400,000 people dwell in the St. Clair drainage 

basin between Detroit and Lake Huron. Connors Creek, just above 

the city, drains a region of cemeteries and truck farms, rich in compost, and in the early spring is a menace to Detroit. The melting 

snows and heavy rains have swept the accumulations of the winter 

into the river five-eighths of a mile above the present city intakes 

and on the same side of the river. This condition of affairs will 

be remedied by the new tunnel. The city board of health conducts 

monthly sanitary analyses, but these should be more frequent, especially during the spring, summer, and fall. The following table is 

taken from its 1902 report, and is of especial interest, as it shows 

the variations in the character of the water through an entire 

year:

Sanitary auedyxe* of Detroit River water, July, 1901, to June, 1W2.

Total solids. ........ .parts per million. .

Nitrogen as nitrites. ............. .do. ...

Oxygen absorbed in 15 minutes. . .do. . . .

Growth in 2 per cent carbolic-acid gelatin

,lu

C

108 

41

67

2

f 98 

43 

11(3 

[ 62

N

y.

4 

4

008 

074 

115 

0 

80 

40

me.

August.

C. 

104.2 

31 i. 4 

67.8 

.000 

.080 

. 082 

0 

2.90 

.32 

.72 

10(i 

84 

192 

47 

None.

September.

C. 

103 

44.4 

58.fi 

.020 

. 1211 

.164 

0 

2. (10 

.44 

.88 

37 

98 

160 

.52 

None.

Octr

C 

111 

41

69

9

37 

104

82 

206

N

ber.

8

0

016 

116 

210 

0 

80 

48 

96

me.

Novenibor.

C. 

104 

34. 8 

69.2 

.024 

.092 

. 099 

0 

2.70 

.44 

.84 

103 

170 

89 

201 

None.

December.

C. 

Ill 

41 

69

3

104 

199 

265 

99

N

6 

4 

012 

102 

198 

0 

15 

48 

72

ane.

<*C=clear; N. C.=nearly clear; S. T.= slightly turbid.
56 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES T1ST SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

Sanitary analyses of Detroit River water, July, 1901, to June, 1902 Continued.

January. "

A ppea Fa nco a

Total solids. ........ .parts per million..

Oxygen absorbed in 1.5 minutes.

..do....

..do....

..do....

..do....

..do....

..do....

..do.... 

..do....

Growt h i n .2 per cent ca rl lolic-aeid gelatin

C. 

10<i 2 

39. 0 

06. (i 

.026 

.082 

.230 

0 

2. 70 

.40 

. 7G 

f 87 

) 132 

26 

[ 204 

None.

February.

N. C. 

115 

39 

70 

028 

080 

148 

0 

3 15 

30 

84 

124 

353 

197 

402 

None.

March. April.

N. C. 

110. 4 

30. 8 

79 0 

.024 

.092 

115 

0 

2.50 

.44 

.88 

170 

105 

266 

333 

None.

S. T. 

110 

39 

77 

016 

086 

104 

0 

2 75 

40 

SO 

105 

190 

235 

302 

None.

May.

S. T. 

118.2 

40 

78.2 

.022 

.082 

.198 

0 

3.10 

.32 

.84 

31 

48 

66 

115 

None.

June.

N. r.

112 

40

". 020 

.118 

. 105 

0 

2.70 

.28 

.88 

398 

34 

140 

09 

None.

aC=cle:ir; N. C.=nearly clear; S. T.= slightly turbid.

Since, the first crude pumping plant was installed, in 1825, with its 

horse-driven pumps and tamarack mains, the city of Detroit has 

repeatedly suffered from epidemics of disease, the germs o£ which, 

without reasonable doubt, came from the river water. In 1832, at 

the time of the Black Hawk war, a boat load of soldiers on their wajT 

to Chicago, with cholera aboard, anchored at the head of Belle Isle, 

and very soon the disease was epidemic in the village of Detroit, 96 

citizens succumbing. Two years later cholera again appeared and 

7 per cent of the population died in one month. Similar outbreaks 

occurred in 1849 and in 1854, causing 35 to 40 deaths daily.

Danger from cholera to-day is remote, but that from typhoid is 

constantly at hand. The average number of deaths in Detroit from 

this disease from 1886 to 1904, inclusive, being 72, ranging from 39 to 

209. The maximum was reached in 1892, following the dredging of 

the delta of Black River, at Port Huron, by the United States Government. 0 This delta contains sewage deposits from the city of 

Port Huron, and its disturbance appears to have contaminated St. 

Clair and Detroit rivers. Although some dredging had been done 

previously, the dredges were especially active in the river in 1892, the 

excavated material being loaded on barges and dumped in St. Clair 

River below Port Huron. Gardner S. Williams, at the time civil 

engineer to the Detroit water board, has estimated that it wTould 

require about ten days for this material to reach Detroit. Allowing 

twelve days for the incubation stage and twenty-six days to produce 

death, this gives a total of forty-eight days. The dredging began on 

April 16, and on June 5 4 deaths from typhoid were recorded in 

Detroit; in the next twenty-five days 38 deaths were reported from 

this disease. Since the dredging was completed the typhoid rate 

dropped back to what appears to be the normal. From July 1, 1903, 

to July 1, 1904, 64 deaths were reported, or 2 deaths for each

a Williams, Q. S.,Typhoid lever and the water supply of Detroit: Proc. Sanitary Convention, Detroit, 

1S97, p. 90.
WAYNE COUNTY. 57

10,000 of population. This is low when compared with many other 

cities, and it is possible that some of.the cases were contracted elsewhere; still, the great city of Detroit should not rest satisfied until 

it has the lowest attainable rate. The mortality rate for this disease is 

given by Dr. V. C. Vaughan as 7.5 per cent, so that f>4 deaths during 

the last year would indicate that there had been about 850 cases, and 

since only about one person in from 3 to 10 actually contracts the 

disease on exposure, we may assume that 2,500 to 8,500 people are 

annually exposed to this lingering and expensive disease; say one in 

every ten families. As pointed out by Professor Williams, nothing 

but the expense stands in the way of a filtering plant that would 

obviate such danger, and until this is secured it is on the side of safety 

to filter or boil the water in the home.

If there is reason to view the water secured from the head of Belle 

Isle with some suspicion, there are still better grounds for viewing 

with positive distrust that which has received the full contamination 

of the city of Detroit and the Canadian towns across the river. Since 

practically all the water that is pumped finds its way sooner or later 

into the river again as sewage or surface drainage, this means that 

60,000,000 gallons in this condition are daily returned to the river. 

The Canadian towns opposite Detroit (Walkerville, Windsor, and 

Sandwich) have a combined population of about 18,000, and contribute to the river daily about 5,800,000 gallons of polluted water. If 

we assume that within the limits of Detroit 50 per cent of the rainfall 

finds its way to the river after having taken up the filth of the roofs, 

streets, gutters, and walks, we have on an average 22,000,000 gallons 

daily from this source. The total, to say nothing of the pollution 

received below the city of Detroit, is 76,000,000 gallons daily of sewage, slops, and street washings. This represents 11.7 cubic feet a 

second, or 1 gallon for every 1,800 gallons that flow by the fort in the 

south part of the city, where gaging was made. This assumes that 

the two are uniformly mingled. Since, however, Ford, Wyandotte, 

and Trenton are on the same side of the river as Detroit and the contours of the river banks are such as to crowd the shore currents to the 

west, the case is certainly more serious even than the above figures 

indicate. Then, too, it must be remembered that it is really a question of the quality of the contaminating material rather than the 

quantity, and that there are in Detroit on the average nearly 1,000 

cases of typhoid each year. As a direct line by river from Woodward avenue to the Wyandotte intake is 10^ miles and the average 

velocity is somewhat less than 2 miles, the outflow from Detroit sewers may be. pumped to unsuspecting victims at WVandotte in from 

six to eight hours after its discharge into the river. This does not 

give time for the process of oxidation to complete its work of purification, nor to secure the death of the organisms causing disease. In
58 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

the rase of Ford, lying between Wyandotte and the source of pollution 

the condition would be still more unfavorable, while with Trenton, 

there is the additional contamination from Wyandotte, which will be 

still more serious with the direct flow from the sewers when these are 

finished. The following sanitary analyses of the water from the river 

at Wyandotte, together with one of water from a well for comparison, 

are supplied by Dr. V. C. Vaughan:

Sanitary analyses of Wyandotte waters. 

[Parts per million.]

Hardness.

">*)... ................

1.

179

112

07

25. 45

20. 75

.024

.032

9S

Slightly

opal. 

120

2.

173

101

79

(i

3. 90

.0100

. 01 r.

S2

cent. 

114.29

3.

LS7

100

81

25.57

10. 03

.008

.010

45

cent. 

114.29

221

191 

30

10. 976 

27.57 

14. 07 

None.

.08 

.52 

.15 

.003 

1,890 

Clear.

100

1,090

850

240

20. 798 

101. 44 

104.96 

Strong 

trace. 

.40 

.50 

3.40 

.91 

2,580

Sedimentary. 

185. 72

Nos. 1-3, river, 1898: 4, river, 1890; 5, well, 1890.

Nos. 1 and 2 were pronounced safe by Doctor Vaughan, while the other three caused death of rats 

and guinea pigs and were pronounced unsafe. The last two analyses were made at the time of a typhoid 

epidemic, which was believed to have been caused by milk contaminated from the well. Until something can bo done the residents of these places should both filter and boil their drinking water. In the 

way of securing a better supply of water several propositions may be considered: (1) Installing a filtering plant: (2) extending the Detroit mains from River Rouge to Trenton; (3) using the Swan well, in 

case the water from that well proves potable and not too hard (see analysis p. 44); (4* putting down 

wells into the Sylvania sandstone.

SMALLER STREAMS.

General statement. Named in order from the north, the main 

streams crossing the county are Connors Creek, River Rouge with its 

three branches, Ecorse River, Monguagon Creek, Hale Creek, and 

Huron River. Owing to the comparatively narrow drainage basin* 

and the very direct slope of the land these streams attain no considrable size in southeastern Michigan.

The highest and roughest land in Wayne County is found about 

the northwest corner, where the greater parts of Northville and Plymouth townships are covered with morainic knolls and ridges, the 

extreme northwest corner of the county attaining an altitude of 975 

feet above sea level. The average surface slope from there southeastward to Detroit River is 16 feet to the mile. East of this 

morainic area the surface is remarkably flat and even, with an average 

slope of 8.7 feet to the mile, not enough to be detected by the eye 

alone. The cutting of their beds, especially in their upper courses, 

has considerably reduced the average fall of the streams, but the
WA.YNE COUNTY. 59

loose condition of the materials over which they flow is sufficient to 

keep them supplied with more or less sediment and unfitted for general use. In only one or two instances do the streams touch bed 

rock, and then only for very short distances.

Farmers whose places adjoin these natural watercourses use this 

supply for their stock, for irrigation of their truck farms, etc. At 

Dearborn the Arna mills use the water of River Rouge, after settling, 

in their dyeing business. At the former Dearborn power house of 

the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Jackson Electric Railway the 

Rouge supplied water for the boilers.

Waterworks. The Wayne County Infirmary, at Eloise, has its own 

system of waterworks, the plant having been installed in 1902. 

Previous to that date the water was pumped from the lower branch 

of River Rouge, but it is now taken from a large well on the flats of 

the middle branch near Perrinsville. This well, which is 35 feet in 

diameter and 18 feet deep, receives the flow from the river as well 

as some surface water, necessitating a plant at Eloise. The water is 

pumped by a Worden & Hughes pump having a daily capacity of 

1,152,000 gallons and driven with a 40-horsepower engine. The 

wT ater is conveyed through 3f miles of 8-inch cast-iron tubing, buried 

to a depth of 5 feet, and emptied into an artificial lake, which is also 

partly filled by surface drainage. From this reservoir it is again 

elevated by pump and filtered through four steel tanks, 6 feet in 

diameter by 9 feet in height, filled with crushed quartz. The daily 

capacity of the filters is 200,000 gallons. There are 19 hydrants on 

the grounds. The cost of the plant was $30,000 and the annual cost 

of operating is SI,800. This water is not used for drinking and 

cooking purposes, the inmates being supplied from springs (see pp. 

63-64). The number of inmates cared for in 1904 (year closing September 30) was 1,088, with about 100 employees. River Rouge water 

is used mainly for the boilers, on the grounds, and for flushing the 

sewers. The following analysis of this water from the middle branch 

was made by L. M. Gelston, assistant in the hygienic laboratory of 

the University of Michigan. It is considerably harder than that of 

the lower branch, owing undoubtedly to the fact that the middle 

branch receives the flow from so many springs, especially those from 

the glacial deposits.

Analysis of water from Middle Branch River Rouge.

Parts per Parts per 

million. million.

Inorganic matter............... 732

Organic matter................. 96

Chlorine....................... 37

Potassium..................... 1.5

Total residue by evaporation..... 828 

Reaction neutral. Algse, protozoa, and bacteria present.

Free ammonia.................. 0. 133

Albuminoid ammonia........... . 124
60 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Contamination. In a suit brought against the infirmary in 1898 

for the pollution of the stream the following analyses were made by 

Prof. J. E. Clark, M. D., of the Detroit College of'Medicine. It was 

then legally decided that the Rouge was being seriously contaminated, 

and the infirmary was required to put in settling basins for its sewage. 

A series of such basins now in use treat the sewage with alum and 

lime and then run it through gravel.

Analyses of ivater from River Rouge, showi7ig contamination. 

[Parts per million.]

Above 

sewer.

280

150

5

From

sewer.

250 to 300 

feet below 

sewer.

740 720

380 , 370

105

48.8

95

1.512

32. 58 1. 44

1,120 1,090

325.000 12.500

Mineral matter.................................................

Organic matter................................................

Chlorine........................................................

Free ammonia .................................................

Albuminoid ammonia.............................................

Total solids.......................................................' 430

Bacteria............................................................ 10.900

The table is of interest because it shows the ordinary condition of 

the water in this stream, and in addition those substances derived 

from sewage which suggest the presence of dangerous bacteria. The 

amount of chlorine, combined to form common salt, has been increased 

19 times, while the ammonia has not risen in proportion to the 

amount actually present in the sewage itself. A complete analysis 

of the water would have shown that much of this had been oxidized 

into nitrites and nitrates, which along with the chlorine furnish an 

index to the probable amount of sewage contamination. The percentage of bacteria added to the stream is small and to but a slight 

extent capable of producing disease, but there is a likelihood that 

sooner or later those of a more serious nature will have to be reckoned 

with.

Huron River, the largest stream of the county, receives before 

entering the county the sewage and drainage from Ann Arbor and 

Ypsilanti, with a combined population of 22,200 people, and is still 

more seriously polluted by the sanitary works at French Landing. 

None of the villages in Wayne County, however, draw on the river 

for a public supply.

GROUXD WATERS.

WATERS FROM LACUSTRINE AND RIVER DEPOSITS.

FORMATION OF DEPOSITS.

A series of old shore lines and beaches, made by the predecessors 

of the present system of Great Lakes, traverse Wayne County in a 

general northeast-southwest direction. In some places these are 

closely placed, and a single township may have as many as six; in
WAYNE COUNTY. 61

other places they are broad and rather widely separated. Through 

the work of the United States and Michigan geological surveys these 

ancient beaches are being carefully followed and maps showing their 

location wrill soon be available. The waves of the lakes, as they stood 

at successive levels, threw up broad, rounded ridges of sand, or sand 

and gravel, attaining a maximum thickness of 25 to 30 feet and consisting of cross-bedded deposits resting upon the underlying clay.

Where sand was especially abundant it was seized by the lake winds 

and heaped into mounds and ridges (dunes) and sometimes carried 

landward for a considerable distance, being there spread out into a 

relatively thin, unstratified sheet. A broad belt of such deposit, 

the joint work of wind and wave, extends across Sumpter, Romulus, Nankin, and Livonia towmships, reaching over into those adjoining. A similar belt, but with less breadth, passes across Huron, 

Taylor, Dearborn, and Redford; and a third, less continuous, passes 

through Brownstown, Ecorce, Springwells, Detroit, and Hamtramck.

At the several levels of the old system of lakes, Huron and Rouge 

rivers formed delta deposits opposite their mouths, spreading sheets 

of stratified sand and gravel over a considerable area. This was 

particularly true during the stage known as Lake Arkona, when the 

Huron covered from 30 to 35 square miles of Van Buren and Sumpter 

townships with such a dressing, extending eastward as far as French 

Landing and attaining a maximum thickness of over 20 feet. A 

similar but less extensive formation was laid down where the middle 

branch of the Rouge discharged into Lake Arkona east of Plymouth, 

covering the eastern part of Plymouth Township, western Livonia, 

northeastern Canton, and northwestern Nankin. These delta deposits are continued up the stream valleys, where they form terraces of 

stratified sand and gravel, the former flood plains of the Huron and 

Rouge. '

WATER SUPPLY.

These loose, unconsolidated deposits, mantling the clay, are very 

porous and readily absorb a large part of the rainfall. They are at 

the same time very permeable and deliver this water readily. For 

a precipitation of 32 inches, with a surface run-off and seepage flow 

of 25 per cent, there would be an average daily addition of 132,210 

cubic feet over every square mile, or nearly 1,000,000 gallons. The 

water sinks to the underlying clay and is there held, or works its 

way slowdy by underground passages and seepage down a gentle 

slope. This brings it quite near the surface, though, owing to the 

wT ay in which it is held, it possesses no head. Only shallow wells, 

ranging from 5 to 25 feet, are required to tap this supply; a very 

common depth is 10 to 15 feet. In sinking these it is usually not 

necessary to reach the clay, but when the supply is reduced it is
62 WELLS AITD WATETC SUPPLIES TINT SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

frequently desirable to make an excavation into the clay, which will 

serve as a reservoir. These wells as a rule are dug, but are sometimes driven, and are cased with barrels, planks, brick, stone, or 

crocks. The water is obtained usually by suction or chain pumps, 

the windmill being1 occasionally used. In the case of wells in sand 

the bucket, with chain, rope, or pole, is used for dipping, the oldfashioned "sweep" being still occasionally found. While the supply 

is ordinarily sufficient and very frequently abundant, it fluctuates 

with the amount of precipitation, and after prolonged drought may 

disappear or be so lowered as to require deepening of the wells. 

How much any particular well will be affected, and how promptly, 

will be determined by the extent and thickness of the deposit supplying the water.

In one-third of the wells from which data were secured the owners 

report the water to be soft and suitable for laundry use, so that no 

cisterns are required. This shows that there has been but little 

calcium or magnesium carbonate dissolved from the sand, gravel, or 

clay, either because these substances were not present originally or 

have been leached out, or because the water has not had time to get 

them in solution. In two-thirds of the wells, particularly in those 

which approach or reach the clay, the water was pronounced hard. 

In a few cases the water was reported to have changed from soft to 

hard and vice versa. Other mineral ingredients, so common in other 

types of wells, are absent here or only very sparingly present. The 

temperature of the water in these wells fluctuates more than in the 

deeper wells, being more affected by the surface temperature of 

the air and soil. From what is known of other wells we may 

assert that the temperature will be highest in midfall and lowest in 

midspring.

Although obtained with so little difficulty and expense, this water 

is especially liable to contamination from house and barn drainage 

and privies. Dupuit's experiments in France have shown that the 

area drained by a well is in the form of an inverted cone, the radius 

of the base of which may range from 15 to 160 times the depth of 

the surface of the water in the well. This means that if it is 10 feet 

from the surface of the ground to the level of the water in the well 

this well may receive drainage from buildings 150 to 1,600 feet distant from the well. It has also been found by experiment that a 

shallow well heavily pumped will drain a larger area than a deep 

well subjected to moderate pumping. Although sand and gravel 

may serve as filters for the removal of solid substances, subterranean 

channels are liable to be opened in time and direct pollution occur. 

The sudden opening of such channels may explain why some wells, 

wholesome up to a certain time, become suddenly a source of great
WAYNE COUNTY. 63

danger. This is probably what happened to the Millspaugh well at 

Wyandotte, the analysis of which is given in the table (p. 58). It 

is a mistake to suppose that the direction of the surface slope completely controls the direction of underground drainage. Wells of the 

type here discussed should be placed as far as possible from sources 

of infection and should be tightly cased with solid pipe or sealed 

crocks extending above the general level of the ground sufficiently 

to prevent any surface water from entering.

Around the margins of the sand dunes, where the superficial beds 

of sand and gravel thin out, exposing the clay, or wThere these beds 

are cut by surface streams through the cla}^, the water seeps out and 

gives rise to one type of springs. The flow may be slight and simply 

moisten the surface or it may be concentrated into a single flow of 

some volume. Most of these springs are found along the banks of 

Rouge and Huron rivers where they have cut across the old lake 

beaches or the deltas of their own formation. In Van Buren Township some of the farmers adjoining the Huron and its tributaries are 

utilizing the strongest of these flow's, elevating the water to tanks 

by means of hydraulic rams. These waters show only small quantities of salt, gypsum, and calcium carbonate, with some iron. The 

largest spring supplied from this class is located on the place of 

G. E. Barlow, sec. 29, Livonia Township, just north of the middle 

branch of the Rouge, where it has been flowing strongly for many 

years. It now discharges through a 2.5-inch tube with considerable 

force a hard water which contains calcium carbonate and calcium 

sulphate, but gives no reaction for salt. This is of significance, since 

it might prove to be of superior quality in the manufacture of beet 

sugar. If this spring were fully developed, along with others on the 

neighboring bank, the supply might prove sufficient for the village 

of Wayne, to which it could be carried by 7 miles of pipe. The fall 

is about 14 feet, enough to give the water a flow by gravity, but 

not enough to secure pressure. Wayne has made an unsuccessful 

attempt to secure a public supply by means of deep wells and had 

a survey made looking toward the extension of the Detroit city 

mains to the village. The expense of the latter plan was prohibitive 

for the time.

At the county infirmary at Eloise some 1,100 people are supplied 

with drinking water from a sand dune about one-half mile to the 

south, the water being collected into small reservoirs, from which it 

flows by gravity through 3-inch tiling and is distributed by pipes to 

the basements of the buildings and by hand to the drinking tanks 

on the upper floors. The effect is said to be somewhat constipating, 

but the water is pure and abundant. It is said to be soft, but does
(>4 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

not make a free lather. The following analysis of this water was 

made in April, 1888, by Dr. Samuel P. Duffield, of Detroit:

Analyttit* of drinking water at Wayne County Infirmary, Eloiw.a

Parts per : Parts per 

million. million.

Calcium (Ca).................. 587. 48

Carbonate radicle (CO3 )......... 181. 60

Magnesium (Mg)............... 54. 83

Sulphate radicle (SO4 ).......... 1, 050. 67

Chlorine (CD................... 425. 25

Sodium (Na)................... 172. <S6

Total................... 2, 472. 75

Free carbon dioxide............ 2, 914. 32

WATEKS FROM GLACIAL DEPOSITS. 

FORMATION OF DEPOSITS.

The great Canadian ice sheets, which made at'least two advances 

across this section of the State from northeast to southwest, reduced 

much hard rock to fine fragments and spread it over the bed rock in 

a sheet varying in thickness from a few to more than 200 feet. This 

deposit, consisting of tough unstratified clay, generally of a blue 

color and containing subangular fragments of bruised rocks, is technically known as "till." Stony portions of it, probably largely of 

an early ice invasion, have become compacted, and are popular^ 

known as "hardpan." While this great ice mill was at work reducing the rock to powder streams of water beneath the ice, resulting 

from surface melting and rains, were assorting the deposits into 

gravel, sand, and clay. The pebbles, rounded by mutual grinding, 

and the sand were arranged in layers in certain places favorable for 

deposition, to be covered by beds of later-formed till. In this way 

was built up the so-called "ground moraine" of these great ice sheets. 

Much of the finest sediment seized b}r the subglacial streams was 

capable of being held a longer time in suspension and so was carried 

forward into the quiet bodies of water into which these streams 

drained, forming either deltas at the border or, where spread over the 

bottom, beds of finely stratified clay, quite different from the till 

itself. Beds of similar nature were formed in the ancient lakes, previously referred to, by the action of the waves on the till, the pebbles 

and sand during times of storm being tossed upon the beach, while 

the clay was carried into deeper and quieter water. Although nearly 

the entire county was covered by these waters, the only extensive 

deposits of these lake clays are found to the north and west of 

Detroit, where they are extensively used in the manufacture of brick. 

The result of this wave action was to cut down elevations left by the 

preceding ice sheet and fill in depressions, giving the entire region a 

more subdued aspect and more gentle slopes.

a Expressed by analj'st in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form at United States 

Geological Survey.
WAYNK COUNTY. hO

WATER SUPPlA.

diameter of beds. The beds of ancient lake clays, as well as the 

till itself, are practically impervious and impermeable, and hence can 

yield no water supply. Water is to be obtained only from the interbedded sheets of sand and gravel, the occurrence of which, owing to 

their method of formation, is very irregular and uncertain. This 

makes the securing of a suitable water supply over these areas dimcult, uncertain, and expensive. Especially is this true in the northeastern part of Van Buren, the northwestern part of Romulus, and 

certain parts of Dearborn townships. The rain water finds its way 

into these permeable beds, often in regions remote from the place at 

which they are tapped and frequently at a considerably higher level 

than the bottom of the well. Hence the water enters the well under 

pressure which may cause it to rise nearly to the surface or to overflow. As the water generally comes from a greater distance and 

from a greater depth than that of the type of wells previously discussed, its temperature is more uniform and the supply is more abundant and more constant. In general, also, the water is more highly 

mineralized, owing to its better opportunities for taking the minerals 

it encounters in solution. Of all those wells from which data were 

secured, 22.4 per cent were reported by the owners as soft and 77.6 

per cent as hard. Where the water is drawn from just above the 

bed rock it is sometimes highly charged with minerals, such as salt, 

sulphur, iron, etc., which characterize the waters from the rock 

itself, and the inference is that the rock water has mingled with that 

from the glacial deposits.

Conflowing wells. The nonflowing wells generally vary in depth 

from IS or 20 feet to 100 feet or more, 60 to 75 feet being a common 

depth. The shallower ones are dug and lined with stone or brick; 

the deeper ones are driven, bored, or drilled. In some instances no 

casing at all is used, the clay being firm enough to maintain'the 

necessary opening to the water-bearing stratum. Owing to the considerable depth, heavy suction pumps are generally required and 

windmills are in common use. The deepest wells of this type are 

located in the northeastern part of Van Buren, northern Canton, 

northern Hamtramck, and southwestern Grossepoint townships, the 

maximum found having a depth of 182 feet. Owing to the nearness 

of bed rock to the surface in Monguagon and Brownstown townships, the wells of this class are*necessarily shallow, many of them 

stopping just short of the rock in a bed of gravel. The height to 

which water will rise, with reference to the surface of the ground, 

depends on the head and the elevation of the ground at the mouth 

of the well, and each of these factors grows less toward the southcast. In the belts immediately surrounding the areas of flowing
66 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

wells, to be next described, the water comes very near or quite to 

the surface and drops back from it as we pass to the east or the west. 

In the wells of this class from which data were secured 80 per cent 

were reported hard and 20 per cent soft. When tightly cased to a 

level above ground the wells are safe from contamination. If the 

casing is too short at the top, or if no casing at all is used, they may 

receive surface drainage and become a source of danger. The collecting areas of this water appear to lie in the high morainic regions 

to the west and north, as shown from the general diminution of head 

toward the south and east. In a strip of territory extending northeastward from southern Canton and northeastern Van Buren townships many of the deeper wells give much salt, which presumably is 

received from the underlying bed rock. A few data are here given 

concerning three of the most striking. It is likely that the Barker 

wells penetrated the Antrim shale without the driller knowing he 

had entered bed rock.

The well of C. F. Bevernitz, NW. } sec. 12, Xankin Township, is 

60 to 70 feet deep, the Antrim shale lying at a depth of 70 to 80 feet. 

The elevation of the mouth is approximately 635 feet. The supply 

is good, but there is too much salt in the water to permit its use; a 

tobacco pail full is said to have yielded, on evaporation, a pint of 

salt. There has been some gas in the well. The water lacks only 4 

feet of reaching the surface, its actual elevation being about 631 feet.

Edward Barker, NE. \ sec. 27, Canton Township, has two wells, 

which were sunk to a depth of 108 feet in 1901. The Antrim shale 

is supposed to be from 100 to 110 feet from the "surface. The approximate elevation of the mouth of the well is 657 feet and the head is 

 12 feet, giving the, water an elevation of 645 feet. Salt w^ater was 

secured from near the bottom, 6 to 7 quarts yielding a teacup of salt. 

This water has been used for preserving pork. The well was plugged 

below to shut off this supply and fresh water was used from a higher 

level in the well.

W. A. Wallace, SE. \ sec. 32, Canton Township, has a bored well 

70 feet deep. The Antrim shale lies at 80 to 90 feet. The elevation 

of the well mouth is 695 feet and of the water surface 687 feet. The 

water is secured from just over hardpan and is hard and salty, too 

much so to drink, but may be used for other household purposes. 

Cattle will drink it, and require no other salt.

Some of these mineralized watery not so highly charged with salt 

are being put on the market for their medicinal properties and sold 

in Detroit by the gallon. One of these sources of supply is on the 

Rouge flats at Plymouth. It is owned by Dr. M. V. B. Saunders, 

of Detroit, and is advertised as the "Plymouth Rock Mineral Well." 

The depth is 74 feet, the first 25 feet of which were dug and the remainder drilled. The elevation of the mouth of the well is about
WAYNE COUNTY. f>7

700 feet, and, as the rock surface here is believed to be from 630 to 

640 feet, it is likely that the well penetrated the Coldwater shales. 

The water wT as said to have been secured from beneath an exceedingly hard 18-inch stratum. It is reported that 3,000 gallons are sold 

annually, and that it has been found especially efficacious in cases of 

rheumatism, kidney and bladder troubles. The following analysis, 

taken from the advertising circular, was made by Prof. John E. 

Clark, M. D., of the Detroit College of Medicine:

Analysis of Plymouth Rock mineral water.a

Parts per Parts per 

million, i million.

Potassium (K)...... _......-.---. 11.58 Carbonate radicle (CO3 )........... 192.95

Silica (SiOJ.-------------------- 8.57 Calcium (Ca).................... 24.22

Iron and alumina (Fe2O3Al2O3)----- 29.76 Magnesium (Mg)................. 14.36

Chlorine (Cl)..................... 149. 43 Organic and volatile.............. 22. 25

Sodium (Na).................... 124. 01 ; 

Sulphate radicle (SO4 )............ 4.31 581. 44

Carbonic-acid gas and carbonate of lithium present, but not 

estimated.

A similar well near the above is owned by IT. P. Peters and has a 

depth of 80 feet, possibly also reaching bed rock. The water is said 

to have originally flowed, and has been put 011 the market as "hydrocarbon mineral water." Bubbles of gas, apparently carbon dioxide, 

are continually rising to the surface.

Flouing wells. When the head or pressure with which these waters 

enter the wells is sufficient, the water reaches the well mouth and 

overflows. Two belts of such flowing wells cross Wayiie County, 

being the continuation of similar belts in Monroe and Washtenaw 

counties. One of these belts begins in the northwestern part of Van 

Buren Township (sees. 3, 4, 5, and 6), extends northward across Canton, with a breadth of 3 miles, reaches into sec. 34 of Plymouth, and 

continues into the western part of Livonia Township. The belt is 

not continuous, and nearly all of the wells that are still flowing lie to 

the east of the gravel ridge formed by the waters of Glacial Lake 

Whittlesey and knowT n as the Belmore beach. This is due to the 

fact that the water does not have sufficient pressure to reach the 

level of this beach, which is about 740 feet above sea level. A second belt of flowing wells lies in the eastern part of the county, reaching its fullest development in the southern part of Brownstown Township, where it is about 5 miles across. In the northern part of the 

township it is interrupted. A few isolated wells occur in eastern 

Taylor, in Ecorce, and in Springwells townships, where they cease 

because of the elevation of the surf ace-on approaching Detroit. In

"Expressed by analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic format United States 

Geological Survey.
68 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Grossepoint Township, near the lake level, there is at least one flowing well. There are also scattered flows up the Huron Valley to 

Willow.

The average temperature of the wells of the county, as measured 

in May and June, is 52° F., or slightly less, but some show a rise of 

1° to 3° in the fall, owing to the effect of the summer heat on pipes 

through which they slowly discharge. It is probable that if the bottom temperature were taken it would be found to be more constant, 

especially in the case of the deeper wells and wells with a weak flow. 

In these the waters are either warmed or cooled as they approach 

the surface, except at times of year when the surface temperature 

corresponds closely with the temperature of the bottom of the well.

To the farmers these wells are a great saving in time and expense 

of pumping, while the low summer temperature and constant flow 

are of great service in caring for milk in the dairy. The tanks do 

not ordinarily freeze over in winter and are thus available for the 

stock. The wells are about equally divided between hard, and soft 

water, some of unusual softness occurring at Dentons, where they 

take the place of cistern water.

The two following partial analyses, furnished by M. (). Leightoii, 

of the United States Geological Survey, show the relative composition of drift and rock waters at Dearborn:

Partial ancdyxeK oj drift and rock tratern at Dearborn. 

 [Parts per million.]

S. .I. Lewis, analyst. 1. A.Wagner: depth, 28 fret. 2. A. Wagner (rock i; depth, 115 feet.

These waters are said to produce only a very little scale in the tea 

kettle, even after several years' use. Simple tests show slight traces 

of salt, iron, and lime carbonate, but no lime sulphates, or but a 

trace. This condition of the water may be due in part to continuous leaching, the result of which would be to change flowing wells 

from hard to soft. The breaking in of new veins might, however, 

suddenly change the water from soft to hard. The water in the 

eastern belt is almost invariably charged with either iron or sulphur, 

along with the other minerals commonly present, owing to the nearness of bed rock. The pressure is generally low and sufficient only 

to elevate the water a few feet above ground level, but is somewhat 

greater in the western district. In the Penny well, sec. 3, Canton 

Township, there is a strong flow which will rise 12 feet, thus having
WAYNE COUNTY. 69

an elevation of about 727 feet above tide. Most other wells in the 

western part of this belt indicate an elevation of 710 to 720 feet, 

which, as a rule, drops to the southeast more rapidly than does the 

surface slope of the land, ranging from 6 to 12 feet to the mile within 

the belt. Most of the flowing wells in the eastern belt are from the 

bed rock, and thus belong to the class next to be described. The 

similarity in the character of the water would indicate that the 

shallower wells derive their supply and head from the same source, 

and hence that the two belts of flowing wells are genetically distinct, 

the western coming from the drift and the eastern from bed rock. 

The table on page 70 shows the chief characteristics of this group 

of wells.

The head and volume of the flow are reported to be on the decrease 

and the flowing well areas are being reduced. This may be due to 

several causes climatic, clogging by sand, sinking of new wells, 

and constant and useless waste of water. Nature may be expected 

to attend to the matter of precipitation; sand pumping and deepening 

will give temporary increase of flow; but concerted action is required 

in order to prevent the waste of this valuable resource. Wells that 

are not being used should be plugged and others in use should have their 

flow reduced to meet only the immediate requirements. One driller 

reports that he rarely finds a farmer willing to make any reduction 

whatever in the size of the flow.

The following partial analysis of an unusually soft water from 

the parsonage well (depth 75 feet) near Denton, in the western part 

of the county, has been furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United 

States Geological Survey. The water tested is one of the softest 

in the State.

Partial analysis of well water at Denton.

Parts per 

million.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) ........... 97. 61

Sulphur trioxide (SO3).......... . 29 (?)

Hardness...................... 56. 1

Parts per 

million.

Color............................... 10

Iron (Fe)........................ Trace.

Chlorine (Cl)...................... 8. 75

S. J. Lewis, analyst.

The following partial analysis of the well water at the Commercial 

Hotel at Wayne is furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States 

Geological Survey:

Partial analysis of well water at Commercial Hotel, Wayne.

Parts per 

million.

Color............................... 19

Iron (Fe)........................ Trace.

Chlorine (Cl)......................... 15

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth of well, 14 feet. 

IRR 182 06 6

Parts per 

million.

Carbon dioxide (CO2).............. 99. 81

Sulphur trioxide (SO3).............. 88
WeUs in drift, Wayne County.

Township S.

9

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£

£

£

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Range 

E.

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NW.

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NW.

NW.

NE.

NE.

NE.

SE.

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NE.

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sw.

NE.

SE.

SE.

NW.

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Township.

.....do............

.....do............

.....do. ......... ..

.....do............

.....do............

.....do. ...........

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.....do............

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.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do. ...........

.....do............

.....do............

.....do. ...........

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

Owner.

O. F. Penny. .....

E. Everett '.......

S. Goddell. .......

G. Kissane. ......

I Glass

C. Sehlicht.......

W Hake

J. Welle..........

Depth.

Feet. 

70

S6

35

28

SO- 35

50-60

28

70

50-60

;,o

42

70

72

70

48

76

50

45

80

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Quality.

Soft ......

Hard.....

.. .do.....

Soft ......

Hard.....

Soft. ......

....do.....

....do.....

do.....

Hard.....

....do.....

Soft ......

Soft......

Hard.....

Soft ......

.. ..do ...

Hard.....

Soft ......

....do.....

Hard.....

perature.

o p

51

51. 5

51.5

52

60

50

51

51

55 

53

51

51. 5

50

51

50.5

51

52

50.5

I

T
WAYNE COUNTY. 71

Boiling springs. The western half of Plymouth and nearly the 

whole of Northville townships are covered with ridges and knolls 

of till, interpersed with similar masses of stratified gravel and sand, 

giving a very rough aspect to the country. The features are those 

of a moraine formed at the ice margin during a temporary halt in 

its general eastward retreat. The Glacial lake waters subsequently 

covered the lower knolls lying to the east, but elsewhere the original 

roughness left by the ice has been very largely retained. The 

undrained depressions common to such regions are not of sufficient 

magnitude to give rise to lakes of any considerable size, the largest 

being Yerkes Lake, previously noted. Some of these lake sites 

have been filled with vegetation and are now drained, yielding a 

black mucky soil especially adapted to certain crops. Securing 

water from these clay knolls and ridges by means of wells is as difficult and uncertain as on the clay plains to the east, and at times 

becomes impossible. The deposits of sand and gravel, however, 

serve as reservoirs for water, and, owing to their extent and height 

to the north and west, frequently yield large quantities under pressure. Along the hill slopes and in the valleys heavy natural flows 

occur, giving rise to what are known as "bold' 1 or "boiling" springs. 

They differ from the seepage springs in that they have a head, and 

generally stronger flow, are subject to less variation, show a steadier 

temperature, and yield a harder water. In numerous cases the 

waters are piped to dwellings and barns and yield an ideal supply, 

as on the Starkweather place in the southwest part of Northville 

Township, where a spring located in the NW. J, sec. 8, is piped to 

the house, having a fall of 16 feet, delivering a 1-inch stream and 

keeping 5 troughs supplied with most excellent water for stock. 

This water contains considerable calcium carbonate, a very little salt, 

and gives no reaction for calcium sulphate.

Two similar springs are utilized by the United States fish hatchery 

at Northville (see PI. Ill, A, p. 44). After cleaning in 1896 the flow 

from the larger was somewhat more than 500 gallons a minute, but 

has been gradually declining since. In the fall of 1904 a second 

cleaning failed to increase the flow much. According to the earlier 

reports the temperature was 47° F., but is now 48°, with only slight 

variation from season to season. This is the coldest water observed 

in any part of the county. It is rendered hard by considerable calcium 

carbonate, but gives no reaction for salt or gypsum. Immediately 

beneath the hatchery building is a second spring which has yielded 

136 gallons a minute and has a temperature of 48°. There are two 

flowing wells having a depth of 106 feet, which yield In and 2 gallons 

a minute, with a temperature of 50°, but the water contains sulphur 

and iron and is destructive to both eggs and fish.

The villages of Northville and Plymouth are favorably situated for 

utilizing similar flows from springs sufficiently elevated to give the
72 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

necessary pressure without pumping. The water is cold and pure; is 

rendered hard by calcium carbonate; gives no reaction for gypsum, and 

only a slight one for salt. The supply is sufficient except during times 

of prolonged drought. The water is not metered and no estimates are 

kept of the amount used. Neither of the villages are supplied with 

sewers, the drainage being good in both cases. The plants are owned 

and operated by the villages themselves. Northville, with a population of 1,627, draws its supply from two springs in Oakland County, 

about 4 miles distant. The springs are about 1,000 feet apart and 

empty into a small receiving basin, from which the water flows by 

gravity, with slight fall, to a reservoir overlooking the village and 100 

feet above it. The reservoir is 260 by 160 feet, with a depth of 18 feet 

and an estimated capacity of 2,500,000 gallons. The plant was 

installed in 1892-93, the village bonding for $30,000 at the time and 

for $8,000 later. Vitrified 12-inch crocks were first used and found 

unsatisfactory because of breakage and leakage, and at much additional expense were replaced with 10-inch iron casing buried 4 to 6 

feet in the ground. The domestic pressure is 50 pounds and that in 

the hydrants 70 pounds to the square inch. There are 9 miles of 

mains, which consist of 4-inch and 10-inch pipes. There are 40 

hydrants not paid for by the village and 325 service taps. The 

income derived from private consumers is about .$950 per annum, 

and the cost of maintenance about $200. A seAT ere test of the system 

was made in 1899 at the time of the burning of the plant of the Globe 

Manufacturing Company, whon ten streams were kept playing from 

3 a. m. until 2 p. m., and then three streams until evening, at the end 

of which time it was found that the reservoir was lowered but 18 

inches.

The village of Plymouth, with a population of 1,663, has a system 

similar to that of Northville, its springs being in the NE. J sec. 8, 

Northville Township, in the bottom of an old drainage channel from 

the ice sheet. The village has here purchased an acre of land on 

which an excavation 50 by 60 hy 6 feet has been made, lined with 

cobble, and surrounded by a high wire fence. From this the water 

flows by gravity to a reservoir, which is located 2 miles from the 

village and 103 feet above it, and which has dimensions of 100 by 80 

by 14 feet, giving an estimated capacity of about 500,000 gallons. 

The system was installed in 1893, 4f miles of 12-inch sewer pipe being 

laid at a cost of $30,000. Plymouth has had the same expensive 

experience as Northville, which competent advice would have prevented. The sewer pipe is now being replaced by iron casing, which 

will swell the expense to near $50,000. The annual income is $2,200 

to $2,300, and the expense of operating about $150, aside from the 

fire department. There are 10 miles of mains, 60 hydrants, and 300 

service taps. The average pressure is 42 to 45 pounds. It is estimated that 75 per cent of the population use this water, the remainder
WAYNE COUNTY. 73 

WATERS FROM BED ROCK. 

GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS.

Beneath the mantle of clay, sand, and gravel, resulting from the 

joint action of wind, water, and ice, there lies a series of stratified 

rocks, consisting of sandstone, shale, limestone, and dolomite. In 

past geologic ages these beds were formed in the sea, in approximately 

horizontal layers, but they were early upheaved and tilted, so that 

their edges have a general northeast trend in Wayne County, and the 

beds themselves dip to the northwest at the 'rate of some 30 to 35 

feet to the mile. They still retain some of the minerals belonging 

to the concentrated brines of the primitive seas, and others deposited 

at the time the rocks were forming or subsequently. These beds 

supply a limited part of the county with a more or less highly mineralized water, much of which flows, but some of which must be pumped. 

The youngest and highest of this series of beds in Wayne County cuts 

across the northwest corner. It consists of shales, with some sandstone, and is known in the State as the Coldwater shale (Waverly 

and Cuyahoga). Beneath this lies the dark Antrim shale (Genesee), 

generally yielding gas and faint traces of oil. Next in order come 

the bluish beds of shale and limestone, making up the Traverse group 

(Hamilton), and frequently referred to as "soapstone;'' beneath 

which lies a solid, light-gray limestone known in the State as the 

Dundee (Corniferous). Below this limestone is a drab dolomite, the 

Monroe group (Lower Ilelderberg), which drillers do not ordinarily 

separate from the preceding. Embedded in it and of the same geologic age is the so-called Sylvania sandstone, a pure glass sand, 

cutting across the extreme southeastern part of the county; this is 

the oldest of the formations reached directly beneath the clay in the 

county. Still older and lower, however, and coming near the surface 

in Monroe County and bordering parts of Ohio, lie, in order, the 

Monroe beds below the S}dvania sandstone (Lower Helderberg and 

Salina), the Niagara, Medina, Hudson, Utica, and Trenton, the last 

being the oldest bed reached by borings in the county.

WATER SUPPLY.

Flowing wdls. The wells of this class comprise most of those in 

the eastern belt described above (p. 67). They are heavily mineralized, as a rule, and frequently rendered rank by sulphur and iron. 

The average temperature is 51.4°, as compared with 52° for the 

flowing drift wells, but rises slowly as the water conies from greater 

depth. Theoretically the temperature should be still more constant 

than in the drift wells, but it must be affected in the same way and 

to the same extent as it rises to the surface. With reference to the 

level of the ground the head is generally slight, ranging from a mere
74 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

rise to the surface to 15 and 25 feet above in exceptional cases. At 

Dentons, in a well along the railroad track, the water is reported to 

have reached the second story of a building, indicating its rise to 

about 715 feet above sea level. The Swan well on Grosse Isle is the 

easternmost of the flowing wells in the county and has a head of 

597 feet. Measured between these two extreme wells the average 

reduction in head toward the southeast is 5.6 feet to the mile. 

Between the Flat Rock wells and those on the lake shore the average 

reduction per mile is 3.5 feet. Although the rock strata are dipping 

to the northwest, these facts indicate that the source of supply is to 

the west, as pointed out by Fuller in his report on the failure of wells 

along lower Huron River (p. 37).

The table on page 76 gives the principal data concerning the flowing 

wells from bed rock. The most wonderful of the entire set is the 

Swan well, described by Fuller (pp. 43-44), which flows 3,000 gallons 

a minute, or 4,320,000 gallons a day enough to supply several times 

over the entire river front from Trenton to Detroit. It has recently 

been stated in the papers that the Grosse Isle Mineral Company has 

been organized to put the water on the market under the name 

"Kathairo" (see p. 44 for analysis).

Springs. In the Brownstown region of flowing wells there are 

numerous natural flows charged with iron, sulphur, calcium sulphate, 

calcium carbonate, and sometimes considerable salt. These are most 

numerous along Huron River, from Flat Rock to Lake Erie and northward to Gibraltar. The water is generally too rank for use and is 

believed to come from bed rock, having made for itself a natural channel through the clay. Such springs are found in Brownstown as follows: 

T. 4 S., R. 10 E.: *NE. 1 sec. 28", SW. \ sec. 30, SE. \ sec. 31, NE. \ 

sec. 36. T. 5 S., R. 10 E.: SW. \ sec. 5, NE. J sec. 9, SE. \ sec. 13, 

NW. \ sec. 1, eastern and southern portions of sec. 24. An analysis 

of the "Wyandotte White Sulphur Springs," the location of which is 

unknown to the writer, is given by Peale a and is quoted by Lane.6

Nonf owing wells. The principal facts relating to the nonflowing 

wells from rock have been grouped together in the table on page 77, 

from which the character of the water from the various geologic horizons may be seen at a glance. The water is generally hard and highly 

mineralized. In a few cases only is it reported to be soft. Time did 

not permit the securing of records of the temperatures of the water of 

these wells, but owing to the fact that it stands more quietly in the 

pipes, frequently not far from the surface, it is undoubtedly more 

variable than in the artesian wells. The head of these rock waters 

also drops as we pass eastward. The following analysis of the water

a Peale, A. C., Lists and analyses of the mineral springs of the United States: Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey No. 32, 1.886, p. 150.

& Lane, A.C., Lower Michigan mineral waters: Water-Sup, and Irr. Taper No. 31, U. S. Geol. Survey, 

1899, p. 72.
WAYNE COUNTY. 75

from an 850-foot well at the Wayne County Infirmary at Eloise shows 

how heavily charged with minerals these waters may become. The 

well was drilled for gas by C. C. Nims. The Traverse group was 

struck at 130 feet (the elevation of the well mouth being about 625 

feet) and yielded a flow of fresh water. The well passed through this 

formation and the underlying Corniferous and entered the Monroe 

group, from which a strong brine was secured, with some suggestions 

of oil. The analysis was made by Dr. S. P. Duffield, of Detroit, April 

18, 1888.

Analysis of water from salt well, Wayne County Infirmary, Eloise.a

Parts per 

million.

Calcium (Ca).......................................................... 9,714.65

Carbonate radicle (CO3)................................................. 3, 970. 25

Magnesium (Mg)....................................................... 150. 17

Sulphate radicle (SO4 ).................................................. 12, 354. 88

Chlorine (Cl).......................................................... 40, 214.11

Sodium (Na).......................................................... 25, 354.54

Total solids...................................................... 91, 758. 60

Hydrogen sulphide...................................................... 405

These highly charged mineral waters are used for bathing purposes 

at two places in Detroit the Clark Riverside bath house and the 

Detroit sanitarium. The well at the latter place has a depth of 307 

feet, entering the Corniferous, and yields a mineral water strong in 

sulphur. The depth of the Clark well either is not known or has not 

been given out, but it is probably not very different from the other. 

An analysis of its water is given by Lane. 6 Along Detroit River from 

Delray to Trenton artificial brines are made by forcing water to the 

salt beds of the lower Monroe series, where they dissolve the solid 

rock salt and flow to the surface. The salt is then secured by evaporation or used in the manufacture of soda, soda ash, and bleaching 

powder. The most promising horizon for securing a supply of fresh 

water is the Sylvania sandstone, a porous bed of pure sand rock holding an abundance of water. Although fresh, it is liable to contain sulphur and iron, carried up from the dolomites of the underlying Monroe 

group. In the northern part of Monroe County and the southern part 

of Brownstown Township this bed lies immediately beneath the clay 

and furnishes an abrmHnce of good water. In the 6 miles to Trenton 

it drops to 280 feet below the surface, or at the rate of about 40 feet to 

the mile. Toward Wyandotte the bed thickens, with practically no 

dip, and in the Eureka well it was reached at 230 feet, while in a well of 

the Michigan Rock Salt Company at Ecorse it was reached at 220 feet. 

Beyond Ecorse it drops rather rapidly again, having an average thickness of 99 feet in ten wells of the Solvay Company at Delray.

a. Expressed by analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form at United States 

Geological Survey. 

& Op cit., p. 73.
Flowing wells in bed rock, Wayne County.

m

£} 

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1 

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3 

2 

2 

3 

2 

3 

3 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

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5 

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5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

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8 

8 

11 

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10 

10 

10 

10

11 

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10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10

11

Section.

6 

28 

18 

34 

4 

30 

35 

13 

25 

3 

3 

4 

28 

33 

1

3

8 

9 

9 

9 

10 

11 

11 

12 

14 

15 

23

Quarter.

NE. 

NE. 

SW. 

SW.

sw. 

sw.

NE. 

SE. 

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

NE. 

SE. 

NE. 

SW.

SE. 

NE. 

NW. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

NW. 

NE?

Township.

Van Buren......

Springwells..... 

Taylor.. ........

Springwells.....

.....do..........

.....do.. ........

Brownstown... . 

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

Brownstown.... 

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do. ......... 

.....do. .........

.....do.......... 

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

Owner.

J. C. McDonald...

Clark.............

G. McDonald.....

Detroit Salt Co...

B. Hall, sr........

E. T. Wood.......

Metzger.. ......... 

Quillin. ...........

Navarre estate... .

Depth.

Feet. 

125 

140 

129 

80 

250 

64

30

(58

76 

65

30 

357

1,090

1,200 

31

22 

17 

32

28

60 

20-25

30 

32

32

2,375

Geologic horizon.

Corniferous b .. .

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do. .........

do

Character of 

water.

Soft.............

Salt and iron . . . 

Hard...........

Hard...........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

Hard...........

flo

Monroe -do

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do.......... 

.....do..........

do

Hard ...........

.....do..........

.....do..........

.....do..........

Hard ...........

. do ..

Approximate 

elevation.

Feet 

705

682 

588

605

587

580 

578 

597 

602 

603 

593 

594 

611 

582 

578 

582 

587 

587 

588 

588 

581 

581 

582

578 

578 

585 

577 

575

D

e

ch

p

I

a Trickle. 6 Corniferous= Dundee. 
Nonfowing wells in bed rock, Wayne County.

wO) 

60

«

8 

9 

9 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

10 

11 

11 

11 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

13 

13 

8 

8 

8 

10 

8 

10 

9 

12 

12 

8 

9 

12 

9

Section.

27 

35 

24 

15 

10 

22 

25 

23

ll 

11 

13

8 

15 

9 

16 

12 

15 

15 

23

11 

21 

24

"26" 

5

28

Quarter.

NE. 

NW. 

SW.

sw.

NE. 

SE.

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

SW.

sw. 

sw.

NE. 

NE. 

SW. 

NW. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

NW.

Township.

Rcdford ..........

.....do............

Greenfield. ....... 

.... do............

.....do............

Hamtramck ...... 

.....do............ 

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

Grossepoint . ..... 

.Ho.

.do.... .. ..

NW.

SE. 

SW.

" sw."

NW.

SW.

17 

26 

5 

12

NE. 

SW. 

NW. 

NW.

.....do............

.....do............ 

Dearborn.. .......

City..............

Owner.

B. Barker...........

C. Schultz. ..........

\V Dickinson

J. F. Chavey........

G. Miller............

C. and E. Roberts. . 

Log Cabin dairy. . . .

W.S. Thomas...... 

Store. ...............

Pelky

,T. S. Sullivan.......

Depth.

Feet. 

132 

80 

160

97 

110

82 

116

93

107 

127 

126 

156 

163 

137 

170

162 

147 

143 

141 

260 

133 

162

S. Campbell......... 183

Sanitary works. .... 

Arna mills. .........

250 

140 

280 

336

305

268

D. L. Quirk.........

E. Twark. ..........

383

850

Geologic horizon.

St. Clair.......... 

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............ 

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............ 

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............ 

.....do............

.....do............

.....do....... ....

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

do

996 do .

1,820 Niagara ..........

Character of 

w ater.

Very salty.. ......

Medium.. .........

Rather soft. ......

Hard.............

Salt and sulphur.. 

Hard.............

Salt and magnesia 

Hard.............

.....do............

Salt. ..............

Soft'..............

Soft .............

Salty----. ........

Salty.............

A

pr

m

el

t

F

.. .. 

Salt. .............. 
78 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN" SOUTHERN MICHIGAN". 

WATER SUPPLIES OF LENAWEE COUNTY. 

By FRANK LEVERETT.

GENERAL. STATEMENT.

This county is the second west of Lake Erie on the southern border 

of the State. Its southeastern part is a plain once occupied by 

Glacial-lake waters, while its northwestern part is traversed by a 

series of moraines trending northeast and southwest. Most of the 

county is tributary to Raisin River, which crosses the northwest 

corner and also the eastern part. The southwestern part of the 

county is tributary to Tiffin River, also called Bean Creek. The 

four northwestern townships have an average altitude of about 1,000 

feet, with points that exceed 1,100 feet. South and east of these 

townships there is a gradual descent through the morainic tracts to 

about 800 feet at the edge of the old lake plain, which, in turn, 

drops to less than 700 feet at the edge of the county.

It is a topography well calculated to give artesian conditions. 

The drift beds dip eastward with the slope of the surface, and water 

which is absorbed in the elevated northwestern section is under 

strong hydrostatic pressure as it passes into the low southeastern 

part. The flowing wells are found on the lake plain and also in 

sags and narrow plains between morainic ridges. In places on the 

lake plain, either through the absence of a water bed or through 

the fineness of its material no flows are obtained, thus breaking up 

the flowing-well territory and forming several somewhat independent areas. Further exploration, however, may so extend these 

areas as to run them together, leaving only comparatively small 

island-like tracts where the beds do not contain a good supply of 

water.

Wells have been sunk to rock at Cement City, in the northwest 

corner of the county, where a good supply of water is found in sandstone at depths of 65 to 70 feet. There are also numerous wells in 

the eastern end of the county that have reached rock, which is 

found at depths of 80 to 150 feet. In the district south of Blissfield 

the wells are often carried through shale to limestone at about 200 

feet, but from Blissfield north the wells generally obtain a supply 

near the top of the rock if none has been found in the drift. Wells 

in the vicinity of Clinton, Tecumseh, and Adrian that have been 

drilled to rock find a salt water, unsuitable for drinking. In much 

of the central and western parts of the county there are no borings 

deep enough to strike rock.

The writer's studies of water supplies were made chiefly in 1899 

in connection with the mapping of moraines, shore lines, and other 

features of surface geology, and only brief notes were taken as to
LENA WEE COUNTY. 79

the extent of flowing-well districts, depth and strength of flowing 

wells, and such other data as chanced to be readily available. This 

resulted in a general acquaintance with each of the tracts in which 

flowing wells are obtained, but hardly formed sufficient basis for 

a report. Mr. Jon A. Udden made a special investigation of each 

flowing-well district in 1904, and prepared the tabulated data given 

below. The public supply of Hudson was also examined by Mr. 

Udden, but those of Adrian and Tecumseh were examined by the

writer.

WATERWORKS.

ADRIAN.

The Adrian water supply is in the hands of a private company. 

At one time wells were in use, but the entire supply is now pumped 

from South Fork of Raisin River, which flows through the city. In 

the dry seasons the stream carries about 6,000,000 gallons a day, 

and the waterworks at times use one-third of the flow. Some 

dissatisfaction is manifested by the residents, because of the quality 

and of the limited quantity of the low water of the stream. The 

supply from wells also proved inadequate and tests made by the 

water company have not yet resulted in the discovery of an adequate 

supply from wells. One well sunk to a depth of 1,980 feet gets a 

salt water, with some gas at about 500 feet.

The following analysis was made by Dr. A. B. Prescott, at the 

University of Michigan:

Analysis of irater at i'tOO feet in deep veil at Adrian waterworks.a

Parts per 

million.

Magnesium (Mg)............... 67. 29

Calcium (Ca).................. 249. 51

Chlorine (Cl).................. 7, 095. 02

Parts per 

million.

Potassium salts................ Trace.

Phosphates.................... Trace.

Sulphates..................... Trace.

Bicarbonate radicle (HCO3 ). -... 483. 98 ' Silica......................... 10. 14

Aluminum.................... 7.19 ' 

Lithium...................... Trace. , Total solids............. 7,923.13

H2S gas, 160 c. c. per liter. Reaction alkaline. Specific gravity 1.0093.

The drift, which is mainly sand, is 180 feet thick and contains 

fresh water. Another well was dug, 24 feet square and 9 feet deep, 

and then bored with a 12-inch auger to 78 feet. This well barely 

flows, though at a level only 3 or 4 feet above the stream and nearly 

10 feet below the waterworks station. When first made it yielded 

by pumping 750,000 gallons a day, but got so clogged with sand as 

to greatly diminish the yield, and is now abandoned. The temperature of the water as it flows from the pipe is 51.75° F. The water 

from this well is hard and chalybeate.

a Expressed by analyst'in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to parts 

per million and ionic form at United States Geological Survey.
80 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN" MICHIGAN. 

STATE INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS.

The State Industrial Home for Girls, located in the north part 

of Adrian, has an independent supply for drinking, cooking, and 

bathing, obtained from three wells on the grounds. The Adrian 

Water Company furnishes the supply for closets, lawn sprinkling, 

and fire protection. About 350 inmates and 50 officers and other 

employees are supplied from the wells. a

HUDSON.

The village of Hudson has municipal waterworks, built in 1890, 

and supplied from a group of tubular 6-inch wells 70 to 80 feet deep, 

in Bean Creek valley. The water rises in these to within 20 feet 

of the surface. The supply is 500,000 gallons a day and is highly 

esteemed by the residents. The pumps have a capacity of 2,000,000 

gallons, but the consumption is less than one-half million a day. 

The ordinary pressure is 45 to 50 pounds and the fire pressure 80 to 

90 pounds.

TECUMSEH.

Tecumseh, which is located on a gravel plain traversed by Raisin 

River, obtains its supply from a large excavated well about 35 feet 

deep, sunk into the gravel. The water is pumped to a standpipe 

120 feet high. The village first constructed waterworks in 1877 and 

rebuilt in 1892. The well from which water is drawn is in the 

thickly inhabited southern part of the village, near the bluff of the 

river. It seems to be favorably situated to receive contamination 

from the cesspools around it, and should be abandoned as soon as 

a supply can be secured from a better source. The prospect for 

obtaining an adequate and safe supply just above the village seems 

good, for the grave] there is saturated with water as fully as inside 

the village limits.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

So far as known, no other towns of the county have yet developed 

public supplies. The village of Morenci is, however, contemplating 

a supply from flowing wells. Weston has fire protection for business 

houses in a tank which is kept in order by the business men. This is 

filled by a windmill from a public well and connected with a hydrant 

and hose attachment. Clinton also has fire protection in the business portion of the village, there being a distribution system paid 

for by abutting property owners, into which water is pumped by the 

Woolen Mill Company free of charge, Raisin River being the source 

of supply.

oData supplied by Mrs. Mary Sickels, superintendent of the home.
LEISTAWEE COITNTY. 81

At Clayton the common depth of wells is 30 feet, but the wells 

range from 20 to 70 feet. The water is from gravel veins in till. At 

Cement City, or Woodstock, wells are generally drilled 65 to 70 feet 

and obtain water in sandstone. In places the drift is only 10 feet 

thick. At Addisoii wells are commonly dug about 30 feet and obtain 

an ample supply of water in gravel or sand under till. At Onsted the 

dug wells are 20 to 25 feet deep, and the tubular 80 to 160 feet. 

Water is abundant, especially in the tubular wells. At Clinton wells 

are about 30 feet deep, some being dug and others driven. The water 

is found at about the level of Raisin River. The wells are through 

gravel and sand from top to bottom in the western part of the village, 

being in a line of glacial drainage. The eastern part of the village is 

on the slope of a moraine, and wells there are through till and in some 

cases have been driven to considerable depths. At Brittoii wells are 

usually 20 to 30 feet deep, and in some cases 50 feet or more. A few 

on the lowest ground flow, and in the rest water rises nearly to the 

surface.

At Ridgeway the wells are usually shallow, water being obtained 

at the base of the beach gravel at about 15 to 20 feet. A few tubular 

wells have been driven to considerable depth to test for flowing wells. 

The fine sand encountered is difficult to screen, and thus far wells 

have not yielded a flow. Flowing wells are obtained, however, within 

a short distance from the village along the same lake beach as that at 

the village. At Holloway and Raisin Center essentially the same conditions prevail as at Ridgeway. The water level in the tubular wells 

seems to be slightly lower than the beach on which the villages stand, 

so that flows are not obtained.

At Blissfield wells are often drilled to the bottom of the drift, 100 

feet or so, there being a compact clay from top to bottom. The water 

found at the base of the drift and that in the upper part of the rock 

has enough salt to be noticeable in the tests, but not enough to make 

the water objectionable for drinking. The head in these deep wells 

is nearly level with the surface, and one well (that of W. E. Gelsoii) 

flows with a head of 2 feet above the surface. It is 80 feet in depth 

and is situated on the north side of Raisin River, at an altitude of 683 

feet above tide.

At Deerfield wells are about 40 feet deep, or to the level of Raisin 

River. A few wells in the vicinity of the village have been driven 

to the base of the drift, about 85 feet, and have a head near the 

surface.

At Fairfield and Jasper wells are usually obtained at 20 to 30 feet 

and the head is only a few feet below the surface. The gravel-beach 

ridges in places yield water at the base, but usually wells are drilled 

a short distance into the till. According to information obtained by
82 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Mr. Udden, a well which was put down at Jasper by Ed. Service to 

a depth of 158 feet passed through clay 108 feet, dry gravel 14 feet, 

brown clay with small shells 23 feet, gravel 3 feet. The water in it 

rises to within 6 feet of the surface and is salty. At Westoii the wells 

are about 20 feet deep and obtain water in gravel under clay.

Other villages in the southern part of the county depend largely 

upon shallow dug wells, except Morenci, which, as indicated below, 

has a large number of tubular flowing wells. The entire district 

seems to have large quantities of water at only 50 to 100 feet depth, 

or within easy reach of tubular wells, and these should be substituted

for dug wells.

FLOWING WELLS.

YORK DISTRICT.

The York flowing-well district comprises about 14 square miles in 

northeastern Lenawee, northwestern Monroe, and southern Washtenaw counties (see fig. 4, p. ), and includes the village of York, in 

Washtenaw County, whence its name is derived. The wells within 

the village appear in fig. 5. The extent and general conditions were

examined by the writer 

in 1903, but a more 

detailed study was 

made in 1904 by Mr. 

Udden, who tabulated 

the data presented 

below. Samples o f 

water near Milan were 

examined by Mr. Lewis 

sufficiently to determine that w h a t is 

termed soft water is 

only relatively so, most 

of the water being very 

hard; it is in this sense 

that the terms should 

be understood.

This district lies 

along the Belmore 

beach, which has a uniform altitude of about 738 feet along its 

crest. Taking this as a datum, Mr. Udden worked out with some 

precision the height to which water rises, though he did not thoroughly 

bring out the fact that in not a few wells it will rise several feet 

higher than its present point of escape. It will rise to 720 to 725 

feet on the southeastern edge of the district and to 755 to 760 feet 

on the northwestern a difference of 30 feet or more in the 3 miles

FIG. 5. Plat of York village, showing distribution of flowing 

wells.
LENA WEE COUNTY. 83

across the district, a loss of head of at least 10 feet a mile in a 

southeastward direction, corresponding closely with the most rapid 

^lope of the surface. In this connection it is of interest to note that 

the Mclntyre well, in Macon Township, Lenawee County, which is 

the oldest well in the field (made in 183-4), is still flowing at an altitude 

of 758 feet, or ahout as high as any well in the district. This seems 

to indicate that there has been little if any lowering of head through 

the development of the field. There have been only a few instances 

of the cessation of a flow, and in nearly all, if not in all, of these 

cases the cessation seems due to clogging.

The catchment area is probably found in the morainic tract to the 

northwest, with perhaps some additions from the lake plain between 

the moraine and the wells. As a rule the lake plain is underlain by 

a clay so compact that it will absorb but little water, but the moraine 

has a looser-textured drift that should absorb a large amount.

The wells usually pass through considerable blue clay before reaching the water bed that yields a flow. The water beds appear to be 

better developed near the bottom of the drift, yet some very strong 

wells have been obtained in its upper part. The water seems to rise 

about the same in wells that are near together whether the water is 

in the upper or the lower part of the drift or in the rock, there being 

much less difference on account of stratigraphic position than on 

account of geographic position. This fact seems to indicate that the 

underground waters at the various levels have connection with or 

source in the same catchment area. Possibly beds at various levels 

have connecting porous beds, for in the drift deposits the porous or 

water-bearing beds have very irregular distribution.

A few wells have been carried a short distance into rock, but the 

quality of water and the head are so similar in such wells to those in 

neighboring wells supplied from the drift that the water seems likely 

to be contributed by the drift deposits. The rock surface is somewhat uneven, being in places within this district as low as 550 feet 

and in other places over 600 feet above tide. The wells obtaining 

a supply from the rock usually reach it where its altitude is highest, 

for the depressions in the rock surface seem generally to have been 

filled with sand or gravel.

The temperature of wells that have a rapid flow and but little 

exposure of pipe is 51.5° to 52° F., and those with higher temperatures seem to have acquired them through surface conditions, for 

the temperatures were taken in hot weather. In cold weather the 

exposed pipes in weak wells are liable to be cooled sufficiently to 

give the water a temperature below that reached by stronger flows 

or those with little exposure of pipe.

In but few cases has the addition of new wells caused a decrease 

in flow of those in operation. By distributing wells properly a much
84 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

larger number could be made without taxing the limits of the field. 

It so happens that in York village and in some cases on the farms 

new wells are needed within short distances of those in operation. 

It will be advisable in such places to reduce each well to a discharge 

that simply meets the needs of the owner. To restrict strong flows, 

even if remote from other wells, should be the practice, for the distance to which a flow will draw down a supply may be great under 

certain conditions, and the owner himself will have less waste water 

for which to provide drains.

There is a small group of flowing wells in sec. 17, York Township, 

in the valley of an eastern tributary of Saline River, which are somewhat distinct from the main district. However, it is probable that 

flows could be obtained between these wells and the main district 

by following the valley through sees. 18 and 19, though the uplands 

bordering the valley in these sections are too high to furnish flows. 

These wells are included in the tabulated data given below.

Wells in YorTc flowing-well district In Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaiv counties. 

MACON TOWNSHIP, LENAWEE COUNTY.

Part of 

section.

NE. i...

NW. J..

NW. i..

NW. i..

SW. i ..

SW. i. ..

SW. i...

E. side..

CT71 1

S. side..

NW. \..

SE. I...

q\v i

SE. i...

SE. J...

SE. i... 

SE. \...

NW. J..

NW. J..

W side

NE. J...

NW. i

Owner.

A. Hal!...............

....do.................

.....do................

C. E. Collms..........

A. Boyd. .............

S. E. Henry d.........

A. Hoaelands. .......

f% 

>£ S

1874

1880

1903

1S99

1869

1886

1886

1834

1864

......

1887

1894

1903

ftu

In.

2

9

3

1

9

9

9

9

9

1 5

2

9

1 5

9

9

9

1

9

?,

9

9

9

9

9

9

9

a -H 

ft

ft

Ft. 

100

40

50

135

48

48

m

60

50

45

1 Cft

36

112 m

197

36

122

Elevation.

Ft.

737

7?5

735

725

730

740

740

740

736

736

736

735

740

738

740

735

740

740

750

756

755

736

730

737

737

730

729

735

730

718

718

720

Watr T

to rises 

Feet.

737

727+

727

727+

733

742

742

742

739

740

740

737+

743

741

742

737+

742

742

752

742

758

757

741

733+ ' '0

;si+

731+

733+

791 -L721

725

723

& v 

°K.l

f* a

Gals.

.5

.5

.5

1.5

1

.75

.75

1.5

1.5 

5

1

.37

9

a Cg QJ 

!H tj

^ P,5 

f-l

F.

53.5

51.9

CO

53.5

52

52

52.5

53

52

52

53

52

52.5

53 

52

51.6

52

53

52.5

52

53

52

oS ^ s' ^

&

Soft . .

Hard.

...do..

Soft . .

...do..

Hard .

...do..

Soft . .

...do..

...do..

Hard .

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do ..

...do ..

...do..

Soft . .

...do.. 

...do..

Hard.

Soft . .

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do..

...do ..

...do..

Hard .

Depth rock. to 

Feet. 

99

125

122

0

O

$76. 00

109. 00

31.00

30.00

a The Lewis well penetrated sand 12 feet, blue clay 55 feet, gravei 30 feet, and entered limestone 1 foot.

6 The Mclntyre well is probably the oldest flowing well in southeastern Michigan.

c The Harmon wells are five in number, all shallow, but varying in rate from 1 quart to 2 gallons 

a minute. One had an original water elevation of 745 feet.

d The Henry well had an original water elevation of 741 feet; it entered limestone about 1 foot.

t The schoolhouse well had an original water elevation of 741 feet; it entered limestone 1 foot.

/ The Gibson well had an original water elevation of 740 feet; it penetrated clay 30 feet, gravel 28 

feet, and quicksand 50 feet.

g The Hoagland well struck, limestone at bottom; it penetrated blue clay 120 feet and gravel 2 feet.
LENA WEE COUNTY. 85

Wells in York jtowing-iivll district inLenawee,Monroe,cmd Washtenaw counties Continued. 

MACON TOWNSHIP, LENAWKE COUNTY Continued.

Section.

13

14

14

14

14

Part of 

section.

E. side..

NW. i..

N. side..

NE. J...

Owner.

Louis Feldman a ......

When made.

1893

1899 

1895

1900

0;

In.

2

2

o

 g i ^

O, i £ C HI , £

i *

JY. JY.

108 718

..... 735

125 728

122 728

117 728

fc- 

«!

Fet

791

737

731 

731

730

I

i

a

#.

 f oj

P'H a

Gals. 

Weak.

1

1.5 

.75

!!!

53

53

53 

53

- . 5-^

03 >. ft 0 «

3.-H ffi ^ g 

Cr O o o

J'eei.

Soft . . : 122 $60. 00 

Hard.!...... ......

Soft ........ 55. 00

22

MILAN TOWNSHIP, NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTY.

NW. i.. 

W. side . 

W. side. 

S. side . . 

E. side.. 

Center.. 

NE. i...

NW. i..

W. side. 

SW. J...

NE. J...

NE.i... 

NE. i...

School well ........... ...... 2

do

1902 2

F. Holcomh (2 wells). . ......

1901 2

1884 ,2

...... \2

..... 737

63 725 

60 725 

..... 719 

165 718 

127 730

45 722

111 718 

..... 718

..... 718

..... 718

738 Weak. 

729 . 75 

728 5 

725 ........

725 3 

730 Weak. 

728

55 

52 

52

"""52"

Soft . . ......

"Hard". 

...do .

726 4 , 52 Soft . . 

721+ . 62 ' 59 do

721+ . 25 

721+ ........

721+ ........

~f>l+

52

1

...do .. ......

$40.00

......

90.00

SALINE TOWNSHIP, WASHTENAW COUNTY.

NE. J...

NE. -J.-.

SE. i...

SW. i. ..

A. M. McKenny < . . .

.. 1896 '2 94

.. 1884 2 96 

2

... 2 126

741

743

738+ 

740 

760 

746

1

15

Weak. 

Weak. 

20 

.5

52.3

52

51

53

52

54.8

Soft. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do .

YORK TOWNSHIP, WASHTENAW COUNTY.

OT? 1

SW. i . . 

Center . .

J. M. C'ark;. .......

Ed. Alchin i........

J. N. Lawrence m ... 

F. S. Olds ..........

..' 1890 2

. . 1896 '2

..' 1890 2

.. ...... 2

.., 1892 2

..! 1894 2

........ 2

.. 1894 2

59

106

140

193

170

118 

153

750

753

750

740

740

735

735

735

734

735

755 

755 

752 

743 

744 

739+ 

739 

737 

739 

738 

740

o 

1 Weak. 

.5

1.5 

50+ = 

1 Weak. 

.75 

3.5 

1.5

52 

52

55 

54. 5 

51.5 

56 

54 

52 

52 

52

Soft . . 

...do ..

...do..

...do..

...do ..

Soft . . 

...do..

$50.00

50.00 

60.00

168 

129

Soft ........

170.00

60.00

a The Feldman well had an original water elevation of 743 feet; it carries a little oil from the limestone; it penetrated blue clay 25 feet, sand and gravel 92 feet, hardpan 1 foot, sand 4 feet, and limestone 

3 feet.

b The Tom Boyd well penetrated blue clay 15 feet, and was then in sand to bottom. The water is 

in the lower part of the sand.

c The Sanford well, on farm owned by John Campbell, enters rock 55 feet and is cased to the rock.

d The Vescelius well is thought to have struck rock at bottom.

t The McKenny well penetrated clay loam 21 feet, sand 4 feet, blue clay 86 feet, sand and gravel 4 feet.

/ The Harris well struck a weak water vein at 118 feet with head of 1 foot, and a strong flow at 138 

feet in gravel with a head of 20 feet.

g The Olds well penetrated clay 106 feet and sand 20 feet.

ft Sand 15 feet, blue clay 35 feet, gravel 2 feet, water has slight sulphur taste.

i Dug well overflowed and was filled, and the 2-inch well sunk near it.

i Sand 20 feet, blue clay 129 feet, hardpan crust with sand and gravel beneath, yielding water.

* Flow 1 gallon a minute; gravel 4 feet, blue clay 129 feet, quicksand 35 feet, shale rock 2 feet.

l The wells of Alchin and Lawrence interfere with each other. The Alchin well penetrated sand 

20 feet, clay 109 feet, and apparently struck rock at bottom.

m Quicksand 90 feet, blue clay 26 feet, hardpan and gravel 2 feet. At 90 feet a small flow of gas was 

struck.

n Beach gravel 12 feet, blue clay 136 feet, quicksand 5 feet, Temperature 51° when made; considerable iron.

IKK 182-
86 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Wells in York Rowing-well district in Lenawee, Monroe, and- Washtenaw comities Continued. 

YORK TOWNSHIP, WASIITENAW COUNTY Continued.

C. Harnngtona.. 

B. F. Davis 

A. Mclntyre 

D. C. Newcoml

A. Woodmanset*.

E. Davenport....

60.00

20.00

50.00

45.00

W. II. Culver

do

f. N. Clark 

Frank Haines 

O. E. Fulkerson 

D. E. DavenDort

Mr

T. L. Hobbs 

Daniel Rankin... 

Mr. Clarke.......

A. E. Montagne ; 

T. Josenhans ....

d

John Moody..... 

Charles Ellis 

E. Warner 

W. G. Roberts 

R. G. Bird.......

a Flow greater in wet seasons. The temperature is high on account of great exposure and small flow.

6 Flowed 3 gallons a minute when made.

c Large amount of inflammable gas, probably from the underlying Devonian shales. It penetrated 

sand 3 feet, blue clay 121 feet, and struck water and gas in gravel.

d Limestone at bottom; flow may be from a thin bed of gravel above the rock. The well penetrated 

gravel 5 feet, blue clay 120 feet, gravel 2 feet, limestone 2 feet.

« When first opened flowed a full 2-inch stream, but is apparently clogged with sand.

/ Soft enough to be used in boilers at factory.

g Blue clay 100 feet, hardpan and black gravel 2 feet, limestone 6 inches.

ft Sand and gravel 4 feet, blue clay 110 feet, hardpan 1 foot, sand 1 foot, limestone 3 feet.

» Well when opened lowered head of other wells near it, and is now closed.

j Sand and gravel 20 feet, blue clay 100 feet, hardpan and gravel 2 feet, limestone 3 feet.

* Sandy loam 8 feet, blue clay 75 feet, quicksand .85 feet, and gravel 10 feet.

A strong flowing well was obtained many years ago in the Saline 

River Valley, in sec. 1, Saline Township, Washtenaw County, at a 

depth of 150 feet, when making a test boring for salt, but it is now 

plugged. This well suggests the possibility of extending the York 

district up the Saline Valley to Saline.

It is probable also that flows could be obtained along the Saline 

bottoms from York down to Milan, thus connecting the York district 

with the Milan-Cone district. Another line of connection with that 

district may be found along the valley of North Macon Creek. Outside of the valleys there seems no chance of obtaining flows in the 

tract lying between these two flowing-well districts, the water head 

in wells that have been made being a few feet below the surface.
LENA WEE COUNTY. 87

HOLLO WAY DISTRICT.

This district lies along the southeastern border of the Belmore 

">each, in the eastern part of Lenawee County. It is about 10 miles 

in length and from 2 to 4 miles in breadth, thus embracing an area 

of about 30 square miles lying between Britton and Lenawee Junction,

 vith Holloway near the middle of its western border. The flowing

 yells occur in Ridgeway, Raisin, Blissfield, and Palmyra townships, 

^lows have not been obtained everywhere within this area. In

R. 4 E. R.5 E.

10

Sutton

tt 14

fA

34

 A 

25 28

Raisin 

Center

A

35

L. S. & M. S.

Lenawee 

\ June.

12

FIG. 6. Map of Holloway flowing-well district, Lenawee County.

c ome cases the texture of the water-bearing beds is too fine to permit 

^. copious discharge, while in others the head seems to be a little too 

low to give a flow. This district is practically a continuation of the 

T^ork district, which extends from Washteiiaw into northeastern 

Lenawee County, there being only a narrow interval near Ridgeway 

: n which flows have not been obtained, and even there the failure 

sterns to be largely due to the fine texture of the water bed. Further 

c rilling may develop wells with good flow in this intervening territory.
88 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The data on wells in this district were collected chiefly by Jon A. 

Udden in 1904. The data on wells at Britton, however, had been 

previously collected by the present writer. No estimates of rate of 

flow nor observations of temperatures were made at Britton. The 

temperatures reported in the table are, in many cases, higher than 

the normal temperature of water from wells of these depths in this 

latitude, but are probably due to exposure of the pipes through the 

summer heat. The normal temperature is about 52° F. The altitudes are estimates made from comparison with altitudes of the old 

shore lines which traverse this district, except at Britton, where 

they are determined by comparison with the railway crossing, which 

is 701 feet, by levels run in making the Ann Arbor topographic sheet. 

The Britton wells are so much shallower than most of the other wells 

in this district that they should perhaps be considered a separate 

supply. In the village the wells are not deep enough to test conditions for a flow from depths corresponding to the average for the 

district, but on farms in the vicinity wells carried to the rock are 

found to have heads similar to those obtained at a shallow depth.

Below are given two partial analyses for the purpose of comparing 

the composition of the drift and rock waters at Britton. There has 

been much typhoid in the town, and the shallow drift waters should 

be looked upon with suspicion. The analyses were furnished by 

M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of rock and drift waters at Britton. 

[Parts per million.]

Color ..........................................................................

Chlorine (Cl) ...................................................................

Hardness (as CaCOrJ ) .........................................................

19

Decided

trace. 

16.5

20

118.7

3°

trace. 

14

S3.9S

20

146

S. ,T. Lewis, analyst. 1. Haight (rock), depth, 142 feet. 2. Vandeveer (drift); depth, 32 feet.

The altitude to which water will rise decreases rapidly in passing 

southeastward across this district, being about 740 feet in the viciiiit}r 

of the Belmore beach and less than 700 feet 3 miles southeast.

The catchment area may be anywhere in the region northwest of 

these wells where water is readily absorbed.
LEJSTAWEE COUNTY,

As suggested above, the area is likely to be extended somewhat 

by sinking further wells. The present limits are outlined from the 

few tests indicated in the table below:

Wells of Holloway jlowing-u-ell district.

o

O3

25 

25 

27 

34 

34 

34 

35 

35

6

7 

18 

20 

Br

31 

31 

31 

6

Township S.

6 

6

6

6 

6 

6 

7 

7 

6 

6 

6 

6 

G 

tto 

Dn

DC 

DC

Dn

DC 

Dr

6 

6 

6

5

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

5

n '.

5 

5 

5 

5

Letter ilg. 6.en 

A 

B 

A 

A 

B 

C 

A 

B 

A 

B

A 

B

A

Owner.

A 

a

o>

Diameter.

! In.

J. W. Ashr.........

D. T. Mitchellf .....

II. P. Woodard..... 

Henry Palmer /..... 

H. Pocklington. ....

Thos. Florences.. . .

New schoolhouse . . . 

Kishbaugh & Britton.

1895 2

1899 ' 2

9

1894 

1895 

1896 

1894

1895 

1903 

1896 

1899 

1893

1903 

1903

2 

2

o 

2 

2 

2 

2

sonage. 

Old schoolhouse

Britton ITotel

A 

B 

C

A

W. Riddle ;......... 

Mrs. Stabler *.......

1898 

1894 

1899

!

2

9

"ft 

O

Fee,

90

47

191 

116 

178 

110

134 

136

135 

140 

108 

45 

26

28 

45

45 

45

100 

105 

108 

120

Elevation.

Feet.

73S 

710 

740 

720 

725 

720 

712 

700 

715 

715 

730 

728 

726 

736 

690 

697 

697

700 

697

697

697 

699

690 

690 

690 

690

'C\

Feet.

740 

713 

743 

722 

727 

722 

714 

703 

719 

718 

733 

731 

729 

740 

690 

698 

698

698 

698

698

698 

698

691 

691 

696 

692

Flow minute. per 

Gal.?.

0.75 

. 75 

.25 

.25 

Weak. 

. 75

.25

. 75 

20 

Weak.

. 75

Weak. 

.75 

Weak.

1.5

Temperature. i hg 

54 

53 

62 

53 

65 

54

55 

62 

56 

53

54 

54

""54" 

56 

55

Quality.

Hard. 

Medium. 

Do.

Do. 

Medium: Do. ' salt. 

Do. 

Medium. 

Do. 

Hard. 

Soft. 

Do. 

Hard.

Soft. 

Do. 

Do. 

Soft; salt.

a No data.

6 The Black seam called coal is struck at 32 feet, hut glacial deposits underlie it; high temperature 

due to exposure of pipe.

c Water comes from a seam in blue clay at 97 feet: rock at 125 feet; stream too weak to give correct 

temperature at bottom.

d Water sulphurous; from limestone at 113 feet.

« Flow interrupted apparently by gas which comes up with the water. Well penetrated blue clay 

with occasional streaks of sand, and did not reach rock.

/ When opened had a head of 740 f<et; water strong in iron.

g Original head 744 feet and flow much stronger than now; shale at bottom.

ft Rock at bottom.

'Several wells in Britton are bored and walled with large tile. Water is dipped from top of tile, 

which in some cases is carried high enough to prevent overflow.

./Does not flow above surface at present, but runs into a reservoir at a lower level. Clay, 60 feet; 

large sandstone (?) bowlder, 6 feet; quicksand, 40 feet; limestone at bottom

* Limestone at bottom; gas; water has a salty taste.

l When first opened water was very hard. It'rose 0 feet above surface; well now clogged with sand. 

Gravel, 3feet; blue clay, 35feet; gravel, 12feet; quicksand, 2feet; hardpan, s inches: gravel at bottom.

m Water lowered when Pangburn well was opened. Water has a sulphurous taste and deposits a white 

sediment in pipe; it is slightly salty, but not hard.

OGDEN TOWNSHIP (T. 8 S., R. 4 E.).

In Ogden Township, which is in the southern tier, flowing wells 

have been obtained in a small district extending northward from 

Ogden Center. About 20 wells overflowed when first made, but in 

1904, when Mr. Udden canvassed the district, only seven were in 

use, the others having been filled with material from above. The 

wells are usually bored with a large auger and cased with tile, and
90 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

if properly cared for would in all probability have continued to 

flow. The first well to obtain a flow was that of F. Pence, made 

about twenty-five years ago, but this has now become choked. The 

flows now in operation are in sees. 9, 10, 16, and 17.

A. S. Burdsley has a flowing well at Ogden Center which discharges 1 gallon a minute and has a temperature of 53° F. The 

water is slightly saline and sulphurous. It was used for a time in a 

boiler at the mill, but is not used at present. It had a head of 5 

feet when made.

R.4-E.

FIG. 7. Flowing wells in Ogdpn Township, Lenawpp County.

The well of Henry Case, in the west part of sec. 10, is 96 feet deep 

and was made in 18S4. A 12-inch tile extends to 45 feet and a 

7-inch thence to the bottom. The well now flows about 15 gallons 

a minute, or a quart every second. It flowed 12 quarts in ten seconds when made. The water is sulphurous and chalybeate, and has 

a temperature of 52.5° F. The well penetrated 10 feet of sand and 

83 feet of blue clay to the water-bearing sand at the bottom. At 

the southwest corner of sec. 10, on the Brockway farm, is a very 

weak flow.
LENA WEE COUNTY. 91

In the eastern part of sec. 9, on the Stauf farm, is a flow amounting to 1 gallon a minute. The well is 100 feet deep and was made in 

1892. It has a 6-inch tile to about 45 feet and thence a 3-inch 

wooden penstock to bottom. On the western side of sec. 9, N. 

Hendersoii has a flowing well 80 feet deep; with slightly saline taste 

and medium hardness; temperature, 53° F. W. Emmons, in the 

southwest comer of sec. 10, has a flowing well 85 feet deep, with 

slightly saline water; temperature, 53° F. It has a 12-inch wooden 

casing. In the northwestern part of sec. 16 is the well of William 

Comley, 80 feet in depth, with 12-inch wooden casing for 40 feet 

and 8-inch casing thence to bottom. It was made in 1882. There 

is a slight discharge of gas with the water. Several wells of similar 

depth near these flowing wells have water 3 to 6 feet below the surface. On the plain between Ogden Center and Jasper water rises 

nearly to the surface in wells 90 to 200 feet in depth. In nearly all 

cases the water is slightly saline, and in several a small flow of gas 

has been noticed.

SAND CREEK.

At Sand Creek station, just east of the depot, is a well 103 feet 

deep, which barely flows at the altitude of the station, 779 feet 

above tide. It is owned by F. M. Smith, and was made in 1889. It 

discharges about 3 cmarts a minute and has a temperature of 53° F. 

The well now has a half-inch pipe that extends 6 feet into the 1^-inch 

pipe. It is stated that the water will not flow from the larger pipe.

There is lower ground in the village of Sand Creek in which flows 

should be obtained, but as yet there has been no occasion to develop 

the field, shallow wells which supply the needs of the residents being 

easily obtained. Some families resort to the flowing well for drinking water.

It is probable that the catchment area is in the higher land 

northwest of the village.

MORENCI.

The village of Morenci is situated 011 Tiffin River (also called Bean 

Creek) near the State line of Michigan and Ohio. Data on the 

flowing wells of this village were collected and tabulated by Jon A. 

Udden. It will be observed that wells have been in operation since 

1887 which still have a good flow. The wells are all 2-inch, but 

differ widely in rate of flow, ranging from 32 gallons a minute down 

to a mere trickle. The strongest flows are in the eastern part of the 

village. The certainty of obtaining a flow within the limits of this 

district is such that drillers need take no risk and can afford to make 

wells at a lower price than where a risk is involved. This explains 

the low cost of $15 to $20 for certain wells 70 to 80 feet in depth, 

the ordinary charge per foot, including pipe, in a 2-inch well being
92 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

75 cents. In some cases a driller is paid about $6 a day to make 

the well, instead of receiving pay by the foot. The 2-inch casing 

used costs ordinarily 20 cents a foot. The wells have been made by 

two drillers, F. Paine and B. Thomas.

The water has considerable iron, and brown algse are developed in 

many of the pools or troughs into which it discharges. The water 

appears to be of medium hardness and is often used without the 

addition of softening compounds.

The wells show only occasional instances of interference, and the 

field admits of still fuller development and may be extended some 

distance farther both up and down the valley of Tiffin River. In the 

central part of the village the altitude is 3 to 4 feet above the head 

reached by the wells. Flows are obtained on each side on lower 

ground.

FIG. 8. Plat of Morenci, Mich., showing flowing wells.

The catchment area is probably in the higher land to the northwest of Morenci.

At the time of Mr. Udden's visit to Morenci, in July, 1904, there 

was a strong sentiment in favor of putting in waterworks, and it was 

proposed to drill about five wells to supply the plant.

The following partial analyses are results of the examination of 

two characteristic waters of flowing wells near Morenci. The wells, 

however, do not appear in Mr. Udden's list, and therefore these 

analyses can not be compared with the notes collected by him. The 

data are furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological 

Survey.
LENA WEE COUNTY. 93

Partial analyse* of water* from flowing wells near Morenci. 

[Parts per million.]

Color...........................................................................

Iron (Fe). :.............. ... ..... ... . ... ... ..... ......... .............

Chlorine (CD ...................................................................

1.

10

1.5

11.5

115.2

20

139+

2.

19

2.5

4

121.8

.29?

139+

1. Crabb well; depth, 104 feet. 2. Young well; depth, 75 feet.

Wells at Morenci.

Letter 

on 

fig. 8.

A......

TJB......

D......

E......

F......

G......

H...... 

I.......

3......

K......

L...... 

M......

N......

0......

P......

Q...... 

R......

S......

T...... 

U... .. 

V. ...

w .....

X......

Y......

A ...... 

B...... 

C...... 

D...... 

E ...... 

F...... 

G......

Owner.

R. P. Boody c...........

Geo. Webber d ...........

S. B. Miller f. ............

J. H. Eldridge /.........

.....do...................

Mrs. Hassfc............. .

Mr. Carrt...............

S. T. Snow..............

Ed. Wells................

L. Woolcott .7. ........... ........

When 

made.

1889 

1889 

1889 

1903

1887

1904 

1895

1891

1888 

1889 

1887 

1890

1891

1904 

1889

W. S. Mason.............

F. Kennedy .............

J. Bailey.................

Burn Lee TO .... .........

S. S. Beatty °.. ..........

S. A. Schofieldp. ........ 

W. S.Scott?............

C. C. Wakefieldr........

1900 

1889 

1888 

1888 

1890 

1888 

1900 

1902

1894 

1896 

1892 

1895

Cost.

$35 

30 

35 

23

30

30 

15

18

25 

25 

14 

33

43 

19

""35" 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

50 

14 

18 

35 

36

Depth.

Feet. 

70 

75 

75 

76

72

74 

73

70

78 

78 

78 

72

90

70

78

150

78

78 

78 

78 

78 

90 

90 

54 

64 

108 

70 

100 

125 

104

Elevation.

Feet. 

755 

755 

735 

755

755

755 

757

757

757 

757

760 

758

757 

755 

755 

756 

758 

758 

758 

758 

755 

757 

755 

755 

755 

756 

755 

756 

755 

755 

755

Water

rises 

to a

Feet. 

758 

758 

736 

767 

1 767 

{ 756 

756 

760 

f 769 

\ 759 

760 

760

762 

f 770 

\ 762 

761 

757 

757 

758 

758 

758J 

7584 

760 

758 

760 

758 

756 

758 

758 

758 

758 

757 

758 

757

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls. 

4 

4 

1 

32

} 7 

Weak. 

1

};

i i

.75

>1

1 

1 

.75 

.75 

1 

1 

1 

2

1 

1

2 

o

10 

1 

1

1 

1

Temperature.

°F. 

53 

52.8 

53 

52.5

54

53 

53

53 

53 

53 

53

53

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

52.5 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53 

53

Quality.

Medium. 

Do. 

Do.

Soft.

Do.

Do.

Medium.

Soft.

Medium. 

Do.

Hard. 

Medium.

Soft.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

a Where two altitudes are given, the first refers to the original head.

6 Gravel 25 feet, blue clay 50 feet, hardpan 4inches, sand at bottom. Head 12 feet: flow now reduced 

to 8 gallons a minute.

c Sand and gravel 20 feet, blue clay 51 feet, hardpan 1 foot, sand at bottom. Original head 11.8 feet. 

First fountain in this section.

d This is the east limit of flows.

f Iron present; algsc brown; clogged by sand.

/Head 12 feet when opened; now clogged by sand. Sand and gravel 65 feet, blue clay 4 feet, gravel 1 

foot.

9 Sand and gravel 22 feet blue clay 56 feet, hardpan, sand.

& Carr's & Sebering's wells have lowered the head of the Hass well about 16 inches.

i Sand 9 feet, blue clay 61 feet, hardpan 18 feet, gravel at bottom.

i Sand and gravel 5 feet, blue clay 60 feet, hardpan with pebbles 5 feet, fine sand 75 feet.

* Sand and gravel 9 feet, clay 60 feet, hardpan 3 feet, gravel at bottom.

i Sebering's well has lowered head slightly.

 Used for boilers and brickmaking.

« Used in creamery for boiler, and also in manufacture, of butter and condensed cream.

0 Sand 4 feet, blue clay 65 feet, gravel 1 foot.

P Sand" and gravel 15 feet, blue clay 85 feet, gravel 1 foot.

1 Sand 6 feet, blue clay 95 feet, pebbly hardpan 24 feet, gravel.

T Sand 12 feet, blue clay 40 feet, dark-brown and very pebbly hardpan 6 feet, dark-blue clay 56 feet. 

Weak flow at 60 feet; a good flow at 104 feet.
94 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

MEDINA.

In the eastern part of the village of Medina, in the valley of Tiffin 

River, is a single flowing well on the Seeley property. It is 20 feet 

in depth, and flows one-half gallon a minute, with a temperature of 

53° F. The water is of medium hardness. The well has been in 

operation since 1900. Other flowing wells may be obtained along 

the creek bottom, but the head seems to be insufficient to secure a 

flow on the bluff or bordering uplands.

ROLLIN TOWNSHIP.

East of the village of Rollin, in Rollin Township, Lenawee County 

(T. 6 S., R. 1 E.), is a small flowing-well district in a sag between 

morainic ridges. In 1904 there were a few wells located in sees. 22,

R. I E.

FIG. 0. Map of southern part of Rollin Township, Lenawee County, showing distribution of flowing

wells.

26, 27, or 32. They are so widely scattered that it is uncertain 

whether the}r occupy independent pools or form a single pool. The 

data were collected by Mr. Udden, and if his determinations are correct the wells display a difference of 65 feet in altitude, the shallowestbeing 011 the highest ground. The wells are probably supplied from 

an elevated catchment area to the west and north. How much the 

area may be extended is difficult to forecast. The wells are strongly 

chalybeate. In some cases they appear to have a decidedly stronger 

flow just before a storm. The deeper wells obtain water from gravel 

under a heavy bed of blue clay. The Foster well, in sec. 27, which 

is only 27 feet deep, was dug 20 feet and bricked up, and then lowered 7 feet by drilling in the bottom.
LENAWEE COUNTY. 95

Wells at RoUin.

Letter 

on 

fig. 9.

A. 

A. 

B. 

A. 

A.

Section.

32

27 

27 

26 

22

Owner.

11. J. Snyder...... 

J. B. Foster......

M. Childs.........

When 

made.

1900 

1X80

1902

Diameter.

In. 

2

^

2

i 1

Depth.

Feet. 

9<i

90

Elevation.

Feet. 

985 

1,050 

1,022

1,020

Water

rises 

to 

Feet. 

986 

1,052 

1,023

1,021

Flow 

Cost. pinminute.

Galls. 

$100 1 

1

I

80 1

1

Temperature.

-

°F.

£' 

54

Quality

Mediuii 

Hard. 

Do. 

Do.

a No data. 

HUDSON TOWNSHIP.

There is a single flowing well on the farm of Mr. Buck, 1$ miles 

east of Hudson, in the western part of sec. 16, Hudson Township 

(T. 7 S., R. 1 E.). It is only 16 feet in depth and has a weak flow 

from a H-inch pipe. The water is from sand under clay. This well 

is on the western slope of a moraine that furnishes the probable 

catchment area, and it is possible that other flows may be obtained 

near by, especially if made in depressions.

TIPTON DISTRICT.

This district leads both northeast and southwest from the village 

of Tipton, in northern Lenawee County, and at the southwest may

R. 3 E.

FIG. 10. Flowing wells near Tipton, Lonawee County.

find continuation in the scattered flows along Wolf Creek Valley. 

The district is about 1J miles wide and 10 miles long if the Wolf 

Creek wells are included. The Tipton district proper lies entirely in 

Franklin Township (T. 5 S., R. 3 E.), and runs from sec. 13 southwest to sec. 31. West of it is a small isolated group of flowing wells
yb WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN" SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

in a basin near the line of sees. 19 and 30, Franklin Township, which 

is separated from the main district by a till ridge too high to permit 

flows. There are also numerous knolls within the district on which 

flows can scarcely be expected. In the flowing-well district there is 

a perceptible southeastward descent, the altitude of wells on the 

northwest border being 20 to 30 feet higher than that of those on 

the southeast. The altitude of the water declines more rapidly 

southeastward than this somewhat rapid descent, for wells east of 

the flowing wells lack a few feet of rising to the surface.

In the village of Tipton flowing wells can be obtained only in sags 

a few feet below the general level, while wells east of the village, on 

ground lower than these, do not flow even when driven to depths of 

100 feet or more. The wells usually pass through a clayey till, yellow at top and blue from a depth of 10 feet onward. The water is 

found in thin beds of gravel and sand in the till. These beds appear 

to occur at various levels, so that neighboring wells may differ markedly in depth.

The water is hard and carries so much iron that it coats vessels 

rapidly and soon rusts tinware. In some wells the iron is perceptible to the taste. The writer listed about 20 wells in this district 

north and east of Tipton in 1899, some of which are not included in 

the list prepared by Mr. Udden. As the writer's examination was 

incidental to other investigations, data on the wells are meager. 

Two of these wells are on a tributary of Evans Creek along the lines 

of sees. 13 and 14, and are about 2 miles from any reported by 

Udden. Possibly the intervening territory is too elevated to permit of flows. The wells referred to are only 20 to 25 feet deep 

much shallower than the average depth of wells in this district. 

There are two shallow flowing wells, not noted by Udden, near the 

center of sec. 22 on the farm of Mr. Whelan, the depth of which is 

even less than of those in sees. 13 and 14, being but 22 feet. The 

altitude, however, is about.30 feet lower than at a flowing well, 50 

feet deep, at Mr. Whelan's residence.

The flowing wells in the isolated basin on the line of sees. 19 and 

30 are on ground about 20 feet lower than Pentecost station, which 

is at the south edge of the basin. The wells, 8 in number, are on 

the border of a peat bog used for a celery farm, and range in depth 

from 40 to 60 feet. They are controlled, and the water is distributed 

as needed. They are said to fill the 2-inch pipes and discharge many 

gallons a minute. The head, however, is not great, being estimated 

at 10 feet or less. Wells and basins of this kind may have their 

catchment areas on the bordering high land.

The catchment area for the Tipton district probably lies along its 

northwest border, though some of the supply may be from still higher 

land to the west and north.
LEISTAWEE COinSTTY.

Wells in Tipton flowing-ii'ell district.

97

Letter 

on 

fig. 10.

A.....

A .....

A.....

A .... 

B.....

A ......

B......

C ......

D.....

E......

F ......

G . . . .

A .....

B. .. 

C ......

D......

E.. F..

A......

B......

C ......

D......

E......

A ......

B.

C . 

D.

E.

F.

G.

A. .

A......

B......

A......

Section.

13

14

15

16 

1G

21

21

21

21

O1

21

21

19

99

01

28

28

28

28

2,8

29

20

29 

29

29

29

29

30

32

33

Owner.

E..T. Whelan......

F. M. Dibble «. . .

.....do............

W. A. Beebe......

W. E. Camburn...

Martin Whelan . . . 

.....do. ... . ... .

No. 3.

.....do.............

.....do............

.....do............

R. Kerr........ ..

John Cook. . .

W. S. Pentecost...

W. S. Pentecost d .

C. B. Beebe 1 .....

When 

made.

1S90

1897

1888

1880

1891

1890

1SS9

Diameter.

In.

9

1.5 

9

9

2

2

:

9

9

1.5

9

9

1.5

1.5

2

9

2

2

9

9

9

2

9

9

2

Depth.

Feet.

48 

41)

40

Cti

80

40

51

70

99

70

42

40

70

Elevation.

Feet.

-860

-902

015 

905

900

904

907

904

907

905

910

899

905

905

875

895

895

895

898

905

905

900

910 

9»5

903

915

912

912

905

895

905

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet.

903

917 

907

900.2

906

910

906

911

906

911

900

907 

907

907

880

898

897

898

899

907

907

902

917 

908

905

918

914

914

907

897

906

Flow 

per 

minute.

 

Galls.

1

2

9

1

,

I

1.5

Weak.

1

0

0

,

I'-5

20 

15

2

2

2

1

2

Temp^rature.

F.

53

51 

52

54

53

rq

53

53

50

52

53

52

53

52

52 

52

52

52

51

51

52

51

Quality.

Hard.

iron.

Hard.

phur. 

Do.

Do.

Hard.

phur. 

Do.

iron. 

Hard.

Do.

Hard.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Hard.

Do.

a Four other flows have been in use but arc now plugged. Black muck 24 feet, gravel 1 foot, blue clay 

2 feet, hardpan 0 inches.

t> Flow decreased on account of sand and gravel filling pipe. First well in village of Tipton. 

cThree-fourths inch reducer used' head originally 932 feet. 

d Needs sand pumping, flow has decreased.

e Original head, 930 feet, weak flow at 27 feet; one-half inch reducer used. 

/Has had 6 wells.

WOLF CREEK DISTRICT (TPS. 6 S., RS. 2 AND 3 E).

There is a narrow strip along Wolf Creek Valley, in northeastern 

Rome and western Adrian townships, in the vicinity of Wolf Creek 

post-office, in which flowing wells have been obtained. The head is 

not sufficient to give a flow except in ground 25 feet or less above 

the creek. Wells on higher ground show a rise corresponding to that 

in the flowing wells, so that water is frequently very near the surface. 

This district may, as indicated in the discussion of the Tipton district, 

be a continuation of that district. Data on these flowing wells were 

obtained by the writer in 1899, and it is not known whether other 

flowing wells have since been obtained.

C. E. Marshall has a well at Wolf Creek village, 94 feet deep, which 

penetrated till 50 feet and then sand to bottom. There may have 

been a crust of hardpan above the water. The water rises fully 10 

feet above the surface, and the well is about 15 feet above the stream.
98 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

A well at L'. B. Knoll's store at Wolf Creek, 78 feet deep, flows 

with a head of about 10 feet. This well has till at the same level as 

the sand in the Marshall well.

Richmond Ross has a flowing well, 81 feet in depth, a mile south 

of Wolf Creek, in sec. 7, Adrian Township.

On the Wilcox farm, in sec. 13, Rome Township, 1J miles south of 

Wolf Creek, is a strong flowing well about 40 feet deep. It is a dug 

well, into which the water came so rapidly that it was not walled, 

but was filled with bowlders.

Across the road from the strong well on the Wilcox farm, on the 

farm of Henry Thomas, is a weak-flowing well, thought to be 76 feet 

deep.

There is also a shallow and weak-flowing well one-half mile north 

of Wolf Creek, in sec. 1, Rome Township.

There were, in 1899, two weak-flowing wells, 70 feet deep, 1J 

miles northeast of Wolf Creek post-office, in sec. 31, Franklin Township, on the farm of Cornelius Derby.

WATER SUPPLIES OF HILLSDALE COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Hillsdale is the most elevated county in the southern part of the 

State, its altitude ranging from about 830 feet in the southeast 

corner to 1,284 feet at "Bunday Hill," a prominent gravel hill near 

the north border. This county includes the sources of Grand, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph rivers, tributary to Lake Michigan, and also 

of Raisin River and St. Joseph, of the Maumee tributary to Lake 

Erie. A prominent morainic system traverses it from northeast to 

southwest, constituting the divide between the Lake Michigan and 

Lake Erie drainages. Parallel with this on the southeast are other 

moraines at lower altitudes, and below these moraines are sags and 

narrow plains. The northwestern part of the county is broken by 

sandstone ridges, which in some cases are only thinly veneered with 

glacial deposits. In the sandstone ridges, and also in the loosetextured drift that make up the bulk of the morainic ridges, the 

ground-water table is usually at considerable depth, so that wells 

75 to 125 feet in depth are not rare, while a few extend 200 feet. 

On the plains and in depressions among the ridges the distance to 

water is usually but a few feet. There are, however, places in which 

a compact clayey till underlies the plains, and there it may be necessary to go to considerable depth to find a good well. Flowing wells 

have been found in valleys or deep depressions at several points, 

and may perhaps be obtained at other points. They are usually
HILLSDALE COUNTY. 99

from the drift, but near Reading they are obtained from the rock. 

In addition to these valley districts there is a district covering several square miles in Ransom and Amboy townships, where flowing 

wells have been obtained.

WATERWORKS.

There are but three towns in the county in which public water 

supplies have been developed: Hillsdale, Jonesville, and Reading.

HILLSDALE.

The public water supply of Hillsdale is drawn from Bawbese Lake, 

which lies in the valley of a tributary of St. Joseph River, about a 

mile above Hillsdale. The waterworks plant was built in 1886 at a 

cost of $75,000, and has 12 miles of mains, 81 hydrants, and 1,180 

taps. There are two Block pumps with a capacity of 2,000,000 

gallons.

JONESVILLE.

This village, which stands in the St. Joseph Valley, obtains its 

supply from three tubular wells, two of which are in gravel at about 

55 feet and one in rock at 80 feet. It enters rock at about 60 feet. 

By pumping, the wells yield about 500,000 gallons a day.

The following is a partial analysis of the village supply at Jonesville, furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological 

Survey. The supplies are from three wells, two in gravel and one 

in the rock, so that the sample represents a mixture of the three.

Partial analyxix of well water at Jonesville.

Part? per | Parts per 

x million. million.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)............. 110. 80

Sulphur trioxide (SO3)............ 29

Hardness (as CaCO3 )............. 139+

Color........................... 19.

Iron (Fe)....................... 2.

Chlorine (Cl).................... 1.5

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 56 feet.

READING.

This village derives its supply from 4 tubular wells 58 to 65 feet 

in depth, which enter rock at about 28 to 30 feet. The water stands 

7 feet below the surface. The wells are on low ground outside the 

village. The plant was installed in 1900 at a cost of $22,500, and 

has 4f miles of main, 38 hydrants, and 165 taps.

Below is given a partial analysis of the public suppty at Reading. 

It is obtained from shallow wells in the lower part of the village. 

The data are furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States 

Geological Survey.
100 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Partial analysis of well water at Reading. 

Parts per

million.

Color............................ 19

Iron (Fe)........................ .8

Parts per 

million.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)............. 106. 76

Sulphur trioxide (SO3)............ 25

Chlorine (Cl)..................... 4 \ Hardness (as CaCO3)............. 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 56 feet.

Private wells 15 to 30 feet deep are still in common use. 

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

At Cambria, which is located about 6 miles southwest of Hillsdale, in the valley of a tributary of the St. Joseph of the Maumee, 

wells are all shallow, ranging from 8 to 35 feet in depth. The best 

supplies are at about 30 feet.

At Litchfield, in the valley of St. Joseph River, in the northwestern 

part of the county, many wells are drilled into rock and obtain 

strong supplies at 45 to 60 feet. The deepest wells are about 100 

feet. Some wells obtain water from the drift at 10 to 15 feet.

At Mosherville, in Kalamazoo River Valley, in the northern part 

of the county, wells are generally 20 to 30 feet deep. A few in the 

vicinity are drilled in rock to depths of 100 feet or more.

At North Adams, in the north-central part of the county, wells 

are usually 40 to 80 feet, though a few are shallower. Rock is entered 

at about 80 feet, but supplies are usually found in gravel above th,e 

rock. Fire protection is provided in a reservoir supplied from wells.

In the vicinity of Pittsfield some wells are 150 to 245 feet deep, 

and a depth of 150 feet is common. In some the water stands 100 

to 130 feet below the surface.

At Waldron wells are usually about 30 feet deep, but the largest 

supplies are from 90 to 120 feet.

FLOWING WELLS.

RAXSOM TOWNSHIP.

This district embraces half a dozen shallow flowing wells scattered 

over three sections in Ransom Township south of Ransom Center 

and only 2 or 3 miles from the Ohio-Michigan State line. (See fig. 

11.) They are on a till plain sloping southeastward, the catchment 

area probably being on higher land immediately northwest. The 

data on these wells were collected and arranged by Jon A. Udden:
HTLLSDALE COUNTY. 101

Wells near Ransom, Hillsdale County (T. 8 S., R. "2 W.).

Letter 

on 

fig. 11.

A.. ...

B.. ...

C.. ...

A.. ...

B.. ...

A.. ...

B.. ...

Section.

27

27

28

28

33

33

Owner.

J. Gear a............

J. C. Gear.............

(")

When 

made.

1 OWQ

Diameter.

Inches.

4

4

Depth. I Head.

Feet. Feet.

OQ _|_ §3

 10

27 +8

Flowpc r 

minute.

Galls.

1.5

1.5

4

Temperature.

F. 

50

51

50

51

51

50

« When made this well flowed 32 gallons a minute; it now has a i-inch reducer. The water in this and 

other wells in this group is from the gravel below the till. 

6 No data.

R.2 W.

FIG. 11. Flowing wells near Ransom, Hillsdale County. 

JEROME.

At the village of Jerome, in northeastern Hillsdale County, in a 

basin at the head of Raisin River, is a group of shallow flowing wells. 

They are obtained only on low ground near the stream. The well at 

the Jerome Creamery is 35 feet deep and had a head of 8 feet in 1901. 

Mr. Udden visited it in 1904 and found the head only 6 feet. The 

well is 3-inch, and in 1901 discharged 5 gallons a minute. In 1904 

its flow, as determined by Udden, was 7 gallons. The temperature 

in April, 1901, was 53° F. The well was through blue clay most of its 

depth, and obtained water in gravel. The water is slightly chalybeate.

At the public school there was a very weak well in 1901, but Udden 

reports a well drilled there in 1904 that had a flow of 3 gallons a 

IRK 182 06 8
102 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

minute. It is on ground 5 feet higher than the creamery well, and its 

depth is correspondingly greater, being 40 feet. The Cincinnati 

Northern Railroad had a well at its station in Jerome in 1901 that 

flowed vigorously a few feet below the surface into a shallow dug well. 

The well is about 60 feet deep. H. S. Walworth had a flowing well at 

his barn that discharged in 1901 into a dug well 4 feet below the surface. Uddeii reports a well 40 feet deep made by Mr. Walworth in 

1904 that has a head of 1 foot and a discharge of 2 gallons a minute. 

Another flowing well reported by Udden is that of J. Chandler, 

which is 40 feet deep, has a head of 1 foot, and discharges 2^ gallons 

a minute.

Wells at Jerome.

Owner.

H. S. Walworth.............

When 

made.

1900

1904

1904

Diameter.

Inches. 

3

2.5 2.5

Depth.

Feet. 

40?

40

40

40

Elevation.

Feet. 

1,107

1,112

1,110

1,109

Water 

rises to 

Feet.

1,113

1,111

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons.

7

3

o

2

c

Quality.

Do.

Do.

Do.

MOSCOW TOWNSHIP (T. 5 S., R. 2 W.).

A single flowing well was in operation in 1901 on the farm of R. O. 

Showday, about 1J miles south of Moscow, in Moscow Township, in 

Kalamazoo River Valley. No further data were obtained. This 

valley is much lower than bordering uplands, and may prove to 

have conditions favorable for flows along its course down to Moscow.

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP (T. 6 S., R. 1 W.).

A flowing well on the farm of H. E. Williams in sec. 16, Wheatland 

Township, is reported by W. F. Cooper to have a depth of 50 feet, a 

head of 15 feet, and a temperature of 52° F. The altitude is about 

1,100 feet, or a little lower than the general elevation of the region.

ALLEN TOWNSHIP (T. 6 S., R. 4 W.).

A well on the farm of Walter Jones, in Alien Township (sec. 34), 

is reported by W. F. Cooper to flow in the spring and through wet 

seasons but usually to fall to about 5 feet below the surface in. dry 

seasons. The well is 55 feet deep, and the altitude, as determined by 

Mr. Cooper, is 1,113 feet. Other wells in that vicinity vary several 

feet in accord with the rainfall, but no others ever flow.
HILLSDALE COUNTY. 103

R.3 W.

CAMDEN.

There is a single flowing well in the valley of a tributary of St. 

Joseph River about J mile northeast of Camden village, on the property of B. R. Alword, in sec. 22, T. 8 S., R. 4 W., or about 3 miles east 

of the northeast corner of the State of Indiana. It was made in 1892, 

is 120 feet deep and 3 inches in diameter, and obtains its supply from 

gravel. It flows about 6 gallons a minute, and the water is 

reported by the owner to have a 

temperature of only 49° F. It 

is used in a creamery and cheese, 

factory for cooling purposes as 

well as by residents for drinking. 

The water contains considerable 

iron and is hard.

CAMBRIA TOWNSHIP.

Iii the western part of Cambria'Township (T. 7 S., R. 3 W.) 

are three flowing wells from rock. 

They are along a valley considerably below the general level of 

the region. The water is softer 

than that from neighboring wells 

that terminate in the glacial 

deposits. The wells are cased 

to the rock, and in some instances a short distance into the shale, 

which is the upper rock. Water is found in sandstone.

The catchment area is not easily located where wells are so deep 

seated, and is especially hard to ascertain when the \vater has a shale 

cover. It is probable, however, that this cover has been eroded in 

places, allowing waters from the drift to have access to the sandstone. 

The tabulated data are from notes by W. F. Cooper and Jon A. 

Udden.

WeUs near Cambria.

FIG. 12. Flowing wells (from rock) near Cambria; 

Hillsdale County.

Letter 

on 

fig. 12.

A... ..

A......

B......

Section.

18

19

19

Owner.

U. Woodring. .........

E. Mead a... ..........

When 

made.

1902

1904

1900

Diameter.

Inches.

2

2

Depth.

Feet. 

90

125

104

Head.

Feet.

14

o

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons.

9 ^

5

Length 

of casing.

Feet. 

65

85

Temperature.

0 F.

51

51

a Sand and gravel, 20 feet; blue clay, 57 feet; shale, 27 feet; water probably at top of sandstone. The 

other wells each entered sandstone a few feet, and the drift in them is largely sand and gravel.
104 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

WATER SUPPLIES OF BRANCH COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL, STATEMENT.

Branch County is in the south tier of counties, about midway 

between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, its county seat being Coldwater. St. Joseph River crosses the northwestern part and its 

tributaries drain the entire county. A broad gravel plain along the 

river and others along the tributaries together cover fully one-third 

of the surface, the remainder being a till tract in which moraines are 

not conspicuous, much of it being a gently undulating plain.

So far as ascertained no flowing wT ells occur in the county. The 

wells are generally too shallow, however, to test the chances of a flow. 

Water in abundance is ordinarily found at depths of 20 to 40 feet, or 

even less on the gravel plains. On the moraines and till plains, also, 

wells are shallow and usually dug. Near Sherwood and Union City 

there are a few driven wrells 75 feet to 100 feet in depth. The driven 

wells are usually on the high points and show but little rise of water.

WATERWORKS.

COLD WATER.

There are public water supplies at Coldwater, Quincy, and Union 

City, all from tubular wells of moderate depth. Those at the Coldwater waterworks are 50 feet deep and 6 inches in diameter. They 

will yield by heavy pumping 1,500,000 gallons a day, which is the 

maximum consumption. The average consumption is about 500,000 

gallons a day.

QUINCY.

The public supply at Quincy is from a 6-inch well 30 feet deep, in 

which water is found at 15 feet and at 35 to 38 feet. The well will 

yield by heavy pumping 20,000 gallons an hour. Below is given a 

partial analysis of the water from this well, the data being furnished 

by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey. The 

water is very hard and not entirely safe for drinking purposes 

because of liability to contamination.

Partial analysis of well water at Quirtcy.

Parts Parts 

per million. per million.

Color....................... 15 Carbon dioxide (CO2)......... 110.80

Iron (Fe)................... Slight trace. Sulphur trioxide (SO3)........ 20

Chlorine (Cl) ................ 2. 75

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 36 feet.
BKANCH AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTIES. 105

UNION CITY.

Union City is supplied from a group of nine drilled wells, but little 

information could be obtained concerning them.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The table below gives data furnished by residents to whom watersupply blanks were submitted:

Village supplies in Branch County.

Town. Population.

-r1 ! -

vation.

Feet.

Batavia..... 100 945

Butler...... ....... 1.015

982

1,5(13

306

1,026

Source.

Open and driven

wells'.

do

Depth 

to rock.

Feet.

+ 25

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet.

20

..... 12

Dug wells.......... 30 20

.....do............. ........ ........

wells.

or driven.

30

18

IS

15

15

To 

Feet.

25

40

40

50

30

40

35

20

Common.

Feet.

25

30

30

Depth

to

water 

bed.

Feet.

Head. Springs.

Feet.

25 -15 Small.

30

30

30 30

50

30

50

|

30

25 25 i.

20

20

30 | -12

WATER SUPPLIES OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

St. Joseph County is very largely occupied by gravel plains on 

which water is easily obtained at depths of 20 to 40 feet or less. 

It has a morainic tract along its western edge and another leading 

from Centerville southeastward on which the wells vary in depth 

from 20 to 100 feet or more. There also is a till tract in the northeastern part of the county where wells are of various depths up to 

100 feet, a common depth being 70 feet.

Flowing wells have been obtained 011 the border of Klingers Lake 

in the southern part of the county and in St. Joseph Valley at Three 

Rivers. It is probable that flows would be obtained at other points 

along St. Joseph River if deep wells were sunk.

FLOWING WELLS.

KL1XGERS LAKE.

A large number of excellent flows have been obtained on the border 

of Klingers Lake, some yielding as high as 15 gallons a minute. The 

wells are mainly 40 to 50 feet or less in depth, but some are 75 to 

80 feet. The water will rise to a height of about 20 feet above lake
106 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

level. The temperature is quite uniformly 53° F. Resorts which 

have been built up on the shore are known as "Mound Springs" 

and "Mineral Springs." Nearly all the cottages have wells, which, 

when fully developed in fountains and grottoes, will form a very 

attractive feature of the resorts.

Below is given a partial analysis of a representative sample from 

a flowing well near Kliiigers Lake, together with a sample of lake 

water from the same locality. The data were furnished by M. O. 

Leighton of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of well and lake irater at Klingers Lake. 

[Parts per million.]

Color. .........................................................................

Iron (Fe) ......................................................................

Chlorine (CD ...................................................................

Sulphur trioxide (SOj) ........................................................

1.

19

2.5

15

2

10

1.5

15

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. George Corson; depth 47 feet. 2. Lake.

The basin in which Klingers Lake stands is so much lower than 

bordering tracts that the latter may easily furnish the head displayed 

in these wells. Whether the supply is from a moraine north of the 

wells or from the gravelly plain forming an outwash east and south 

of the lake is not determined.

WATERWORKS.

THREE RIVERS.

The flowing wells at Three Rivers constitute the supply for the 

waterworks. There are nine 6-inch wells 75 to 100 feet in depth, 

obtaining water in sand, but thought to have reached shale at the 

bottom of the deepest. The supply is ample for the present needs 

of the town. The water will rise only a few feet above the surface, so that flows can be expected only on ground of similar elevation or on the low bottom along the river. There are occasional 

private flowing wells in Three Rivers. It has been reported that a 

single well has been obtained in the St. Joseph Valley, in sec. 14, 

Lockport township, in which Three Rivers is located.

The following is a partial analysis of the public supply at Three 

Rivers. The water comes from a number of connected wells varying in depth from 75 to 108 feet. The analysis was furnished by 

M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. 107

Partial analyses of well water at Three Rivers.

Parts per Parts per 

million million.

Color........................... 5 Carbon dioxide (CO2)............. 101. 13

Iron (Fe)...........--....-----.. 1.5 I Sulphur Trioxide (SO3 )........... 10

Chlorine (Cl).................... 2.75 Hardness (as CaCO3)............. 139

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 75 feet.

STURGIS.

The public supply at Sturgis is from a large open well 30 feet in 

diameter by 60 feet deep, in which four tubular wells 6 and 8 inches 

in diameter have been driven to a depth of 140 feet. The water 

stands 40 feet below the surface. The supply exceeds the present 

needs of the town, there being seldom a consumption of more than 

125,000 gallons a day. The superintendent of waterworks has kindly 

furnished the following analyses, one being from the large open well, 

the other from the tubular well.

Analysis of Sturgis water supply.a 

[Parts per million.]

Open

well.

263. 99

94. 50

45.02

3.42

69. 70

521.97

Driven 

well. .

282. 46

104. 42

45.02

45.02

3.94

105. 44

586. 30

a Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon; recomputed to parts per million at U. S. Geol. Survey.

CENTER VILLE.

Mr. S. J. Lewis reports that the Ceiiterville plant is nearly obsolete and supplies water for little besides the main street. It seems 

to be largely for fire protection. It has three wells sunk so as to 

tap a large spring located at the head of Hawk Creek just below the 

town at 10 feet below the surface.

Below is given a partial analysis of the water, the data being furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analysis of well water at CenterviUe.

Parts per Parts per 

million. million.

Color........................... 15

Iron (Fe).............. -Very slight trace.

Chlorine (Cl).............../..... 2.125

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 10 feet.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)............. 89. 22

Sulphur trioxide (SOa )............ 10

CONST ANTINE.

This village uses Fawn Kiver water as a public supply, but there 

are many private wells in use that range in depth from 15 to 60 feet.
108 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

WATER SUPPLIES OF CASS COUNTY. - 

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

TOPOGRAPHY.

Cass County consists of a series of prominent moraines, between 

which are strips of gravelly plain, formed as an outwash from the 

bordering moraines. The moraines have wells of various depths up 

to 100 feet and more, there being apparently no uniform water table. 

The gravel plains have a water table usually 20 to 40 feet below 

the surface of the plains, but in places 60 feet below.

MISCELLANEOUS A^ILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following table contains data furnished by residents:

Village supplies in Caxs County.

Town.

Edwardsburg . 

Glenwood .....

Population.

400

72

Vandalia ...... 

Wakelee.......

407 

200

Elevation.

Feet

760

-^834 

750 

921 

983

904

883 

913

Source.

Public supply from 

Stone Lake. 

Waterworks from driven wells.

Waterworks and driven 

wells.

rock. Depth to 

Feet.

202

138+

265

.....do...................

.....do...................

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet.

25 

14 

14

12 

18 

10 

25

A

Feet.

27 

138 

60

60 

75 

60 

65

Common.

Feet.

47

25 

18 

50 

35

50 

25 

30

Depth to wa-bed. tr 

Feet.

47

25 

18 

40 

35

50 

20 

30 

50

-o

03 O>

P

Feet.

_ 2 

_ 22

'-46' 

-25 

-35

Springs.

None. 

Large.

Small. 

Do. 

Do.

FLOWING WELLS.

Flowing wells have been obtained along Dowagiac Valley at Glenwood and north and west of Dowagiac, as well as in that town; also 

northwest of Marcellus at Fish Lake, and in a valley 2 miles east of 

Wakelee. None have been reported from other points in the county.

GLENWOOD DISTRICT.

There are three wells near Glenwood on the Hampton stock farm, 

two in the SW. J sec. 3, and one in the NE. J sec. 10, T. 5 S., R. 1 W. 

One well has a depth of 138 feet, and the others are similar. They 

yield strong flows of hard water carrying iron. The catchment area 

seems likely to be in the moraine lying southeast of the wells. Springs 

are also abundant along the base of this moraine near Glenwood. 

Mrs. C. Wells has one in sec. 11, T. 5 S., R. 15 W., piped to supply 

house and barn.
CASS COUNTY. 109 

LONG LAKE.

About 5 miles west of Glenwood on the bank of Long Lake is the 

flowing well of William Peterbaugh, but no data were obtained as 

to depth or rate of flow.

South of this well in sec. 18, Wayne Township, A. F. Hatch has 

a flowing well 36 feet deep that flows 2| gallons a minute; temperature 53° F. The well was made May 10, 1904.

WEST OF DOWAGIAC.

L. J. Pray, a driller at Dowagiac, states that J. C. Becker has a 

flowing well west of Dowagiac near Dowagiac River, 77 feet deep, 

with a head of 6 feet that will flow a barrel a minute from a 2-inch 

pipe. The well was made in 1893. Water beds were struck at 20, 

30, and 40 feet, as well as near the bottom.

Another well reported by Mr. Pray is on C. E. White's farm, west 

of Dowagiac, and this has sufficient force to bring up fine gravel. 

It flows about a barrel a minute. The well is 152 feet deep.

A flowing well west of Dowagiac on the farm of J. F. Cook in 

sec. 33, Silver Creek Township, was visited by M. L. Fuller and Jon 

A. Udden in 1904. It flows 15 gallons a minute from a 2-inch pipe. 

The depth is 76 feet and diameter 2 inches. The water is hard and 

chalybeate and has a temperature of 52° F.

Across the road from Mr. Cook's well, in the northwest part of 

Pokagon Township, is the well of J. C. Becker, noted above, which 

was shut off in August, 1904, while Fuller and Udden were there.

A well a mile south on the farm of E. W. Whitmore in sec. 9, 

Pokagon Township, had just been made in 1904, and flowed about 30 

gallons a minute from a 2-inch pipe. The depth is 86 feet and altitude about 745 feet. The temperature is 52.5° F.

FISH LAKE.

A single flowing well is in operation on the shore of Fish Lake 3 

miles west of Marcellus. It was put down for Doctor Davis and 

has a depth of 90 feet. a

WATERWORKS.

DOWAGIAC.

The waterworks at Dowagiac have eleven wells 100 feet deep, and 

two 47 feet deep, all but one being 6 inches, and that is 4 inches in 

diameter. There is also an open well 30 feet in diameter and 16 

feet deep. The deep wells flow, and in the shallow ones water 

stands about 2 feet below the surface. The water has a temperature

a Data furnished by W. F. Cooper.
110 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

of 52° in the deep wells. The deeper wells appear to penetrate 

some clay near bottom, but the shallow ones pass through sand in 

which there are gravelly beds which yield water rapidly. The 

strongest supply is from the upper beds, which yield about 400 

gallons a minute by pumping, while only 600 gallons a minute are 

obtained from the eleven deeper wells.a

The wells are not so strong as when first made, but the superintendent reports that water comes in as rapidly as the pumps can 

take it, for the water is pumped direct from the wells, and the vacuum 

gage shows that it does not decrease with pumping.

The superintendent furnished the following record of the shallower 

well:

Record of shallow ivaterworks well at Dowagiac.

Thickness.

Feet. 

2

3

2

15

10

15

Total.

Feet.

2

5

7

22

32

47

CASSOPOLIS.

The public supply for this town is pumped from Stone Lake, but 

private wells are in common use, the depth being from 15 to 40 feet.

MARCELLUS.

The village of Marcellus obtains its public supply from driven 

wells 35 to 50 feet in depth. The pumping is direct with an ordinary 

pressure of 40 pounds and fire pressure of 90 pounds.

WATER SUPPLIES OF BERRIEN COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Berrien is the southwest corner county of Michigan, with Lake 

Michigan on its western border and the State of Indiana on its 

southern. St. Joseph Kiver traverses it nearly centrally from southeast 

to northwest, and, with its tributaries, drains all the county except 

the southwest corner and a narrow strip along the lake shore. In 

the southeastern part are plains of sand and gravel in which the 

water table is adjusted to the streams and lakes, and is tapped by 

wells at depths of 20 to 80 feet, the greatest depth being on an 

elevated plain west of St. Joseph River, just north of the State line.

a Data by superintendent.
BEBKIEN COUNTY. Ill

The city of Niles has sunk wells to a lower water horizon beneath a 

sheet of clay for its public supply, and thus obtains flows. A prominent morainic ridge east and south of Buchanan is surrounded by 

gravel plains and carries wells of depths ranging from 25 feet to 

more than 100 feet. The Valparaiso morainic system forms a belt 

5 to 10 miles wide that runs northward from Galien and Dayton, 

crosses St. Joseph River between Buchanan and Berrkn Springs, 

and then passes eastward out of the county south of Watervliet. 

Between two members of this morainic system, in Pipestone and 

Bainbridge townships, is a depression in which an important flowingwell district has been developed. Flowing wells have also been 

obtained along the inner or northwestern border of this morainic 

system near Galien and near Watervliet. In the moraines wells are 

of various depths and differ widely in head. Between the Valparaiso 

morainic system and the shore of Lake Michigan are till plains 

interrupted by small till ridges. A narrow strip between the westernmost till ridge and the shore of Lake Michigan has been covered by 

lake waters, and in- places is capped with dunes. A few flowing 

wells have been obtained in low places along the lake shore. This 

western part of the county, though much lower than the eastern, 

and probably in the' line of underground drainage toward the lake, 

does not display as strong hydrostatic pressure as might be expected. 

The wells are of various depths and seem to be supplied from water 

beds that are not widespread at any one horizon. A large amount 

of blue clayey till is found throughout the district between the 

Valparaiso morainic system and the Lake Michigan shore, but in 

this morainic system the blue till is interbedded with thick deposits 

of sand and gravel, while east of this morainic system the till is 

relatively scarce, except perhaps at considerable depth.

WATERWORKS.

Several towns in the county are supplied with waterworks, as 

indicated below. In those not thus supplied, the residents depend 

to a large extent on tubular wells driven to moderate depths, seldom 

over 40 feet. The dug wells made in the early days of settlement 

are being superseded by the less easily contaminated driven wells.

NILES.

Two systems of waterworks are in operation in Niles; one, taking 

its supply from Barren Lake, is owned by a private company; the 

other, taking its supply from driven wells, is owned by the city. 

The private works were built in 1879 and were the sole supply for 

about 16 years, when the city built its own works, because satisfactory terms could not be made with the private company.
112 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The wells in the municipal plant are in St. Joseph Valley and are 

reported to have a head of several feet. The water is pumped from 

the wells to a standpipe and also direct to the mains. The reservoir 

pressure of 55 pounds may be doubled in case of fire. The average 

daily consumption is about half a million gallons. Water power is 

used in pumping. There are 15 miles of mains, 158 hydrants, and 

763 taps. The cost of the plant is $175,000.

BTJCHANAN. "

The public water supply of Buchanan is furnished by six wells 27 

to 40 feet in depth and 6 inches in diameter, having a head nearly 

level with the surface. The water is pumped direct to the mains, 

with a day pressure of about 65 pounds and a night pressure of 30 

pounds. In 1904, in prospecting for additional sources, the wells 

were carried to the rock. The water for the present supply is from 

gravel. The plant is municipal.

There were two flowing wells on low river bottom at Buchanan, 

but since the dam was built the land has been flooded and the wells 

abandoned.

THREE OAKS. "

The public supply of Three Oaks is owned by the municipality 

and is from one 6-inch well 76 feet deep and one 8-inch well 86 feet 

deep. The wells are largely through blue till but obtain water in a 

sandy gravel. . The water in each well stands 30 feet below the 

surface. The combined yield is 125,000 gallons a day; this supply 

is scarcely sufficient in case of fire, but arrangements have been 

made with the Warren Featherbone Company to pump directly 

from a well at their factory into the village mains in case of fire.

BENTON HARBOR. "

Both springs and wells are in use and furnish an adequate supply 

for present need, but Lake Michigan will probably become the 

source of supply should the present prove inadequate or unsuitable.

The plant is municipal. The wells range in depth from 43 to 80 

feet.

ST. JOSEPH. a

The public supply of St. Joseph is pumped from wells sunk in the 

bed of Lake Michigan a half mile or more south of the mouth of St. 

Joseph River. The wells are 25 feet deep and filled by gravity from 

the lake. The water is pumped to standpipe and to the mains direct,, 

the ordinary pressure being 50 pounds and the fire pressure 100 

pounds. The plant is municipal.

a Information furnished by Jon A. Udden.
BEEEIEN COUNTY. 113

EAU CLAIRE.

The village of Eau Claire is reported to have a partial public 

supply, which is obtained from wells and used for both fire protection 

and drinking.

MISCELLANEOUS TILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following table is largely made up from data furnished by 

officials to whom water-supply schedules have been mailed; it 

shows the conditions in 19 of the most important towns:

Village supplies in Berrien County.

Town.

Benton Harbor

Berrieii Springs 

Bridgeman. ....

New Buffalo.. .

Riverside.. ....

Stevensville....

Three Oaks.... 

"Vinci find

Population.

300

' " 

808

250 

1,708

687 

250

440 

629

4,287 

150

150

250 

994

Elevation.

Feet. 

040

596

650

040 

680

647

716 

718

680 

587

025

f 630 

\ 675 

637 

590

640

630

667 

587

Source.

Driven wells; cisterns. 

Driven wells; 

springs. 

(Dug and driven 

\ wells. 

/Mostly driven 

| wells. 

Driven wells; 

springs.

(Driven and dug 

\ wells. 

.....do............

Driven wells. .....

Open and driven 

wells. 

.....do............

>Driven wells; lake.

Lake Michigan; 

driven wells. 

Open and driven

wells.

.....do............ 

Wells and stream .

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet.

140

1 110

140 

+228 

60

}+ 90 

+ 120 

+ 100 

200

65?

f 140 

\ 265

133 

125

+ 140 

+ 100

+ 95

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet.

10

15 

15

} »

40

48

20 

16 

17

12

rI ......

12

30

40 

20

40

To 

Feet. 

50

1,200

670 

800 

60

99

90 

120 

100 

212

120

Common.

Feet. 

18

25

100 

40

50

f 25 

\ 50 

16 

f 30 

1 40 

00

1,438 110

09

165

150

50

140

100

95

+ 50

f 30 

\ 50 

80 

20

50

Depth

to 

water

bed.

Feet.

150 

40

I 48 

\ 00

50 

120

1 30 

30

110

+ 50

>-;-

f 40 

1 50

Head.

Feet. 

- li

-12

f -15 

1 -25

- 0 

- 3

}-«

>"-m

_ o

+ 2

(?)

-15

-20 

-15 }-,.

Springs.

None. 

Large.

| Do.

None. 

Strong.

Medium.

Large. 

Small. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Medium. 

None.

Large.

FLOWING WELLS.

GALIEN DISTRICT. 0

Two flowing wells have been obtained on low ground, elevation 

about 660 feet, a short distance northeast of Galien village. One on 

the farm of William Goodrich, in the north part of sec. 2, was made 

in 1897; it is 44 feet deep, 1| inches in diameter, and flows 2.5 gallons 

a minute, with a head of 6 feet. The temperature is 53° F. The 

other well is in the northeastern boundary of Galien, in sec. 3, but 

no data concerning it were obtained.

a Information furnished by Jon A. Udden.
114 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The catchment area for these wells in all probability is in the 

higher land in the Valparaiso morainic system to the south and east, 

and flowing wells can probably be obtained in other similar low tracts 

along the inner slope of the Valparaiso morainic system. One of 

these forms the next district discussed, but in most of these depressions no explorations have been made.

WEESAW TOWNSHIP.

There are three flowing wells along the valley or depression heading 

in the Valparaiso morainic system in southeastern Weesaw Township, 

about 3 miles north of Galien. The well of John Beckwith, in sec. 25, 

was made in 1895, is 92 feet in depth, and 2 inches in diameter; it 

flows 1\ gallons a minute, with a head of 5 feet or more, and has a 

temperature of 53° F.

The well of F. Prinkert, in sec. 27, is 42 feet deep and If inches in 

diameter; it obtains water from gravel at 28 feet. It has a head of 

12 feet, flowT s 8 gallons a minute, and has a temperature of 53° F.

A flow on sec. 23, on the property of Mrs. Gallivan, is noted, but 

no data are given.

NEW BUFFALO DISTRICT. 0

There were several flowing wells near New Buffalo in 1887 when 

the writer mapped the glacial features of the region. These were 

on low ground, scarcely 10 feet above Lake Michigan, and had a 

depth of about 30 feet. From the lake there is a rapid rise to a till 

ridge in the eastern part of the village, which probably serves as the 

catchment area. The drift at the village extends to a level about 

200 feet below Lake Michigan. Mr. Udden visited New Buffalo in 

1904 and learned of three flowing wells in or near the village.

The well of Mr. Williams is 117 feet deep, 2 inches in diameter, 

and has a head of 1J feet. The well mouth is noted by Udden at 

619 feet. It flows one-half gallon a minute, with a temperature 

of 53° F.

Henry Gallwitzer has a well, which appears from Udden's notes to 

be at New Buffalo, that struck a flow at 46 to 50 feet in sand and 

gravel. The water is hard and is impregnated with iron.

Murdock & Co., of New Buffalo, are also reported by Udden to 

have a flowing well, but no data are given.

PIPESTONE DISTRICT.

The Pipestone district lies between two morainic ridges of the 

Valparaiso system in northeastern Berrien County in a basin drained 

by Pipestone Creek. The wells are mainly in Pipestone Township,

a Data by Frank Leverett and Jon A. Udden.
BEEEIEN COUNTY. 115

but also are obtained in the southeastern part of Bainbridge Township. They occupy a belt about 5 miles in length and 1 to 2J miles 

in width, forming an area about 6 or 7 square miles (see fig. 13). 

The first well was made in 1877, in the southwest part of sec. 2, 

Pipestone Township, and several have been flowing since 1878. In 

1904, 51 wells were in operation. Within the limits of this district 

only about a dozen wells were noted which do not flow, and these

FIG. 13. Map of Pipestone flowing-well district, Berrien County.

are too shallow to reach the beds from which flows are obtained. 

The combined discharge of the 51 wells was 116 gallons a minute, 

or about 170,000 gallons a day, but many of the wells have reducers 

or are regulated by faucets, so that this discharge represents but a 

small fraction of what the wells would flow if the pipes were left open. 

Probably the district, as now developed, would yield more than 

1,000,000 gallons a day, or enough to easily supply a city of 10,000
116 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEBN MICHIGAN.

population. The water is used for cooling as well as for drinking, 

its uniform temperature of about 52° F. being well adapted for 

creameries.

Wells which have received proper care appear to show little, if any 

decrease in head, and seem to possess a uniform rate of flow throughout the year. Many of the wells have not been properly looked after, 

and are clogging with sand or are in need of new screens. The wells 

best cared for have been cleaned about once a year.

If properly distributed, many new wells could be put down in this 

region without drawing seriously from those now in operation. A 

well made in sec. 13 in 1904 flows 12 gallons a minute, and seems not 

to interfere with the flow of neighboring wells.

The catchment area for this district appears to be in the moraine 

lying east of it, which rises in places to an altitude of more than 100 

feet above the wells. Probably the gravel plain east of the moraine 

also contributes to the supply, for it stands high enough to furnish 

considerable head at the level of these wells.

The wells pass through a large amount of clayey till before reaching 

the water-bearing sand and gravel, which forms an excellent cover 

to prevent natural escape, and springs are consequently rather scarce 

and weak. The water is highly mineralized in most wells, and forms 

a yellow coating where it discharges; the amount of mineralization 

is such as to sustain the view that the water passes underground for 

some distance probably more than a mile before it is tapped by 

the wells. It is from medium to very hard.

The tabulated data given herewith were collected and arranged 

by Jon A. Udden.. The wells are all 2 inches in diameter, except 

a 3-inch well of J. H. Price (E 10), and a well with 12-inch wooden 

pipe (E 15) on the Rosenbaum farm:

Wells in Pipestone district.

Letter 

on fig. 

13.

A.. ...

A.. ...

B.. ...

C.. ...

A.. ...

B.. ...

A.. ...

A.. ...

B.. ...

D.. ...

E......

F......

G......

Section.

1

2

2

3

3

9

10

10

10

10

10

10

10

Owner.

Fred Wolf

M. G. Matranft.............

E.Collins..................

P. L. Northrop............

J.H. Price. ................

E.O.Davis. ...............

W. B. Graham. ............

J.H. Price. ................

.....do.....................

Clarke <*.. ..............

Irvin Hague ...............

When 

made.

1901

1878

1901

1902

1885

1902

1903

1899

1882

Depth.

Feet.

60

156

130

28

55

dfl

97

57

52

Elevation.

Feet.

725

720

727

720

720

712

705

710

710

715

710

675

720

718

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet.

721

729

723

720.9

714

707

712

712

718+

710

679

723

719

Flow 

per 

minute, a

Galls. 

R 0.5

.75

R 3

R

oc

2

R 1.5

.5

R 1.5

R 1.5

.75

T? °

R 2

R 2

Temperature.

°F. 

53

53

52

52.5

52

52.5

52

53

52

52

52

52

52.5

52.5

Quality.

o Where wells are reduced the letter R is prefixed.

6 Original head, 730 feet. Clay, 30 feet; quicksand, 30 feet, from which water came, to th.e surface; 

blue clay, 65 feet, with hardpan crust at bottom covering the water gravel. 

c Original head, 719 feet. Clay to within 2 feet of bottom. 

d Original head, 732 feet. Water strong in iron.
BERBIEN COUNTY. 117

Wells in Pipestone district Continued.

Letter 

on fig. 

13.

H......

I......

J......

A......

B......

C......

D......

E......

F......

G......

H......

I..... .

C.......

D......

E......

F......

G......

H......

A......

B......

C......

D......

E......

A......

B......

C.......

A......

B......

A......

B......

A......

B......

A......

B......

C.......

A......

B......

Section.

10

10

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

14

14

14

14

14

14

15

15

15

15

15

22

22

22

23

23

27

27

28

28

35

35

35

36

36

Owner.

Fred Holler................

E. W. Claussen. ............

J. W. Kelley...............

T. Langlin /................

C. F. Hartelrack...........

Louis White A.. ............

Fred Och" ................

T. Morlock ................

When 

made.

1901

1894

1880

1900

1899

1902

1890

1885

1896

1902

1880

1889

1886

1900

1887

1880

1904

1878

1880

1902

1894

1891

1889

Depth.

Feet. 

40

45

62

40

40

117

60

60

100

60

60

60

50

62

75

108

87

97

30

36

30

96

96

96

160

146

Elevation.

Feet. 

720

712

720

720

720

720

715

715

712

712

712

712

715

713

710

700

712

715

710

710

710

710

710

710

712

710

702

710

725

710

710

730

730

733

715

725

Water

rises 

to 

Feet.

714

716

722

721

723

721

717

717

715

714

715

713

716

715

7n-J

715

715

712

714

714

710+

712

712+

714

712

705

712+

726

713+

711

732

732

735

717

727

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls. 

RIO

R 2

.75

2

1

R 3

1

.75

R 2.5

R 1

1

1

2

R 1.5

R 1.5

10

.5

R 2

R12

.5

R 1

2

1.5

2.5

1

12

1.5

2

7

R .25

1

1

.75

R 1

R 2.5

Temperature.

°F. 

51.5

52

53

52.5

53

52.5

53

53

53

53

53

53

52

52

52

52

51.5

52

51

51.5

53

52

52

51.7

51.5

51

51.4

51.5

53.5

51.5

52

53

53

53

53

52.5

53

Quality.

Hard.

Do.

Do.

« Blue clay, 35 feet; quicksand, 5 feet; water in gravel at bottom, strong in iron. Pipe has a 1-inch 

reducer.

6 Clay, mainly blue, 40 feet; quicksand and gravel, 5 feet.

c After penetrating 50 feet of clay a weak flow was struck, but the well was continued through 10 feet 

more of blue clay to a stronger vein in sand and gravel. The pipe has a 1-inch reducer. Cost said to 

be $30.

d Blue clay, 75 feet; sand, 30 leet; gravel, 12 feet. Cost, $30.

' Original head, 718 feet. Entirely through clay to gravel at bottom. Cost, $40.

/Blue clay, 60 feet; sand, 40 feet; gravel at bottom with water strong in iron. Cost, $45.

g Blue clay, 20 feet; sand and gravel, 20 feet.

ft Flow has decreased because of filling by sand.

i 12-inch wooden pipe.

J Entirely through clay to gravel bed at bottom. Well needs cleaning. Cost, $75.

* Vein at 27 feet had a head of 10 feet, and one at 75 feet had a head of 12 feet.

l Pipes are rusted and flow is less on this account. Cost, $1.25 a foot. Sand and gravel, 12 feet; blue 

clay, 74 feet; gravel with water at bottom. 

m Original head, 716 feet; clay, mainly blue, 97 feet; fine sand, 20 feet. Cost, $4fi.

" Needs cleaning. Formerly flowed 7 gallons a minute.

o Clogged with iron rust.

pClay, 10 feet; quicksand, 18 feet; coarse gravel at bottom.

q Original head, 736 feet. Water strong in iron. Cost, 65 cents a foot.

> Original head, 729 feet. Blue clay, with streaks of sand, 155 feet; hardpan, 6 inches; gravel at bottom.

« Original head, 743 feet, and original flow, a barrel a minute. Blue clay. 20 feet: fine sand, 80 feet; 

clay and quicksand, 45 feet; blue clay, very hard, 1 foot; gravel at bottom. Cost, $90.

BAINBRIDGE DISTRICT.

There is a recess on the inner border of the Valparaiso morainic 

system, in the northern part of Bainbridge Township and southeastern part of Watervliet Township. It occupies about a square mile, 

chiefly in the west half of sec. 2 and east half of sec. 3, Bainbridge 

Township, there being but one well north of the township line (see 

IKE 182 06 9
118 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

R. 17 W.

fig. 14). In this district the principal group is on the farm of Henry 

Gerling in the southwest part of sec. 2. One well furnishes water 

power "to run a feed mill and 5 others are used to supply the house and 

stock. Mr. Udden visited this group of wells, but in the absence of

the owner was unable to get data 

as to the yield and the power 

furnished. The wells yary in 

depth and obtain water apparently from two or three different 

beds of gravel or sand in the till. 

This district may be capable 

of extension to the north, but 

the morainic hills which border 

it on the east, south, and west 

prevent extension in those directions. The catchment area in

FIG. 14. Flowing wells in Bainbridge and Water- a{l probability lies On these 

vliet townships, Berrien County. - , . .... "

bordering hills.

W. F. Cooper obtained data concerning a well reported by the 

owner, Charles Wasco, to be in sec. 6, Bainbridge Township. This 

was not visited by Mr. Udden. If correctly located it lies in a different district from that under discussion.

The data collected by Mr. Udden and also data from Mr. Cooper 

are embraced in the following table:

Wells at Bainbridge.

Letter

Oil

fig. 14.

A

B-G

B

Section.

9

0

3

35

Owner.

Henry Gerling a .............

When

made.

f!892

1904

1892

1903

Diameter.

Inches. 

2

4

9

2

9

W-' T&-

Feet. Feet. 

100 700

30 690

45 705

40 703

45 ........

89 ........

Water

rises 

to 

Feet. 

702+

700+

707

705

+ 10

+ 10

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallons. 

3

3

.75

25

3

Temperature.

°I .

51

51

50?

t> Blue clay, hard toward bottom, 43 feet, grave! 2 feet. Cost, 85 cents a foot.

c Data are from a schedule filled out by Mr. Warsko, in which he placed the well in sec. 6, but possibly 

it is in sec. 3.

dData furnished by driller. J. Fritz of Coloma. Water veins occurred at 36 and 55 feet. The casing 

is 17 feet. The well supplies house, barn, and fish pond. It is located just north of the line of Watcrvliet and Bainbridge townships in Watervliet Township. Cost 564.-40.

PAWPAW LAKE.

On the north side of Pawpaw Lake in Watervliet Township, northern Berrien County, is a flowing well on the property of J. K. Blachford. It is 75 feet deep and 2 inches in diameter, but has only a 

half-inch escape pipe. The altitude is about 625 feet and head 3 

feet or more.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES OF SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 119 

WATER SUPPLIES OF VAN BUREN COUNTY. 

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

TOPOGRAPHY.

Van Buren County lies north of Berrien and Cass counties, with 

a narrow frontage on Lake Michigan. Its principal stream is Pawpaw River which runs westward through the central part of the 

county. South Black River drains the northwestern part, and 

Dowagiac River the southeastern. A part of the lake shore is bordered by high sand dunes.

Morainic systems traverse the county in a northeast to southwest 

direction, the Kalamazoo system crossing the southeast corner, the 

Valparaiso system the central part, and the Lake Border system the 

western part. The Kalamazoo system is largely of loose-textured 

drift which absorbs rainfall rapidly and presents a rather deep-lying 

ground-water table. The loose-textured drift is unfavorable for 

flowing wells on its inner border though the altitude there is much 

lower than on the morainic ridges. There are sandy plains between 

the Kalamazoo and Valparaiso morainic systems in which flowing 

wells seem to be obtainable only on the low ground along streams or 

around lakes.

In the Valparaiso morainic system there is great variation in texture of drift as well as great irregularity of surface. In low parts of 

the moraines till is usually present, and water rises nearly to the 

surface in the wells and in a few places overflows. The high parts 

of the moraines are usually of loose-textured drift, and the head is 

not sufficient to bring the water near the surface. West of the Valparaiso system are plains partly of till and partly of sand, in which 

water rises about to the surface and occasionally flows from wells 

that go to considerable depth. The head is especially high in recesses 

on the immediate inner border of the Valparaiso morainic system, 

and flows are obtainable in some of these recesses. Flows are also 

obtainable in this plain near South Black River in the northwest 

part of the county.

A ridge of clayey till, known as Covert Ridge from Covert village 

standing oil it, runs across the western end of the county at a distance 

of 2 to 4 miles back from Lake Michigan. On this ridge and on its 

inner slope wells often reach considerable depths, and the water does 

not flow even on the slopes or on the plain between this village and 

the lake.

Hon. C. D. Lawton, of Lawton, who is one of the early settlers in 

this region, states that springs seem to him to be weaker in the southwestern part of Michigan than when the country was first settled. 

They are still of such strength, however, as to supply a strong dryweather flow to most of the streams.
120 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

WATERWORKS. 

BANGOR. °

The Bangor waterworks are municipal. The supply is from wells 

about 60 feet deep, in which water stands 7 to 9 feet below the surface. An excavated well 14 feet deep receives the water, which is 

pumped to a tank with a capacity of 50,000 gallons. The pressure 

is 55 pounds to the square inch. The plant was put in operation in 

1903.

DECATUR. 6

The supply is from two 6-inch wells 90 and 115 feet deep, with 

water 32 feet below the surface. The wells yield 400 gallons a minute, and are seldom lowered more than 10 feet by pumping. One 

well is cased 81, and the other 90 feet. There was some water at 36 

to 60 feet but this was cased out. The waterworks, which are municipal, were installed in 1895. The pumps are placed in a pit 28 feet 

deep and deliver the water to a standpipe 115 feet high.

HARTFORD. c

The Hartford supply is from wells 40 to 42 feet deep, with water 

about 10 feet below the surface. Water is pumped to a tank. The 

plant is municipal.

LAWRENCE. 0

The supply is from two 6-inch wells, 60 feet deep, which yield about 

40 gallons a minute. The water is pumped direct to the mains. The 

plant is municipal.

PAWPAW. 0

At Pawpaw there is a large well 20 by 25 feet, in the bottom of 

which two 6-inch wells are drilled about 40 feet; the water rises into 

the excavated well about 17 feet. Four hours are required in dry 

weather and about three hours in wet weather to fill it to that level; 

the first 9 feet will fill in one hour. The water is pumped to a standpipe 120 feet high, which gives a pressure of nearly 60 pounds. In 

case of fire direct pressure is applied. The works are municipal. 

They were installed in 1893 at a cost of $20,000. There are 6.5 miles 

of mains, 40 hydrants, and 318 taps.

SOUTH HAVEN. d

The supply is from horizontal Cook wells pumping to a standpipe. 

The wells are pushed into sand 8 feet below the bed of Lake Michigan,

a Information furnished by Ton A. Udden.

f> Information furnished by I. B. Galbraith, superintendent of waterworks.

c Information furnished by postmaster

d Data mainly from Manual of American Waterworks.
VAN BUKEN COUNTY. 121

and consist of several 8-inch pipes 150 feet long. The standpipe has 

a capacity of 140,000 gallons. The plant was built in 1892 at a cost 

of $37,000; it is owned by the village.

The following partial analysis of the water from the Rector well 

at Hartford was furnished by.M. O. Leighton, of the United States 

Geological Survey:

Partial atwdysis of well vxiterfrorn Hartford.

Parts per 

million. 

Color ........................ 5

Iron (Fe) ................... Good trace.

Chlorine (Cl).................. 2.75

S. J. Lewis, analyst.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) . 

Sulphur trioxide (SO3) 

Hardness (as CaCO3 .--

Parts per 

million.

122. 46 

20

+139

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following table presents data on village supplies which have 

been obtained largely by correspondence with residents:

Village supplies in Van Buren County.

Town.

Bangor. .......

d

o

ft

o

1,021

Bloomingdale . 379

Breedsville.... 236

Covert...... ...

Decatur. ...... 1,356

Gobleville..... 506

Grand Junction.

Hartford...... 1,077

KeGler

Kendall ....... .......

Kibble . - -

Lacota... ..... .......

Lawrence ...... 598

Lawton. ....... 942

Mattawan .....

Pawpaw.......

South Haven . .

1,465

d 

o

S?*~

6.

Feet.

Source.

,.[.« (Driven wells and waterworks 

b5U i wells.

( 730 

\ 750

607

780

800

680

662

800

780

630

700

700

776

858

730

4,009 («»

1

Depth of wells.

1

O

f*

Feet.

]

H

Feet.

UOTIIl 4 

1

O

Feet.

i

o q;

p l _i_J

a> O

Feet.

1 ( ^0 )

} 18 70/30 60

Flowing wells, other driven ] OQ 

wells. | "

Driven wells, river, springs. . . 78

Driven wells. ................. 10

Driven wells at waterworks . . 40

Driven wells. ................. 35

.....do........................ 12

Driven wells, including water- 12

works.

Driven wells .................. 20

.....do........................ 15

.....do........................

.....do........................

Driven wells, includingwaterworks.

11

25

25

Driven wells.................. 10

220

100

110

125

38 38

40 40

80 80

90 i ,?9

1 J.J.O

100 50 " 50

72

42

125

50

25

80

100

60

30 30

25 25

35 ' 35

15 ^15

60 55

25 25

.....do........ ............... 28 115 35 35

(Driven and open wells, includ- 1 Of) 

I ing waterworks. f

30

 d

oS

ft

Feet.

-10

f+ 9

 15

-25

[-32

-40

-10

 12

Springs.

Small.

} Do.

Do.

None.

Small.

Do.

......I Do.

-20 Do.

-10 ______ None.

-15

 20 Small.

-15 Do.

f+ 2

------hi- e

Waterworks from Lake Mich- 1

I igan and private driven 

[ wells.

^ 20 347 100 100 -20

FLOWING WELLS.

HARTFORD TOWNSHIP.

Flowing wells have been obtained in 4 small pools in Hartford Township (T. 3 S., R. 16 W.) one near Rush Lake, in the northwest part; 

another in the valley of Pawpaw River, in the west part; a third along 

a small tributary of Pawpaw River, in the southwest corner of the.
122 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN" MICHIGAN.

township; and a fourth in the headwaters of Pine Creek, in the southeast part. No data were collected concerning the first and second 

districts. In the third the data on a single well, that of O. S. McGowan, was obtained by W. F. Cooper through correspondence with 

the owner. The well is in sec. 31, and was made in 1885. The depth 

is 44 feet, water being struck at 40 feet in gravel under clay. The 

head is 10 feet above the surface, and the flow is about a half-inch 

stream. The water has been piped to the kitchen and also supplies 

stock. It is medium hard, with some iron. The cost of the well and 

piping was $75.

The fourth district, in sees. 26 and 27, includes 4 wells on the farm 

of Eastoii Brothers, of Hartford, and 4 others on farms of Fred Warren, W. P. Smith, John Ray, and Charles Floate, all of which were 

reported to W. F. Cooper by Easton Brothers. The Easton wells are 

about 58 feet deep, and obtain water in gravel near the bottom. 

There are 30 feet of sandy drift at the surface, below which is blue 

clay to the water-bearing gravel. One or more of the wells have been 

in operation since 1887, and together they now yield about 300 barrels a day. The flow appears to be regular throughout the year. 

The Smith well, made in 1886, is about 68 feet, and the Warren well, 

made in 1892, 58 feet deep. Mr. Udden visited these wells in 1904, 

and found the Smith well to flow 3 gallons and the Warren well 2£ 

gallons a minute, while one of the Easton wells flowed 7 gallons.

This district and that in sec. 31 are each in a recess in the Valparaiso moraine, which forms the catchment area and governs the 

head.

PAWPAW TOWNSHIP (T. 3 s., E. 14 w.)."

In addition to the flowing wells at the Pawpaw waterworks, which, 

as noted above, discharge into a large open well, there are occasional 

flows on low ground in that vicinity. The head is probably from a 

catchment area on higher ground to the southeast. One well, on the 

farm of Aaron Hathaway, in the southwestern part of sec. 23, 2 miles 

south of Pawpaw, in the valley of West Pawpaw River, is flowing 

about 2 gallons a minute, with a head of 1J feet. The well is 45 feet 

deep, 1J inches in diameter, and cost $30. It was made in 1901.

The two partial analyses given below show the qualities of waters 

obtained from the shallow wells at Pawpaw. The situation of this 

type of shallow wells within the city is such that they are liable to 

contamination and are unsafe sources of domestic supplies. The data 

were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological 

Survey.

a. Data collected by Jon A. Udden.
VAN BUREN COUNTY.

Partial analyses of well water from Pawpaw. 

[Parts per million.]

123

1.

Color.................................... ....................... 24

Chlorine (Cl) ............... ....................................... 1.5

Carbon dioxide, (C02 ) --.-.--.,-.-.-.--....-..-..-... ............ 76.73

Sulphur trioxide (8O3 ) ............................................ 0

2.

?sone.

80. 03

0

15

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. City well; depth. 20 feet. 2. Dykemaii House; depth, 30 feet. 

ANTWERP TOWNSHIP. 0

Mr. Fred Bassett has a flowing well 2 miles northeast of Lawtom 

in the valley of a tributary of Pawpaw River, in the northwest corner 

of sec. 22, Antwerp Township (T. 3 S., R. 13 W.). It was made in 

March, 1904, is only 13 feet deep, and has a head of 8 feet. It discharges 12 gallons a minute from a pipe 1^ inches in diameter. The 

temperature is 52° F. The water supplies a trout hatchery known 

as the "Glen Spring Trout Company." This valley could probably 

be developed for other flows, either from this shallow source or from 

deeper sources. The prominent Kalamazoo moraine to the east 

forms a good catchment area.

WAVERLY TOWNSHIP (T. 2 S., E. 14 W.). b

About 8 miles northwest of Pawpaw, in the valley of Pawpaw 

River, is a group of 8 flowing wT ells, 7 being in sec. 30 and 1 in sec. 31, 

Waverly Township. (See fig. 15.) One well is 63 feet and the others 

are between 45 and 50 feet deep. They are mainly through blue clay 

to water-bearing gravel at bottom. Most of them were made between 

1880 and 1884, and, with one exception, are reported to flow with 

as much strength as when first 

made; indeed, the owners think 

some of the wells are increasing 

in rate of flow. They have always 

been very weak, however, flowing 

a gallon or less per minute, except 

in one well, that of W. North, which 

flows about 9 gallons. It is this 

stronger well that is thought to 

have decreased in rate of flow; it

is about 15 feet deeper than the others, and probably struck into a 

lower and better water bed. It rises to about 6 feet above the surface, while the others will rise to but little more than 1 foot. The 

water is hard and strong in iron. The wells are all north of the river,

FTG. 15. Map of Waverly flowing-well district, 

Van Buren County.

a Information furnished by Jon A. Udden.

t> Data mainly collected by Leverett in 1887, but the district was visited by Udden in 1904 

tabulation is by Udden.

The
124 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

the ground on the south side being too high for a flow, 

to the east probably serves as the catchment area.

Wells at Waverly.

The country

Letter 

on fig. 

15.

A .....

B......

C......

D......

E......

F......

G......

A......

Section.

30

30

30

30

30

30

30

31

Owner.

W. North...............

C. B. Smith.............

L. Crawell...............

.....do. ..................

When 

made.

1884

1903

1889

1884

1880

Diameter.

Inches. 

1.25

0

2

2

1.25

1.25

1,25

Depth.

Feet. 

63

49

49

50

50

49

49

45

Head.

Feet. 

+ 5.5

+ 1

+ 1

+ 1

+1

+ 1

+ 1

Casing.

Feet.

9

14

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls. 

9

.75

.5

.5

.5

1

.5

.75

Former 

flow.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

On the Snow farm, in sec. 2, there is a single well at the western 

base of a morainic ridge that runs north toward Gobleville. The well 

is 58 feet deep, and is in clay, except 8 feet of gravel at the bottom. 

The head is scarcely 1 foot. Probably other flowing wells could be 

obtained on the lowest ground along the inner border of this moraine.

ARLINGTON TOWNSHIP.

There is a group of flowing wells in a marsh in the northeast part 

of Arlington township (T. 2 S., R. 15 W.), m sees. 11, 12, 13, and 14. 

(See fig. 16.) Four of the wells were put down by H. Hogmire to

obtain water for use in a peppermint factory to strain and dissolve 

the peppermint and to cool the 

coils in the distillery. The others 

are used to supply stock in pastures. With the exception of the 

two shallow Hogmire wells, 27 and 

28 feet, the wells are about 50 feet 

in depth, and pass through 40 feet 

or more of blue clay. There is a 

thin deposit of muck and marl 

above the clay, usually 5 to 10 feet 

thick. The water is from sand or 

gravel, and is hard and strong in 

iron. The catchment area is probably in the higher land on the immediate border of the basin in 

which the wells are situated. The 

further development of flowing 

wells will be restricted to the low 

marshy ground on its immediate borders. This marsh extends southeastward into Waverly Township, about 2 miles farther than wells 

have yet been developed, and farther extension of the district in 

that direction may be expected.

15

rur A*.

23

 A-iFIG. 16. Arlington Township flowing wells, 

Van Buren County.
VAN BUREN COUNTY. 125

WeUs in Arlington districts

Letter 

on fig. 

16.

A......

B......

A......

B......

A......

B......

A......

Section.

11

11

12

12

13

13

14

Owner.

.....do...........................

.....do...........................

When 

made.

1902

1904

1898

Diameeter.

Inches. 

2

1.25

1.25

1.5

1.25

2

1.25

Depth.

Feet. 

50

27

28

51

47

68

50

Head.

Feet. 

+ 1

+ 0

+3

+3

Cost.

$70

........

50

15

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

0.5

.5

5

3

.5

BANGOR TOWNSHIP.

The greater part of Bangor Township (T. 2 S., R. 16 W.) is unfavorable for obtaining flows, but there are occasional low tracts, either 

basins or long sags traversed by drainage lines, in which it is possible 

to obtain flowing wells. Mr. Udden noted the following wells:

Davis Clinard, in sec. 8, has a well from gravel; depth, 47 feet; 

diameter, 2 inches; water within 1 foot of surface. Bruce Kinney, in 

sec. 15, has a flowing well; no data concerning it.

G. W. Overton, in sec. 18, has a well 42 feet deep that flows with a 

head of 1^ feet. The well penetrated muck 10 feet, blue clay 30 

feet, and gravel 2 feet.

GENEVA TOWNSHIP.

A flowing well was obtained some 20 years or more ago on the 

farm of Irviiig Pierce in the southwestern part of Geneva Township (T. 1 S., R. 16 W.) at a depth of 230 feet. It penetrated 190 feet 

of drift, largely blue till, and 40 feet of shale rock. The water rises 7 

feet above the surface and the flow is weak. 6

Mr. M. W. Hyenga has a well, in sec. 24, that flows 2 gallons a 

minute. Its depth is 48 feet, diameter 2 irches, head 16 feet, temperature 52° F. The well is said to flow stronger than usual if a 

stiff southwest wind is blowing. The water is from fine sand.

The head in the waterworks well, in Bangor, is such that a flow 

could be obtained at the level of the lowest ground along Black River.

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP.

Mr. Udden ascertained that thirty years ago there was a flowing 

well at Breedsville on P. A. England's property near Black River, 

about 15 feet below the level of Breedsville station, or 652 feet above 

tide. The head was 7 feet above the surface. The well was very 

popular for drinking. The notes seem to indicate that it has ceased 

flowing.

" Data collected in 1904 and arranged by Jon A. Udden. 

6 Information obtained by Leverett in 1887.
126 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

F. L. Pease has a weak flowing well in Breedsville that barely 

drips. It is about 25 feef, deep,

About 2 miles east of Breedsville, in sec. 34, Columbia Township, is 

a flowing well on the farm of John Quackenbush, that has been 

running for twenty years with no apparent decrease, and now discharges 3 gallons a minute. It is 54 feet deep, 2 inches in diameter, 

and has a head of at least 2£ feet. It penetrated sand 3 feet, blue 

clay 50 feet, and gravel at bottom.

It is probable that flowing wells may be obtained along the lowland bordering Black River from Breedsville eastward past the 

Quackenbush well, and also down the valley to Bangor. The highland south and east furnishes a natural catchment area capable of 

giving strong head to wells along the valley.

BLOOMINGDALE.

In the south part of the village of Bloomingdale are several flowing 

wells about 40 feet in depth. They are all south of the Michigan

Central Railroad, the altitude north of the railroad 

being too great to permit a 

flow. The water rises 3 to 

9 feet above the surface, 

according to height of well 

mouth, the full elevation 

being but little above the 

level of the Michigan Central tracks near the depot, 

732 feet. The land east 

from Bloomingdale rises to 

about 810 feet on the moraine between Bloomingdale and Gobleville.

The plat of Bloomingdale village (fig. 17) shows the distribution 

of the wells. This plat and the few data concerning the wells just 

given were obtained by Jon A. Udden.

PINE GKOVE TOWNSHIP.

Mr. A. M. Todd of Kalamazoo has flowing wells on his mint farm 

in sec. 25, Pine Grove Township (T. 1 S., R. 13 W.), which is in a 

swamp bordering Pine Creek. No data concerning the wells were 

obtained. They were reported by D. W. Broadhead of Kendall, Mich.

This swamp is several miles long north and south, and lies at the 

base of a very prominent drift ridge. The situation seems favorable 

for flowing wells the entire length of the swamp.

FIG. 37. Map of part of Bloomingdale, Van Buren 

County, showing distribution of flowing wells.
WELLS AND WATEB SUPPLIES OF SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 127

WATER SUPPLIES OF KALAMAZOO COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

A gravel plain about 15 miles wide runs across Kalamazoo 

County from north to south through the central portion and another 

covers most of the northwestern township. The Kalamazoo morainic system, which traverses the northwestern part, lies between 

these plains and includes another plain between its two ridges, 

which are largely of gravel and sand. It occupies northwestern 

Cooper, southeastern Alamo, most of Oshtemo, and the western part 

of Texas Township. In the eastern part of the county, in Charleston, 

Climax, Wakeshma, and Brady townships, there is a till tract covering about 100 square miles, including, however, around the village of 

Climax, a gravel plain of several square miles. Kalamazoo River 

traverses the northeastern part and drains much of the northern half 

of the country. The southern half is mainly tributary to St. Joseph 

River. Lakes abound in the moraines and gravel plains, but are 

not numerous on the till tract in the southeastern part.

On the Kalamazoo morainic ridges and on the elevated gravel 

plain in the central and northern part of the county, water is seldom 

obtained at a depth of less than 50 feet, and frequently only at 

more than 100 feet. The water table in these tracts is probably 

about on a level with the surface of lakes and streams, which are 

usually in deep basins or channels. But toward the south end of 

the county the lakes are about on a level with the gravel plain and 

wells are obtained at shallow depths. In the gravel plain in the 

northwestern part of the county also wells are shallow, for it is a 

comparatively low plain, with the water table near the surface. The 

till tract in the eastern part of the county usually affords wells at 

moderate depths of 25 to 40 feet, but in places they are driven 100 

to 200 feet if water-bearing beds are wanting or inadequate for a 

strong well. Flowing wells are obtained only in the valley of Kalamazoo River in or near Kalamazoo.

WATERAVORKS.

KALAMAZOO.

The city of Kalamazoo obtains its public supply from wells in 

the drift at its pumping station in the southern part of the city. 

The wells are in the edge of a shallow valley excavated in the broad 

valley of Kalamazoo River and are near the south bluff of the river.

The first waterworks plant was built in 1869 and reconstructed in 

1884. The total cost to date for construction and repairs has been
128 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

about $750,000 There are at the pumping station two Gaskell 

pumps with a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons each. The distribution 

system April 1, 1905, comprised a total of 297,042 feet, or about 56j 

miles, as follows:

Kalamazoo distribution system.

Feet.

24-inch suction pipe or siphon.............................................. 2, 939

20-inch mains............................................................ 1, 300

16-inch mains............................................................ 4, 741

12-inch mains............................................................ 2, 275

10-inch mains ........................................................... 35, 687

8-inch mains............................................................ 50, 770

6-inch mains ............................................................ 102, 508

4-inch mains ............................................................ 94, 622

2-inch mains............................................................ 200

297,042

The ordinary pressure is 45 pounds to the square inch and the 

fire pressure 80 to 90 pounds at the pumping station. The city 

stands mainly in the river valley at a level differing but little from 

that of the pumping station.

The water supply is in part from a large open well 22 feet in diameter and 32 feet deep, and a second large well around which are 13 

tubular wells 6 inches in diameter and 80 to 120 feet deep, which 

overflow into it. The wells from top to bottom are in sand and 

gravel saturated with water. The depth of the tubular wells varies 

with the distance to a gravel bed that screens readily, much of the 

material passed through being rather fine sand. The water would 

rise in the tubular wells to 2 or 3 feet above the surface, but is turned 

into the large well, at 8 to 10 feet below the ground in order to increase 

the yield. The rate of flow from these wells is as high as 250,000 

gallons a day from a single well when working most favorably, but 

some wells have diminished because of rusting of the pipes and consequent leakage. In one case a well which at first yielded only 

50,000 gallons a day was so developed by proper adjustment of the 

screen as to yield a much larger amount. The maximum yield from 

the 13 tubular wells has been about 2,000,000 gallons a day, but the 

yield at any particular time will depend upon the condition of each 

well at that time. The open well can be depended on to furnish 

about 3,000,000 gallons a day, and constitutes the chief supply for 

the city. a

The insane asylum at Kalamazoo has a waterworks supply independent of the city system. It is derived from nonflowing drift 

wells. The number of inmates is about 1,660 and of employees 300, 

making a total of nearly 2,000 consumers.6

a Data obtained from the engineer of waterworks.

6 Data obtained from Dr. E. A. Christian, March, 1906.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY.

Analyses of Kalamazoo waters.® 

[Reduced to parts per million.]

129

1.

CaCOs. ........................................................................ 180

CaSO4 ......................................................................... 21

MgCOs- ........................................................................ 62

SiO2 ........................................................................... 9

NaCl. ..................................................................................

2.

140

23

67

.

23

43

30014°

6°

.5

.05

.02

.25

3.

150

22

101

7

30

320

In the following table are given a number of additional partial 

analyses from the vicinity of Kalamazoo, showing the relative composition of the public water supply in the river water and the water 

from flowing well at the Bryant paper mill. The data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of waters near Kalamazoo. 

[Parts per million.]

Color. ...................................................................

* 

10

2

4

95.85

0

2,

46

1

1.5

87.68

-29

3.

5

0

2.5

88.73

-29

+ 139

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. Bryant paper mill; depth 125 feet. 2. River. 3. Public supply; depth 30 

feet.

VICKSBURG.

The public supply at Vicksburg is from three 6-inch wells 60 feet 

deep, from which water is pumped direct to the mains. An ordinary 

pressure of 50 pounds, and a fire pressure of 90 pounds is given. 

The works were established in 1897 at a cost of $12,000.

FULTON AND OSHTEMO.

Fulton and Oshtemo have partial systems of waterworks, water 

being pumped to a tank for village use. The village of Fulton built 

the tank and sunk the well, but the tank and well at Oshtemo were 

put in by M. Gibbs. The terms on which water is furnished have 

not been ascertained.

a Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. 31, U. S. Geol. Survey, 1899, pp. 39-40.
130 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

Reports showing general conditions in several towns in this county 

have been obtained by correspondence with residents, and the results 

are tabulated below:

Village supplies in Kalamazoo County.

Town.

Augusta.....

Fulton......

Schoolcraft . . 

Vicksburg...

Population.

541

398 

27.5

tion.

Feet. 

765 

800

975 

900

089 78.5

19.j 9f,0

....... 860

312 ' 928

859 

972

883 

857

972

Source.

Driven wells; Kalamazoo 

River. 

Open and driven wells ....

.....do.....................

.....do.....................

Lakes and driven wells, 

including waterworks 

wells.

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet. 

25 

25

20 

10 

18 

90 

12 

45 

15 

20

40

To 

Feet. 

50 

150

 10 

50 

50 

W\ 

35 

130 

oO 

00

80

Common.

Feet. 

25 

30

30 

25 

30 

100 

28 

50 

40 

50

80

Depth 

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

25 

30

30

2.5 

30 

95 

28 

50 

40 

50

70

Head. 

Feet.

-20 

-10 

 20

-15 

-45 

-20 

-10

-40

Springs.

Small.

None. 

Do. 

Small. 

Do. 

Do. 

None. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

FLOWING WELLS.

There are two flowing wells in Kalamazoo at the Bryant paper 

mill in Portage Creek Valley a short distance east of the waterworks 

wells and on ground perhaps a few feet lower. One well, 6 inches in 

diameter and 143 feet in depth, which was made in 1901, has a head 

of 24 feet, and is estimated to flow 300,000 gallons a day. The strong 

flow was struck at 122 feet, and the water bed is 22 feet thick; the 

well passed through 50 feet of blue clay under the surface gravel 

before striking the vein.

The data concerning this well were furnished by the driller, James 

A. Newell, of Kalamazoo, who states that this is only one of several 

artesian wells in the vicinity. He has never struck a flow in a well 

closer to the river than these, which are about a mile from it. Notes 

collected by Jon A. Udden state that Henry D. Knowles drilled a 

well 122 feet for this paper company that will flow 250 gallons a 

minute from a 6-inch pipe.

In notes collected by Mr. Udden reference is made to three other 

flowing wells which appear to be in Kalamazoo. One on Vine street 

is 47 feet deep, l\ inches in diameter, and flows 3 gallons a minute. 

Another, not located, is 78 feet deep, and 2 inches in diameter, and 

flows 5 gallons a minute; it passed through coarse gravel 25 feet, 

black soil 15 feet, blue clay 35 feet, and gravel 3 feet; it was drilled 

by Mr. Knowles and cost $68. A gas company, apparently in Kalamazoo, has a well 60 feet deep and 6 inches in diameter, in which 

water rises to the surface. It penetrated gravel and clay 48 feet, 

blue clay 4 feet, and gravel 6 feet; the cost was $120.
WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 131 

WATER SUPPLIES OF CALHOUN COUNTY. 

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

TOPOGRAPHY.

Calhoun County, which lies east of Kalamazoo County, has extensive gravel plains following its principal streams, and loose-textured 

drift in moraines and uplands outside the gravel plains. The Marshall 

sandstone, which forms the bed rock under the drift in much of the 

county is also loose-textured and a great water-bearer. This sandstone rises in hills in the eastern part of the county, but in the central 

and western parts the drift knolls and ridges give the relief above the 

gravel plains. A prominent moraine of the Saginaw lobe runs across 

the northern part of the county, and a somewhat complex system of 

moraines across the southern half, all trending from east to west. 

Kalamazoo River runs westward across the county a little north of 

the middle, and together with Battle Creek, a northern tributary, 

drains the northern half of the county. The southern part of the 

county is drained by the St. Joseph and its tributaries.

This county has generally abundance of water for wells at moderate 

depth, wells being usually but 20 to 40 feet, though 011 the high gravel 

plain north of Kalamazoo River they are 75 feet deep. Outside the 

cities water is generally obtained in the drift, but In the cities many 

wells have been sunk into the Marshall sandstone. This sandstone 

furnishes the public supply for Albion and Marshall, and tests are now 

being made to determine if the city of Battle Creek may not also 

take its supply from this source.

WATERWORKS.

ALBION.

The city of Albion draws its supply from a group of flowing wells 

on low ground near Kalamazoo River. Those first made are 110 to 

114 feet, but one made in 1902 is 176 feet. They have a head 8 to 10 

feet above the surface or about 940 feet above tide. In the well made 

in 1902 the principal supply is from a depth of 164 to 176 feet, and 

it will furnish by pumping 400 gallons a minute. Its head is 9 feet, 

and it, as well as the others, discharges into the waterworks reservoir, 

whence the water is pumped to a standpipe 128 feet high with a 

capacity of 108,000 gallons.

BATTLE CREEK.

The present supply is from Goguac Lake, which stands near the 

southwest edge of the city at an altitude about 80 feet above the 

business part. Water is pumped to a standpipe. Wells are being
132 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

sunk (in 1904) in Battle Creek valley and at other points near the 

city to obtain a supply less objectionable than the present, since 

inhabitation of the shore of the lake threatens to pollute the water.

MARSHALL.

The city of Marshall is supplied from wells in the sandstone, as 

at Albion, and water is pumped to a standpipe 100 feet high, with a 

capacity of 235,000 gallons.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following tabulated data on village and city supplies were 

obtained from personal visitation and correspondence with residents:

Village and city supplies in Calhoun County.

Town.

Albion.......

Battle Creek. 

Burlington...

Marshall..... 

Partello...... 

Tekonsha ....

Population.

4,519

18,563 

334

1,097 

20

4,370 

100 

573

Elevation.

Feet. 

940

885 

820

±93?

973 

990 

916 

920

820 

±950 

945

Source.

Wells in sandstone 

and drift; Kalamazoo River.

Goguac Lake and 

rock wells; Kalamazoo River; 

Battle Creek. 

Open and drilled 

wells; stream.

.....do..............

.....do..............

Driven wells; Kalamazoo River. 

Wells in sandstone; 

Kalamazoo River. 

Open and driven 

wells; springs. 

Open and driven 

wells.

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet. 

10

10

30

75 

90 

+65 

60

20

+50

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet. 

20

20 

20

10

10 

24 

8 

20

20 

16 

15

ToFeet. 

176

40 

100

108

100 

190 

65 

60

100 

50 

30

Common.

Feet. 

110

30 

80

12-20

20 

30 

18 

30

80 

45 

20

Depth 

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

164

80

16-20 

20

50 

80 

45 

20

Head.

Feet.

+8

-20

+ 5

-15

-25

-17

-20 

-20 

-30 

-15

Springs.

Large. 

Small.

Do.

None.

Medium. 

Small.

FLOWING WELLS.

So far as ascertained no flowing wells from the drift have been 

obtained in Calhoun County, except around Battle Creek, in tests for 

a city supply, and there the water is obtained at the top of the rock. 

Flowing wells may be obtained from the Marshall sandstone on low 

ground along Kalamazoo River and Battle Creek, from Battle Creek 

up to Albion, at depths of 75 to 200 feet or more. Tests of the 

capacity of wells at Verona, a suburb of Battle Creek, in Battle Creek 

Valley, showed that strong pumping of one well would affect others 

to a distance of about a mile; pumping 5,000,000 gallons a day for 

ten days lowered the head in wells one-fourth mile distant about 3 

feet, and in wells one-half mile distant about 6 inches, while at a 

mile it was scarcely perceptible. This wide connection between 

wells leads to the conclusion that if a large well is opened on ground 

a little lower than those now flowing it is very liable to draw down
CALHOUN AND JACKSON COUNTIES. 133

the water level and perhaps stop the now in wells for some distance 

around.

If reports concerning a decrease in the supply at Albion are correct, 

it would seem that the wells in rock are supplied from a catchment 

area close at hand, for they are said to become weaker in dry weather, 

when the ground-water table in the surrounding region is lowered. 

Dr. A. C. Lane mentions a shortage in the Albion wells in July, and 

a cessation of the National Bank well in that city in dry weather. 0 

The hardness of the water is such as to favor the view that it is taken 

from the overlying drift deposits. The head displayed by this water, 

like that from wells in the drift, may depend entirely on the height 

of the water table in the drift deposits in the region adjacent to the 

valley.

Several analyses of flowing wells at Albion and Battle Creek have 

been made. Those at Battle Creek are from the prospective waterworks wells and were made at the hygienic laboratory of the University of Michigan. Those at Albion are from wells 100 feet or more 

deep, and were made by Delos Fall, of Albion College.

Analyses of sandstone waters. 

[Parts per million.]

1.

36.88

307

386

2.

4.5

293

309

3.

4.5

293

305

4.

5.6

243

232

5,

13.2

33.59

250

385

6.

2.5

8.0

Trace.

230

290

7.

4.0

8.0

230

310

1-4. Albion. 5-7. Battl ' Crepk.

The iron in the Battle Creek waters will stain crockery ware placed 

under the flow. The presence of the iron is thought to lead to a 

clogging of pipes by organic growths (OrenotJirix, etc.), and keep the 

supply below the original estimates from flows made when the wells 

were sunk. The hardness is largely temporar}r in the Battle Creek 

waters.

WATER SUPPLIES OF JACKSON COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Jackson County, like Calhoun, has a large amount of loose-textured 

drift both in moraines and in gravel plains, and also is like Calhoun 

County in being underlain by Marshall sandstone. In part of Jackson 

County other sandstones of Carboniferous age, which are large waterbearers, overlie the Marshall sandstone. The gravel plains are

1RR 182-

a Ann. Kept. State Geologist for 1903, p. 103. 

-10
134 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN" SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

extensive in the eastern half of the county, but in the western half 

the glacial drainage was restricted to channels running among the 

moraines. In the southwestern part of the county sandstone hills, 

rather than drift deposits, give the surface its inequalities. Elsewhere the knolls and ridges are principally of drift. Rock, however, 

is within easy reach of the drill all through the count}", and wells 

in rock are very common on the farms as well as in the villages.

About three-fourths of the county, chiefly the northern and southcentral portions, is drained by Grand River and its tributaries, 

Portage River and Sandstone Creek. The southwestern part of the 

county is tributary to Kalamazoo River, and a small area in the 

southeastern corner to Raisin River. The drainage is thus chiefly 

toward Lake Michigan, only that of the Raisin being to Lake Erie.

Good wells are ordinarily obtained at depths of 25 to 50 feet, but 

in the sandstone hills in the southwest part of the county they are 

often 75 to 125 feet or more, and have but little rise of water.

WATERWORKS.

JACKSON.

The city of Jackson, with a population of about 25,000, is near the 

geographic center of Jackson County, and is the only town in the 

county having waterworks. The plant was built in 1870 and is 

owned by the city. The wells and pumping station are in the valley 

of Grand River, in the south part of the city, at an altitude about 

930 feet above tide, and the wells are distributed over a length of 

three-fourths of a mile. The supply is from twelve wells drilled into 

sandstone and ranging in depth from 200 to 400 feet. Eight are 10 

inches and four 8 inches in diameter. The water stands only 2 to 6 

feet below the surface. Its underground course is northward, for 

heavy drafts at the pumping station have more effect on wells to the 

north than on wells located in other directions from the pumping 

station. The wells, as stated by the engineer of waterworks, are 

capable of yielding about 6,500,000 gallons a day when siphoned at 

a level 17 feet below the natural head, or 19 feet below the ground 

at the pumping station. The average daily consumption, however, 

is only about 2,000,000 gallons, and the highest less than 5,000,000 

gallons. The temperature of the water in the collecting basin November 25, 1905, was 50° F. At the pumping station are two Holly 

pumps, one with a capacity of 4,000,000 gallons, the other of 8,000,000. 

The distribution system at the time of the last annual report, February 28, 1905, embraced about 64 miles of mains, with 3,963 taps 

and 564 fire hydrants. The ordinary pressure is 60 pounds per square 

inch, and the fire pressure 80 to 100 pounds. The cost of the plant 

was approximately $500,000, but the precise figures are not available.
JACKSON COUNTY. 135

The income is $35,000 and the running expenses, including fuel, 

$12,000 a year.

The State penitentiary, located within the city limits of Jackson, 

has a water supply independent of the city system. The source of 

supply for boilers is Grand River. For all other purposes water is 

pumped from wells in sandstone located on the prison grounds. The 

number of inmates supplied is about 700 and of free employees about 

100.°

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

Village supplies in Jackson County.

Town.

Clarks Lake. . .

Francisco.

Grass Lake . . .

Napoleon.

Norvell. ......

Spring Arbor. .

Waterloo. ....

PopU- pi

lation ,. Source. (1900). Tlon>

Feet.

404 qsn 'j Drilled wells; mill iy<i y»u ( pon(j.

(Drilled wells:

50 976

534

..... 995

125 1.014

04S

950

420

559

50

1,000

i mainly f ro m 

rock.

Kalamazoo

River.

fOpen and driven 

\ wells.

Driven wells.

Wells and lake....

1 122 "Drilled wplls

do

Depth

to 

rock.

Feet.

Depth of wells. Depth

From 

Feet.

f 25 1, 1Q

40

| 40

22

00

25

....... 20

GO 20

nn sn

75 i 50

I q^i [Driven wells...... { ^ '

942 Driven wells'

983

920

±1,000

990

950

Raisin River.

fOpen and driven

^ wells

.....do............

.....do............

.....do............

0 1 .,-

40 f ~°

15

GO

30

50

25

30

30

20

T Com- water 

mon. bed.

Feet. Feet. Feet.

185 00 40

118 , 40 40

85

45

. 85

Head.

Feet

1 + 2 

\ -10

f + 7 

1 2

75 r,fi - 30

30

40

00

KT)

210 30

f 30 1 on 

I 80 J ~u

40 -14

00 -18

30 - 2

1 Ti

Springs.

} Small.

1 Do.

Small.

Small.

Ismall.

35 1 5 Do

120

150

75

GO

200

35 35 T. 1 Do.

100

GO

60

50

00

50

 80 None

-10

-25

Small.

La rge.

-20 Do.

FLOWING WELLS.

Flowing wells are obtained at several places in the county, usually 

from rock, as indicated below.

JACKSON.

Wells similar to those at the waterworks are not uncommon in the 

cnVy. Some of the earliest ones made between 1865 and 1885 had 

sufficient head to flow about 10 feet above Grand River, but the head 

has been gradually lowered with the increased demands made on the 

water beds. The prospects for a long-continued supply, however, 

are good, for the lowering of head thus far amounts to but a few feet, 

and the loose-textured sandstone in which water is found transmits 

it with sufficient rapidity to prevent even temporary exhaustion by 

pumping. It is probable that flows could be obtained along Grand

a Information furnished by the warden, A. II. Armstrong.
136 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

River and its tributaries in the northern part of the county by penetrating the Marshall sandstone, and possibly they could be obtained 

in the drift deposits. So far as known no such wells have been made 

in this vicinity, though they have been obtained to the north in adjacent parts of Ingham and Eaton counties, at Leslie, Onondaga, Winfield, and Eaton Rapids."

The character of the water from this sandstone is excellent, being 

sufficiently soft, as a rule, for laundry use or boiler use, and free from 

all surface contamination.

NORVELL-BROOKLYN-CLARKS LAKE DISTRICT.

Flowing wells have been obtained on low ground along Raisin 

River and its tributaries, both in Norvell and Columbia townships, 

from near Norvell to Clarks Lake. They are either from sandstone 

or at the base of the drift.

The easternmost well noted is on the farm of J. M. Horning in sec. 

13, Norvell Township (T. 4 S., R. 2 E.). It is on the edge of a swamp, 

standing about 940 feet above tide or 100 feet lower than Mr. Horning's residence. It is 95 feet in depth and entered a blue rock at 80 

feet which yields a weak flow that will rise 4^ feet above the surface.

L. M. Greene, of Brooklyn, has a well 41 feet deep and 3 inches in 

diameter, made in June, 1902, which flows about 3 feet above the 

surface. The water is chalybeate.

George C. Greene has two flows 30 and 40 feet deep which strike 

sandstone at 29 to 30 feet. They penetrate about 10 feet of surface 

gravel, then a bed of blue clay, below which is another gravel bed 

resting on the sandstone. They flow about 1 gallon a minute and 

have a temperature of 52° or 53° F.

At the railway station in Brooklyn a well 45 feet deep strikes sandstone near bottom and water rises about level with the surface.

G. M. Barstow, of Brooklyn, has a well 40 feet deep which flows a 

1^-inch stream from a 2-inch pipe. The well is cased to rock at 25 

feet.

Clyde Beckwith, of Norvell, has a well on ground 15 feet below the 

railroad station that flows one-half gallon a minute, with a reported 

head of 13 feet and temperature 53° F.

There are several flowing wells in the village of Clarks Lake and 

east from there on the border of the lake and its outlet. The head 

is scarcely 10 feet above the lake, so flows are obtained only on the 

low ground. There are a number of wells in the village that lack 

about 2 feet of flowing. The majority of the wells enter rock slightly. 

They are usually about 40 feet deep, but some are deeper.

"See pp. 165-166,169-170.
JACKSON COUNTY. 137

A well owned by Dr. W. W. Lathrop obtains,a supply from gravel 

without reaching the rock. It is 36 feet deep and 3 inches in diameter, and has a head of 7 feet above the lake. It is on the south bank 

of the lake, only 10 feet from the water's edge. It passed through 8 

feet of mixed clay and gravel, and then 19 feet of blue clay to waterbearing gravel. A strong stream gushed up, bringing small stones to 

the mouth of the well. After two years the flow, which had become 

somewhat reduced, was restored to its full strength by plunging a 

gas pipe into the well.

There is a flow about a mile south of Clarks Lake at the side of 

the road running to Cement City. It is situated in a swamp that 

heads westward from Grand River to Goose Creek, a tributary of 

Raisin River, and thus is on the divide between Lake Michigan and 

Lake Erie. The wells in Clarks Lake village are just east of this 

divide.

The water in the wells around Clarks Lake is said to be rather hard, 

and as the wells terminate in sandstone, which would furnish but 

little calcareous material, there is a strong probability that the calcareous water from the drift fills the sandstone. The higher land 

bordering the depressions in which the flowing wells are found may 

thus have a water table in the drift which gives the head to the 

flowing wells. The following data concerning flows at Clarks Lake 

wTere obtained by Mr. Udden in 1904:

L. W. Beach; 3-inch well, 61 feet deep, drilled in 1895, struck sandstone at 59 feet; flow 33 gallons a minute, with head exceeding 5 feet; 

water hard, sulphurous, and chalybeate. It is carried to a hotel by 

hydraulic ram.

Jacob F. Loeb; 1^-inch well, 30 feet deep, made in 1901, struck 

sandstone; water chalybeate, with head of 2^ feet, and flow 2 gallons 

a minute.

E. B. Cooper; 2-inch well, 42 feet deep, made in 1900, struck sandstone; flows 12 gallons a minute, with a head of more than 5 feet.

B. F. Grazioni; 2^-inch well, 51 feet deep, drilled in 1899, struck 

sandstone at 31 feet; flows 15 gallons a minute, with head exceeding 

3 feet.

J. F. Ebbert; well 40 feet deep, one-half inch diameter, made in 

1899; flow from gravel, one-half gallon a minute, with temperature 

53° F.

The names of 19 other well owners are given in Mr. Udden's notes 

in connection with these flowing wells, but it is not stated whether 

flows were obtained in every case, nor any data given concerning 

them.
138 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

WATER SUPPLIES OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

Washtenaw County, of which Ann Arbor is the county seat, has a 

great diversity of surface, ranging from the sharpest of morainic 

knolls to very flat old lake bottom. A prominent morainic belt 

with accompanying outwash gravel plains occupies the western range 

of townships and swings eastward across the northern edge of the 

western half of the county. It is dotted with lakes, many of which 

are held in deep basins among sharp knolls. The wells in this region 

are often sunk to depths of 100 feet or more. East of this morainic 

belt is a tract of 150 square miles or more in which the surface is 

gently undulating and largely of loose-textured till in which wells 

are generally shallow. This is succeeded on the east by a prominent 

morainic belt that runs from the northeast to the southwest corner 

of the county and occupies a strip 4 to 6 miles wide. In this belt 

wells are frequently 100 to 150 feet, and occasionally 250 feet in depth, 

though wells .50 feet or less in depth are not uncommon, and in the 

southwestern part are generally shallow. East of this morainic belt 

is a sag which was utilized largely as a line of glacial drainage outside 

or west of a later moraine, known as the Defiance moraine. The 

wells are generally shallow along this sag. On the Defiance moraine 

they frequently reach depths of 100 feet or more in the northeastern 

part of the county, but are generally shallow from Huron River southwestward. Immediately east of this moraine the lake plain sets in 

which extends eastward to Lake Erie. The elevation of its western 

edge is about 800 feet, but drops to less than 650 feet in the southeastern part of the county. This lake plain is largely covered with 

gravel and sand in Ypsilanti Township and southward to the county 

line, but is mainly clay elsewhere. The w^ells are ordinarily shallow 

on the sandy tracts, but on the clay they reach depths of 100 to 150 

feet in many instances, this being about as difficult a region as any 

in the county in which to obtain shallow wells. It is on the clay in 

the southern part of the county that the flowing wells of part of the 

York district occur, which are discussed in connection with those of 

Lenawee and Monroe counties (pp. 82-86).

The use made of flowing wells in this county is probably as great 

as in any in the State. Aside from the large flowing-well district 

that extends from York and Saline townships into Lenawee County, 

there are strong flowing wells at Ypsilanti supplying the waterworks, 

and at and near Ann Arbor supplying the waterworks and a few 

family wells. Another strong supply is on the Steere celery farm, 

4 miles south of Ann Arbor, and in the district extending thence
WASHTENAW COUNTY. 139

nearly to Ann Arbor. There are a score or more of flowing wells in 

the village of Manchester, and a small district with strong flows 

midway between Manchester and Chelsea. In addition to these as 

indicated below are scattered flows in valleys on low tracts at several 

points within the county.

Springs are a conspicuous feature in much of the county, and 

together with general seepage give to the streams a strong dryweather flow. The map of the Ann Arbor quadrangle 0 shows the 

effect of marsh land along the drainage lines. The head produced 

by the accumulation of water in the moraines causes a marshy condition of the valleys by the continual seepage, and from the marshes 

the streams are fed. The utilization of springs in the vicinity of 

Ann Arbor has been considerable, and is treated in the discussion of 

the supplies of that city. The springs are generally of fresh water 

with but little sulphur or iron. There are, however, a few that are 

highly mineralized and produce a coating on objects over which the 

water flows. An occasional salt spring is reported. One of these 

gave the name to Saline village and river; it is located just south 

of the village in the valley of the river and was a conspicuous deer 

lick and was also used by the Indians in the manufacture of salt. 

It gushed up from considerable depth and built a mound at its place 

of discharge. A boring was sunk many years ago a few yards from 

the edge of the spring to determine if salt beds were present within 

convenient depth to mine. The boring was carried 150 feet without 

reaching the bottom of the drift, and the drillers became discouraged 

and abandoned it. Although only a few yards from the salt spring 

this boring struck a strong flow of fresh water. It is probable that 

the salt water found its way up from the rock strata containing salt, 

for the drift can scarcely be supposed to yield water of such salinity 

as this spring is reported to have possessed. The spring still discharges but is said to have become much fresher after the test boring 

was made, probably through the inflow of a large volume of fresh 

water opened by the boring.

This county is chiefly drained by Huron River and its tributaries, 

but the southern part is drained by Raisin River, and the northeastern by River Rouge, while a few square miles on the western border 

are drained by Grand River. The Huron flows through Dexter, 

Ann Arbor, and Ypsilanti, and may eventually be utilized to supply 

the waterworks of these places. The village of Manchester may 

take a public supply from Raisin River, though the flowing-well 

conditions there are such as to encourage development for a public 

supply. Saline River, a tributary of the Raisin, may be utilized for 

public supplies by the villages of Saline and Milan, which have not 

as yet been able to find an adequate supply from wells to warrant

« Obtainable in separate form from the United States Geological Survey, price, 5 cents.
140 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES LIST SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

building a waterworks plant. Milan now has fire protection from 

Saline River, the pumping being done at the electric light plant.

The supplies from rock in Washtenaw County are generally poor 

because of the salinity of the water. Some of the wells in the southern part of the county, however, obtain a fresh water and so do wells 

in the northwestern part, the former from limestone and the latter 

from the Marshall sandstone. The Coldwater shale, which immediately underlies the drift, in a considerable part of the county yields 

very little water and that is usually salt.

Wells that penetrate the black Devonian shale in the southeastern 

part of the county often strike gas, in some cases in amounts sufficient to justify piping to dwellings for light. The gas is in somecases found in beds of sand and gravel that overlie the rock. The 

occurrence of gas has led to the organization of a company to drill 

in and near Ypsilanti for gas and oil, not only in the Devonian shale 

but also to lower horizons. Several deep borings have been made 

in Ypsilanti, two at Ann Arbor, and one at Milan, none of which 

found anything of value but salt water after entering the rock and 

casing out the fresh water found in the drift. Some use has been 

made of the salt water for baths at two of the deep wells in Ypsilanti. 

Water from a depth of 930 feet in the well on the University Campus 

at Ann Arbor was found to contain about 13 per cent of salts as follows, the analysis being made under the direction of Prof. E. D. Campbell of the University:

Analysis of brine in campus well, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.a

Parts per 

million.

Sodium (Na)................ 30,008. 98

Magnesium (Mg)............. 3,121. 01

Calcium (Ca)................ 13, 464. 07

Chlorine (Cl)................ 70, 686. 64

Parts per 

million.

Sulphate, radicle (SO4)......... 11, 524. 30

128, 805. 00 

Saturated with hydrogen sulphide.

A1STN ARBOK. 

GENERAL SUPPLIES.

The city of Ann Arbor, county seat of Washtenaw County, and 

seat of the State University, is located on Huron River 35 miles 

west of Detroit. There is strongly morainic topography in and 

around the city, and between the moraines are lines of glacial drainage filled with gravel and sand. These deposits of gravel and sand 

lie above the present river level and rest upon beds of till. Wells 

are obtained in them at depths ranging from 15 to 80 feet. Numerous hillside springs occur at the junction of the gravel with the underlying till, and at the borders of the moraines. Several of these springs

o Expressed by analyst in percentages and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form 

and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEv WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 182 PL. IV

.1. TYPE OF DRILLING APPARATUS USED AT YPSILANTI AND VICINITY.

B. BONSTEEL FLOWING WELL IN 1902.

Showing old wooden casing and size of stream thirty-two years after its completion. The original flow

was a Si-inch stream.

WASHTENAW COUNTY. 141

have been developed and one has been turned into the waterworks 

supply. There are also springs which appear to boil up through the 

till. In addition to the natural supplies from the river and from 

springs the city is favored with strong flowing wells, largely developed by the Ann Arbor Water Company, and other supplies from 

the glacial drift and its associated gravel and sand. Water from the 

rock formations beneatfl the city is found to be brackish and not 

suitable for drinking.

FLOWING WELLS.

The flowing wells, so far as developed, are in a recess in a moraine 

in the western part of the city. Subsequent to the withdrawal of 

the ice sheet this recess was occupied by Huron River, which at one 

time flowed southward from Ann Arbor. The river made a deposit 

of gravel and sand in this recess in the moraine. This deposit has 

been trenched by modern drainage, and the flowing wells are chiefly 

in these trenches. The shallower flows obtain their supplies at the 

base of this deposit of gravel and sand without entering till, but the 

deeper ones pass on through till to water beds associated with it.

The supply for the shallow wells is not entirely from water falling 

on the immediate borders of this recess, there being along the ravine 

in which they are located several springs which appear to rise from 

considerable depth, and which may be fed from sources more remote 

than the bordering slopes of the moraine. Observations on one 

spring, conducted through an entire year, showed a constant water 

temperature of 51° F.; thus agreeing very closely with the temperature of the deeper flowing wells. This seems to indicate that the 

water comes from a depth sufficient to be unaffected by seasonal 

temperatures and probabby from as deep seated a source as that 

which supplies the wells which pass through till.

The wells first made passed through till and reached depths of 75 

to 150 feet, the deepest being nearly down to bed rock. Several 

were in operation prior to 1895, when the Ann Arbor Water Company 

began an extensive development of the district. Some were located 

on the north side of West Huron street, on the old bed of Huron River 

or in a ravine trenched in it. Others were along a ravine two blocks 

south 011 the south side of West Washington street. The water 

company has developed only the latter strip, but by so doing has 

lowered the water table north of Huron street sufficiently to stop all 

the wells from flowing. The wells in the same ravine with the water 

company's wells are nearly all maintaining a flow, but much less 

vigorous than at first. When first made they discharged several gallons a minute from 2-inch pipes, but now only discharge 1 to 2 gallons a minute. The only private wells now in operation are one SO 

feet deep 011 the Allmendinger property, a few rods northeast of the
142 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

waterworks pumping; station; one 74 feet deep 011 the Hutzel property, a few rods north; and one on the Lutz property, 112 feet deep, 

about one-eighth mile west of the pumping station. The Allmendinger and Lutz wells supply fish ponds and are also used for drinking. The Hutzel is used chiefly for drinking. The head of the 

Hutzel well is said to have been 22 feet when made about 1894, but 

is now only 5 feet. Part of this decrease is*perhaps due to leakage 

around the pipe. The A Imendinger well, also made about 1894, 

is reported to have had a head of 20 feet, but now barely overflows. 

There is some leakage in this well which makes it impracticable to 

get the full head. Another well on the same property was so reduced 

after the water company wells were made that it was abandoned. 

The head in the Lutz well is only 3 feet, but no data have been 

obtained as to whether it was once greater. There is close sympathy 

between the Hutzel well and the water company's wells near it, for 

it is stated by the superintendent of the waterworks that almost 

immediately after the pumps are stopped and the flow of the water 

company's wells shut off this well increases its flow about one-third, 

Temperature observations have been made monthly for a year on 

the Hutzel and Lutz wells. The former has been constant at 51° F.; 

the latter has only ranged frojn 50.8° to 51.1°, and this may be due 

to the effect of the atmosphere on the escape pipe.

WATERWORKS AT ANN ARBOR.

The supply furnished by the Ann Arbor Water Company was 

divided for a few years, from 1886 to 1895, between ; Huron River 

and a group of flowing wells and springs north of the city. But a 

prejudice against river water having arisen, the water company 

developed another tract of flowing wells within the city limits and 

thus made it possible to dispense with the use of river water except 

perhaps at times when the consumption is unusually great. It has 

built a second pumping station at the wells inside the city limits, 

and this station it claims now furnishes about three-fifths of the 

supply.

A reservoir with a capacity of 2,500,000 gallons was built in connection with the first pumping station and stands about 200 feet 

above it on the most elevated point in the city (about 1,000 feet 

above sea level); the second station supplies for the same reservoir. 

For fire protection the city has had only the reservoir pressure, 

which ranged theoretically from about 30 pounds per square inch 

in elevated residence parts of the city to 100 pounds on low ground 

along Huron River.

The distribution system when the works were put in operation had 

only 14 miles of mains, but with the growth of the city and increased 

use of the public supply the mains have been extended to about 40
WASHTENAW COUNTY. 143

miles. Nearly 30 miles are of cast-iron pipe from 16-inch down to 

4-inch, and in the remainder wrought-iroii pipe, chiefly 2-inch or 

less, is used. The size most extensively used is 6-inch, and the 

srnaller sizes are being replaced by this size. At present there are 

about 2,400 private taps and 150 meters in use, which, together with 

water supplied to the city and to the university, called for a daily 

average supply in 1904 of about 1,800,000 gallons. There is an 

occasional demand in dry seasons for 3,000,000 gallons or more."

Prof. I. C. Russell, in an examination made in June, ] 905, for the 

city council of Ann Arbor, determined the present condition of the 

wells of the water company as follows:

Station 1 (in Huron Valley): One tank well 25 by 30 feet, gravel bottom, brick lined, 

with four tubular wells in bottom (one 2-inch and the others 6-inch), extending to about 

120 feet from the surface of the ground, which discharge into the tank well; a collecting 

gallery or trench which originally had in its bed several tubular flowing wells 60 to 120 

feet in depth, of which only three are now flowing: one 6-inch well 100 feet deep, from 

which water is pumped for condensing purposes and then turned into the city supply;^ 

one dug well, about 8 feet deep, near the pumping station; two dug wells 9 feet deep fed 

by springs in a valley across Huron River; a 12-inch receiving pipe still connected with 

Huron River. The water pumped at this station in 1904 averaged 738,356 gallons daily, 

as shown by the books of the water company, c

At station 2 (in the western part of Ann Arbor) there are 57 wells in use which range 

in diameter from 2.5 to 8 inches. About 50 of these are driven past a bed of till into a 

water-bearing bed and have depths of 75 to 150 feet or more. The remainder obtain 

their supply from the surface sand and gravel at depths of scarcely 30 feet. Nearly all 

discharge into a large receiving well near the pumping station.

The manager of the water company claims to be able to get 

1,700,000 gallons daily from this supply and to have averaged 

925,000 gallons in the year 1904. To increase the supply at this 

second pumping station, water from White Spring, which issues 

from a hillside just west of the city limits, was connected in 1905 

with the supply from wells. In addition to the fifty-seven wells 

now in use there are several wells that are clogged, apparently by 

precipitates on their strainers.

Means for estimating the prospects of this supply are not adequate 

enough to justify a positive statement. It is merely known that 

the head in private wells near by in the same ravine with those of 

the water company has fallen from about 22 feet above the surface 

to less than 5 feet, and that wells on adjacent higher ground have 

ceased flowing. The latter wells, however, appear to stand fully as 

near the surface in 1905 as they did in 1902, thus indicating that 

the process of lowering is at a standstill.

a Data furnished by A. K. Hale, manager of the water company.

6 The original supply for condensing purposes was drawn from Huron River, and the superintendent 

of the waterworks states that the intake pipe is still in place; also that there are two other wells that 

may be drawn upon for condensing purposes.

c The superintendent estimates that 90 per cent of this amount comes from the tank well and the 

collecting gallery, and scarcely 10 per cent from the wells used for condensing purposes.
144 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The shallow wells supplied by water not confined by clay or other 

impervious bed are reported to pass through a few feet of peaty 

material, then fine sand saturated with water, to a coarser sand or 

fine gravel at bottom, resting apparently on the surface of the till. 

The sand being relatively slow to transmit water compared with 

the gravel beneath, it acts virtually as a cover to the water flowing 

through the gravel, so that the water working through the gravel 

from higher tracts to the west has sufficient head to rise in the pipes 

and overflow when borings are sunk to it; just as is done by the 

deeper-lying water under the till.

The wells which pass through till into lower water beds show sections that differ widely in structure, there being in some a considerable thickness of water-bearing material interbedded with the till, 

while in others the till is a nearly unbroken sheet from the surface 

down to the rock. The weak wells are at points where the water 

beds in the till are very thin or are wanting. The strong wells are 

at points where there is a good development of gravel or coarse 

sand in the till. The till itself is not uniform, the upper part being 

a soft adhesive blue clay, while the lower part is a hard or partly 

elemented clay thickly set with stones and apparently of greater age 

than the overlying soft cla}^. The water beds in wells 140 to 150 

feet or more in depth are interbedded with the hard cla}r or lie at 

the base of the drift series.

Analyses of water. The following analyses from each pumping 

station were made at the chemical laboratory of the University of 

Michigan in June, 1905, under the direction of Prof. E. D. Campbell:

Analyses of water from Ann Arbor pum]>ing stations.

Chlorine (CD............ ....... .............................

Nitrates (NO3 ).... ..... . ..................................

Parts per million.

1. 2.

175 2 

96 9 

3.7 

. 4 

115 6 

27.8 

4 7 

5 6 

17 

1.0

.-. O

100 1 

76.8 

8 bf

105 3~ 

30.8 

4.2 

4 9 

16.2 

.6 

1.9

450.8 4156 

1.0006 1.0000

491.9 450 2

Per cent, of total 

solids.

1.

38 87 

21.49 

.82 

.08 

25 05 

6.16 

1,04 

1 24 

3 77 

.36 

. 52

100

2.

39.97

18.48 

2.05 

.02 

25.34

i!oi

1.18 

3.88 

.19 

.40

100

1

Sample No. 1, Ann Arbor water, pumping station No. 1, known as upper station; composite sample 

from all wells at this station Sample No. 2, Ann Arbor water, pumping station No. 2, between 

Washington and Liberty streets, known as lower station: composite sample from all wells at this 

station. The spectroscope gave no test lor strontium and lithium. No nitrites were louud. The 

difference between the total solids lound on evaporation and the total solids in columns land 2 is 

water of crystallization, in large part due to the formation of gypsum (CaSO<,2HL O). The watej 

was clear when collected, but upon standing became cloudy, owing to the escape of the carbon dioxide 

(CO2> and the formation of calcium carbonate (CaC03 ). Almost all the salts in the water will form 

scale in boilers, but the water would be much improved by sottening with sodium carbonate (soda 

ash), either alone or in conjunction with calcium hydroxide (milk of lime).
WASHTENAW COUNTY. 145

Sanitary analyses have been made at frequent intervals at the 

hygienic laboratory of the University of Michigan. The water has 

been found safe for drinking, except when surface water has gained 

access to the supply, and Dr. V. C. Vaughan, the director of the 

laboratory and dean of the medical school of the university, states 

that in the twenty years since the waterworks has been in operation 

he has learned of no case of disease that can be referred to contamination of this water supply. The sanitary surroundings of the shallow wells, however, is such that their use should be discontinued.

WATERWORKS.

YPSILANTI.

The public supply at Ypsilanti is from a group of flowing wells 

in the Huron River Yalle3T in the southeastern part of the city. The 

location seems an unwise one, since the city, with all its contamination by cesspools, naturally drains past the waterworks plant. The 

plant might easily have been located above the city, and thus have 

avoided this chance for contamination. The wells are 60 to 80 feet 

in depth and obtain water from gravel below a blue till. The head 

is sufficient to cause the water to rise only a few feet above the 

surface. The wells made prior to 1904 are situated around and discharge into a large receiving well, from which water is pumped to 

a water tower 190 feet above the wells and 75 feet above the high 

ground in its vicinity. The supply from the flowing wells became 

inadequate in 1903, but new wells were added in 1904, which, by 

heavy pumping, yield enough to meet the present demands.

The following section of one of the wells made in 1904 was furnished by the driller, W. J. Richards:

Record of veil at YpxUanti waterworks.

Thickness.

Feet.

Total.

Feet.

It may be thought that the addition of new wells from time to 

time may keep the city supplied. The water is chalybeate and hard, 

but is of pleasant taste. The chances for contamination depend on 

the protection offered by the clay cover against the access of the 

cit}T drainage.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

CHELSEA.

The water supply of Chelsea is from about 20 wells, 20 to 25 feet 

deep, arranged in an L-shapecl system on a low tract in the northern 

part of the village. The water rises about to the surface, but is 

pumped. This sj^stem was put in operation in 1899. Prior to that 

time some 6-inch wells were in use, which not being properly protected became clogged with sand. It would seem wise to substitute 

for the present supply one outside the thickly settled part of the 

village.

Several deep wells in the village obtain supplies from rock, which is 

struck at 90 to 110 feet. A village well 90 feet deep near the center 

of the business part of town is provided with a pump, and is utilized 

extensively.

The following partial analysis, furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the 

United States Geological Survey, shows the character of the city supply at Chelsea. The water seems to be satisfactory for domestic purposes, but gives much trouble in boilers, and creek water has been 

pumped for this purpose:

Partial analysis of well water at Chelsea.

Parts per million.

Color.................................................................... 32

Iron (Fe)................................................................. Trace.

Clorine (Cl)................................................................ 12. 5

Carbon dioxide (CO2)..................................................... 147. 92

Sulphur trioxide (XO3 ).................................................... 110

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 18 feet.

VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

DEXTER.

The village of Dexter has 110 waterworks system, the residents 

depending chiefly upon shallow dug wells, so that chances for contamination are very great. These wells in many cases are surrounded by 

privy vaults and stables. There are a few driven wells in the business 

part of town of shallow depth 30 feet or less which are perhaps less 

liable to contamination than the dag wells, though not above suspicion. On the high ground in the southeast part of the village there 

are deeper wells, two of which have been driven into the rock and 

obtain a fresh supply said to be from sandstone. Inasmuch as there 

are abundant supplies of good water both underground and in the 

streams in the vicinity of this village from which a public supply might 

be obtained, there would seem to be no sufficient excuse for continuing 

the use of the shallow wells inside the village limits.
WASHTENAW COUNTY. 147

SALINE.

Saline has no waterworks system. Many of the wells are dug 35 to 

45 feet deep, but those in the northern part of the village are shallower. There are a few driven wells in the northeast part about 75 

feet deep which are said to strike water which rises much nearer to the 

surface than in neighboring dug wells 40 to 50 feet deep.

MILAN.

There is only fire protection at Milan, and some difficulty is found in 

obtaining a supply suitable for domestic use. Several wells are driven 

to depths of over 100 feet. There are a few shallow flowing wells in 

the low ground along Saline River on the Monroe County side of the 

village, which are discussed in connection with the Milan-Cone flowing-well district (pp. 27-29). The village is a thriving town, and should 

have a waterworks system as soon as an adequate supply can be found. 

Possibly it will need to use river water, though this seems a poor supply except for fire protection and sprinkling, as the stream becomes 

low and foul in dry weather.

In the table below are given a number of partial analyses of well 

waters in the vicinity of Milan, the data being furnished by M. O. 

Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey. The waters, as 

indicated by the percentage of CO, are not very hard, for in most 

waters examined in Michigan it exceeds 130 parts per million. The 

analysis of the rock water from the Whitmarsh well is of interest for 

purposes of comparison:

Partial analyses of well waters near Milan. 

[Parts per million.]

Carbon dioxide (CO?)............................

Sulphur tnoxicle (SO S )............................. -29

Hardness (as CaCOd)..............................

2.

19

Trace.

59

121.30

185

3.

46

Trace.

21.2

108.87

113

4.

51

2

9

122. 15

-29

5.

14

Trace.

14

64.81

-29

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. Throop, depth 116 feet. 2. Whitmarsh (rock), depth 144 feet. 3. Whitmarsh, depth 412 feet 4. Reves, depth 40 feet. 5. Wardlop, depth 62 feet.

FLOWING WELLS.

PITTSFIELD JUNCTION DISTRICT.

In the old valley of Huron River leading south from Ann Arbor is a 

belt of flowing wells which has its chief development near Pittsfield 

Junction (T. 3 S., R. 6 E.), on the celery farm of J. B. Steere. Most 

of the wells are shallow, the average depth being about 2<S feet, and the 

greatest 48 feet. They usually penetrate a few feet of peat, beneath 

which is a bed of clay, apparently a lake or stream sediment,which forms
148 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHKIAN.

the cover to the coarser material yielding the water. This clay is 

limited to the low part of the valley, the borders of the valley having 

generally a thick deposit of gravel, which probably absorbs the rainfall 

and also the drainage from the bordering uplands, and thus supplies 

the flowing-well district.

Before wells were sunk in this valley strong springs gushed up at a 

few places, one of the strongest being on the celery farm. These 

springs are apparently from the same source as the wells.

The first well in this district was made on the Steere farm in sec. 16 

Pittsfield Township, in 1887, and there have been about 20 wells 

driven by Mr. Steere, 16 of which are now in operation. They range 

in depth from 26 to 32 feet. Water rises in them 3 to 7 feet above the 

surface. The wells are on the divide between Huron and Saline rivers, 

at an altitude of about 820 feet, the highest ground being 823 feet. 

The underground flow apparently passes from the district where these 

wells are located southwestward along the line of glacial drainage, but 

the head decreases in that direction, so that wells a mile southwest of 

the celery farm lack 2 feet of reaching the surface. The flows between 

the celery farm and Ann Arbor are scattered, there being two in the 

southwest part of section 9, on land belonging to John Lawrence, one 

in the southeast part of the same section 011 the land of F. Ticlinor, 

and two in section 4 on the land of H. Schwab.

Measurements of flow were made in August, 1904, as given in the 

table below. It is the opinion of the well owners that the flow is 

slightly less in dry seasons than in wet, but this has not yet been

verified.

Raie ofjlow and temperature of wells in Pittsfield Junction district.

Location. ture.

Steere well at south house, east side of road, discharge pipe H-inch... 

Steere well at house on west side of road, discharge pipe 1-inch... 

Steere well 200 feet southwest of .ast-named well, 2A-inch pipe....

Well on west side of celery field, 3-inch n...........................

Lawrence well, farthest west in sec. 9, discharge pipe 'I-inch.......

50

49.6

49.5

49.7

49.7

49.3

49.4

a About 4 feet from this well is a 2-ineh well which draws from the same bed. When both wells flowed 

the 3-inch well yielded 90 gallons and the 2-inch 46 gallons a minute, or a total of 136 gallons,. The 3-inch 

well when the 2-inch well was closed flowed 110 gallons, and the 2-inch well when the 3-inch was closed 

flowed 61 gallons. There is thus a gain of only 26 gallons per minute by the addition of the 2-inch well. 

These wells were measured by taking the height of the jet above the top of the pipe and calculating 

by the tables inWater-Supply Paper No. 67, page 92. Measurement of the first well in the above list was 

made by the rate of flow past a weir over which the water passes. The other wells were all measured by 

holding" a 10-quart bucket under the stream.

Observations of temperature on five of the wells in this district at 

four different dates' show that they are less steady than the deeperwells at Ami Arbor, as well as lower in average temperature. It is a 

matter of interest to know whether wells located in a swamp have a 

lower average temperature than those located on dry ground, where 

the surface heat can more readily penetrate to considerable depth.
WASHTETSIAW COUNTY. 149

Variations in mil temperature in Pittsfield Junction district.

Well.

Temperature

June.

°F. 

48.9 

49.8 

50 

49.8 

49.3

July.

F*

49 

49.8 

50 

49.8 

49

August.

o J?

49.4 

50 

50 

49.6 

49 

49.3

November.

o E1

"SO. 8 

50 

49.5 

49.5 

49.5 

49.3

An analysis of the water at the north house on the Steere celery 

farm was made at the hygienic laboratory of the University of 

Michigan for the purpose of ascertaining its purity as a water supply.

Sanitary analysis of Steere f owing well near Pittsfield Junction.

Parts per million. 

Total residue............................-.-----.--.---------..-----.--- 295

Sodium chloride...............-...-...........-.--...-....-...-...----- 7

Nitrates....._.................---.-.-.--..-------.--------------------- Trace.

Nitrites.........................-.--..---.-----..--.-....--.-.-.--...-- None.

Free ammonia...............-...-..--.--.--------------------.--------- 0.0106

Albuminoid ammonia ..............-......-..-.....-.-.-...--.-....-..-- . 025

Hardness............................................................... 178. 57

SHARON TOWNSHIP.

Several flowing wells have been obtained in the northeast part of 

Sharon Township (T. 3 S., R. 3 E.) at the eastern base of a prominent moraine that occupies much of these townships. They are 

chiefly in the recesses in the moraine from wilich the headwaters of 

Mill Creek flow-. (See fig. 18.)

Several of the wells have a discharge of about 8 gallons a minute, 

and one discharges more than a barrel a minute. Six have been 

fitted with half-inch reducers 

in order to lessen the flooding 

caused by the overflow. The 

deepest well reported is 70 

feet, and several are about 50 

feet. The water is hard and 

strong in iron. Possibly rock 

is struck at the bottom of some 

of the wells.

This district can probably 

be extended westward along 

the line of Sharon and Sylvan 

townships up a valley, and possibly eastward a short distance into the plain east of this moraine. 

It is probable also that along Mill Creek Valley northeastward and 

along some of its tributaries flows can be obtained. Indeed, two 

wells on tributaries of Mill Creek have been reported to flow, but 

IKE 182 06 11

FIG. 18. Flowing wells in Sharon Township, Washtenaw County.
150 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

were not visited. One is on the Spaulding farm, 2 miles south of 

Chelsea, and the other on the Fletcher farm, 2^ miles southeast of 

Chelsea.

Wells at Sharon.

Letter 

on fig. 

18.

A

A

B

C

D

Section.

2

9

2

9

9

Owner.

.....do.......................

.....do.............. ........

When 

made.

Diam 

eter.

Inches.

Depth.

Fett. 

70

54

55

62

Elevation.

Feet.

930

930

Water

rises 

to 

Feet.

938

932

932

93°

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

8

8

8

Temperature.

°F.

52

52

a At the time of Leverett's visit in 1899 Mr. Everett had two flowing wells, each discharging about 

75 gallons a minute from a 2-mch pipe; in 1904 these were found by Mr. Udden to be under control and 

supplied with faucets. The house well terminated in gravel, but the barn well, which is 57 feet deep, 

went through 2 feet of hard material at bottom, suspected to be Marshall sandstone. Sandstone was 

reached in a well If miles southeast in sec. 7, Freedom Township, at only 54 feet depth, and penetrated 

48 feet, leaving no doubt as to its identity.

MANCHESTER DISTRICT (T. 4 S., R. 3 E.).

In the village of Manchester, on Raisin River in the southwestern 

part of Washtenaw County, are about 20 flowing wells 28 to 60 feet 

deep, all from the drift. The shallowest is on the lowest ground, 

but several on the highest ground at which flows are obtainable (900 

feet above tide) are less than 40 feet in depth. The wells occur on 

both sides of Raisin River at levels 10 to 25 feet above the stream. 

The oldest well, that of W. Brighton, made in 1876; has been clogged, 

and its water now stands about 1 foot below the surface. A well 

made in 1883 is still flowing, but with reduced head. Wells made 

in 1884 are still flowing with about the original strength, and so are 

most of the wells made within the past twenty years. In two cases 

weak wells are reported to have increased slightly in strength. The 

flows range from about 1 quart a minute up to 6 gallons.

The water contains enough hydrogen sulphide to be readily detected by the odor in most of the wells. This is probably produced 

by the decomposition of pyritiferous material in rocks included in 

the drift. Iron is also conspicuous in most of the wells.

The catchment area for this district is immediately north and west 

of Manchester, in the gravel plain and morainic hills, which reach an 

altitude about 100 feet above the highest flowing well.

Very little prospecting for flowing wells has been done in the 

neighboring part of Raisin River Valley, but it seems probable that 

flows could be obtained along the valley for some miles below Manchester.

The flows thus far have proved inadequate to furnish a waterworks system in Manchester, the population of the village being about 

1,200, but it is possible, if not probable, that large wells sunk to the
WASHTENAW COUNTY. 151

water-bearing beds at 35 to 40 feet might give a sufficient amount. 

Raisin River, however, furnishes a suitable and convenient source 

for a public supply.

Wells at Manchester.a

Owner.

C. J. Thorn b..... .........

M.Traubrf. ...............

G.W.Kief........ ........

H. Pfuffle. ................

C. Marx&. ................

J. Miller..................

Manchester Canning and

When 

made.

1901

1883

1900

1886

1902

1876

1888

1890

1884

1893

1902

Diameter.

Inches.

1 9^

2

1.25

1.25

1.5

1.5

3

1.5

1 2'i

1.25

2

1.25

2

2

2

2

Depth.

Feet. 

39

37

38

60

40

36

4fl

40

38

57

40

40

40

35

40

35

38

38

28

40

Elevation.

Feet. 

890

887

898

897

897

892

894

894

895

897

897

892

892

888

892

900

900

885

890

Water 

rises to 

Fe.ft. 

891

890

899

898

898

893

894

894

898

898

891

893

890

893

890

900

900

889

895

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

6

2

1

.75

2

1

1

1

.5

3

.25

3

4

5

Temperature.

o r ^

51

52

.52

51

52

52

51

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

Cost.

$11

22

28

21

20

22

10

40

a Data collected and arranged chiefly by Ton A. Udden.

b Has to be sand pumped once a year. Iron present in large quantity; also sulphur. Original water 

elevation, 896 feet.

c Original water elevation, 898 feet. Large amounts of iron and sulphur. Sandy soil, 6 feet; blue 

clay, 27 feet: red hardpan, 1 foot; gravel and sand, 2 feet.

d Flow is less in dry weather than in wet. Iron and sulphur present.

« Well used to flow at surface, but has not been properly cared for. It was the first flowing well put 

down in the town.

/ Flow decreased by sand clogging.

g Flow decreased by clogging.

A Used for boilers; iron and sulphur present.

Below are given a number of partial analyses of waters from Manchester, the data being furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United 

States Geological Survey. The deeper waters are considered satisfactory, but the shallow water at the livery bam and elsewhere shows 

evidence of contamination.

Partial analyses of well waters at Manchester. 

[Parts per million.]

Color. ...................................................................

1.

19

Trace.

50

19

58.92

2.

46

63

9

76.07

3.

36

2.5

-29

S.J.Lewis, analyst. 1. Livery barn; depth, 20 feet. 2. Freeman House; depth, 70 feet. 3. Dwelling; 

depth, 36 feet.
152 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

WATER SUPPLIES OF ALLEGAN COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Allegaii County fronts on Lake Michigan in the third tier of counties from, the southern end of the State. It is drained chiefly by 

Kalamazoo River and its tributaries, but the southwestern part discharges through Black River into Lake Michigan at South Haven. 

The southeastern part is on the Kalamazoo moraine, but most of its 

eastern border is a gravel plain that lies between the Kalamazoo and 

Valparaiso morainic systems.

The outer member of the Valparaiso system rises but little above 

the gravel plain, but forms, with the plain, a catchment area for 

flowing-well districts west of it, between its outer and inner members. Its inner member traverses the central part of the, county 

from north to south. West of it are sandy plains known as the 

pine plains, which cover about five townships. West and north 

of these plains is a clayey till ridge, which in the south fronts on 

Lake Michigan, but farther north bears away from the lake. On its 

inner or northwestern slope, in northwestern Allegan and southwestern Ottawa counties, flowing wells have been obtained at several 

points.

In the gravel and sand plains of Allegan County the v^ells are of 

shallow or moderate depths, 20 to 50 feet, but 011 the moraines they 

frequently reach depths of 100 feet, and occasionally 200 feet or 

more, though wells of moderate or even shallow depths are not 

uncommon. The flowing wells in the till plains are often 100 feet or 

more in depth, but usually wells that do not flow are much shallower. 

There are very few wells that have reached rock, the drift being from 

90 to 300 feet or more in depth.

WATERWORKS.

There are public water supplies in Allegan, Plainwell, and Otsego, 

though the supplies at the two last are only for fire protection and 

sprinkling, private wells being used for drinking and general domestic supply.

ALLEGAN. "

The public supply of Allegan is pumped from a well on the bank 

of Kalamazoo River. It is 37 feet deep and 24 feet in diameter. 

The works were installed in 1872, and have cost about $100,000 to 

date. There are 11 miles of mains, 89 hydrants, and about 800 taps. 

The average consumption is about 700,000 gallons, and the pumps 

have a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons.

a Pata collected by Jon A. Udden.
ALLEGAN COITNTY.

OTSEGO AND PLAINWELL.ft

153

Each of these villages pumps its public supply from Kalamazoo 

River, the water being pumped direct to the mains with the pressure 

called for in the case of fire, which at Otsego runs as high as 180 

pounds.

MISCELLANEOUS TILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The data on village supplies presented in the following table were 

obtained chiefly by correspondence with residents of the respective

villages:

Village supplies in Alleaan County.

Town.

Allegan ........

East Saugatuck

Billiards.......

New Richmond

Plainwell. ......

Shelby ville ..... 

Saugatuck.. . ..

Population.

2, 667

200 

250

444

454

50 

150

400 

25 

300 

150

75

2,073

1,318

100

707 

25

619

Elevation.

Feet.

t 650 

1 710

789

661 

703

1 CIO 

\ 630 

072

734

C62 

640

727 

740

;:

837

808 

f 592 

\ 605 

750

718

| 720 

\ 750

835

600 

720 

I 740 

\ 760

Source.

1 Waterworks 

> f roni driven 

) wells.

.....do...........

.....do...........

j... .do. ..........

.....do...../.....

I Driven wells. .... 

Tubular wells. ..

Driven wells. .... 

Wells and stream

do

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet. 

I 240 

170+

1 I-""-

225

|...do.. . . ... } 

.....do...........

Open and driven 

wells and river.

\ do

90

\"" -----------------

.....do........... .......

.do.

}....do........... 130

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet.

80 

10

15

30 

16

10 

5

40 

20

16 

14 

30

-j5 

12

30 

20

15

42

15 

45

18

To 

Feet.

174 

30

30

60 

65

220 | 

120

75 

40

100 

100 

200+ 

120 

100

90 

20

30

100 

50

178

Common.

Feet.

(a)

20 

20

(?)

10

100-120 

30

(a) 

30 

16

60 

f 30 

\ 40 

40

(") 

20

20

46

20

45

50

Depth 

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

00

20

(?) 

*-5

(?)

30

(") 

( 16 1 is

60 

] 30

(fl ) 

(a) 

20

20

80 

20

50

Head.

Feet. 

+ 2

+ 10 

+ 2-10 

f- 4 

i- 6

(?) 

- 16 

1- 3 

1- 12 

| 15 or 

I lower.

- 20 

Surface

- 6 

- 8

- 30 

- 60 

(?) 

- 10 

- 15

- 15

f- 8 

\+ 36

(?)

f+ 1 

1+ 5

Springs

jweak. 

Do.

| Do.

a Variable.

FLOWING WELLS.

WATSON-OTSEGO DISTRICT.

Reference has been made to the occurrence of flowing wells on the 

western or inner border of the eastern ridge of the Valparaiso 

moraiiiic system. There are two districts, one lying north and the

a Data from Manual of American Waterworks.
154 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKN MICHIGAN.

other south of a prominent spur of morainic knolls in Watson Township (T. 2 N., R. 12 W.). The northern district is known as the 

Wayland, from Wayland village, which is situated on it. This was 

studied by Mr. Bowman and is discussed by him below. The 

southern district covers about 5 square miles in southern Watson 

and northern Otsego townships (see fig. 19). The location of wells 

and owners' names are from notes by Mr. Udden.

FIG. 19. Location of flowing wells in Watson and Otsego townships, Allegan County, in relation to

topography and drainage

Wells in Watson-Otsego district.

WATSON TOWNSHIP.

Grange Hall..................... Sec. 15

Albert Taylor................... Sec. 27

Mr. Kitsmiiller (2 wells).......... Sec. 33

Charles Clock.................... Sec. 34

OTSEGO TOWNSHIP.

A. McEwer ...................... Sec. 3

Mrs. Charles Edmonds ............ Sec. 4

John Krause ..................... Sec. 4

Charles Moore.................... Sec. 4

Mrs. Helen Dugan ................ Sec. 5
ALLEGAN COUNTY. 155

The following partial analyses are of two nonflowing wells near 

Watson, the data being furnished by M. O. Leighton of the United 

States Geological Survey:

Partial analyses of well waters near Wats<m. 

[Parts per million.]

Color. .............................................................................

Chlorine (CD .......................................................................

Hardness (as CaCOs) ..............................................................

1.

46

1.5

1.5

134. 55

5

139+

2_

32

.5

1.5

5

139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. F. H. TelTt; depth, 68 feet. 2. John L. Hughes; depth, 92 feet. 

WESTERN PART OF COUNTY.

Mr. Uddeii reports that there are scattered flowing wells southwest 

of Allegan in Cheshire Township, but he did not secure data on them.

It is probable that flowing wells could be obtained along the valley 

of Kalamazoo River and its main tributary, Rabbit River, for wells 

on the slopes give a head above the level of the valley bottom, but 

whether flows have yet been obtained was not learned.

GRAATSCIIAP AREA."

One mile west of the village of Graatschap, in sec. 2, T. 4 N., R. 

16 W., is a single flowing well on the property of H. M. Lemmer. It 

is on the western slope of a moraine at an altitude about 65 feet above 

Lake Michigan. The flow occurs near the tiny valley of a short 

unnamed stream tributary to Lake Michigan. The head is only a 

few inches above the surface and the flow 1 pint a minute. The well 

was drilled in 1896 and has a depth of 90 feet. In a branch of the 

same valley a mile south of Graatschap the water in tubular wells is 

within a few inches of the surface, and flows might be secured by 

trenching. On the east side of this moraine, in an intermorainic basin 

between Graatschap and Overisel, the water rises almost to the surface in the wells. The bordering moraines are the probable catchment areas for all these wells.

WAYLAND AREA."

The Wayland flowing-well district, in eastern Allegan County, 

comprises an area of about 30 square miles and is one of the largest 

in western Michigan. The flows occur near the headwaters of Rapid 

River, which is formed by the junction of three smaller streams

a By Isaiah Bowman.
156 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

draining a triangular intermorainic basin. It is between the moraine 

which bounds this basin on the east and the two streams at the base 

of the triangle that the flows occur. There are no flows west of the 

streams, the water supply here coming from local pockets at variable 

depths in the moraine. The following table is arranged roughly in

FIG. 20. Map of Wayland flowing-well district, Allegan County.

three series following the occurrence of the wells from the head of 

each of tfye converging streams down the valley to their confluence. 

The decrease of head in this direction locates the catchment area in 

the moraine lying east of the wells:
ALLEC1AN COUNTY.

Wdls at WaylanJ.

157

Township N.

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

3 

3 

3 

3

3

3 

3 

3

3

3

3

3

3 

3

3

3

Range "W.

"

1?

11 

11

1111

11 11 11 11

1°

12

12 

12

n

1^

I"

10

I 9

12 

1?

Section.

30

19 ?o

or)

9 1

29 

?9

3'?

!V>

31

V?.

13

13 

13 

14°4

O 1

14

%

36

v.

?o

27°7

27 °0

oq

tib

<M

£?5

+3 

OJ 

1-1

A 

L

il

M

L

K

/"I

Y

:

A 

B 

D 

D

A

B

E

Q

D

V

W

T

S

R

0

O

N

K

I

J

Owner.

A. Lohrberg. .....

D. B. Kidder.....

.T. Steeby. ........

M. C. Heyward. .. 

E. Smith.........

J.D. Stockdale (4

wells )

mill > . 

D. Huttlcston.... 

D. J. Sigeler...... 

A. R. Johnstoii... 

A. Damoth .......

B. Farnham ...... 

C. Simpkins. .....

W. G. McClintock

.....do............

J. Blair...........

No. 1. 

I. A. Buskirk......

C. A. Overheiser..

Driller.

H. Webber.. 

G. Webber..

C. Ladd....

L. Morford . 

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

L. Shav .... 

J. L. Sinith.

C. Yaokly. . . 

S. Yaekly. . .

C. Yaekly...

Brophy. 

.....do..'....

B. Catt.....

W. Brown.. 

A. Webber..

.....do......

.....do......

When 

made.

1897 

1884

1890

i892 

1892

1891

1900

1889

1892 

1901

"J8%"

1889

1893 

1895

18S4

1895

1887

1892

1901

1883 

1887

1SS7

Depth.

Feet. 

90

100

80

50

80

173

33

48

178

108 

131 

50 

90

130

140

80

115

174

80

108

88

90

127

100

109

155

Elevation.

Feet. 

737 

707

707

7G8

708

752

752

757

745

723 

753 

759 

755

727

730

720 

723

727

730

710

711

716

702

702

702

094 

709

709

709

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

762 

700.V

707 77°

77°

759

+ 4

749

743

777 

702

745

730

736 

725

729

740

720

710

715

727

700

708

097 

708

70S

708

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

*

0

1

8

25

4

i

5

4" 

11 

G

12

6 -ii

i

J

0

o"p

}

li

91

9

1

A

Temperature.

51.2

50.8

52

50.8 

52

50.6

51.2

51.1

52.2 

51.1 

51.7 

51.2

50.2 

53.3 

52

........

52

50.8

52.2

51.3

51.2

A marked and extraordinary characteristic of the Wayland flows 

is the occurrence at greatly difTering depths in each of a variable succession of clay, sand, and gravel layers, and the uniform increase of 

head toward the east of all the flows, whether from slight or great 

depth. The direction of increase points to a supply from the 

moraine on the eastern border of the basin.

Wells at Wayland are driven at the rather uniform cost of $1 per 

foot. The diameter of the pipe used in nearly all cases is 2 inches. 

The water is everywhere chalybeate in character, most strongly so 

in the shallower wells between Bradley and Wayland. The development of the area began about 1883 and has continued up to the 

present, so that the limits of the area are pretty closely defined, 

although many more flows could be obtained, especially in the 

southwestern part between the well of A. Lohrberg and Hopkins 

station. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to obtain artesian 

water near here, but always on the moraines near by and at an 

altitude above the head of the known flows.
158 WELLS AND WATEB SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The inhabitants of Wayland village are supplied from individual 

wells, those which flow being located on the lower ground on the 

north side of the village. Not only the health of the inhabitants 

but also the proper protection of property commends the installation 

of a village water system to which the flowing-well supply seems 

admirably adapted.

Some of the Wayland well drillers maintain that the head of the 

wells is decreasing, following closely a reported lowering of the water 

level in the adjacent morainal lakes attributed to better drainage 

of the area than formerly. Specific data show that such decrease 

may with better reason be referred to the sand-choked condition 

of many, if not most, of the wells, a condition depending on the lack 

of screens in so many of the Wayland wells. When sand pumped 

the original head is nearly if not quite resumed. A number of cases 

of interference by a second well near the first have been taken to 

indicate a very limited supply, but the wells in question are so near 

each other and both have, on account of their location, such a small 

head (about 2 feet) that the mutual interference is easily noticeable, 

an effect which is commonly present but not noticed in wells of 

greater head. Moreover the wells are shallow here and a study of 

the well depths in the above table shows artesian water down to 

rock and beyond, so that no doubt need be entertained of the adequacy of a supply for the village, if the supply is drawn from a 

considerable depth.

Record of Wayland gristmill well (sec. 31, T. 4 N., R. 11 W.).

Thickness.

Feet.

115

49

Total.

Feet. 

15

130

178

The flow continued from top of sandstone, hut the water was constantly roiled by the clay from 

above until a depth of 178 feet was reached.

Record of 8. W. Parlcer jtouring well (sec. 12, T. 3 N., R. 12 F.).

Thickness.

Feet. 

4

11

92

1 Trt

Total.

Feet. 

4

15

107

242

'True hard rock" at 242 feet.
ALLEGAN COUNTY.

Record of B. Farnham foiling well (sec. 13, T. 3 N., E. 12 W.).

159

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

Clay............................................................................. 128 128

Hardpan............................................................... ........ 12 140

Water-bearing gravel at 140 feet.

Record of C. A. Overheiser flowing well (sec. 27).

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet. 

Clay............................................................................. 60 60

Quicksand....................................................................... 20

Alternate layers of quicksand and clay........................................... 20 100

Hardpan........................................................................ 5 105

Water-bearing gravel and sand.................................................. 4 109

Record of J. Blair flowing well (sec. 36).

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet. 

Clay....................... ........... ......................................... 93 93

Gravel........................................................................... 3 96

____________________________________j____________

Record of W. 0, McClintock flowing well (sec. 24).

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

Loam............................................................................ 4 4

Gravel.......................................................................... J 26 30

Blue clay........................................................................i 75 105

Gravel........................................................................... 2 107

Hardpan......................................................................... 1 108

Water-bearing gravel at 108 feet.

Record of D. T. Sigeler flowing well (sec. 7, T. 3 N., R. 11 W.).

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

Sand............................................................................. 20 20

Thin alternating layers of sand and clay, sand water bearing in wet seasons only . 20 40

Clay layers becoming thinner and harder........................................ 87 127

Coarse gravel.................................................................... 4 131

Flow began at 80 feet and continued to last depth given except in clay layers.

The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railway made a test well near its 

station in Wayland in 1905 which penetrated sand 25 feet, clay 120 

feet, sand 10 feet, sandstone 42 feet, making a total depth of 197 feet. 

After passing through the clay a small flow was obtained in the 

lower sand, but the pipe was driven firmly down to the rock and a 

stronger flow obtained after penetrating the rock a short distance. 

The flow from this well appears to have lowered the head in surrounding wells, but after flowing a short time it lost head until in
160 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IS SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

July, 1905, the water in it stands 2-i feet below the surface of the 

ground. The test has therefore proved unsuccessful in obtaining 

a strong flow, but by going as deep as the Parker well in sec. 12 

there is possibility of an increase in the supply, unless the sandstone 

proves too close textured.

Below are given partial analyses of waters from drift and rock 

wells at Wayland, the data being furnished by M. O. Leighton, of 

the United States Geological Survey. The similarity of the two

is striking.

Partial analyses of well waters at Wayland.

[Parts per million.]

Color. .............................................................................

1.

 1

1.5

83.1

0

139+

2.

19

1

1.5

0

139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. A. H. Clark (rock); depth, 145 feet. 2. D. Stockdale (drift); depth, 26 feet.

WATER SUPPLIES OF BARRY COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT.

TOPOGRAPHY.

Barry County is situated north of Kalamazoo County and east of 

Allegan. Its southern part embraces a reentrant angle where the 

Kalamazoo moraine of the Lake Michigan lobe connects with the 

contemporary moraine of the Saginaw lobe. An elevated gravel 

plain stands in this reentrant angle, on which the villages of Prairieville, Delton, Milo, and Hickory Corners are situated. The moraines 

and also the gravel plains are thickly set with small lakes which 

occupy depressions 25 to 100 feet or more below the surrounding 

land. The moraine just referred to passes eastward along the south 

side of Thornapple River. A later moraine lies north of the river, 

and this connects near the northwest corner of the county with the 

Valparaiso moraine of the Lake Michigan lobe. There is an extensive gravel plain in the reentrant angle lying south of the pointwhere these moraines connect, which covers parts of Yankee Springs, 

Rutland, and Thornapple townships.

Wells are often sunk to depths of 100 feet and in some cases 200 

feet or more on the moraines, but on the gravel plains water is 

obtained at about the level of the lakes, or 25 to 50 feet depth. 

Mr. Bowman has discussed the public wrater supplies of Hastings 

and Nashville, which are obtained from flowing wells, and also a 

flowing-well district at Woodland in the northeastern part of the 

county (see p. 163).
BARRY COUNTY. 161 

WATER WORKS.«

HASTINGS.

The city water supply at Hastings, the county seat of Barry 

County, is derived from one bricked dug well 18 feet in diameter 

and 20 feet deep, and from six 4-inch wells 55 feet deep. Six 4-inch 

pipes without screens have been driven into the bottom of the open 

well, increasing the supply. The dug well is just outside the pumping station, which is on a terrace 12 feet above the surface of Thornapple River and 150 feet south of it, at an altitude of 788 feet. The 

driven wells are 9 feet lower, or but 3 feet above the normal river 

level, being located on a narrow flood-plain strip on the immediate 

bank of the stream.

The pumps in the six wells were at first adjusted to take the 

natural flow at river level which, together with the supply from 

the dug well, was about 600,000 gallons daily. Later, an increase 

of supply became necessary and the air-lift system was introduced, 

which, at a pressure of 26 pounds to the square inch, immediately 

increased the possible combined maximum daily draft on all the 

wells to 1,500,000 gallons. To secure still further increase it is 

proposed to drive, in the spring of 1905, six 8-inch wells in the 

bottom of the open well in addition to the six 4-inch wells already 

there. It is suggested that an increase can be more readily obtained 

with less interference of flow in the present well by sinking wells 

some distance up or down the river instead of so near the wells 

already installed. The capacity of the pumps being 1,500,000 

gallons daily and the average actual amount pumped about 400,000 

gallons daily, the desired increase is rather for greater ease of pumping and corresponding economy in machinery and fuel than for any 

real necessity. The present system was established in 1887. Water 

is furnished to over 800 families.

The preceding data were furnished by F. W. Collins, engineer at the 

pumping station. W. E. Kelly, former superintendent of the water 

system, is authority for the statements which immediately follow.

The materials penetrated in putting down the driven wells at the 

pumping station are as follows: Sand and gravel, 43 feet; blue clay 

without any admixture of sand, 11 feet; and at a depth of 54 feet very 

coarse water-bearing gravel.

There are no screens in these wells, the water entering through 

f-inch holes, of which there are about 300, drilled in each pipe. The 

coarseness of the water-bearing material prevents all clogging and 

permits the maintenance of the original flow.

The clay layer noted in the section is found from the other well 

records to be persistent. It is but 4 feet thick two blocks west of the

a By Isaiah Bowman.
lf>2 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUT{IEKN MICHIGAN.

pumping station, in John Shay's 39-foot well, which flows slightly 

at the surface. Near it is another well, which also used to flow but 

which has since been capped and the flow discontinued.

The village of Hastings stands on a terrace higher than that on 

which the wells and pumping station are located, thus naturally 

bringing forward the question of contamination through the surface 

drainage in the path of which the open well at the pumping station 

lies. The deeper sources of water beneath the clay are likely to be 

wholesome because of the continuity of the clay layer above the water< 

bed. The dug well does not have this particular kind of protection, 

but possibly it is as well protected by other means. Into it the 

deeper water is allowed to flow, and, having a head 5 feet greater than 

the surface water, really keeps the surface water out except the little 

that may possibly enter through diffusion.

The quality of the water may be seen from the partial "mineral ;; 

analysis made in 1897 by the Viscosity Oil Company, of Chicago.

Analysis of water of Hastings -public supply.a

Parts per million. 

Silica..................................................................... 2. 6

Oxides of iron and aluminum................................................ 6. 9

Calcium carbonate......................................................... 124

Magnesium carbonate...................................................... 89

Alkaline carbonates........................................................ 554.1

Alkaline chlorides ......................................................... 5.9

Alkaline sulphates.......................................................... 47

Total solids ........................................................ 329

This is a fair boiler water, the percentage of magnesium being a little high.

NASHVILLE.

Nashville is built on a gently sloping terrace on the south side of 

Thornapple River. The inhabitants are supplied from individual 

shallow wells 10 to 20 feet deep, yielding hard water, and from a village system drawing from wells in sandstone more than 300 feet deep. 

The latter are 6-inch wells driven in 1891, the year in which the present water system was established. The water supplied by the municipal system is used for drinking purposes for a short time only during 

the winter. Its principal use is for lawns, closets, and fire protection. 

The deep water is artesian, and has a head of 30 feet. It is said to 

contain a considerable quantity of magnesium and to be less desirable 

for drinking purposes than the water from shallow wells.

The capacity of the pumps is 750,000 gallons daily, and the actual 

water pumped daily is about one-twelfth of that amount. The 

desired head is obtained by means of a stand tower 12 feet in diameter 

and 80 feet high, with a capacity of 2,200 barrels. The above data 

were furnished by D. L. Hullinger, engineer.

aExpressed by analyst in grains per gallon; recomputed to parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
BARKY COUNTY. 163

MISCELLANEOUS TILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following data 011 village supplies have been obtained by correspondence with the residents of the respective villages:

Village supplies in Barry County.

Town.

Hickory Corners

Middleville .....

Population.

±100

±200 

±600

3,172 

±100

829

1,164

319

Elevation.

Feet. 

1 875 

\ 920 

825 

907 

934 

935 

850 

( 765 

\ 810 

925 

743

875 

730 

804

805

i,666

f 820 

\ 860

Source.

[ Open and driven wells 

.....do................

.....do................

Open and driven wells 

} ..... do...............

Open and driven wells

Driven wells and lake

Open and driven wells

\Driven wells, some 

/ flows.

Depth of wells.

From 

Feet. 

20 

20

40

14 

10

30

10 

40 

20

17

15

40 

60

30

To 

Feet. 

2,300

60 

80 

80 

40

80

70

60 

14 

60 

50 

64

308

80 

150

125

Common.

Feet. 

40

40 

40 

55 

30 

30

40

40 

12 

40 

35

20

25

40

75

100

Depth 

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

40 

40

55 

30 

30

40

40 

12 

40 

35

25

40

75

100

Head.

Feet.

-40 

-25 

-20 

f+ 5 

1-40 

-30 

-10

-30 

-17

f+o

\-10 

-35

-75 

( + 5 

\-30

Springs.

Small.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

} Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

[ Medium. ^

Small. 

Do.

| Do.

FLOWING WELLS.«

A few flowing wells have been obtained near Woodland station in 

northeastern Barry County. All of the flowing wells in this locality 

were developed about twenty or thirty years ago, and data with reference to them are therefore extremely meager. A flow was first 

obtained on the farm of T. S. Reisinger one-half mile north of Woodland Center, where a 2-inch pipe was driven down 12 feet into the bottom of a spring. It is well established that clay occurs from this depth 

to 58 feet, where water-bearing gravel was encountered which gives 

the present flow. The original normal static head was 11 feet above 

the surface, but has decreased to 4 or 5 feet at the present time. The 

well is located on the floor of the valley of School Creek, a small 

tributary of Little Thornapple River.,

One-half mile west of the above well is that of B. O. Smith, which 

was originally just below the level of the upland on the southern edge 

of the valley. The decrease in head which this well experienced necessitated trenching to the valley in order to maintain a flow. The same 

method has resulted in what is practically a flow on the farm of W. A. 

Greizinger, across the road to the east of the Reisinger well. This 

well was dug to 80 feet, and on the water rising to within a few feet of 

the top, trenching to the barn, which is located on the valley side, 

secured a flow. One-fourth mile north of Mr. Smith's well in the south 

part of sec. 9 and in the same valley as the three preceding wells there

a By Isaiah Bowman.
164 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

used to be a flowing well, now no longer in use, concerning which 

data could not be obtained.

All the records of dug wells and driven wells show the persistent 

occurrence of a clay layer underneath 10 or 15 feet of surface sand, and 

it is believed that flows could be obtained throughout the few miles of 

extent of School Creek.

The flows from the wells in this valley are inconstant, being stronger 

in wet than in dry seasons. The effect of increased precipitation is 

felt within a few days.

Two miles west of Woodland Center, on the farm of Mr. Homer in 

the valley of another small tributary of Litte Thornapple River, a well 

200 feet deep used to flow about a pint a minute, but the flow has 

ceased and the well is at present pumped.

The catchment area of the wells in this district includes but a few 

thousand acres, and in no field is loss of head more clearly due to 

waste of water. Although the wells have been cleaned repeatedly the 

original head is not resumed and the supply is steadily falling off. 

The enforcement of the law limiting the flow of water in artesian wells 

would conserve the supply to the advantage of present as well as future 

well owners in the valley.

Wells in Barry County.

Owner. Depth.

Feet. 

(iO

5d

Diameter.

Inches

Elevation.

Feet. 

820 

825

Head.

Present.

Feet.

+ 4 

+ 4

Original.

Feet. 

-hi I 

+ 10

Temperature.

51.5

(?)

Quality.

Iron .... 

....do...

Flow per 

minute.

Present.

Gallons. 

1 

2

Original.

Gallons. 

15 

5

WATER SUPPLIES OF EATON AND INGHAM 

COUNTIES.

By ISAIAH BOWMAN. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.a

The greater part of these counties, which stand in the third tier 

from the south, about midway between the eastern and western borders of the State, were examined in part by the writer, but the northern portions were reported upon by Doctor Lane in the discussion of 

the region around Lansing (pp. 170-175), the city of Lansing being in 

the northwestern part of Ingham County. Except for a few square 

miles in the southeast corner of Ingham County, which are tributary 

to Huron River, and for the southern edge of Eaton County, which is 

tributary to Kalamazoo River through Battle Creek, Eaton and 

Ingham counties lie within the drainage of Grand River, much of the 

former being tributary to Thornapple, and much of the latter to Cedar

a By Frank Leverett.
BATON AND INGHAM COUNTIES, 105

River. The drift in these counties is of moderate depth, so that wells 

in nearly every township have reached the underlying rock. Water 

supplies are good both in the drift and in the rock.

WATERWORKS.

EATON RAPIDS.

Eaton Rapids is located 011 the low ground adjacent to Grand 

River in the southeastern part of Eaton County. The municipal 

wells and pumping station are in the southwestern part of the village 

near the Michigan Central Railroad. The supply is derived from 

six 6-inch wells 60 to 75 feet deep. The normal static head of water 

is 18 inches, the drafted head -10 to 25 feet. Elmer Strope, of 

Mason, Mich., who has drilled many wells at Eaton Rapids, gives 

the following generalized record of material penetrated in sinking 

wells at this place:

Generalized section at Eaton Rapid*.

Thickneis. Total.

Feet.

172

184

The waterworks wells get water from the upper sandstone (No. 2 

in the section), but, being on higher ground than the village, go deeper 

for their supply.

In the village there are several flowing wells with a head of 20 to 

30 feet and yielding a strong flow. The shallowest are 30 to 35 feet 

deep, but the usual depth is about 175 feet. The deeper water is

zooo feet

FIG. 21. Plat of Eaton Rapids, showing distribution of flowing wells.

much harder than the shallower supply, and the latter is preferred 

by r sidents. The principal flowing wells of Eaton Rapids are those 

of (1) Fred Mendell, (2) George Strunk, (3, 4, and 5) city, (6) Arcana 

bath house, and (7) Mrs. TJ. Arnold. The numbers refer to fig. 21. 

IEE 182 06 12
166 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

An analysis of the public water, made in 1898 by Prof. R. C. 

Kedzie, of Lansing, gave the following results:

Analysis of public water at Eaton Rapids.a

Parts per million.

Silica (SiO2) ............................................................. 1.43

Sodium (Na) ...........:............._.........................._........ 11.25

Magnesium (Mg) ......................................................... 18.14

Calcium (Ca) ............................................................. 62. 16

Chlorine (Cl) ............................................................. 17. 32

Carbonate radicle (CO3 ) ................................................... 134.76

Sulphate radicle (SO4 ) .................................................... 5.04

250.10

Hardness, by soap test,totai ............................................... 214. 29

Temporary hardness ...................................................... 100

Permanent hardness ................................................ 114. 29

The water contains 110 iron or alumina. It is clear, bright, and 

destitute of taste and odor.

The capacity of the pumps is 1,500,000 gallons daily, the average 

amount pumped being 145,000 gallons. The water is forced into a 

stand tower 14 feet in diameter and 100 feet high; 4f miles of distributing mains convey the water to all parts of the village, giving 

adequate fire protection. The present system was established in 

1898 at a total cost of $25,000. About 300 families use the public 

water, although there are but 250 taps installed.

The present supply is not sufficient during the driest summer 

months, when the head of water falls off appreciably, indicating that, 

although in rock, the water is locally supplied. The remedy seems 

simple, however. More wells installed along Grand River or Spring 

Brook on considerably lower ground may fairly be expected to meet 

any demand ever made on them. This position would have the 

added advantage of allowing suction much below the normal head 

instead of above it, as is the case at present, during the summer 

months.

CHARLOTTE.

Charlotte is in the center of Eaton County, 18 miles southwest of 

Lansing. The pumping station is on the north bank of Battle Creek 

and about a mile south of the center of the town. The slope of the 

surface is very gently toward the creek.

The water supply in present use is obtained from five tubular 

wells 90 feet deep and 6 inches in diameter. The material in which 

the water occurs is a coarse gravel, which begins about 30 feet below 

the surface; above it is quicksand and ordinary sand, there being 

no marked division between the different materials. The water 

stands at the level of the surface of Battle Creek, and the catchment

a Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form, and parts per million at United States*J6pological Survey.
EATON A1STD USTGHAM COUNTIES. 167

area is probably the bordering gravel plain. The drafted head is 

much below the static head, and in consequence the water is practically pumped from the creek into the mains, with this favorable 

difference that in the 100 feet between wells and creek the water 

is drawn through sand, which acts as a natural filter. The dredging 

now in progress in the creek will result in lowering the water level 

and greater difficulty in securing an adequate municipal supply.

The wells now in use were sunk in 1886 and yielded at that time 

1,500,000 gallons daily, but the present daily supply of 400,000 to 

450,000 gallons taxes their capacity. To increase the supply and 

at the same time the ease of pumping, the village is constructing a 

large open well 20 feet in diameter and 30 feet deep. The curb is 

built of cement blocks and is being gradually sunk by lowering the 

foundation. Into the bottom of the well, when completed, will be 

sunk two 10-inch wells. Great difficulty in lowering the curb has 

been experienced through the inflow of water and quicksand at a 

depth of 20 feet. The plant was built in 1886 at a cost of $40,000. 

Length of mains about 12 miles, supplying all but the outskirts of the 

city.

An analysis of Charlotte water was made in 1903 at Ann Arbor by 

Dr. V. C. Vaughan, of the University of Michigan, with the following 

results:

Analysis of Charlotte public water supply.

Parts per million.

Total residue after evaporation at 110° C .............................. 384

Fixed residue ....................................................... 231. 2

Loss on ignition ..................................................... 152. 8

Chlorine ............................................................ 8. 43

SO3 ................................................................ 0

Free ammonia ...................................................... . 023

Albuminoid ammonia ................................................ . 032

Nitrates as N2OS .................................................... Slight trace.

Nitrites as N2O3 ..................................................... Slight trace.

Hardness ........................................................... 198.43

No visible development of germs in twenty-four hours. Inoculation negative. Color, 

clear; odor, none; reaction, alkaline. No evidence that the water can cause disease.

While the analysis shows the water in present use to be pure, the 

sewer mouth draining the entire filth of the village was heedlessly 

located but 73 feet downstream from the center of the group of wells, 

and may very seriously affect the quality of the water. There seems 

absolutely no good reason why it should not have had its outlet a 

quarter or even half a mile farther downstream, entirely out of danger 

distance. With a strong draft at the pumping station, there must 

be some danger from the sewer, even though the mouth is downstream 

from the wells, to say nothing of the consequences should an unobserved leak be formed north of the pumping station and in the direct 

line of drainage toward the wells. This is a condition that should 

be remedied as quickly as possible.
1(58 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

MASON.

Mason, the county seat of Ingham County, is located about 12 

miles south of Lansing. The waterworks pumping station is on the 

east side of Sycamore Creek, in the northern part of the city. The 

supply is derived from five flowing wells 150 feet deep and 6 inches 

in diameter. The flow from the wells is sufficient to keep the pumps 

supplied with suction. The water flows from a sandstone formation, 

beginning 40 feet beneath the surface and extending to 200 feet. It 

appears more porous with increasing depth, yielding a copious flow 

at 180 feet. During 1903, 37,500,000 gallons were supplied to the 

city. There are only 323 taps installed, but about 350 families 

actually use the water. Pressure is secured by means of a stand tower 

100 feet high and 16 feet in diameter. The plant was established in 

1891 at a cost of $33,650. It is operated in connection with the 

electric light plant, the whole being superintended by R. E. Darling.

There are several flowing wells in the city owned by private parties. 

They are along or near Sycamore Creek, or on the lowest ground. 

Like the public wells they obtain the flow from sandstone.

FLOWING WELLS.

CHARLOTTE DISTRICT.

Four miles west of Charlotte, in sec. 9, T. 2 N., R. 5 W., is a small 

group of flowing wells on a southern tributary of Thornapple River. 

They are located very near the head of the tributary known as Bakers 

Drain, the main drainage line of a flat intermorainic area, bordered 

on the south by low hills which form the divide between the Grand 

and Kalamazoo river systems.

The flows are obtained in gravel at a depth of 25 to 40 feet. Above 

the gravel is hardpan and clay. The surface material, a sandy soil, 

is 5 or 6 feet in depth. None of the flows are strong, the head being 

from several inches to several feet above the surface, which has an 

altitude of approximately 860 feet. The area has been fairly well 

developed and can not be extended much farther. The water is 

moderately hard and contains a small percentage of iron. The following detailed descriptions are given:

A. Owner, Frank Baker; drilled in 1888 by Shaw & Tice; 

diameter, 1J inches; depth, 42 feet; head a few inches. The flow 

was not sufficient to supply the amount of water required and the 

well is now pumped by a windmill.

B. Owner, Lewis Young; drilled in 1904 by J. B. Mount; diameter 

\\ inches; depth, 23 feet; flow, 3 gallons a minute; temperature, 

50.3° F.; head, 4 feet. The original head was said to be 7 feet. It 

is reported that when a small lake, called Lazy Lake, 1 mile west of
EATON AND INGHAM COUNTIES. 169

the well, was lowered 3 feet, the head of the well felt a corresponding 

distance.

C. Owner, E. E. Bosler; drilled by J. B. Mount; diameter, 2 

inches; depth, 23 feet; head, 4 feet; flow, 8 gallons a minute; temperature, 50.8° F.

A flowing well about 30 to 35 feet deep was made in 1897 in the 

lowland in sec. 5, northeast of Charlotte, on the farm of Eugene 

Thomas. It struck rock at 30 feet and obtained a sulphurous soft 

water. Data were furnished by the driller, Elsa Wells, of Charlotte, 

but the well was not visited. The occurrence of another flowing 

well in or near the north edge of Charlotte was reported, but not 

verified.

BISMARCK-ROXANA DISTRICT.

The flows of this area occur in the broad, gently undulating 

till plain on the divide between Grand and Thornapple rivers in 

northwestern Eaton County. They are in close association with the 

drainage, being found only in the low ground adjacent to streams.

In sec. 25, T. 4 N., R. 6 W., is the well of John Childs: Depth, 26 

feet; diameter, 2 inches; head, 5 feet; altitude of surface, 930 feet; 

flow, 10 gallons a minute; temperature 50.2° F. This well was drilled 

in 1879 by James Phillips. The water flows from a sandy layer 

which is overlain by clay to the surface. The water is strongly 

chalybeate.

In the village of Bismarck are at least a half dozen wells, drilled 

many years ago and now no longer flowing on account of clogging of 

the screens. Two wells, owned by W. R. Brown and Daniel Ferris, 

are still flowing. In each the depth is 40 feet; head, 2% feet; flow, 

one-sixth gallon a minute, and temperature 52.5° F. The flows in 

all of the wells are said to vary with the seasons.

In sec. 25, Roxana Township, are the flowing wells of Charles 

and Sylvester Edgel: Depth, 50 feet; diameter, 2 inches; altitude, 

970 feet; head, 2\ feet; flow, 12 gallons a minute; temperature, 50.8° 

F. The water is strongly chalybeate and occurs in the same material 

as at Bismarck. The area of flow is restricted to a depression of 

several acres.

LESLIE DISTRICT.

The village of Leslie stands in the valley of Hunton Creek, in 

Leslie Township (T. 1 N., R. 1 W.), in the southern part of Ingham 

County, and has a population of about 1,100. There are 20 flowing 

wells in the village, ranging in depth from 100 to 217 feet, the average 

depth being about 160 feet. These wells are owned by individuals 

and furnish nearly all the water used.

The large percentage of sulphureted hydrogen in the flowing 

water at this place gives the water, after standing some time, an
170 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

unpleasant taste, so that few families use the public supply for 

drinking. The unpleasant quality is still further enhanced through 

taste imparted by the tar with which the water mains are smeared 

inside and out. The water is used, however, by about 60 families 

for lawn sprinkling and toilet purposes. It is extremely hard but is 

made much softer by boiling.

The necessary fire protection is secured through a public water 

system which includes 3J miles of mains. It was established in 1898 

at a cost of $16,000. The municipal wells, 2 in number, are 180 

feet deep and 6 inches in diameter. H. C. Yerby supplied the 

following well record:

Record of waterworks well at Leslie.

Thickness. Total.

Feet. 

8 

12 

15 

65 

80

Feet. 

8 

20 

35 

100 

180

The average daily amount pumped is 1,700 barrels. The necessary 

head and pressure is obtained by means of a stand tower 14 feet in 

diameter and 80 feet high, with a tank having a capacity of 2,300 

barrels.

The original head of the flows at Leslie was 10 feet above the 

surface, but at present it is not more than 6 feet. The flow is 

apparently affected by the seasons, being reported as considerably 

less in the dry summer months than during the remainder of the 

year. The flows are also said to be stronger at night than in the 

daytime. -From 5 to 9 p. m, when the pumps are in most steady 

operation, the flow in adjacent wells is appreciably decreased.

WATER SUPPLIES OF LANSING AND VICINITY.

By A. C. LANE. 

GEOLOGY.

Lansing and its vicinity are wholly underlain, at no great depth, 

by the coal measures, so that wells may readily reach and draw their 

supply from the sandstones of that horizon. In fact, the two principal streams, Grand River and its large tributary, the Cedar, are 

rock bottomed a good part of the way, as appears not only in 

comparing the sections of the drift shown by wells with the depth of 

the valleys, but in outcrop and excavation. At Grand Ledge the 

river flows through a sandstone canyon 40 feet deep for a mile or 

more. At Lansing the bridge abutments and those of Piatt's dam 

are upon bed rock.
LANSING AND VICINITY. 171

Up Grand River near Dimondale, in sec. 25, T. 3 N., R. 3 W., a 

sandstone quarry was at one time opened. Also up the Cedar, in 

sec. 28, T. 4 N., R. 1 E., shales of the coal measures are exposed, 

and at one time coal was taken from the river bed. The first rock 

struck is generally a water-bearing sandstone. Consequently the 

majority of the deeper wells enter the sandstone. Others are merely 

dug down to gravel at ground-water level.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

CHARACTER OF THE DRIFT.

Because of the abundant supply of water from the rock, drillers 

have paid comparatively little attention to the variations in the 

drift or kinds of beds of which it is composed. They tend to class 

it all as "surface" and urge going on into the rock. The prevailing 

character of the drift is a clay till, but there arc two belts that contain considerable sand and gravel. One is a moraine which leads 

from east to wrest past Lansing on the north side of the Cedar and 

Grand rivers, which-has more or less gravelly material in it and outwashed from it over the plain to the south. Sometimes the outwash 

is covered from 2 to 20 feet deep with a veneer of till, suggesting a 

readvance of the ice.

The second gravelly belt is known as the Mason esker and runs 

from the Lansiiig cemetery southward past Holt and Mason. It is 

due to deposition from drainage of the ice sheet and runs about at 

a right angle to the morainic ridge. Along its course are springs 

and superficial supplies of water. There were other similar deposits 

near Weberville, Williamston, and elsewhere, but they have been 

largely used for ballast on roads. In places these ridges reach a 

height of as much as 40 feet. The Mason esker has apparently 

been overridden at its north end by the readvance of ice that formed 

the moraine. The gravel buried under the moraine is traceable 

northward into Clinton County and supplies wells at moderate depth.

DEPTH TO ROCK.

The depth to rock immediately around Lansing generally varies 

from 60 to 80 feet, according to the surface topography. In the 

valleys it is less, but on the morainal ridges it is greater. There have 

also been found one or two pre-Glacial channels in the rock surface 

where it is lower down. One of these channels may be traced from 

Alaiedon Township (T. 3 N., R. 1 W.), where on sec. 9 it is ovei 105 

feet to rock, northeastward through sec. 4, where it is 135 feet, and 

sec. 3, where it is 180 feet, into sec. 34, Meridian Township, where it 

is 130 feet, and sec. 23, where it is 148 feet. In the border sections 

rock is found at 60 to 75 feet. Around Pine Lake bed rock is at 

165 feet in sec. 11 and 150 feet in sec. 2, and on the north line of the 

county 174 feet. We can not follow it definitely in Clinton County,
172 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKIST MICHIGAN.

but it apparently bears northeast into Woodhull Township, Shiawassee County, for in sees. 8 and 17 it is 120 to 125 feet to rock.

East of this valley, from a point near Eaton Rapids northeastward 

through Aurelius, Vevay, Alaiedon, and Wheatfield townships at 

least to Williamston, there appears to be a buried ridge in the rock 

surface, which is often struck at considerably less than 40 feet, and 

along which wells have in places very soft water.

In Victor Township, Clinton County, a well 155 feet to rock on 

sec. 19, and 145 feet to rock on sec. 9, may indicate another rock 

valley, a part of the same system.

In Delta Township (T. 4 N., R. 3 W.) there are puzzling irregularities which if not errors suggest rock valleys. In sec. 35 it is said to 

be 200 feet to rock; in sees. 24 and 25, from 75 feet to over 135 feet; 

in sec. 26, 75 feet; in sec. 21, 103 feet; in sec. 20, 80 feet; in sec. 15, 

30 feet; in sec. 8, 70 feet; in sec. 7, 55 feet; in sec. 6 is a flow at 80 

to 90 feet; in sec. 5 it is 130 feet to rock; in sec. 4, 55 feet; in sec. 

3, 75 to 80 feet; in sec. ], 95 feet.

In Oneida Township (T. 4 X., R. 4 W.), in sec. 18, there is a well 

100 feet deep in gravel, but most of the wells in the township, 

especially around Grand Ledge, find rock much sooner.

In Roxana Township (T. 4 N., R. 4 W.), in sec. 11, on the west 

side, is a well which goes 210 feet to rock, with pervious beds and 

water at 231 and 251 feet. In sec. 17 it is but 102 feet to rock. In 

the south part of the township all the reports are of water in gravel 

at from 25 to 85 feet, with flows in sees. 28 and 32 (see pp. 169).

QUALITY OF WATER.

The water from the drift is usually harder than that from the sandstone. Around Durand, Byron, and to the south salty water is likely 

to occur, which may be due to salt water coming up through a fissure, 

or to an extension of the lower Grand Rapids group.

The following analyses show fairly well the chemical character of 

the various waters which are likely to occur.

Analysis of Piatt ivell water.a

Parts per million. 

Calcium (Ca) ............................................................ 95. 43

Magnesium (Mg) ............... ......................................... 35. 32

Carbonate radicle (CO3 ) ................................................... 187. 82

Sulphate radicle (SO4) ..................................................... 38. 88

Silica (SiO2) ............................................................. 22. 60

Iron (Fe) ................................................................ 4. 90

Sodium (Na) ............................................................. 48. 60

Chlorine (CD.. ........................................................... 107. 21

540. 76 

Inorganicm atter not present. Difference (O, Na2O, and Fe2O3 )................ 29

a Expressed by analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form at United States 

Geological Survey.
LANSINtt AND VICINITY. 173

This well is in the coal measures, and the presence of sulphates 

is significant, but the water is peculiar and has a peculiar history. It 

is 62 feet to bed rock and 115 feet deep. Only 125 feet away is the 

Downey House well, which was put down 740 feet in hope of a flow. 

None was obtained, and the water grew salty, so the well was plugged 

at 72 feet. When the Piatt well pump is not running the Downey 

well a stands about 22 feet below ground level, but when the Piatt 

well is pumped the Downey drops. The first of the year the Piatt 

well was not salt, but lately it has become so through increased use. 

It can give 17,000 gallons an hour, and as much as 6,QOO pounds has 

been used. Evidently the Piatt draws from the Downey well below 

the plug.

Analysis of irdl at 1,116 Washington arenve south.

Parts per million.

Total solids........................................... ........... ........ 565. 6

Organic................................................ .................. 96

Inorganic................................................................. 469. 6

Chlorine-...................................................... .......... 37.2

Sodium chloride.................................... ................... 61. 5

Prof. R. C. Kedzic, analyst.

WATERWORKS.

Lansing is supplied by wells from 28 to 350 feet deep. Of these 

there are 27 in an area of only a few hundred feet near the pumping 

station, on Michigan avenue, close to the river. Though the neighborhood is all built up, the water appears safe, and no case of typhoid 

can be traced to it. This is inferred from the fact that immediately 

adjacent to the pumping station there is a well, that of F. N. Hounseville, which penetrates surface gravels, and is not at all affected by 

the pumping station. Heavy clays without pebbles, of which 15 feet 

were recently seen in the Larned street sewer, come beneath it. b

The most of the water is said to come in between 150 and 200 feet 

down; two wells by the city and a number by the Roe Car Company 

and the Oldsrnobile works in the south part of the city have shown 

that there are heavy water-bearing sandstones from 250 feet down to 

350 feet and more. These probably reach the Marshall sandstone, and 

would naturally contain less lime than those of the overlying subCarboniferous limestone.

The temperature at the waterworks and at the Hazel street flowing wTell remains almost constant at 51° F. throughout the year, which 

is another sign of freedom from direct supplies of surface water or 

contamination. Twice, however, in the winter of 1904-5 bad breaks 

occurred in the mains that pass under the river and connect the west 

side with the east side on which the pumping station is situated. In 

view of this fact, and as the electric plant is under the same management, it seems worth considering whether it would not be well to
174 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

scatter the wells more and have some on the west side pumped by 

electric pump." The city is growing rapidly and consumes 1,250,000 

to 1,500,000 gallons a day, or about 70 gallons to a person. There 

are 1,500 meters and 4,000 to 5,000 taps.

The income for the year ending in 1904 was $27,606.58; the 

expenses for construction (including meters) were $12,194.58; and the 

operating expenses (including pumping station expenses of $6,299.45) 

were $14,685.52, making the total expenses $26,880.10.

FLOWING WELLS.

FLOAVS FROM DRIFT.

The only known flowing well in Lansing that did not penetrate the 

rock was one said to be about 30 feet deep near the Lansing waterworks, immediately adjacent to the bluffs of Grand Eiver, and this 

very likely went to bed rock.

FLOWS FROM ROCK.

While flowing wells from the drift seem now to be scarce, flowing 

wells from bed rock may be obtained along all the principal lines of 

drainage/with a head which may vary from 5 to 10 feet. This head 

is lowered somewhat by the waterworks plants of Grand Ledge and 

Lansing, but not so as to prevent flows. The following list shows 

some of the flowing wells associated with the Grand-Cedar drainage 

system:

Grand Ledge: E. H. Mudge, Seven Island Resort, 107 feet deep; 

Grand Ledge waterworks wells, 100 to 130 feet deep, temperature 51°; 

Ball's well, eastern edge of Grand Ledge near the river, 500 feet deep, 

but flow is not from this depth, temperature 50°.

Lansing: Lansing waterworks wells did flow but are pumped now; 

Hoffman's well, 700 feet deep, used to flow water at 65 feet; Hazel 

street well, 350 feet deep, water rises to about 10 feet above river, 

temperature 51° F., with slight variations from time to time; Old 

mineral well (which has been variously named, "Senator," "Americanus" or "Lansing Magnetic,"or "Michigan Congress"), 1,400 feet 

deep, but plugged at about 700 feet.

Grand River, main valley: Hazel street well, in the valley of the 

Grand, about 6 feet above the river, temperature 51.3°; Dimondale, 

Van Osdalls quarry, sec. 25, T. 3 N., R. 3 W., depth 75 feet, flow 36 

gallons a minute, temperature 50.5° F.

Cedar River: It is probable that flowing wells could be obtained 

east from Lansing along Cedar River to past the Agricultural College. 

There is one well close to the pickle (formerly Potter's) factory, and 

another on the Turner farm.

a This policy is now, 1906, in process of development.
LANSING AND VICINITY. 175

Sycamore Creek: From Lansing up the valley of Sycamore Creek, 

past Mason, occasional flows have been obtained, there being instances 

in sections 21, 26, 33, and 35, Lansing Township, and as far up as 

sections 14 and 15 in Vevay Township.

In 1897 the waterworks wells in Mason (five 6-inch wells) had a 

head of 2| feet, but were on ground 10 to 15 feet below the railroad 

track and 42 feet below the standpipe. Their depth averages about 

150 feet with a range from 67 to 172 feet. Mr. S. Lincoln's flowing 

well at Mason, 400 feet deep, had water carrying iron and sulphu 

reted hydrogen in noticeable amount. The temperature was 53° F. 

A well 100 feet deep just south of the railroad station at Mason 

flowed a small stream with temperature 51° F. A flowing well at 

Raynor's Park, 380 feet deep, discharged a large amount of water.

MISCELLANEOUS FLOWS.

The following table gives data of scattered flows:

Miscellaneous wells near Lansing.

Locality.

BentonTowhship, sec.31 

Benton Township, sec.21 

Fowlerville.............

Bancroft................

Depth 

to rock.

Feet. 

300 

40

Depth Depth

of rock, of drift

wells. wells.

Remarks.

Webberville. 

Morrice.....

Perry.......

Bennington. 

Meridian....

Williamston.

Shaf tsbury.. 

Laingsburg..

80-125

80

40-75

One flowing well in southeast quarter.

One flowing well in northern part.

Water in rock at 113 feet.

North of railroad at 18 feet; south of railroad

at 22-32 feet; supply good. 

Water at about 133 feet. 

Water at canning factory is at 192 feet. One

mile north salt water occurs at 328 feet. 

Shallow wells are in gravel.

Drift waters are from gravel.

Water from shale at 40 to 60 feet; from sandstone at 165-200 feet.

Well at railroad got water in gravel at 40 feet.

Hard water rising to within 7 feet of the surface was found at 76 feet at Laingsburg mill.

18-40 

45-76

Holt ....................

DO................:.

tion 33.

Milletts.................

west part.

west part.

32.

28.

Sunfleld.................

105

100

30

30-70

75

50

200

178

150

40-83

40-300

204

209

200

100-150

30

] 30-50

\ 75-85 

75-100

80-90

60

40-60

Wells flow.

Flowing well at Holmes Gardens ] mile south

of city limits.

Lansing.

Good water at 100 to 200 feet.

Drift has 30 to 40 feet of cemented gravel.

channel traceable 5 miles southward.

south of preceding it is SO to 90 feet to water.

feet to good water.

a well in January, 1904, which flowed 2 feet 

above surface.

Soft water at 100 to 12(3 feet.

Wells 40 to 50 feet deep; gas in south part at

20 to 25 feet, from interglacial (?) beds. 

Wells H miles south 30 feet.

 w _ 
176 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

WATER SUPPLIES OF OAKLAND COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

Oakland County, of which Pontiac is the county seat, is one of the 

most elevated counties in the southern end of the State, though its 

southeastern part is down on the lake plain. There is a range in 

altitude from 1,300 feet down to 630 feet. A strong interlobate 

morainic system with associated gravel plains occupies more than half 

the county, leading from the northeast to the southwest corner. Its 

average altitude is about 1,000 feet, and its highest points may 

reach 1,300 feet. Southeast of this interlobate tract are weaker 

moraines formed by the Huron-Erie ice lobe which trend northeast 

and southwest, parallel with the interlobate tract. About 120 square 

miles in the southeast corner falls within the lake plain. . This has 

an altitude of 800 feet at the northwest, but drops to 630 feet at the 

southeast corner. The northwestern part of the county is occupied 

by moraines formed by the Saginaw lobe, with their associated gravel 

plains and lines of border drainage. From the interlobate moraine 

there is drainage southeastward by Clinton River and its tributaries, 

southwestward by Rouge and Huron rivers, and northwestward 

through tributaries of Flint and Shiawassee rivers. In addition to 

the streams there are a large number of small lakes filling many of 

the basins in the interlobate tract.

Wells are usually obtained at moderate depths on the gravel 

plains, for these are generally but 20 to 30 feet above the lakes, which 

determine the depth to which the ground-water table sinks. Wells 

on the moraines vary greatly in distance to good water supplies, 

though on the most gravelly parts, as on the gravel plains, the water 

table is in harmony with the surface of the neighboring lakes. Where 

the moraines contain considerable till it is often necessary to reach 

levels lower than the lakes and streams before striking a good water 

bed. The lake plain is largely a stiff clay in which wells frequently go 

to depths of 75 to 150 feet. Moraines on the border of the lake plain 

contain a large amount of clay, and deep wells are numerous in them.

Flowing wells have been obtained in basins and valleys and 

recesses in the interlobate moraine in the northwestern part, and 

on the lake plain in the southeastern part of the county. Those in 

the northwestern part were examined by Mr. Davis, while those 

in the northeastern part received the attention both of the writer 

and of Mr. Udden.

Mr. Davis gave attention to village supplies at Oxford, Holly, 

and Ortonville. Data on other village supplies have been obtained 

by the writer in the course of mapping the glacial formations. 

Mr. Udden, however, gave attention to flowing wells that supply 

Rochester and Birmingham waterworks.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 177

The drift is so thick in Oakland County that but few wells have 

been carried to the rock. They are chiefly in the lower parts of the 

county at the northwest and southeast corners. Wells at Holly and 

Belford, and on farms near these villages get water in sandstone, 

which is struck at 160 to 200 feet. At the Holly waterworks, however, a boring penetrated 265 feet to rock and this was a shale. At 

Pontiac the drift is 320 feet, as shown by a test boring for oil and gas 

reported in Geology of Michigan, vol. 5. At Auburn rock is reached 

at 265 feet and at Royal Oak at 164 feet. A boring on the Cooper 

farm 1^ miles north of Birmingham struck rock at about 200 feet, 

and occasional wells in the lake plain have been carried to rock at 

depths of 72 to 150 feet or more. At Orion, in the northern part of 

the county, shale was struck at 165 feet, and sandstone yielding 

fresh water at 185 feet. The water in the rock is saline in the southeastern part of the county, but is comparatively fresh in the northwestern part.

The supplies of water in the drift are generally abundant and of 

better quality than in the rock, and hence there is no need for driving 

to the -rock. In the southeastern part of the county is a small tract 

in which the water in the drift is saline, as indicated in the discussion 

of the Troy flowing well district (pp. 191-192).

WATERWORKS.

PONTIAC.

Pontiac obtains its public supply from wells about 175 feet in 

depth terminating in gravel and having a head about level with the 

surface. The plant was built by the city in 1888 and water is 

pumped direct to the mains, the length of which is about 25 miles. 

The ordinary pressure is 45 pounds and fire pressure 100 pounds or 

more.

STATE ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE."

The State asylum for the insane, located at Pontiac, has a supply 

independent of the city system. It is obtained from a large excavated well 59 feet deep, in the bottom of which several wells (6-inch 

and 8-inch) have been bored to depths of 40 to 65 feet. The large

well penetrated:

Record of well at Pontiac asylum.

Thickness.

Feet. 

10

6.5

4.5

i

4,5

26

Total.

Feet. 

10

16.5

21

27

28

32.5

33

59

a Data furnished by Dr. E. A. Christian, medical superintendent.
178 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IT* SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Water was struck at this depth and the borings continued in waterbearing sand to the bottom. One boring found blue clay under the 

sand at a depth of 119 feet. The pressure is only sufficient to bring 

water to the bottom of the large well.

MILFORD.

The public supply at this village is from a system of shallow wells 

along the bank of Huron Kiver. The plant was installed in 1895 

and is operated in connection with an electric plant. The mains 

are about 5 miles in length, and direct pressure is used, the ordinary 

pressure being 55 pounds and the fire pressure 125 pounds.

The following is a partial analysis of the public supply at Milford, 

this being obtained from five connected wells. The data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analysis of well water at Milford.

Parts per million.

Color.................................................................... 10

Iron (Fe) ...................................................... Very slight trace.

Chlorine (Cl)............................................................ 23. 5

Carbon dioxide (CO2)...................................................... 91. 55

Sulphur trioxide (SO3) ................................................. .. 15

Hardness (as CaCO3) ..................................................... 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 40 feet.

OXFORD."

Oxford is on a broad gravel plain, running, at this point, approximately north and south between two well-marked morainiu ridges. 

This plain is apparently more closely related to the western ridge, 

from whose base it slopes gently, than it is to the eastern one. Its 

surface is relatively smooth, and to the east of the town has in it a 

shallow depression, on the edge of which, about 15 feet below the 

level of the town, the wells and pumping station of the public waterworks are located.

The water for these works comes from a group of five driven wells, 

6 inches in diameter, which are about 85 feet deep, being in gravel 

the entire distance. The water rises to within about 8 feet of the surface, and "under ordinary pumping is not materially lowered, but 

when the pumps are running under fire pressure, 650 gallons a minute, 

is lowered from 10 to 12 feet below this level, and there remains 

stationary.

The following partial analysis shows the composition of the public 

supply obtained from 5 wells at Oxford. It may be taken as a representative sample of the region immediately around Oxford. The 

data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

<* By Charles A. Da\ris.
OAKLAND CYUNTY.

Partial ema/ysi.s of u-ell water at Oxford.

179

Parts per million. 

Color............... ................................................. ........ 46

Iron (Fc) ............................. .................................. 2

Chlorine (Cl)........................ .................................... 11.6

Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) ..................................................... 95. 37

Sulphur trioxide (SO3) .................................................... 5

Hardness(As CaCO3 )..................................................... 139 -f

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 65 feet.

The sanitary conditions in Oxford are such that they deserve 

especial notice. The gravel plain upon which the town is located is 

made up of a coarse gravel without any general admixture or interbedding of clay, and hence is very porous, so that water from the 

surface penetrates it readily, and passes rapidly through it to the 

water table or ground-water level, which is reported to be 15 to 25 

feet below the surface, the differences in depth being due to variations 

in the ground surface level. As is usual in towns of the size of 

Oxford, the majority of people obtain water from private wells in the 

vicinity of their houses. These wells are from 18 or 20 to 30 feet deep, 

that is, just into the permanent ground water, from which a good 

supply is obtained.

FIG. 22. Conditions at Oxford Oakland County A, i. House well; 2, cesspool open below. 

B Waterworks pumping station; soil above ground-water level is coarse gtave\.

Under earlier conditions these wells furnished water free from probability of contamination, but since the comparatively recent installation of the public water service, a constantly increasing number of 

people have introduced water into their homes for use in bathrooms, 

etc. Since there is no sewer system to carry off the waste water, the 

method taken to get rid of this waste is to construct an open-bottomed 

cesspool near the house, several feet below the surface, wall up the 

sides and top and run all the sewage into this. The porous gravel of 

the bottom allows the water to filter out into the soil and find its way 

where it will (see figs. 22 and 23). The result is manifest; a welldefined short circuit is established from the house to the cesspool, 

thence to the well, and from the well back to the house again. In 

this case the only purification which the water gets is filtering through
180 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

a few feet of coarse gravel, which in course of time must become badly 

contaminated by the effete matter which it takes from the water, and

by the more deadly, if less disagreeable, germs of disease. 

No sewers have been

FIG. 23. Conditions at Oxford, Oakland County,

a, Well; 5, privy vault; c. cesspool open helow.

constructed, because, it is stated, 

there is no stream in the neighborhood which can be made the 

terminus of a sewer. However, 

the proper disposal of this waste 

is a matter within the grasp of a 

sanitary engineer, and should be 

arranged for at an early date.

T 1 . , .. In the meantime, several plans 

more rational and healthful than that in use suggest themselves, some 

of which follow :

(1) Dug wells and open wells of all sorts should be abandoned 

and filled up, as these are especially likely to become contaminated.

(2) If private wells are to be used at all they should be tubular and 

driven nearly to the bottom of the water gravel, instead of stopping 

just below the water table. This would insure the most thorough 

filtration possible, while the latter practice gives the best chances of 

possible contamination.

(3) Private wells might be abandoned entirely and only the public 

water supply used. The wells of the waterworks are deep and so far 

removed from the town that the danger of contamination in them is 

practically nothing.

(4) All cesspools and vaults should be required by law to be constructed water-tight, and regularly emptied under supervision of a 

public sanitary inspector, and the contents disposed of in such a way 

that the health of the community is not endangered thereby.

On the farm of Alfred Hagermann, on the southwest quarter of sec. 

23, Oxford Township, within a mile of the town, is a large spring. 

which is piped to the farm buildings and furnishes a good supply of 

excellent water. The overflow fills an inch pipe, and the supply is 

considered "as good as it was twenty years ago."

HOLLY. °

Holly is located on a sandy plain traversed by Shiawassee River 

with higher land near by on the east and south.

The public supply is taken from a group of nine or ten drilled wells, 

6 inches in diameter, ranging from 23 to 47 feet in depth, all flowing 

slightly above the surface of the marsh on the edge of which they are 

located.

o By Charles A. Davis.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 181

Below is a partial analysis of the public supply at Holly, furnished 

by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey. The 

water conies from two connected wells 23 and So feet deep, respectively.

Partial analysis of well waters at Holly.

Parts per million.

Color.................................................................. 42

Iron (Fe).............................................................. 2. 9

Chlorine (Cl)........................................................... 25.6

Carbon dioxide (CO2).................................................... 121.27

Sulphur trioxide (SO3 )................................................... 91

Hardness (as CaCO3) .................................................... 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst.

Owing to the incrustation of the points or strainers of the wells, 

or to the inflow of sand, several of the wells have become useless and 

others are failing, so that the supply is inadequate for the needs of the 

town. In addition to this the ground near the pumping station has 

become'impregnated with fuel oil, stored there at one time, and the 

water is contaminated by it.

To remedy this state of affairs new wells are being drilled on higher 

ground, and those completed were reported to be 140, 155, and 180 

feet deep, with fair supplies of good water. The water from the 140- 

foot and 180-foot wT ells is said to rise in the pipes so that it will flow at 

the marsh level.

A well over 670 feet deep has also been put down at the waterworks, but the water was slightly brackish and the hole was plugged 

and the casing drawn back to about ISO feet, where a good supply of 

water had been shut off in putting down the well. Shale was struck 

in this well at 265 feet.

The drift materials passed through are as follows:

Section of drift at Holly.

Feet. 

Sand and gravel............................................................. 140

day....................................................................... 10

Water, sand, and gravel...................................................... 30

Clay. ...................................................................... 85

The private wells in Holty are generally shallow, varying from 20 to 

60 feet in depth, with sufficient, supplies for domestic use.

The flowing wells at the waterworks are at the marsh level, below 

that usually selected for house building, but it seems probable that 

the borders of the marsh, or any part of it, would give flows. There 

is no chance of getting flowing wells from these strata on the levels 

usually occupied by dwelling sites.

Across the valley, opposite the pumping station of the waterworks, 

and a few feet higher, is a group of seepage springs, not flowing much 

now, but apparently capable of being cleaned out, and made more 

efficient.

IEK 182 06 13
182 WELLS AJSTD WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

BIRMINGHAM. a

The Birmingham waterworks plant, is in the valley of River Rouge, 

in the western part of the village. It embraces five flowing wells, 

each 4 inches in diameter, which yield about 40,000 gallons a day. 

The water discharges into a reservoir, from which it is pumped direct 

to the mains. The capacity of the reservoir is about 22,000 gallons. 

The works were put in operation September 1, 1890, and there are at 

present about 5 miles of mains and 45 hydrants, supplying the principal streets with fire protection and nearly all the residents with 

water for domestic use. The water, though rather hard, is used to 

some extent in boilers. There is sufficient iron to give a brown color 

to the boiler scale.

Field analysis of Binningham water supply.

Parts per million.

Hardness................................................................ 200

Alkalinity............................................................... 273

Chlorine................................................................. 38. 94

Jon A. Udden, analyst.

ROCHESTER. a

The village of Rochester obtains its water supply from flowing 

wells located on a branch of Paint Creek in the high moraine in the 

SE. 1 NE. J sec. 4, Avon Township, Oakland County.

The supply is obtained from five 4-inch wells having an altitude of 

about 875 and a water level of 888 feet above tide. They range in 

depth from 60 to 80 feet, and have a flow of about 600,000 gallons 

a day, or a flow for each well of about 83J gallons a minute. The 

wells flow directly into a reservoir, which has a capacity of 125,000 

gallons, from which the water is distributed to the village, which has 

an elevation of about 750 feet above tide. The water thus has an 

average pressure of about 60 pounds throughout the village. The 

plant was built in 1895, at a cost of $25,000, and at present has about 

345 taps, 45 hydrants, and a total of 5^ miles of water main. It is 

used for domestic, manufacturing, fire, and sprinkling purposes.

The water is harder and more highly mineralized than that of Paint 

Creek, as shown in the analysis on the next page.

a By Jon A. Udden.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 183

Analysis of water at Rochester.a

[Parts per million.]

Village 

water.

Paint 

Creek.

Carbonite radicle (CO3 ) 

Chlorine (CD...........

Sodium (Na)..........

Oxygen consumed.....

114.110

11.340

7.370

7.142

200.010

29.998

169.991

40.040

59.960

7.100

4.610

29.898

a Expressed liy analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic, form at United States 

Geological Survey.

R. C. Kedzie, analyst, January 12, 1899.

The small amount of salt and solids in Paint Creek water renders it 

superior for boiler use to the village supply, and perhaps more suitable for drinking, though in greater danger of pollution.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

Village supplies in Oakland County.

Town.

Birmingham... .

Clyde ...........

Davislmrg. ..... 

Drayton Plains. 

Parmington ....

Leonard ........

Oxford.........

Rochester. .....

Royal Oak... ..

South Lyon. . . .

Population.

1,170 

3(50

530

1,108

1,172 

1, 535

408

057

Elevation.

Feet. 

780

1,000 

f 1,025 

\ 1,050 

| 950 

\ 1,025 

965 

/ 700 

I 780 

800 

f 1,000 

1 1,025 

f 920 

1 1,000 

930 

\ 900

I 925 

937

1,060 

750

988 

660 

C7S 

940 

1,100 

745 

940

931

Source.

(Shallow wells in vil- 

< lage, deeper flowing 

[ wells in valley.

[ Driven or bored wells. .

[ Driven wells. .......... 

Open and driven wells. 

[ Driven and bored wells 

Driven wells.. ...... ..

}... .do. ................ 

|....do.................

.....do.................

|....do............... .

Lake and driven wells. 

Driven wells. ........

Driven wells aside 

from waterworks.

.....do.................

Driven well and stream 

Driven and bored wells

Open and driven wells. 

Open and driven wells 

and lake. 

Open and driven wells.

Depth of wells.

From To 

Feet.

\ »

20

25 

14 

15 

15

35 

16

20 

35

25

15 

10 

12 

20

75

25 

10

20 

20

Feet. 

90

50

130 

40 

50 

90

50

115

40 

120

277

30 

20 

140 

50

100 

117

50 

30

Common.

Feet. 

75

35 

40

20 

30 

30 

30

50 

50 

30 

20 

60 

25

30 

20 

40 

25 

75 

40 

40

20

25

Depth

to 

water 

bed.

jFeet. 

75

35 

40

30 

25 

30

50 

50 

30

25 

f 60 

X 120

26 

20 

40 

25 

75 

100 

40

50 

25

Head.

Feet.

f -10

\ +14

-12 

-20 

-10

-10 

-20 

-10

}......

-50 

-15 

-30

-10

Springs.

[Medium.

Small. 

Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Large. 

Small.

Do. 

Large.

Small. 

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.
184 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

FLOWING WELLS.

ORTONVILLE DISTRICT."

Ortonyille is situated in Brandoii Township (T. 5 N., R. 9 E.) in a 

deep valley, the sandy bottom of which now forms the terraces of a 

small stream flowing through it. The valley is somewhat less than 

a mile wide at this point and runs nearly north. Its slopes are 

generally springy, where the overlying gravelly till rests upon a 

deposit of much more compact, darker material, which suggests by 

its character the pre-Wisconsin drift. This springy zone is generally 

-swampy, and there are several interesting springs of considerable 

capacity running from it and forming roadside rills. (See fig. 24.)

Ortonville is perhaps better supplied with flowing wells than any 

town of its size in the area visited by the writer, nearby every house 

having one (see fig. 25). The water seems to come from a single 

stratum of very fine sand or silt, mixed, in places, with gravel. This

FIG. 24. Diagram across valley at Ortonville, Oakland County; vertical scale greatly exaggerated.

has a cap of from 15 to 30 feet or more of tough blue clay, without 

pebbles, on top of which is a layer of sand and gravel from 15 to 35 

feet deep. The sandy water bed is about 65 feet below the surface 

on the higher part of the district in which flows occur, and is nearer 

the surface in the vicinity of the stream. The first flow was obtained 

about 20 years ago, at the mill in the valley. The usual method is 

to case the wells down into the clay, then bore down to the water, 

after which the water runs through the clay. The largest flows and 

strongest heads are found in the stream valley, that of J. H. Mann 

(No. 1 on fig. 25) being located very near the bank of the stream. 

A number of the stronger flows were said to have brought up large 

quantities of sand when first put down, that of Milo Giles, at the 

blacksmith shop, pouring it out by wagon loads for the first three 

months after it was put down. Several people also reported that 

just before storms their wells flowed more freely, and the water 

became roily. This is not unusual in flowing wells, and is due to

a By Charles A. Davis.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 185

FIG. 25. Plat of Ortonville, Oakland County, showing location of flowing wells. 

List of owners.

1. Mann's slaughterhouse.

2. Mann's house.

3. Srotts.

4. J. Evarts.

.">. Alonzo Flakier.

G. Fred Bennett.

7. Conrad Saveiier.

8. Richard Randall.

9. John Markham.

13. Robert Hewett.

11. Nathan Patten.

12. W. F. Binprham.

13. Wm. Patterson.

14. Benj. Brosieus.

15. Mrs. Quick.

16. Herman Prof rock.

17. Ohas. Profrock.

18. Alex. Guiles.

19. Wm. Addis.

20. Archie Zimmermann.

21. Mrs. Knders

£2. ("has. Stevens.

23. Win. Patterson.

21. M. E. parsonage. 

25. Wm. ISrosieus.

26. Chester D. Berry.

27. Dr. Guiles.

28. Alex. Stollicar.

29. John Liudsay.

30. Frank Collins.

31. Daver Van Tyne.

32. J. Keller.

33. Lewis Savner.

31. Frank Cliff.

35. Ed Sawner.

36. Louis Givens.

37. Vin. Richmond.

38. George Eaton.

39. Wm. Rathbone.

40. John Skinner (store

41. Walter Clark.

42. Town well.

43. Frank Frick.

44. William Case.

45. i

46. - Alex. Stollicer.

47. i

48. Nath. Auten.

5JJ- | Dr. Atcherson.

Bert Smith.

Hummer & Jone . Alonzo Mills.

Schoolhouse. 

Mrs. Saviiess.

W. J. Ball.

James Lane.

Mrs. C. S. Rodenbaugh.

Daniel Wells.

Lovin Torrence.

Mill.

Mrs. C. S. Stew art.

J. J. Evests.

R. Skinner.

Baptist parsonage.

J. J. Evarts.

Dr. Uloth.

Mrs. Alger.

Baptist parsonage.

H. R. Jones.

Mrs. Mills.

G. Terry.

N. Welch.

L. Purrett.

75. D. Irish.

76. Frick estate.

77. Frank Miller.

£!' [ Len. Guiles.

8fl! Robt. Skinner.

81. Fred. Wilders.

82. A. Sands

83. Thus. Tucker.

81. Milo Giles blacksmith

shop.

8(i. Wm. Fetters.

88. Win. Neally.

87. Mrs. Sands.

88. Westcott.

89. Scott.

90. Geo. Norrin.

91. H. Prof rock.

93. H. Frick.

93. Mrs Evarts.

84. Jas. Arnold.

95. Milo Giles.

96. Chas. Kier.

97. Unknown near 29.
186 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

lessened atmospheric pressure at such times. The wells at the 

higher levels of the town are affected by dry weather and some 

nearly cease flowing in a prolonged drought. This might be in some 

measure prevented by shutting down some of the large flows in the 

lowest places, where there is an enormous waste of water, which 

tends to lower the head of the entire area.

The catchment area might easily be the sides of the valley, especially if the clay capping of the sandy water bed is thin or wanting 

near the sides, as is possible, or it might be the bottom of the valley 

itself up the stream, since the head or elevation to which the water 

rises in the town is only about 15 feet above the stream, and above 

this level there are no flowing wells.

The following proximate quantitative analysis of the water at the 

well at Mann's slaughterhouse (No. 1 on fig. 25) shows that the water 

is not excessively charged with mineral matter, but is of good quality, 

and while hard is no more so than is usual for waters from the glacial 

deposits.

Quantitative analysis of well at slaughterhouse (No. 1), Ortonville.a

Parts per million. 

Calcium (Ca)............................................................. 104. 51

Carbonate radicle (CO3).................................................... 156. 49

Iron (Fe)................................................................ 2. 25

Sulphate radicle (SO4 ) .... &.............................................. Trace.

Chlorine (Cl). ......... ..^................................................. 3. 75

It is probable that the entire flow of the area is above 100 gallons a 

minute or about 150,000 gallons a day, enough for a much larger 

town. The plat of the village (fig. 25) shows the location of the wells 

and their relation to the stream, while in the table are to be found 

statistics of the more interesting wells.

» Expressed by analyst in hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic form at United States 

Geological Survey.
OAKLAND COUNTY.

Representative wells at Ortonville.

187

No. 

on 

fig25.

1

?

3

4

 >1

W

30

31

37

54

fiO

fi?

m

80

81

84

Owner.

G. II. Marna....

.....do..........

Stephen Seott . .

John Lindsay . .

D. Van Tyne..

Lorin Torrence

Mrs. C. S. Stewart. 

Will L. Giles....

R. Skinner......

F. Wilders......

Milo Giles......

Diameter.

Inches. 

2

9

2

9

9

2

2

9

2

9

9

9

9

Depth.

Feet. 

35

40

40

05

50?

65

50

40

53

45

48

<>5

50

50

05

Cost.

9Q

15

15

Head.

+ 20

4- 0

+ 2

4- 3

+ ^

, 9

+ ^

+ 4

4- 4

+ 4

+ 3.5

Temperature.

°F. 

50.3

50.7

50.2

51

50

51

53

53

52.1

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

8

8

1

1

1

Quality.

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

.....do......

Remarks.

struction.

feet; clay 23 feet.

load ot sand for 3 

months.

m 1889.

load ot sand a day 

for 3 days.

On the farm of Mrs. Loesch, in sec. 29, Brandon Township, 3 miles 

south of Ortonville, is a flowing well about 50 feet deep, with a head 

18 feet above the surface. It is in a sag near a lake, and was reported 

to give a very strong flow. This well was not visited by the writer, 

but was reported by the driller, R. E. Cassidy, who also stated that 

the water rises about to the surface in dug wells to the south of Ortonville on some farms.

GROVELAND TOWNSHIP."

This area consists of a group of three wells, in T. 5 N., R. 8 E., 

about 5 miles west from Ortonville, one of which (the Thayer well) 

is from the rock.

There is probably no communication between these wells, although 

evidently one of the strata passed through in the well of Mr. Thayer 

is the same as that which furnished Mr. Coventry's supply. The 

flow at James Algoe's is an especially fine one, and gives a great 

quantity of pure water.

The catchment area is probably in the higher land in the vicinity 

of the wells, and it seems likely that wells put down in other low 

places in the neighborhood would also yield flows.

a By Charles A. Davis.
188 WELLS ANT> WATEK SUPPLIES ITST SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Wells of Groveland, Township (T. 5N.,E.8 E.\ Oakland County. .

Section.

4

3

Owner.

F. W. Thayera.

When 

made.

1899

1899

Diameter.

Inches.

2

9

3

Depth.

Feet.

175

f 60

Head.

Feet.

+2.5

\J-"i OT

+ 10

per minute.

Galls.

2.5

4

Temperature.

°F.

50.5

Quality.

Medium

hard.

Hard .....

.. ..do....

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet.

11)9

Water bed.

Shelly sandstone.

sand.

a Water at 40 and 60 feet; nearly flowed at 80 feet; flows from 120 feet.

b Said to flow 5501 larrels per day. The flow is divided and is piped across the road to the house, where 

it runs J-inch pipe full. The well is 8 to 10 feet above the bed of the stream.

BIG MEADOWS AREA."

Five miles west of Oxford, in the bottom of a wide valley running 

from northwest to southeast,- is a large area of marsh land, now in 

part drained and cleared, used for pasture and in some cases for 

crops. The surface is nearly level, only slight depressions being 

observed. This is a flowing well area, but is only slightly developed, 

and but for its possibilities would need no further mention. If, however, the marsh is more fully drained, as it will be sometime, it is a 

matter of importance to note that practically over its entire surface 

at depths from 50 to 70 feet flowing water can be found. It was 

reported that in a number of places wells had been driven to get water 

for stock in the pastures, but only two were found by the waiter. 

These were flowing up through the bottoms of watering troughs in 

such a way that no accurate estimate of the flowr could be made, but 

the quantity was probably from 2 to 4 gallons per minute, with a 

temperature of 51° F. The flows are said to cease after a time, but 

usually because the pipes become clogged from above. The water 

just reaches the surface of the general level. The wells observed 

were on the south side of sec. 24, Brandon Township, near the road, 

at an elevation of 1,068 feet. On the north side of the valley and 

marsh, one well was seen which had a head of about 2 feet and a flow 

of about 3 gallons per minute, but 110 other information wr as obtained 

regarding it. This area is capable of much greater development.

TROY DISTRICT. 6

Extent. One of the largest flowing well districts in the southeastern part of the Southern Peninsula of Michigan is known as the 

Troy district, from Troy Township in eastern Oakland County, in 

which many of the wells are located. The district, however, extends 

eastward slightly beyond the Oakland-Macomb county line into Sterling Township, Macomb County, and has also a southwestward extension across the northwestern part of Royal Oak into Southfield

a By Charles A. Davis. b By Frank Leverett and Jon A. Udden.
U. 8. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER NO. 182 PL. V

>MOR"AIN iv;' 12

Ml OR A IN &

- ^ -^ Limits of-the Troy 

~~ flowing-well district

MAP OF TROY FLOWING-WELL DISTRICT, OAKLAND COUNTY, SHOWING TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THAT AND BORDERING DISTRICTS.

OAKLAND COUNTY. 189

Township, and thence northward into Bloomfield Township, past the 

village of Birmingham. Around the main district are small groups 

of flowing wells or isolated flows whose relations to the main district 

are not yet determined. PI. V shows the extent of this flowing well 

district and of the smaller districts near it in Troy, Bloomfield, Southfield, and Farmington townships, which may in some cases prove to 

be in the same pool or district. The relation of these well districts 

to the shores of the glacial lakes, to moraines, and to other features of 

topography or drainage are also presented. The Troy district covers 

about 20 square miles and as at present developed has not far from 

150 flowing wells in operation.

The portion in Tro}T and Royal Oak townships is nearly shut off 

from that in Southfield and Brookfield townships by a low, smooth 

clay ridge (a waterlaid moraine) imining southward through the 

eastern edge of Southfield Township. Flowing wells have been 

obtained, however, on this low ridge in sees. 1 and 12, Southfield 

Township, and thus connect the fields on either side of the ridge. 

The ridge becomes so prominent farther north in Bloomfield and 

Troy townships that flowing wells can not be obtained 011 it.

The small districts near the Troy district, as suggested above, may 

in some cases, if not in all, be closely related to it and isolated only 

because tests hare not been sufficient to establish a closer relation. 

Thus the wells in sees. 27, 33, and 34, Avon Township, which have a 

similar topographic situation in reference to the moraine west of them 

to that of the wells in Troy Township, may, when borings become 

more numerous, prove to be a part of the Troy field." The isolated 

group of wells in the northwestern part of Troy Township is separated 

from the part of the Troy district to the southeast by a morainic ridge 

too high to permit flows to be obtained, but there is a possible extension down the valley of River Rouge to the flowing \vells at Birmingham. The group of wells in sec. 34, Bloomfield, are likely to belong 

with those to the east, but the interval of a mile in which no flows 

have been obtained leaves the question open. The flowing wells to 

the southwest in sees. 8 and 18, Southfield, and sees. 13 and 23, Farmiiigton, are not only separated by an interval of considerable width 

from those in the Troy field, but two unsuccessful borings by Mr. 

Tibbetts in sec. 18, Bloomfield, were carried into the rock and throw 

doubt 011 the extension of flowing wells across the interval between 

the wells in Farmington and those in western Southfield township. 

There may, however, be only a local pinching out of the water bed 

at the place where the Tibbetts tests were made. Complete continuity of water beds is hardly to be expected throughout an artesianwell area drawing from the drift deposits, as is the case in the Troy 

district. Water beds with strong hydrostatic pressure are so generally distributed through the middle and lower parts of the drift
190 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

deposits of this region that it is, on the whole, a more surprising feature than the occasional failure to strike a good 

supply or a supply with sufficient head to flow. 

Head. The cross section (fig. 26) is drawn 

from west to east across the best developed portion of the Troy field. It takes the direction of 

the most rapid slope, which is about at a right 

angle with the trend of the moraines. It serves 

to show how rapidly the head falls in passingsoutheastward, there being a decrease of fully 

100 feet in the 3J miles from Troy to the eastern 

border of the district, or nearly 30 feet to the 

mile.

There are only a few wells in which the head 

\ is more than 20 feet, and it probably averages 

5 less than 10 feet throughout the district. The 

I head given in the table is, in most cases, simply 

I the height above the surface at which water is 

r escaping from the pipe, for means were not at 

\ hand for testing the full head at the time the 

\ other observations were made. 

J- The catchment area for the wells is likely to 

3 embrace a wide extent of high country to the 

I northwest and not merely the nearest morainic 

1 ridge. The ridge which lies east of River Rouge 

3 may, however, have a water table high enough 

5 to produce greater head in the flowing wells 

\ east of it than they would have if this ridge were 

I absent and a plain extended from the flowing 

' wells to the ridge west of River Rouge. The 

> high altitude of the water table in this eastern 

I ridge may also give the wells south of Birmingham head enough to flow, for it will be observed 

that the wells there have somewhat greater head 

than the wells both to the west and east. The 

portion of the ridge south from Birmingham appears to have been formed between the Erie and 

Huron ice lobes (the Erie lobe on its west and 

the Huron on its east side). The ridge may, therefore, contain beds which dip to the west as well as 

to the east, and distribute the water which it 

collects in both directions. The underground 

water would, perhaps, run westward from it as 

S. § S I £ 2 S far as the surface water does; or to the valley of 

River Rouge. West from that stream the underground drainage, like the surface drainage, is probably southeastward.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 191

Structure of drift. The well owners and the drillers state that 

the drift is composed very largely of blue clay, which is ordinarily 

soft or easily penetrated by the drill to a depth of 75 to 130 feet or 

more. At the base of this clay is a thin crust, usually only 1 to 2 

feet thick, overlying the water bed and probably due in some way to 

the action of the water. The character of the water bed is set forth 

in the tables below. In most cases wells only reach the top of the 

bed and do not determine its thickness.

Development. The Troy field will admit of many more wells without serious interference, if properly distributed and controlled. There 

are, however, a few cases of the lowering of head and decrease in flow 

of wells as a result of putting in additional wells. The well of Mrs. 

Ellinwood, in sec. 20, Troy Township, is thought to have thus affected 

six other wells in sees. 28 and 29, for their flow seems to be weaker 

when this well is flowing full strength than when it is shut off. The 

well of W. Erity, in River Rouge Valley, in sec. 2, Southfield, when 

allowed to flow to its full capacity, seriously affects the flow of the wells 

along the bluff of the river in that vicinity and was only checked 

after sr.it was brought against the owner. Some wells appear not to 

have returned to their original strength now that the flow of this well 

has been lessened. This shows the great need of putting strong wells 

under control as soon as made.

Aside from the Birmingham public supply, the principal uses made 

of the flowing wells are the application to the needs of house and stock 

and dairies. The water holds a temperature of about 50° F. through 

the summer and serves admirably as a cooler for milk and other dairy 

products.

Quality. The principal variation in quality is that of saltness, 

the eastern portion of the field being characterized by salty water 

in many of the wells, while the western has in all cases comparatively fresh water. The line at which the change occurs runs about 

north and south not far from the electric road from Troy to Royal 

Oak. The saltness of the water in the eastern part of the district 

seems likely to be due to the escape of salt water into the drift from 

the underlying rock formations. A well in sec. 23, Troy Township, 

strikes salty water in sandstone at about 100 feet from the surface. 

Other wells near by go to greater depths without striking rock, but 

they may have struck into valleys in the rock filled with sand that 

receives the salt water from the rock. In one place a salt spring is 

reported to gush up to the surface, but was not visited, as it is in 

the midst of a marsh. Mr. Lewis has made analyses of one well in 

the salt-water and one in the fresh-water area. The amount of the 

salt in the former (the Lamb well) is more than 10 times as great 

as in the latter (the Buttolph well), which is considered fresh, though
192 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IK SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

it has more salt than is usually found in flowing wells from the glacial 

deposits. The following are the two analyses:

Partial analyses of well waters in Troy district, Oakland County. 

[Parts per million.]

Color..............................................................................

Iron (Fe) ..........................................................................

193

9

039

101.97

0

2.

96

2.5

" 2,829

97.48

10

S. J. Lewis, an£>Jyst. 1. J. Buttolph, sec. 22; depth 90 fpet; called fresh water. 2. Cyrus Lamb, 

sec. 23; depth 122 feet: salt water; Udden reports depth 87 feet.

Wells. The following tabulated data on flowing wells were collected by Mr. Udden; they embrace also wells in isolated districts:

Wells in Troy Jlowmg-well district. 

STERLING TOWNSHIP (T. 2 N., R. 12 E.).

Quarter.

NW. 

NW. 

NW. 

NW.

40.

NE.

NW.

SW.

SW.

Owner.

Chas. Hawker. .

Eli Renshaw

Utica Village

.....do. .........

=3 

&

S

^

c

"§

1

Ft.

640

640

616

616

c

g

03

5

^

2.5

^"&

fl

Ft.

95

"158"

Water 

bed.

Gravel..

....do.. .

03

H

Ft.

+ 1.5

+ 1

+ 12

+ 12

i

03 

Pi

S

&

°F.

49

49

S

ftf

1

S

Galls.

0.75

1.25

Quality.

Hard; sait.

Do.

TROY TOWNSHIP.

1 

1

4

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

12 

12 

12 

12 

13 

13 

14 

14 

14 

14

14

15 

15 

15 

15 

15 

15 

16 

16 

16 

16 

16

SE. 

SE. 

SE.

NE. 

NE. 

SW. 

SE. 

NE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SW. 

NW. 

SE. 

NW. 

NW. 

SW.

sw.

NW. 

NE.

SW.

NW. 

NW. 

NW. 

NW. 

NE. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

NE. 

NW.

NE. 

SW.

SE.

NE.

NW. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SW. 

NE. 

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

NW. 

SW. 

NE.

NE.

NW. 

SW.

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

SE. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

NW.

Lakey & Phillips.

Mrs. P. Brandt.

Geo. A. Clarke.. ...... 

(?) ......

S. r. Hill.......

John Harty. . . .

0. Gratopp.. ... 

R. A. Lamb. . . . W. Schneider. ..

C. Sullivan .....

F. Belty........

J. Dennison. . . . 

J. Buttolph. .. .

(?)

1902 

1897 

1903

"1878"

1897 

......

± 665 

±665 

±750

750 

765 

716 

670 

680 

±650 

±650 

660 

665 

650 

650 

670 

670 

670 

670 

665

680 

690 

706 

690 

706 

670 

740 

690 

690

705 

760

2.5 

2.5 

2

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2\ 5 

2.5 

2.5 

2 5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2. 5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

3

89 

92 

116

98

86

85 

85

95

85 

80 

85 

90

130 

135

84 

85 

95 

95

82

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do.. .

....do... 

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do... 

....do...

-------I

Gravel . . 

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do.. .

Sand....

Gravel..

+ 2 

+ 2

"T~ -J

+ 2 

+ 15 

+ 2 

+ 4 

+ 3 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 15 

+ 18 

+ lr» 

+ 15 

+ 2 

+ 7 

+ 3

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 16 

+ 2 

+ 2

48.5 

49 

49

48 

48 

49 

49 

48.5 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

48.5 

48.5

J49

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49

1 

1 

3.5

1

4

1

9

1.5 

1 

.75 

1.5 

1 

1 

1 

2

9

2 

2.5 

1

2 

1 

4 

2

3

o

2 

7 

2 

12

Hard; salt. 

Do. 

Hard; iron.

Hard. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Salt; hard. 

Hard. 

Salt; hard. 

Do. 

Hard; salt. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Hard. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard; iron. 

Do.

a- Blue clay 26 feet, hard pan 2 feet, gravel 2 feet. 

&.Blue clay 75 feet, hardpan 5 feet, gravel 5 feet.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 193

Wells in Troy flowing-well district Continued. 

TROY TOWNSHIP Continued.

a

_0

4J 

1

17 

17 

20 

20 

20 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

24 

21 

21 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

22 

23 

23 

23 

24 

26 

27 

28 

28 

28 

28 

28 

29 

29 

29 

29 

29 

2^ 

29 

30 

31 

32 

32

35

7 

7 

8 

33 

28 

20 

20 

3

Quarter.

NE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

NE. 

SW. 

NW 

NW. 

NW. 

NE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

SW. 

NW. 

NW. 

NW. 

SW. 

NE. 

NE. 

NW. 

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

SW. 

NW. 

SW. 

NW. 

NW. 

NE. 

NW. 

SW. 

SK. 

SE. 

NE. 

NE. 

NE. 

SW. 

NE. 

NE. 

SW. 

NW. 

NE.

NE.

NE. 

NE. 

NW.

40.

SE. 

NE. 

SE. 

SW. 

SE. 

NW. 

SW. 

NW. 

NE. 

SE. 

NE. 

SE. 

SW. 

SE. 

NW. 

NW. 

SW. 

SW. 

NE. 

NW. 

NW. 

NE. 

NE. 

NW. 

SE. 

NE. 

NW. 

SW. 

NW. 

NE. 

NE. 

SE. 

SW. 

SE. 

SE. 

SE. 

NW. 

NW. 

SE. 

NE. 

NW. 

SW. 

NE.

NW.

NE. 

SE. 

NE.

........

Owner.

S. Butler.......

Schoolhouse. . .. 

Mrs. Ellinwood. 

C. Ford....... .

W. Trumhullo..

F. Ford........

W. Truesdell. . . . 

Hill & Beeker. . .

E. J. Loekft....

John Buttolph. .

Fred Parks.....

Chas. Sturgeon. 

Chas. Smith ....

Geo. Lamb « ....

H.Hildebrand..

A. Gibbs.......

Jas. Phillips.. .. 

Miles Dewey /. . . 

Tom. Povd.....

A. U. Todd.....

.....do. .........

TT. Forks.......

W Brooks

M. Grove? g ..... 

P. Lambert. .... 

M. Addison. ....

A. Davidson.. . . 

Ezra Bailey ft. . .

F.D. Cutting... 

W. M. Hall..... ......

When made.

1887 

1902

1874 

1881

1898

1893

1900

1904

1889

1893

1900

1904 

1S92 

1886

1S90

1903

W. Ferkins..... ...... 

J. H. Jackson. . . ......

Chas. Leonard j.

Elevation.

Ft.

700 

760 

730 

740 

740 

725

730 

740

725 

690 

690 

680 

700 

710 

680 

680 

680 

675 

670 

670 

670 

665 

650 

050

645 

670 

700 

710 

715 

680 

700

740

710 

720

74<! 

750

735 

740 

700

645

790

785 

785 

690

690 

(?) 

(?) 

710

Diameter.

In.

2.5 

2.5 

4 

2.5 

2.5 

9 5

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

9. 5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2. 5 

2.5 

2.5 

2 

2.5 

2

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

9. 5

2.5 

2.5 

2.5

2 5

9. 5

?. 5

2 5 

9. 5

2.5

4 

3

2.5 

2! 5

0 T

2.5 

2.5

2.5 

2.5

a

ft <p

P 

Ft.

110 

125 

112 

117 

112

110 

110 

115 

130

110

138 

138 

90 

92 

130 

130 

130 

88 

SO 

87 

115

"ios"

112

no

115

130%116

220 

175 

108

170

90 

95 

50

117

115 

105 

118 

116

Water 

bed.

Gravel. . 

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do...

....do... 

....do... 

....do...

Sand. . . . 

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do... 

....do...

....do... 

Sand. . . . 

....do...

Gravel.. 

.. do... 

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do... 

....do... 

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do...

... do...

Gravel..

Gravel..

.. .do...

....do...

....do...

....do... 

....do. J

....do... 

....do... 

....do... 

....do...

....do... 

....do... 

....do...

....do...

 d

03o>

a

Ft.

+ 2 

+ 10 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 8 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+25 

+ 7 

+30 

+ 10 

+ 10 

+ 3 

+ 2 

+25 

+ 10 

+ 2 

+ 3 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 5 

+ 1 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 15 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 1 

+ 2 

+ 10 

+ 24 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 17 

+ 2 

+ 2 

+ 10 

+ 3 

+ 3 

+ 2 

+ 4 

+ (?)

+ (?) 

- 1

 9

Temperature.

°F.

49 

49 

49 

48.5 

49 

49 

49 

49 

48.5 

49 

48.5 

49 

4J 

49 

49 

48.5 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

48 

49 

4.8.5 

48 

49 

49 

4J 

48.5 

49 

49 

48 

IN 5 -'9 

49 

49 

48 

49 

49 

4S.5

J49

49 

49 

49

Flow min-per 

ute.

OaUs.

.5 

3 

1 

2 

1.5 

1 

2 

2 

4 

2 

5 

2 

2 

2 

2 

4 

.5 

.5 

.5 

.75 

1.5 

.5 

1 

2 

.25 

3 

2 

3 

3 

1.5 

2 

1

*,. O

5 

4 

2 

1 

1 

2 

10 

5 

3

2

2

3

Quality.

Hard; iron. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard. 

Do. 

Hard; iron. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard; salt. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard; iron. 

Hard: salt. 

Hard. 

Do. 

Do. 

Hard; salt. 

Hard; iron. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Hard. 

Hard; iron. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

(Salt; hard; 

I iron. 

Hard; iron. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

a Blue clay 107 feet, hardpan 2 feet, gravel 4 feet.

& Blue clay 100 feot, quicksand 10 feet.

oBlue clay 135 feet, hardpan 2 feet, gravel 3 feet.

d Blue clay 130 feet, hardpan 3 feet, gravel 7 feet.

f Sandstone 97 to 115 feet.

/Blue clay 108 feet, hardpan 1 foot, gravel 3 feet.

g Sand 3 feet, pebbly yellow clay 17 feet, pebbly blue clay 97 feet, hardpan 10 feet, cemented gravel 57 

feet, clay 30 feet, gravel 6 feet.

ft Blue clay 85 feet, gravel 5 feet.

t'Blue clay 116 feet, hardpan 1 foot, gravel 1 foot.

/ Gravel and clay 13 foet, pebbly blue clay 37 feot, soft blue clay 50 feet, hardpan 7 feet, gravel 1 foot 

hardpan 7 feet, gravel.
194 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Wells in Troy flowing-well district Continued. 

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.

Quarter.

SW.

SW. s\v

NW.

NE.

NW.

NW.

40.

NE.

SW.

SE.

SW.

NW.

NE.

Owner.

$

hen ma

*

Detroit United ; 1898

Railway.

FrankGraglina.

McClellan & Satterlee. d

man.

E. T. Brooks e. .

M. M, Fisher/ ..

waterworks (5

wells) .g

1889

evation

P3

Ft.

745

7i>8

738

740

733

733

±760

+ 770

733

iameter

ft

In.

2.5

2.5 ", 5

?, 5

2.5

O fj

4

J3

ft

o

ft

Ft.

106

40

40

44

38

38

45

Water 

bed.

Sand. . . .

Gravel..

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

Gravel..

 d

03

01 W

Ft.

+ 3

+ 2

+ 2

+ 2

+ 3

+ 2

+ 3

+ 2

+ 14

emperal

H

°F.

50

50

50

50

51

50

49

49

49

a

g

No

PR

Gall*.

2.5

9

9

2

2

9

4

1

5.20

Q

H£

Quality.

irrt.

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

ROYAL OAK TOWNSHIP (T. 1 N., R. 11 E.).

SW.

SW.

NW.

SW.

SW. 

NW.

NW.

SW.

NE.

NE. 

NW.

W. Hunt A......

.....do'......---

1893

1896

745

730

745

740

740 

730

2.5

2.5

187

165

126

....do...

....do...

....do...

+ 3

+ 6

+ 2

49

49

48

49

49

2.5

2.5

2.5

3

Hard.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

SOUTHFIELD TOWNSHIP (T. 1 N., R. 10 E.).

1

O

O

9

0

9

3

11 

11

123

18

8

NW.

NW.

NW.

sw.

NW.

NW.

NE.

NE.

SE.

NE.

NE.

SE.

SE.

NW.

SE.

NW.

NE. 

NE.

NE.

SE.

SE.

SW.

NE.

NW.

SE.

SE.

SE.

SE. 

SE.

SW.

NW.

SW.

NE. 

NE.

NE.

SW.

NE. 

NW.

NW.

SW.

W. Eritv.......

house. 

J. Heth ;........

Mrs. McKenney.

W. Master...... 

.....do.....-.-..

F. Young k .....

J. D. Evans.. . .

A. C. Blumberg.

J. Miller/.......

1889

1895

1904

1904

1884

1885 

1887

1892

1X90

1894

750

700

720

740

730

730

745

745

720

720

"no"

720

740

740 

715

730

710

o 5

?,.5

6

2.5

?, 5

1.5

2.5

">, a

2.5 

2.5

2.5

9

3.5

100

53

85

140

78

95

97

114

130

85

149

on

142 

142

183 

140

90

140

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

Gravel.. 

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do...

....do... 

....do...

....do... 

....do...

....do...

....do... 

....do...

....do...

....do...

+ 2

+ 20

+ 11

+ 20

+ 12

+ 3 

+ 3

+ 4

+ 15

+ 25

+ 22 

24

+ 2 

+ 2

+ 3

+ 20

53

48

49

50

48.5

49

49 

49

49

48

48

49

5

15

4

10

10

3

3

3

12

4 

3

4

4

Hard.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.

13 

13 

23

NW. 

SW. 

NE.

NW. 

NW.

NE.

A. B. Coleman.. 

.....do. .........

H. Rockwell....

1904

1874

785 

740 

740

|

2 30 + 1

53 

53 

53

i.

a Blue clay 38 feet, gravel 2 feet.

6 Blue clay 40 feet, gravel 8 leet.

« Blue clay 40 feet, gravel 4 feet.

d Blue clay 36 ieet, gravel 2 feet.

e Has 4 other flows.

/Has 3 other flows.

9 Five flows; head+14 feet (or to 747 feet above tide). Yield 750,000 gallons daily.

'* Blue clay 155 feet, hardpan 4 feet, gravel 6 feet.

* Blue clay 115 ieet, hardpan 4 feet, gravel ti feet.

i Blue clay 138 feet, gravel 2 feet, a small flow at 113 feet, about J gallon.

* Clay pretty soft 138 teet, hardpan 4 feet, gravel 18 feet.

l Sana and gravel 5 feat, blue clay 40 feet, quicksand 75 fset mors or lass, hardpan 20 feat, gravel.
OAKLAND COUNTY. 195

AVON TOWNSHIP (T, 3 N., R. 11 E.)."

In addition to the waterworks wells (see p. 182) the village of 

Rochester has two flowing wells, one on the property of the Detroit 

United Electric Railroad, in the valley of Paint Creek, the other on 

the property of the Barnes paper mill, near the mouth of Paint Creek, 

about one-third mile from the railway well.

The railway well was made in 1903 and obtains water from sand 

at 98 to 100 feet. It has a head of 18 feet and discharges 4 gallons a 

minute. The water is hard and contains iron. The temperature is 

51° F.

The paper mill well was made in 1878 and obtains its supply from 

gravel at a depth of 150 feet. The water rises to 20 feet above the 

surface or about 750 feet above tide. It discharges 5 gallons a

R.ll E.

m

FIG. 27. Map of Rochester, Oakland County, and vicinity, showing distribution of flowing wells.

minute of hard water, containing some iron. It is probable that the 

number and area of flows could be extended some distance from 

Rochester along the valleys of Paint Creek and Clinton River, but 

the expense of sinking wells to depths of 100 to 150 feet is so much 

greater.than that required to obtain surface water that few attempts 

have been made to obtain flowing wells.

There are flows in the southern part of Avon Township, in which 

Rochester is situated, but they are in another district, separated from 

the wells at Rochester by a prominent morainic ridge and may belong 

in the Trov field. The wells are tabulated with the other wells of

a By J on A. Udden.
196 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES TN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Avon Township, simply for convenience of reference. A boring in 

sec. 26, which failed to reach rock at 213 feet, also appears in the 

table, since it shows the great amount of drift present. It also 

shows that flows are not always obtained when the altitude is similar 

to neighboring wells that flow.

Wells in Avon Township (T. 3N.,R. 11 E.).

a 

o

o

02

4

11

14

OA

97

33

34

Qj 

h

3

G?

NW.

SW.

NW.

NW.

NE.

SE.

SW.

40.

SE.

SW.

NE.

NE.

SE.

SW.

Owner.

(Rochester waDetroit United

Electric Railroad, Rochester.

Barnes Paper

Mill Company,

Rochester.

( ? ) a

o3

a

a&

J1895

1902

1878

18%

1878

a 

o

Is

£

w

Feet.

875

745

730

786

§

03

ft

Ins.

H

\1

4

3

4

9 ^

^4^

ft

Feet.

00

80 

100

150

213

150

147

145

Water

bed.

! Gravel..

Sand....

Gravel..

Gravel..

....do...

....do...

CD

K

Feet.

+ 13

+ 18

+20

+ 7

+ 3

+ 3

?,

3

-H 

03

0

^

0 p_

51

51

,!,

mi per v ute.

o

^

Gals.

4

5

Quality.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

a No rock struck or flow obtained.

6 Blue clay, 90 feet; hard blue clay, 54 feet; gravel, 3 feet.

WATER SUPPLIES OF MACOMB COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

Macomb County, of which Mount Clem ens is the county seat, 

fronts on the west shore of Lake St. Clair, and is nearly all tributary 

to Clinton River, there being only a narrow strip on the shore of Lake 

St. Clair not tributary to this stream. The entire county has been 

covered by glacial lake waters except about 50 square miles in the 

northwest corner where prominent moraines rise above the highest 

old-lake level. There is a weak moraine, known as the Detroit 

moraine, running through the lake plain in the eastern part of the 

county. It governs the course of North Clinton River, which follows 

its western edge for several miles, and also governs the course of the 

main river for a short distance before the latter receives its north 

fork.

The lake plain is not covered extensively with sand, except in the 

southwestern part of the county. Usually the soil and the material 

penetrated in wells is a stiff clay, in which are thin beds of gravel and 

sand, from which wells obtain water. In the sandy tracts water is 

usually obtained at the base of the sand, at depths of only 10 to 20 

feet. The wells in the clay are often but 25 to 30 feet. There are, 

however, places in nearly every township where water can not be
MACOMB COUNTY. 197

found at less than 5,0 feet and in some cases 100 feet or even more. 

On the morainic tracts in the northwestern part of the county are 

several wells more than 100 feet deep, but even there wells generally 

find water at depths of 25 to 50 feet.

Waterworks have been put in at Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, 

Richmond (including Lenox), Armada, and Romeo. New Baltimore 

draws its supply from Lake St. Clair, but the other towns depend 

on wells as indicated below.

Flowing wells are obtained on the St. Clair shore along some of the 

streams and in a part of the lake plain in Armada, Ray, and Washington townships, which lie east of the high moraines noted above 

and are probably supplied from these moraines.

But few wells in the county enter rock, and these are nearly all 

at Mount Cleniens and south from that city on the border of Lake 

St. Clair. The Mount Clemeiis wells are several hundred feet in 

depth and obtain brines used in sanitariums and bath houses, which 

have become so highly patronized as to give the city the name "bath 

town." a

The following statement concerning the development of the wells 

was furnished by T. M. Crocker, an attorney at Mount Clemens:

The first well was drilled about 1867 and is now known as the "original well." It was 

used for some years as a salt well, but by accident its curative properties were ascertained 

and a small bath house was erected and used while the waters were still being used for the 

purpose of manufacturing salt. This well is now used wholly for bathing purposes in a 

very large bath house connected with the Avery House and the Egnew. The second well 

was drilled some time about 1883 or 1884 below the first well, and the water taken in pipes 

to the central part of the city and used in the Medea Bath House, which is connected with 

the Sherman House. Then there was a third well made,, called the Fountain, which is 

connected with the Fountain, Clifton, and Crystal hotels by tunnel and covered way. The 

fourth well was constructed by Keiffer & Buregard, a very fine bath house built, and a 

commodious hotel connected with the same. The fifth was constructed by Mr. Coursin, 

and the Fcnten House is connected with this. The sixth well was made; then the Colonial House and Sanitarium were constructed and connected. Each bath house is large and 

commodious and the management of each is in all respects first class.

The flowing wells along the shore south of Mount Clemeiis have only 

entered rock in a few cases and have penetrated it a very little distance. The water from near the top of the rock is sufficiently fresh 

to be used in drinking and is softer than the water from the drift. 

Salinity increases greatly if wells are continued far into the rock. 

Wells in other parts of the county that have reached rock find in it 

water rather salt for drinking.

WATERWORKS.

MOUNT CLEMENS.

The waterworks plant of Mount Cleniens is supplied from a group 

of 22 wells ranging from 25 to 41 feet in depth, situated in Clinton

i For sections of these wells see Geology of Michigan, vol. 5, and for analyses of the water see WaterSup, and Irr. Paper No. 31, U. S. Geological Survey, 1899.

IRR 182 06 14
198 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

River Valley in the southern part of the city. One dug in the summer 

of 1904 has the following section, reported by the driller, George 

Rocker: Muck, 2 feet; gravel, 4 feet; sand, 2 feet; blue clay, 4 feet; 

hardpan, 2 feet; blue clay, 4.5 feet; hardpan, 10 feet; water-bearinggravel, 6.5'feet. It is the bottom gravel that furnishes water to all 

the wells, some being driven into it farther than others.

The works were established in 1SS9, and for a time Clinton River 

water was used, but this proved to be subject to contamination, and 

a filter bed that was put in is reported by Dr. V. C. Vaughan, of the 

University of Michigan, to have served as a culture bed for disease 

germs. The wells have accordingly been substituted. Their location 

however, on the downstream side of the town seems very unwise. 

Water is pumped direct to the mains and gives an ordinary pressure 

of 50 pounds and a fire pressure of 100 pounds.

NEW BALTIMORE.

The public supply at New Baltimore is pumped from Lake St. Clair 

to a standpipe. Many private wells still in use range in depth from 

8 to 24 feet, with a common depth of 20 feet. Rock was struck at 120 

feet in a deep boring made some years ago in prospecting for oil.

RICHMOND AND LENOX.

The villages of Richmond and Lenox, which are virtually one community, in northeastern Macomb County, have a public supply from 

driven wells 130 to 150 feet in depth which obtain water from gravel. 

The water is pumped to a standpipe. The plant was established in 

1895 at a cost of $19,000. The private wells, which are 10 to 25 feet 

deep, are largely discarded.

In the following partial analyses a comparison is made between the 

public supply and the shallow well belonging to the proprietor of the 

hotel at Lenox. The shallow well seems to be heavily contaminated, 

but fortunately it is used for watering stock only. The data were 

furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of well waters at Richmond and Lenox. 

[Parts per million.]

Iron (Fe).......................................................................... I Trace

S. J. Lewis, analyist. 1. City supply; depth, 120 feet. 2. F. Springborn; depth, 10 feet.
MACOMB COUNTY. 199 

ARMADA.

The waterworks supply at Armada is from a flowing well 94 feet 

in depth and 6 inches in diameter, with a head of 16 inches. One 

water vein was struck at 15 feet, another at 40 feet, and the third 

or principal vein at 00 feet. Water is obtained in gravel at each 

level. The casing is driven about 40 feet to exclude the upper vein. 

The waterworks plant was established in 1903, at a cost of $20,000. 

The pumps have a capacity of 750,000 gallons a day and give 42 

pounds pressure. The water is soft enough to be used without the 

addition of softening compounds.

The public supply has supplanted most of the private wells, 

which were 15 to 25 feet deep, and often obtained water at the base 

of the gravel in the Belmore beach upon which the town is built.

C. J. Van Atta, of Armada, has a flowing well in a shallow sag, the 

water of which will rise 7 feet above the surface. It is a 2-inch well 

42 feet deep and has been running since 1897. The water is soft" 

with a trace of iron. It is cased with tile for 28 feet.

Flows can probably be obtained on the lowest ground in and 

south of the village of Armada, but only these two have been reported.

KOMEO.

The waterworks supply of Romeo is from four wells 26 feet deep 

in a ravine about a mile south of the village. This plant was established in 1892, at a cost of $36,000. The water is pumped direct to 

the mains and has an ordinary pressure of 60 pounds and fire pressure of 100 pounds. Shallow wells are still in use within the city 

limits, though they seem an element of danger, the village having 

in 1905 experienced an epidemic of typhoid.

The following are partial analyses from shallow wells at Romeo, 

the data being furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States 

Geological Survey:

Partial analyses of well waters at Romeo. 

[Parts per million.]

2

19

139+

19

2

21

20

139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. John Kramer; depth, 12.5 feet. 2. City; depth, 1,5 feet.
200 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The following data concerning supplies in villages having no 

waterworks have been largely obtained by correspondence. The 

villages are taken in alphabetical order.

In the vicinity of Center Line, in the southwest part of the county, 

wells are usually dug to a depth of 10 to 16 feet. These wells often 

fail in dry seasons, and some difficulty has been found in getting 

water by driving deeper. Several tubular wells about 100 feet in 

depth have been made.

At Disco, in the western part of the county, on a beach line, wells 

are obtained at 20 to 30 feet, and there is seldom occasion to go 

deeper. The largest suppliesvire at 30 feet.

At Fraser, in the southern part of the county, wells are generally 

12 to 20 feet, but some have been driven to 100 feet. In dry times 

the shallow wells often fail, and water is drawn from Clinton River 

in wagons a distance of 2 miles. The deep wells also are in some 

cases easily exhausted. The best supplies are found at ab'uit 00 feet.

Near Roseville, in the southern part of the county, there ore shallow wells 20 feet in depth. Rock is struck at 100 to 150 feet. Wells 

ordinarily penetrate yellow clay 10 to 25 feet; blue pebbly cla;y, 30 

to 50 feet; blue clay like putty with very little grit, 20 to 50 feet; 

either sand or gravel and water, or a hard clay, that reaches to the 

rock. The best supplies are from about 90 feet. As indicated 

below, flowing wells are obtained from this gravel and from tne 

rock in the tract lying between Roseville and the shore of Lake 

St. Clair.

At LTtica wells are commonly about 25 feet with a head of 20 feet 

below the surface. Rock is struck at about 200 feet on low ground 

in Clinton River Valley (615 feet above tide) in a deep boring made 

in 1890. Two flowing wells at this village are discussed below.

At Waldenburg wells are commonly 50 feet in depth, with a head 

25 feet below the surface. Deeper wells are liable to strike salty 

water.

Warren uses shallow wells 12 to 20 feet for the main supply, supplemented by cisterns. Water is hard to obtain in the clay which 

underlies the surface sand. Some wells about 105 feet deep have 

obtained suitable supplies.

Washington has shallow wells 8 to 16 feet deep, with only an 

occasional deep well. The district northeast of the village yields 

flowing wells as indicated below, and flows can probably be obtained 

within the village limits by drilling 100 feet or more.
MACOMB COUNTY. 201 

FLOWING WELLS.

BRUCE TOWNSHIP.

A single flowing well lias been obtained on the farm of Frank 

Gould, in the NW. j sec. 22, in the central part of Bruce Township 

(T. 5 N., R. 12 E.), in the northwestern part of Macomb County. 

It is a 2-inch well 36 feet deep, has a head of about 10 feet, a flow 

of 3 gallons a minute, a temperature of 49° F., and has been running 

since 1897.° It is situated near the eastern border of a prominent

 w

c

£^

,,^

/'

4. -"

9

16

A S

/, J

.'V\y /

5. 28 ®

^/^ /

/ U

,133

FlJ

3 x-vT

^

° 1 ^

'v /

*f /

H ^I/ N

/ x ^> 22 /' 

^^ /

x //7

imapped

wing wells

2

XI B

o

m U

<D

03 /

/

/W

/G T

23

</

/

/ 35

L_____

1 /'

/

/^ \Z

13

O 1ST

V '' .'' *y*" 

'- 

25

A

 A

36

6

 »

18

.'"

30

>1.

 >l

31

________

/'

FIG. 2S. Map showing relation of flowing wells in Washington and Ray townships, Macomb County,

to lake 1 caches and moraine.

moraine, which, within a mile west, rises to a height of more than 

100 feet above the well mouth. It is probable that the moraine 

serves as a catchment area from which wells along its east border 

are supplied. It is also probable that wells located in sags or low 

parts of this border of the moraine will obtain a flow at moderate 

depths.

a Data collected by Jon A. Udden.
202 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

WASHINGTON-RAY DISTRICT.

The flowing wells of this district were examined by Mr. Udden. 

The flows are obtained in the lake plain east of the moraine that 

traverses the central portion of Washington Township in a northnortheast-southsouthwest course (see fig. 28). Two are reported by 

Udden in the southeastern part of section 2, Washington Township, 

back of the Belmore beach, at an altitude about 775 feet above tide. 

The others reported by him are below the forest beach in southeastern Washington and southwestern Ray townships at an altitude 

about 675 feet. There are, however, flowing wells between the 

Forest and Belmore beach at an altitude of 700 feet or more that 

were overlooked by Mr. Udden. Indeed conditions seem favorable 

for obtaining flows over much of the plain lying between the Belmore 

and Forest beach if wells are carried to sufficient depth to strike beds 

whose catchment area is in the elevated country to the west. The 

flowing wells noted by Mr. Udden in southeastern Washington and 

southwestern Ray townships are shallow, and perhaps have a near-by 

catchment area on the plain west of them rather than on the more 

distant moraine. The water is hard and contains iron in notable 

amounts.

The wells in Ray Township are from gravel under clay.

The wells in section 2, Washington Township, are from sand under 

clay, and had a head of 10 feet when struck. The well in section 36 

penetrated the following beds: Yellow pebbly clay, 20 feet; blue 

clay, 18 feet; hardpan, 2 feet; gravel and water at bottom.

Wells in Washington-Ray district (T. 4 N., Rs. 12 and 13 £".).

Letter on fig. 28

A 

B

j^

A

Township.

Washington . .

.....do........

Ray..........

Section.

9

Op

30

31

Owner.

George Kramer .

~^V ~\^~ aselin

When

made.

1900

Dei»r^

Inches. Feet.

9 ,

2 43

2 20

Elevation.

Feet.

Water 

rises 

toFeet. 

774

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallons. 

4

1.-,

v 1

Temperature.

°F. 

50 

49

49

49

49

UTICA AREA.

The village of Utica, in western Macomb County, is largely built in 

the valley of Clinton River, and wells are obtained at very moderate 

depths. Mr. Udden reports that the village has two wells sunk to 

considerable depths, both of which flow and have a head of about 12 

feet. The surface is 30 feet below the railroad station and 616 feet 

above tide. The first well struck the flow in gravel below hard bowlder clay at a depth of 152 feet. No accurate data were obtained concerning the other well, except that it had a similar section and head.
MACOMB COUNTY. - 203

The flowing wells obtained at this village have a head lower than 

the plain bordering Clinton River at that point. It is unlikely, therefore, that flows can be obtained in this vicinity except along the river 

valley. There are two flowing wells in the west part of Sterling 

Township (in which Utica stands) that belong in the Troy flowingwell district, but no flows have been obtained between these wells and 

Utica. The table for Sterling Township wells is presented with other 

wells of the Troy field (p. 192).

LAKE ST. CLAIR SHOEE. °

On the plain bordering Lake St. Clair in Macomb and southern 

St. Clair County, wells which are sunk nearly to the bottom of the 

glacial drift and also wells in rock have head sufficient to flow when 

in the valleys and sags and lowest parts of the plain, but lack a few 

feet of flowing outside these low places. The majority of the flowing 

wells are found within 2 or 3 miles of the shore of Lake St. Clair, but 

in the vicinity of New Haven they are found at a greater distance. 

They are also found in Clinton River Valley several miles from its 

mouth in a district back of the Detroit moraine. This latter group 

should perhaps be considered as separate from those on the plain east 

of the Detroit moraine.

In southern Macomb County, near Roseville, the flows are found at 

50 to 100 feet in gravel beds beneath a stiff clay, and are mainly 

within 2 miles of Lake St. Clair. The water is soft enough in some 

cases to use for washing without the addition of softening compounds, 

and is even preferred to rain water. There is generally sufficient iron 

present to coat material over which the water flows. A few wells 

enter the rock at about 100 feet. The water from the rock is likely 

to be salty, and in some cases can scarcely be used for drinking.

Mr. Charles Barth, of Roseville, who furnished the principal data 

concerning this part of the St. Clair shore, reports a decrease in head 

and in volume, attributed to the large draft made by the numerous 

wells, both flowing and pumped. He also states that flowing wells 

which have been entirely shut off showed a reduced flow when 

reopened. Barometric conditions seem also to affect the rate of flow.

Probably the strongest well in this vicinity is that of Bruno Couchez, 

in the north part of sec. 14, Aaron Township, which is reported to 

have discharged about 2 barrels a minute when first made, and would 

shoot a jet into the air from the top of a pipe 10 feet above the surface. 

The well has a depth of 96 feet. Ordinarily the water rises but 3 or 

4 feet above the surface and flows a weak stream. In some cases

a The data from the St. Clair district are very meager, although two attempts were made to obtain 

them. Mr. Udden was instructed to cover this field hut stated that he failed to find any flowing wells 

there. Mr. Cooper afterwards was detailed to collect the data, but seems to have collected data of only 

a few. lie submitted a brief report based upon testimony of persons who chanced to know something 

of the subject. The present discussion is based partly on the data obtained by Mr. Cooper and partly 

on information obtained through correspondence.
20-1 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

pumps have been attached to wells that have a head only 1 foot, and 

as the head becomes lowered many more will have to be supplemented 

by pumps, for only the strong flows on the lowest groiiiid seem likely 

to long continue efficient.

Along North Fork of Clinton River are a few flowing wells from 

drift. One of the most interesting wells is that of Mr. Alfred Little, 

near Clinton River, about 2 miles northwest of Mount Clemens. The 

well penetrated 130 feet of clay and there struck a black mucky 

deposit, apparently an old soil^ beneath which was a harder clay than 

that above. The well was continued to 173 feet, when gas was struck 

which threw up sand and gravel and a stream of water to a height of 

20 feet above the surface. The gas soon escaped, however, and the 

water dropped to 6 feet below the surface. ° The flowing-well belt 

along Clinton River continues northward through the eastern part 

of Macomb Township, the northernmost well reported being on the 

farm of A. B. Green in sec. 3.

In Chesterfield Township, which lies east of Macomb, several flowing wells have been obtained 3 to 5 miles from the shore of Lake St. 

Clair. One on the Joel Hart farm in sec. 7 has been running for 30 

years. One on the D. L. Weller farm in sec. 30 is only 22 feet deep. 

George Fuller has one of similar depth in sec. 19, and wells in that 

vicinity are generally obtained at less than 30 feet, whether flowing 

or not.

In New Haven village are shallow flowing wells. One at the residence of Edwin Colliiis in the north part of the village is 22 feet, and 

is from a black sandy gravel under a sheet of clay. Mr. Cooper estimates that the area in New Haven in which flowing wells can be 

obtained is not more than one-sixth of a square mile. There is also 

reported to be a flowing well one mile south of New Haven. One 

mile south and 2 miles east of New Haven is a salt spring, and within 

a short distance from the spring, a flowing well 11 feet deep, with 

fresh water.

About 3 miles east of New Haven is a group of flowing wells having 

depths of 80 to 100 feet. They are distributed over a strip about a 

mile long, northwest to southeast.

In Casco Township, St. Clair County, to the east of New Haven, in 

places wells are difficult to obtain and borings have been carried to 

the rock, which is struck at 100 to 200 feet. The water from the rock 

is brackish, and the farmers have accordingly constructed cisterns 

and reservoirs which are filled with rain water. Brackish water is 

said to have been struck at the New Haven depot at 118 feet and 2 

miles west of New Haven at 136 feet.

Near the shore of Lake St. Clair, at Fairhaven and north of Anchorville, flows have been obtained. Cephas Rose has a flow at Faira Data by W. F. Cooper.
MACOMB AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES. 205

haven. August Kreisel has one north of Anchorville, and there are 

other flows about 1J miles east of Anchorville. The Kreisel well is 

125 feet deep and the others 80 to 100 feet.

Several wells near Anchorville have more or less gas with the water. 

In one case gas was struck at 22 feet, which was burned for sometime 

and served the fishermen for a guiding light. One mile west of 

Anchorville gas comes up a short distance offshore and the water 

there is reported not to freeze in the coldest weather. If confined in 

a barrel it will burn for some time. Mr. Wagner at Fairhaven struck 

gas sufficient in amount to serve as light and fuel for a year in his 

dwelling.

WATER SUPPLIES OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

By FRANK LEVERETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

St. Clair County, of which Port Huron is the county seat, has its 

eastern front on Lake Huron and St. Clair River, and its southern 

front on Lake St. Clair. Its northeastern part is drained by Black 

River and its main tributary, Mill Creek; its central part by Belle 

River and Pine River, and its southern end by small streams. The 

county is largely lake plain, though moraines in the northern partrise above the highest level of the glacial lake which formerly covered 

the region. There are strips of sand and gravel along the old beaches, 

but aside from these the surface is generally a stiff clay both on 

the moraines and plains. The clay is not interbedded with gravel 

and sand to a sufficient extent to supply wT ells at all points in the 

county, and in nearly every township borings have been carried to the 

rock without striking any water-bearing gravel. On the whole St. 

Clair is one of the most poorly supplied counties in the State, although 

the water where obtained in the drift is generally of good quality, and 

the water from the upper portion of the rock is not generally too salt 

for drinking. The distance to rock ranges from about 40 feet to 200 

feet and more, with a general average of about 125 feet.

There are several small flowing-well districts, one being located in 

Columbus Township near Hickey, another at Smiths Creek, and 

another at Xorth street, while scattered flows occur over the southern 

end of the county and along the valleys in the northern and western 

parts.

WATERWORKS.

Public water supplies have been installed at Port Huron, St. Clair, 

Algonac, and Marine City, all of which utilize St. Clair River. The 

villages of Yale and Capac obtain public supplies from driven wells.
206 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES I1ST SOUTHERN MICHKJ-AX.

CAPAC.

There is a strip along the eastern base of a morainic ridge running 

from Capac to Yale, where conditions seem favorable for obtaining 

flowing wells, but so far as ascertained only one has as yet been 

obtained, that of Bert Aldrich, in the eastern edge of Capac. This 

well has been flowing for about fourteen years. It is only 16 feet 

in depth, and has a diameter of 12 inches. In dry seasons it occasionally stops flowing for a few weeks, so that water has to be dipped 

from it. In the past three years, however, it has been flowing 

nearly all the time.

The drift in Capac is from 90 to more than 150 feet in depth, 

the difference being due largely to the unevenness of the bed rock 

surface. Indeed, the thickest drift is in the sags, for the drift was 

not quite sufficient to completely fill the old valleys. The drift in 

and near Capac is largely a compact blue till, with thin and irregularly 

distributed deposits of sand or gravel interbedded.

The waterworks wells are n the southwestern part of the village 

and have been carried a few feet into the rock, which is struck at 90 

to 100 feet. The water stands 10 to 15 feet below the surface, but 

a reservoir or large well has been made into which the wells flow. 

The supply, both from the drift and the rock, appears to be rather 

scanty in these wells and also in other deep wells in the village.

Several wells in the village have a decidedly salty taste, among 

which is one at Hotel De Burt, though in this well rock was not 

reached. The waterworks wells have a barely detectable salty taste.

The following is a partial anahTsis of water obtained in the sandstone by the city well at Capac. The data were furnished by M. O. 

Leightoii, of the United States Geological Survey".

Partial analysis of well \rater at Capac.

Parts per million.

Color.................................................................... 19

Iron (Fe)................................................................ .75

Chlorine (Cl)............................................................. 29. 3

Carbon dioxide (CO2)..................................................... 85. 92

Sulphur trioxide (SO3).................................................... 81

Hardness (CaCO3)......................................................... 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 100 feet.

YALE.

The village of Yale, in the northern part of St. Clair County, 

stands partly in the valley of Mill Creek, which here flows between 

two morainic ridges and partly on the outer slope of the eastern 

moraine. Flowing wells have been obtained only in the creek valley 

at a level about 20 feet below the business part of the village, or 

about 775 feet above tide. The head is barely sufficient to afford a 

flow, being only 3 feet at the waterworks. The flcfwing wells consist
ST. CLAIM COUNTY. 207

of a group of five at the waterworks and one private well sunk by 

Daniel Ferguson. The waterworks wells are 6 inches in diameter, 

85 to 90 feet in depth, and were made in 1898. They are all connected by one large pipe with the pumps, and not allowed to now. 

About 15,000 gallons a day is the ordinary consumption, and this 

draft holds the water about 11 feet below the surface. When extra 

demands are made for lawn sprinkling or in case of fire the head is 

drawn down to 20 feet or more. The water is from a gravel bed 

beneath blue clay. Water in the Ferguson well rises to 12 feet above 

the surface of the ground, about the same height as the waterworks, 

or 9 feet more than the waterworks wells. Its depth is 445 feet, 

but the water comes from a iine-grained micaceous sandstone of 

greenish-blue color, probably Berea sandstone, at a depth of 230 to 

245 feet. Below this was a shale formation and no increase of water 

supply. The temperature is 49.6° F. The drift is 225 feet and the 

following beds were penetrated:

Light-polort'd shale .... .........................................................

Thlcknpss.

J*fff. 

50

30

»

137

15

200

Total.

Fccf. 

50

SO

88

225

230

245

445

A boring at the waterworks, in progress in October, 1904, penetrated a similar amount of drift, and the section differed only in 

lacking the bowlder bed below the blue clay. The flow of water 

wrs struck hi the same sand and gravel that supplies the waterworks. 

In this well the sandstone that supplies the Ferguson well is apparently reduced to a single bed 6 inches thick, in which no water was 

obtained. A boring in the north part of Yale at a canning factory, 

on ground 810 feet above tide, or 35 feet above the waterworks, 

was sunk to a depth of 893 feet, but obtains its main supply from 

the sand and gravel in the lower part of the drift, the rock being 

shale as far as penetrated. The water is 22 feet below the surface, 

practically the same as at the Ferguson well, its level in both being 

788 feet above tide. The drift beds are as follows:

Clayey dril't, rut her hard to penetrate 

Bowldery bods........................

Sand and gravel with water...........

Thickness. Total.

03

20

140

65

85

225
208 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Below are given, for comparison, partial analyses of water from 

the shallow waterworks well at Yale and from the deep-rock well of 

D. Ferguson. An anabasis wT as made of this water by Doctor Vaughan 

at Ann Arbor, which showed it to be dangerously polluted. Mr. S. J. 

Lewis, who visited the locality and made the present analyses, states 

that the water is pure and that the contamination reported must 

have been due to the use of a contaminated vessel in shipping the 

sample to Ann Arbor. The data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, 

of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of weU waters at Yale. 

[Parts per million.]

Color..............................................................................

Iron (Fe) ................................................ ...... .... .............

Chlorine (Cl) .......................................................................

Sulphur Trioxide (SO3 ) ...... ................. ... ........... ...................

1.

32

121.5

20

139+

2_

24

1.5

752

89. 39

69

S. J. Lewis, analyst. 1. City; depth, 70 feet. 2. D. Ferguson; depth, 225 feet.

MISCELLANEOUS TILLAGE SUPPLIES.

City and village supplies in St. Clair County.

Town.

Algonac. .....

Berville

Emmet ......

piT: E£-

(1900). tl011'

1,216

547 

265

Marine City. .

Port Huron. . 

Smiths Creek 

St. Clair......

Yale .........

3,829

19, 158

2, 543

1,125

Feet. 

590

642

760 

815

816

778

707

Sourcu.

St. Clair River for 

public supply; 

shallow driven 

wells. 

Open wells; Bello 

River.

wells.

Open and driven 

wells, 

do

625 

590 

600

f 580 

I 625 

f 624 

\ 634

f 590

650

f 790 

\ 815

Driven wells 

[St. Clair River by 

< waterworks; few 

I wells. 

St. Clair River; 

shallow wells. 

[St. Clair River by 

< waterworks; few 

[ wells.

(St. Clair River by

( wells. 

Shallow wells in sand 

[Drilled wells by 

< waterworks; open 

[ wells.

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet. 

148

134+

/ 90 

1150+ 

100

192+ 

136+

1182 

[230

110

1 80

I 126

200

I"-

1225

Depth of well.

From 

Feet. 

5

10

20 

10

15

12 

15 

18

1j. ......

40

20 

8 

10

To 

Feet. 

10

100

134 

36

150 

100

30 

192 

136

Common.

Feet. 

10

30

30 

20

100 

30

20 

50 

130

25

25

100

156 

12 

900

75

40

Depth

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

10

30

120 

14

90

20 

45 

100

75

150

Head.

Feet.

-20 

-10

{ :,i

-.«

-18

f + 5 

i-10

f - o

\ -30

f + 4 

\ -20

Springs.

None.

Do.

Weak. 

None.

Jweak. 

None.

Do.

Small.

}DO.

JLarge. 

None. 

] Small.
ST. CLAIE COUNTY. 209

FLOWING WELLS.

EAST GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

North of East Greenwood, in the northeast corner of Greenwood 

Township (T. 8 N., R. 15 E.), St. Clair County, and the southeast 

corner of Fremont Township, Sanilac County, is a group of shallow 

flowing wells. The pool is restricted to a narrow strip, apparently 

not more than one-half mile wide, which runs from the southwest 

part of sec. 36, Fremont Township, in a course south of east to 

Black River Valley, in sec. 6, Grant Township. The wells are all 

in Fremont and Greenwood townships, but there are springs in the 

northwest part of Grant Township which seem to be fed from this 

pool. The wells either side of this pool go to much greater depths 

than the flowing wells before finding water, and have a much lower 

head. The flowing wells, as indicated in the table below, are but 

12 to 25 feet in depth. They are all hard water and strong in iron, 

and so are the springs in sec. 6, Grant Township. One well carries 

a small amount of oil. The wells are on a plain about 80 feet higher 

than the neighboring part of Black River Valley, or 730 feet above 

tide. This plain rises gradually westward, reaching an altitude of 

770 feet at the border of the Yale moraine, 3 or 4 miles from the wells. 

The elevation of the crest of the moraine, which is some 3 miles 

farther west, is 820 to 830 feet. The shallowness of the wells may 

suggest a catchment area close at hand, or at most no more distant 

than the Yale moraine; but the fact that the wells and springs are 

so hard and so strong in iron is thought to be an indication of a 

somewhat distant source, and may also indicate that the water rises 

from considerable depths through breaks in the clay. The field is 

too limited to throw light on the catchment area through the study 

of the differences in head displayed in passing across the district. 

Some differences in head are claimed by residents, bat the measurements were not taken with sufficient care to warrant any deductions. The wells with lowest temperature in this field are those with 

most rapid flow. The temperature at bottom is probably about 

48° to 49.5° F.

Wells in the East Greenwood district.

Section.

30

36

36

36

1

1

1

Part of section.

SE. i.....

SE. \. ........

S\V. I........

NE. i.........

NE. \. ........

Owner.

J. Hillock.... ...

I). Schell .........

Length 

of time 

in use.

Years.

u,

15+

15+

Depth.

Feet.

1(1

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons.

Choked.

2+

Temperature.

°F.

48.5

51

50 5

Remarks.

14 feet depth. Dug 

16 feet: bored 9 feet.

ter escapes into ditch 

at level of surface.

cause choked.

Dug well, filled with

cobblestones.

face.
210 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES ITS SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

CLYDE TOWNSHIP (T. 7 N., E. 16 E).

North. Street station. There is a narrow strip about 2 miles long 

near North Street station in T. 7 X., R. 16 E., where shallow flowing 

wells are obtained, as indicated in fig. 29. The residents along the 

road that leads north and south past this station, through sees. 1, 12, 

and 13, found it very difficult to obtain water at their dwellings, and 

some of them were hauling it from Lake Huron, when by chance it was

R. 16 E.

FIG. 29. Map showing rotations of flowing wells in Clyde Township, St. Clair County. Shaded area 

represents part of Tort rfuron moraine standing a boy1 the old lake level.

found that flowing wells could be obtained in the back part of their 

farms along the western edge of these sections. The ground rises rapidly 

from the road back to these wells, being 635 to 640 feet above tide 

along the road, and 660 to 665 at the wells. Consequently the head 

is sufficient to permit piping the water to the dwellings. The depth of 

the wells is only 16 feet, and five have now been obtained. The first, on 

the farm of John Aitkin, in sec. 13, was made about 20 years ago, but 

the others, on farms of G. W. Davidson, George Lockwood, Charles 

Lewis, and George Lane, have been made within five years. They
ST. CLAIE COUNTY. 211

all go through a bed of clay and strike water in sand. The wells are 

in some cases excavated to a depth of several feet to form reservoirs, 

from which pipes may be carried to the dwellings. The reservoirs overflow into ditches that lead away from the wells. The temperature 

October 7, 1904, was 51° F., which is perhaps slightly increased by 

atmospheric heating.

A large sand ridge marking the shore of Lake Warren runs parallel 

with this line of wells, less than one-half mile distant on the west, but 

at an altitude considerably higher. On the eastern or lakeward border of this s:aid ridge strong springs are issuing. Immediately west of 

the ridge and at still higher altitude is the Port Huron moraine. It is 

probable that the moraine and sand ridge constitute the catchment 

area for the flowing wells. The bed of sand from which the flows are 

obtained seems to be a wedge between clay beds or to die out before 

reaching the North Street road. It seems also to be wanting northward from the north part of sees. I and 2 of this township, for residents 

farther north have failed to find it or to obtain flows. Further prospecting in .that region may perhaps give better results. If found at 

the slight depth at which these flows are obtained considerable prospecting might be undertaken for the sake of fully developing the field.

Atkins district. a In the valley of Black River, near the mouth of 

Mill Creek, about 1J miles southwest of Atkins station, a deep boring 

sunk for oil obtained a strong flow of water from the lower part of the 

glacial drift at a depth of 116 to 138 feet. The altitude is about 625 

feet above tide and the depth 833 feet. The water forced its way up 

outside the casing, making an opening around the pipe, the strength 

of the flow warranting belief in the existence of a flowing-well district 

along that portion of Black River Valley. It may extend up to the 

East Greeirwood district discussed above. The water horizon here, 

however, is much lower down in the glacial deposits than at the East 

Greenwood pool.

SMITHS CREEK.

There is a single flowing well at the creamery in the village of Smiths 

Creek in sec. 31, Kimball Township, about 8 miles southwest of Port 

Huron. It is in the creek valley about 10 feet below the level of the 

railroad station, and has insufficient head to flow at the level of the 

plain bordering the valley. The flow is a gallon a minute, and the 

water is hard with some iron. It had a temperature of 51° F. at the 

escape pipe October 13, 1904, but this may be slightly above the temperature of the water bed. The well has been made several years and 

is about 100 feet deep.

A well at Hotel Fisher, in Smiths Creek village, at the level of the 

railroad station, is 60 feet deep. The water stands 10 feet below tho

a Ann. Kept. State Geologist for 1901, p. 278.
212 WELLS AND WA.TER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

surface, and this is said to be representative of the head in tubular 

wells in that vicinity. The only territory likely, therefore, to yield 

flows is the low land along the creek valley.

COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP.

In the eastern part of Columbus Township (T. 5 N., R. 15 E.), St. 

Clair County, 1 to 3 miles southeast of Hickey Station on the Grand 

Trunk Railroad, is a group of 11 flowing wells, indicated in fig. 30. 

They are found in a tract almost 2 miles long from north to south, and 

about 1 mile wide, embracing parts of sees. 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, and 26. 

The strongest flow is in the valley of Rattle Run in sec. 14. The 

other wells are on a plain once covered by a glacial lake. They have

an altitude determined by aneroid of 670 

to 680 feet, while the one lowest in the 

valley of Rattle Run is about 660 feet 

above tide. The first well was made about 

30 years ago on the Staley farm in the north 

part of sec. 24. It flowed for many years 

with a strong stream, but now is very 

weak, and apparently is clogged by sand 

or by incrustations. The remainder are 

only a few years old, and show but little 

diminution. The water is hard and contains considerable iron. The flows are 

from a bed of sand or sandy gravel under 

a thick sheet of clay. The deepest wells 

pass at about 80 feet into an indurated 

clay, which is probably a sheet of drift 

older than the surface sheet. The water beds appear to be either 

upon or within this older drift sheet. The temperature of the strongest flows is about 50° F., which apparently represents the temperature 

of the water bed, and agrees with the general averages of well temperatures in this region.

The prospects for extending this area are rather unpromising, for 

several deep wells to the north and east fail to get water with sufficient head to flow, though those to the east are on lower ground. For 

example,Peter Yeip, in sec. 21,T. 5N., R. 16 E., has a well L47 feet deep, 

in which, although the altitude is about 30 feet lower than these flowing wells, the water is 26 feet below the surface. His neighbor, John 

SchafTer, in sec. 28, has a well 120 feet deep on ground of similar altitude with water 20 feet below the surface. Between there and St. 

Clair River the water is seldom nearer the surface than 20 feet.

FIG. 30. Flowing wells in Columbus 

Township, St. Clair County.
ST. OLAIE AND LAPEER COUNTIES.

Flowing irefls in Columbus Township (T. J jY., R. 15 E.~)

318

to

c ^

^g a Owner.

5 5

n5 r£

*

|

'?

( °)

^

 £

"c

^

^ -3?

| p,

M M

7n.

S

s

-F?. Ft.

"3 .

a i

_o 

£ i

tH "

H = 1,4

fc| i" 1

a" £ S

fc ,

^ i

s

t

Remarks.

3

? 5

F/. f/. Gfltfs. °/'.

(?) (?) 000 (?) 0(>0 (?)

A 14 Otto Kendall..... 1S95 2 00 050 590 0(10 7

B 14 Chas. Silk... ..... (?) 2 (?) 000 (?)

A 23 Ezra Whi taker... 1S94 2

B 23 Fred Silk......... 1S94 ... _

f 23 Goo. Macklov...-. 189S

o

^

70 000 595

70 000 590

90

A 24 Brown farm. ..... 1904 3 100

000 570

000 500

B 24 John Stalov...... 1X75 (?) 00 050 590

A 45 ('has. Conant .....

A 20 S. Chase «.. ......

(?) 4

1S99

B 20 S. Macklev f> ...... 1898

'} 5

4

148 GOO 511?

15S 000| 532

llli 000 55(

(M) ....

OOS (?

005

000+ (?

C,C,2+

000

005+ 3

044 2

face.

.550 Iron: Dug 23 foot: bored

hard. 37 feet.

der hardpan.

. 2 49. 5

....do...

Iron;

hard.

.5 (?) ....do...

49. 5 ....do...

50

ter escapes around

pipe.

Weak flow, 2 l. feet

head.

at first.

Flows from '.-inch

nozzle. Slightly

saline.

Hard _ . ' Discharffes from

1-inch pipe.

50 do ' Several kinds of inaterial penetrated.

« Section of Chase well: Clay rather soft, 80 feet; hard till of brown color, probably pro-Wisconsin, 

4S feet; sand, becoming coarser at bottom, 30 feet. The well became clogged and was redrilled in 1901, 

The original head was but 4 feet and present head is 2 feet.

t> Water escapes in a ditch and is not carried above the level of the surface.

WATER SUPPLIES OF LAPEER COUNTY.

By FKANK LEVEKETT. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

Lapeer County, like Oakland on its south border, stands in the reentrant angle between the Saginaw and Huron-Erie ice lobes, and is 

largely occupied by prominent morainic ridges which traverse the 

county in a curving course, convex to the north. The southern end 

of the county has drift knolls which reach an altitude of over 1,200 

feet, but with the exception of about 60 square miles in the southern 

part of the county which stand above 1,000 feet, the elevation is generally between 800 and 1,000 feet. The moraines are separated by 

valley-like sags, from 1 to 5 miles wide, which were utilized as lines of 

glacial drainage. The southeastern edge of the county extends 

slightly into the plain covered by glacial-lake waters, and the northern 

part of the county is traversed by the Imlay outlet, a line of discharge 

for Lake Maumee, the earliest of the great Glacial lakes, and now occupied by Flint River. With the exception of a few square miles in the 

southeastern part drained by Belle River and Clinton River, and an 

area in the northeastern part drained by Cass River, the drainage of 

this count is tributary to Flint River.

IRR 182 06 -15
214 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN" MICHIGAN.

There is an extensive flowing-well district near Silver Creek in the 

northern part of the county and smaller ones in or near Lum, Burnside, North Branch, and Columbiaville. There is a belt of flowing 

wells leading from Hadley south westward to Ortonville in Oakland 

County, discussed by Mr. Davis under Genesee County; 0 the other 

flowing-well districts are discussed below. The flowing wells are 

distributed in the sags between or among the morainic ridges and 

may perhaps be developed at numerous other points in the county if 

care is taken to locate them in depressions near the hills. In some 

cases it rmvy be necessary to sink them to considerable depths, though 

those already obtained are usually found at very moderate depth.

At Imlay City, Lapeer, Lum, Xorth Branch, and Columbiaville, and 

at a few points in the rural districts, wells have been carried to the 

rock, which at these villages is reached at depths ranging from 50 to 

200 feet. The drift is probably 300 to 400 feet thick in the high points 

in the southern part of the county. The western and northern parts 

are underlain by the Marshall sandstone, which yields an excellent 

water, but the southeastern part is underlain by shale, and the water 

there is somewhat saline, as may be seen by reference to the analyses 

of the Imlay City water made by Mr. Lewis (p. 215).

WATERWORKS.

Only four towns in the county have public supplies: Almont, Imlay, 

Lapeer, and Columbiaville.

IMLAY CITY. &

Imlay City is situated on the west edge of a broad shallow valley in 

which flows a small stream half a mile or more east of the town. 

Within a mile to the north and west are prominent morainic knolls.

The public water supply comes from a group of 5 tubular wells 20 

feet apart in a shallow depression just east of the town. Three of 

the wells are 6 inches and two are 4 inches in diameter. All enter 

bed rock and range from 155 to 175 feet in depth, with one exception, 

which was reported to be 300 feet deep. The water is pumped to a 

standpipe.

The water is somewhat brackish to the taste and is said to be so 

corrosive that it can not be used with safety in boilers. It is used 

to some extent at the pumping station. It is also rather hard and 

deposits scale and is not generally liked and little used because of its 

"mineral taste," the "mineral" being principally salt. The following 

analysis shows its character:

°See Water-Sup, and Irr. Paper No. 183. b By Charles A. Davis.
LAPEEK COUNTY. 215

Analysis of water from public well. Imlay City.^

Parts per million.

Total solids ........................................................... 1, 580. 07

Volatile ai r;>d heat --....--.-............_._._.._...___..___._.....___. 120

Mineral matt; r ........................................................ 1, 460. 07

Sodium (Na) .......................................................... ,508. 30

Chlorine (Cl).......................................................... 781.73

Sulphate radicle (SO4 1.................................................. Trace.

Temporary hardness by soap test ........................................ 100

Nitrate^ ............................................................... None.

Xuritcs. .............................................................. None.

FIT ammonia.......................................................... 25

Albuminoid ammonia...................... ............................ .05

Dr. 1». C. Kedzie, analyst. Water is usable.

Following are additional partial analyses from a deep and a shallow 

well ai Iml ay City. The water from the deep well is too salt for drinking except by those used to it. That from the shallow well, though 

showing much less salt, contains a considerable amount, probably 

due to the escape of saline water from the underlying rocks. The 

data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States Geological Survey.

Partial analyses of irell waters at Imlay City. 

[Parts per million.]

Color.............................................................................. 10

Iron............................................................................... S t rong

	trace. 

Chlorine........................................................................... 1,039

Carbon dioxide.................................................................... 74.77

Sulphate radicle (S< ) 4 1 ............................................................. 159.57

Hardnens.......................................................................... 139+

G4

1

251.5 

135. (15 

109.81 

139+

S. .1. Lewis, analyst. J. C : ty: depth. 1(12 foot. '2. City; depth, IS foot.

This water is used for fire protection, for sprinkling, and for 

general purposes by some of the people, but is not as much used as it 

would be if it were freer from salt.

Record of Imlay City waterworks wells.

SimA. ............................ ................................................

" Salvey " elav ...................................................................

Clay........................... .................................................

Shale ............................................................................

Thickness.

Feet. 

10

37

10

14

7

9

10

52

Total.

Feet. 

Hi

53

0.3

77

84

93

103

155

a, Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
216 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The Grand Trunk Railway pumps water from the stream to the 

east of the town to supply the water tank at the station, not wishing 

to use the saline water of the town supply in the boilers.

The wells of the town are mainly shallow, from 20 to 50 feet in 

depth, with sufficient water.

Wells in the country near Imlay City in some cases reach deptJS 

of over 300 feet deep and are not infrequently 100 feet. Among the 

deeper are the following:

Wm. Snowdeii, 2^ miles northwest of Tmlay City, in sec. 6, T. 7 N., 

R. 12 E., has a well 335 feet deep; made in 1896; 2-inch pipe; 

cased to rock at 200 feet; water .level 35 feet; first water at 90 

feet, small vein; water soft; turns dark colored and then clears up 

at intervalsof several days.

John Sisson, in sec. 33, T. 7 N., R. 12 E., has a well 153 feet deep; 

made in 1901; 2-inch casing for 84 feet; shale at 80 feet; porous 

rock at 148 feet; drift mainly sand and gravel; water level, 2^ 

feet.

Milo Quirk, sec. 19, Imlay Township, has a well 187 feet deep; 

drilled in 1891; 2-inch diameter; water level 24 feet; rock at 

115 feet.

LAPEER. a

The city of Lapeer is situated along the sides of the shallow valley 

of Farmers Creek and spreads out over the adjacent rolling country, 

which is largely a clayey till.

The waterworks wells are located near the bank of the stream, on 

the lowest terrace of the valley. There are six, put down in 1888, 

all 8 inches in diameter. They are in sandstone and are from 250 to 

290 feet deep, striking rock at 100 feet from the surface, and flow 

with a head of about 4 feet. The amount of water used by the city 

per day was given as between 500,000 and 600,000 gallons, but at 

the time the writer visited the plant there was a 2-inch overflow 

from time to time, in spite of the fact that the pumps were working 

at usual speed. When pumped hard, the water is lowered to 11 feet 

below the surface. The supply is ample for the present needs of the 

town.

As is usual in a town of this size, there are many private wells, 

ranging in depth from a few feet to nearly 300 feet. In the deeper 

the supply is obtained from the sandstone, as in the wells of the 

waterworks. The shallow wells are dug or tubular and range in 

depth from about 20 to 100 feet. No flowing wells were found aside 

from those at the waterworks.

MICHIGAN HOME FOR FEEBLE-MINDED. 6

This institution, located 2 miles west of Lapeer, obtains a waterworks supply from three wells 337 feet deep which terminate in the

a By Charles A. Davis.

6 Data furnished by Dr. W. A. Polglase, medical superintendent of the home.
LAPEEK COUNTY. 21?

Marshall sandstone. The head is 6 feet below the surface, and the 

wells are reported to have a capacity sufficient to supply an institution of 2,000 (or 2^ times the present number) for all purposes. The 

water contains a small amount of lime and is of excellent quality.

ALMONT.

The village of Almoiit has a tank to which water is pumped and 

held for fire protection and for sprinkling streets, but is not drawn 

upon for domestic use.

COLUMBIA VILLE.

The water supply of Columbiaville is in charge of the manager of 

the Peters estate, the plant having been put in by Mr. Peters. Application was made for information concerning the plant, but was not 

granted. Flowing wells on the Peters estate and at other points near 

Columbiaville are discussed below.

MISCELLANEOUS VILLAGE SUPPLIES.

The data below were obtained largely by correspondence with the 

residents of the respective villages.

Village supplies in Lapeer County.

Town.

Columliiaville.

Elba .......... 

lladlev. .......

Imlay City.. . .

Lum ..........

Metamora. ....

North Branch. 

Otter, Lake. . . .

Popu- lation.

718

333

4,7 

328

1,122

313

054

i

Eletion.

 

Feet.

\ 831 

1 850

900

±SOO 

835

700

( 920 

\ 900

( 858 

\ 875 

875

829 

f 860 

\ 900 

| 870 

1 8S5 

±1,050

/ 830 

1 795

80S

810

Source.

Driven and bored 

wells; some, old 

dug wells. Waterworks for fire 

protection and 

sprinkling. 

Open and driven 

wells. 

Flowing wells ....

Driven wells; 

Flint River liy 

waterworks. 

1 Open and driven 

( wells.

[ Driven wells. . ....

Driven wells; 

some flowing. 

Driven wells......

}. ...do.. ......... .

}.... do. ...........

[Driven wells, 

) with flows in 

1 valleys near vill lage.'

lakes. 

Flowing wells ....

Depth 

to 

rock.

Feet. 

140

50 

\ 150 

lOf) 

f (>0 '?

\ 205 

100±

}......

100± 

100 ±

90

100

I 200

50

Depth 01 wells.

From 

Feet. 

10 

10

To 

Feet. 

105 

 200

| 10 205

25

45 

25

15

10

4

30

30

10

38

100

100

115 

150

60

114 

120

250

50 

50

Common.

Feet. 

16

37

00

50

45 

30

105 

25

00

05

20 

40

Depth 

to 

water 

bed.

Feet. 

80

37

205 

50

50

115 

145

00 

100

00

20 

38

Head.

Feet. 

-20

-20

+ 7

f- o

1 + 10 

-10

 25

;-:o

\-30

+ 5

- 0 

-10

+ 14

-20

+ 2

Springs.

Small.

j- Do. 

Do. 

1 Do. 

Do.

Do.

[-None. 

Strong.

Fair size.

Do.

Large.
218 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

WELLLS.

ATTICA TOWNSHIP.

One well in the south part of Attica Township (T. 7 N., R. 11 E.) 

is reported by the driller, George H. Force, to flow 18 gallons a minute from a 2-inch pipe. The water is from gravel. This is in a low 

tract leading northwest and southeast between moraines, and other 

flows may be obtained in it.

LUM.

The village of Lum stands on the inner or iceward slope of a moraine 

belt at the border of a low swampy tract in T. 8 N, R. 11 E. At the 

border of the higher land on which the village stands, two flowing 

wells have been obtained, one a few yards south of the railway station 

on ground 4 feet lower or 867 feet above tide, made by William 

Bentley, the other at the condensed milk factory about one-eighth 

mile southwest of the railway station at about the same altitude as 

the station. They were made about 1895. Each enters rock a few 

feet, and the water is not so hard as water from wells in the glacial 

deposits. The}T differ slightly in temperature, the Bentley well being 

49.5° F, and the milk factory well 50°. They differ also a few feet 

in depth, the Bentley well being 116 feet and the other 104.5 feet. 

The milk factory well is stronger in iron than the Bentley. The 

original head of the Bentley well was 15 feet, but it may not be so great 

at present. The rate of flow has greatly diminished, and is now but 

5 quarts a minute. The milk factory well flows still less or about 3 

quarts a minute. The wells were largely through blue till. The 

rock is apparently sandstone.

The extent, of this pool has not. been tested, but it seems probable 

that flows may be obtained along the low ground both to the north 

and to the southeast of the village if the wells are carried to the rock. 

Possibly the drift will yield flows, for the elevated land south and west 

of the lowland should give high pressure to waters that pass into it 

and flow toward the lower country on the northeast.

Wells at Lum (T. 8 .Y., R. 11 E.).

Owner.

tory.

AVhen 

made. Depth.

Feet.

104J

Diameter.

Inches. f>

0

Head.

Feet. 

+ 15

+ ?

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallons

$

Temperature.

F. 

49.5

50

Remarks.

Water soft with little iron. 

Strong in iron and harder 

than Bentlev well.

BURNSIDE TOWNSHIP.

This pool embraces a group of about 12 wells, of which nine are 

in the village of Burnside in sees. 8 and 9, T. 9 N., R. 12 E., two about 

one-fourth mile east of the village near the line of sees. 9 and 16, 

and one about 2 miles southeast, in the southwest part of sec. 15. 

Some of those in the village have now ceased flowing. They are all
LAPEER COUNTY. 219

situated on the northeast or iceward slope of a morainic belt which 

farther west lies immediately north of the Imlay outlet of Lake 

Maumee. It is probable that flows may be obtained along this 

border southeast from Burnside as far as the most remote well (in 

sec. 15) and possibly farther, but to the north and west from Bumside the head is insufficient to give a flow. Those in the village are 

along a small stream 3 to 5 feet below the general level. The moraine 

lying west and south of this district is the probable catchment area 

for the shallow wells, but the catchment of a deeper well at the 

Burnside creamery is not easily determinable.

The earliest flows were obtained about 1875, and the majority 

have been made twenty years or more. They are all shallow drift 

wells with depths of 20 to 60 feet, except one at the Burnside creamery, which has a depth of 159.5 feet and extends about 50 feet into 

rock. The drift is chiefly a blue clayey till with thin beds of sand 

and gravel. The largest flow is on the farm of Fred Buby, 2 miles 

southeast of Burnside in the SW. I sec. 15. It was bored 20 feet 

through clay to the water-bearing gravel and a hollow log used as a 

penstock was inserted in the boring, giving a pipe of about 12-inch 

inside diameter. It flows about one-half barrel a minute, and has 

been running since 1876. The water is hard in all the wells, including 

the creamery well, which gets its supply from the rock. This well 

has less iron, however, than the shallow ones, the latter being strong 

in iron. The head in most of the wells is less than 3 feet, and two of 

them have to be piped to lower ground in order to flow. One well, 

however, on the Webster farm, one-fourth mile east of the village, 

flows a good stream froin a pipe that stands 3^ feet above the surface 

and is said to have a head of 7 to 8 feet. This is perhaps on ground 

enough lower than the other wells to give the difference in height 

above the ground, though no leveling was made to test the matter.

Wells at and near Burnside (T. 9 N., R. 12 E.).

Section.

15

16

9

Quarter.

SW.

NW.

SW.

Owner.

Burnside Creamery. . .

Burnside. 

Wilcox Hotel.. .......

north.

side. 

Mr Ho we

When 

made.

1876

1875

1901

1892

1899

(?)

1884

1903

(?)

Depth.

Feet. 

20

25

66

37

159*

37

07

37

± 4ft

Diameter.

Inch. 

12

36

f)

(?)

2

2

8

2

2

Flow 

per 

minute.

<3oZZ.s. 

20

1

U

1

Temperature.

°F.

(?)

49

50.3

49.5

(?)

48.5

Remarks.

Dug 12 feet, bored 13

through clayey drift.

110 flow. 

Flow from rock.

weak.

ground to get flow; very 

weak.

flow.

ground.

pool; all clayey drft except thin sand' bed near 

bottom.
220 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

NORTH BRANCH DISTRICT.

There are two groups and possibly two distinct pools embraced 

in the flowing wells near North Branch, as indicated in fig. 31. One 

group is in the Imlay outlet south and west of the village, and the 

other in a sag 011 the north side of a moraine that lies north of the 

Imlay outlet, and leads from the village eastward along the borders 

of North Branch and Burlington townships. The wells are shallow 

in both groups, the majority being between 16 and 40 feet in depth. 

The group east of North Branch seems favorably situated to receive 

its supply from the moraiiiic ridge on its south border, but the group 

in the Imlay outlet stands outside the moraine, and its catchment 

area is a matter somewhat difficult to settle. The outlet here has 

a few feet of stiff clay at surface, which forms a good cover to water

R.ll E.

FIG. 31. Flowing wells near North Branch, Lapeer County.

that may come in either from the north or south borders, where 

deposits are more porous, as well as at higher levels. The origin or 

mode of deposition of this clay in the outlet is a matter of some uncertainty. At surface it appears to be a water deposit such as might 

be laid down in a pool in the old lake outlet, but exposures are 

scarcely sufficient to make certain that this is its character throughout, nor are they adequate to reveal the extent of the deposit and its 

relation to undoubted glacial deposits each side of the outlet. In 

the sag back of the moraine the wells penetrate a clayey till which, 

on passing southward into the moraine, graduates into a more porous 

till with pockets or intercalated beds of sand and gravel, and which 

itself contains thin beds of sand that furnish the supply to the flowing 

wells. A deep well on the moraine at the North Branch electriclight plant which obtains its supply from glacial deposits at a depth
LAPEER COUNTY. 221

of 150 feet, has a water level 50 feet below the surface, or 20 to 30 feet 

less than in the flowing wells. This rather exceptional feature may 

be due to difference in the catchment area, that for the flowing wells 

being, as above suggested, from higher land in the immediate vicinity, 

while that for the deep one is from a more distant source.

Wells in North Branclt district. 

IN IMLAY OUTLET, NORTH BRANCH TOWNSHIP, ALTITUDE 790 TO 795 FEET.

Location.

NE. corner sec. S . .

NW . corner sec. 9. .

Owner.

(.1. R. Cobb.......

S. Porter.........

£££

1884 

1888

1886

1 1896?

P. fh Diam- uepin. et(?r

Feet. Inches. 

24 2

16 2

20 2

20 2

20 2

Head.

Feet. 

5+

5+

5

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

5

Choked.

(?)

(?)

Temperature.

O E*

49 3

:::::::

Remarks.

Chalybeate; 

hard. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

IN SAG NORTH OF MORAINE, ALTITUDE ABOUT 800 FEET.

Location.

I mile north of North Branch 

station.

N. side sec. 3 North Branch 

Township. 

NW. part sec. 3, North Branch 

Township. 

SW. part sec. 34, Burlington 

Township. 

SW. part sec. 35, Burlington 

Township. 

SE. part sec. 35, Burlington 

Township. 

SW. part sec. 36, Burlington 

Township.

Township." 

North Branch electric-light 

plant.''

Owner.

D. McCurdy......

R. Stafford...... .

,T. Hayes. ........

T. Fitz Stephens.. 

j-W. Slatterly......

Depth.

Feet.

33 

35

35

26 

23

S3 

165

250

Diameter.

7?'

i.5

1.5

Head.

Feet.

(?) 

+ 1 

+ 1.5

.. ...{ 

3

6

0 

+ 3 

-20

-50

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

..'?..

M

Temperature.

48.8

Remarks.

Flows 1-inch 

stream.

Choked.

Rock at 135 

feet. 

Rock at 200 

feet.

a Altitude, 825 feet.

i> Rock at 200 feet, main water supply at 1.30 feet from gravel, also supply at 75 feet: altitude 817 feet.

c Yields 1,000 barrels a day by pumping.

CLIFFORD.

In a low tract, back of a morainic ridge south and \vest of Clifford 

station, flows are likely to be obtained at shallow depths. At present 

but one boring has been made that throws light upon the conditions, 

that of Mr. A. Harvey, in the old village of Clifford, one-half mile 

south of the present village. This boring struck a flow at 16 feet, 

but it was not utilized.

SILVERWOOD DISTRICT.

This flowing-well district, as indicated in fig. 32, is spread over an 

area of 6 or 7 square miles, mainly in Rich Township (T. 10 N., R. 

10 E.), Lapeer County, but touches the northwest corner of Burlington Township (T. 10 N., R. 11 E.), Lapeer County, and the southeast
222 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

corner of Dayton Township (T. 11 N., R. 10 E.), Tuscola County. 

The village of Silverwood, at its north border, has given the name 

to the district. The wells are located on a plain at the south border 

of the Marlette moraine, and at an altitude of 75 to 100 feet or more 

below the level of the crest of the moraine. The altitude of Silverwood station, on the Pere Marquette Railroad, is 807 feet. Water 

stands 2 to 4 feet below the surface in wells in the village at the 

altitude of the station, flows being obtained only on ground less than 

805 feet above tide. The altitude seems to be a few feet less, or 

about 790 feet above tide, in the southern part of the district, though 

only barometric measurements were made.

A remarkable feature in this district is the apparent rise in head 

from south to north, a feature which suggests that the Marlette

moraine is the catchment area rather 

than districts to the 

south. Yet this district is outside the 

Marlette moraine in 

a situation that 

would be fed by it 

only under exceptional conditions. 

Ordinarily the waters 

falling upon a moraine find underground courses toward the inner border plain rather than 

into districts outside. 

In order to have a 

movement into an 

outer border district the beds through which the waters find passage 

should descend toward that district. This might occur if the drift 

sheet is laid down on a rock surface that becomes lower in passing 

from the moraine to the outer border district, and this is probably 

the case in this district. From the few records of borings obtained 

there appears to be a tract of lower rock surface and thicker drift 

south of the Marlette moraine in Lapeer County than along the 

moraine. In the vicinity of the Marlette moraine, rock is struck at 

about 750 to 775 feet above tide, but a few miles south it is 50 to 

150 feet lower. This higher altitude of the rock surface, rather than 

an exceptional thickness of drift, seems to be the cause of the 

prominence of the moraine, while a low rock surface, rather than a 

thin deposit of drift, is responsible for the low altitude in the

FIG. 32. Distribution of flowing wells in and near Silverwood, in 

Lapeer and Tuscola counties.
LAPEEIf COUNTY. 223

part of Lapeer County between this moraine and the Iml ay outlet. 

In general, borings show 100 to 200 feet of drift in the vicinity 

of this outlet on ground 775 to 825 feet above tide, while on the 

moraine, at altitudes of 825 to 900 feet, rock is reached at 50 to 

100 feet. There seems, in this condition of the bed-rock surface, to 

be sufficient cause for at least part of the water falling on the 

moraine to take a southward course beneath the outer border plain. 

Another condition which would perhaps tend in the same direction 

is that of the building of the Marlette moraine by a halt rather 

than by a readvaiice of the ice sheet, so that beds low down in the 

moraine would continue into the plain outside. Indeed, there are 

features which suggest either the persistence of stagnant ice or the 

presence of a lake on the plain outside the Marlette moraine while 

that moraine was in process of deposition. It is found that the 

outwash from the moraine does not cover certain low parts of the 

outer border district, such as that at Silverwood, while it does cover 

parts to the east and west of this village. The Marlette moraine 

may therefore, on the first supposition, be contemporaneous in time 

of deposition and a continuation of the surface portion of the drift 

in the outer border district, rather than the edge of an overlapping 

drift sheet.

Between 40 and 50 flowing wells have been obtained in this district, 

but in some cases the owners have found it difficult to dispose of 

the surplus water by removal through ditches, and have not 

attempted to devise or to put in use any apparatus for shutting off 

the flow, but have, instead, attached pumps with spouts too high 

to permit a flow, and thus lost the advantage of this class of wells. 

In a few cases, however, the flow has become so weak that a pump 

was attached. Some of the wells have been flowing a good stream 

for about thirty years, and the majority have been flowing so long 

that the owners do not recollect the date of their drilling. They 

have, commonly, li or 2-inch pipes, or less. The depths are between 

20 and 45 feet, and the water supplies are obtained from beds of 

sand or gravel, usually below blue clay. In some cases there is a 

surface sand of slight depth above the clay. The water is, as a rule, 

strong in iron and rather hard. It carries onry enough salt to be 

detectable to the taste, and never enough to be objectionable. The 

waters are popular and are preferred by the residents to "surface 

water" obtained at less depth.

The following list is incomplete in data on certain points owing 

to a failure to find the persons at home who made the wells. An 

attempt to supplement the information by correspondence has 

brought in but few returns, most of the letters remaining unanswered.
224 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Wetts in Silvemood district (Tps. 10 and 11 N., Rs. 10 and 11 E.).

Location.

Pere Marquette 

R. R., Silverwood.

verwood.

Silverwood (7 

wells in and 

around shop; 3 

now in use) .

Sec. 35, Dayton 

Township. 

Sec. 7, Burlington Township. 

Sec. 1, Rich

Township. 

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Township. 

Do.... -------

Do...........

Do.....-.---.

Sec. 3, Rich

Township. 

Do...........

Do...........

Do...........

Sec. 4, Rich

Township. 

Do...........

Sec. 10, Rich

Township. 

Sec. 11, Rich

Township. 

Do...........

Sec. 12, Rich 

Township. 

Do... ........

Do.... .......

Do... ........

Township. 

Sec. 16, Rich

Township.

Owner.

Matilda Cowles . . . 

J.Frank Mi tchell.

wells).

pjier.

E.Losh...........

(D. G. Smith (2

D. Huntley ---..--

Jacob Bush. ......

M. L. Rb-vell (2

i wells).

Walter Anderson .

E.McGough......

made. When 

(?)

(?)

(?)

1888 

1901

1879

J18SH

U886

1874

J1S84 

\1894

£

o 

ft

Ft.

40

3(1

48

36 

25 

?5

50

37

45

45

40

25

Diameter.

In.

9

9

12

.,

9

9

1.5

1.5

2 

2

Head.

Feet.

+ 1.5

+ 1

+ 1

Lowering.

(?)

+ 2

+ 4

+ 1 

+ 4

,

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons.

1

Weakening. 

Strong.

f l}-inch

\stream.

1

Strong.

Weak. 

4.5

Temperature.

°F. 

40

49

49

(?) 

(?)

49

}(?)

49

(?)

49 

49

i

Quality.

Hard: iron.

dium.

( Hard;

\ iron.

Remarks.

I

Some water 

at 24 feet;

bottom.

At residence.

Well in a 

pond.

COLUMBIAVILLE DISTRICTS.

The flowing wells near Columbiaville are not all in one district, 

those in Flint River Valley being separated from those a mile west 

of the village by a till ridge. There are two wells in the valley in 

Columbiaville on the Peters estate, and one 5 miles below Columbiaville at a farmhouse. One in the north part of the village is about 

80 feet deep and 2 inches in diameter, with a 1-inch escape pipe. 

This well throws a jet 8 feet high from the 1-inch pipe, which calls 

for a discharge of about 55 gallons a minute. The water is from
LAPEER AND CLINTON COUNTIES. 225

sand under a stiff blue clay. The other well is 4 inches in diameter 

and about 1,500 feet deep, but the supply of water is from comparatively slight depth. The head is 28 feet above the surface, or about 

780 feet above tide, and the discharge is reported to be several 

barrels a minute.

The well 5 miles below Columbiaville is on a terrace south of 

Flint River, -35 to 40 feet above the low-water level, and flows a 

weak stream. The well is about 60 feet deep.

One of the wells a mile west of Columbiaville is at the residence 

of George Jerome, in the SE. i XE. J sec. 29, T. 9 N., R. 7 E. (Marathon Township). It is 62 feet in depth and 2 inches in diameter 

and has a head of 6 feet. It flows a small stream three-fourths inch 

or less. The well was made about 1893, and is mainly through 

blue clay.

The other well, a mile west of Columbiaville, is only a few rods 

south of the Jerome well, in the NE. J SE. J sec. 29, at the residence 

of W. Sanford. It was made about twenty-five years ago, and flows 

a half-inch stream from a 2-inch pipe. The drift is about 80 feet 

thick.

WATER SUPPLIES OF NORTHERN CLINTON COUNTY.

By ISAIAH BOWMAN. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

In Clinton County two towns having public supply, Ovid and 

St. Johns, and the several flowing-well districts of the northern half 

of the county were examined. The district near Elsie, however, 

was assigned to Mr. Davis, and is therefore discussed by him." One 

of the flowing-well districts, the Eureka, extends into southern 

Gratiot County, but is discussed as a whole in this place. The 

southern half of Clinton Count}' is discussed by Doctor Lane as a 

part of the region bordering Lansing (pp. 170-175).

FLOWING WELLS.

EUREKA DISTRICT.

The Eureka district occupies several square miles on the borders 

of Clinton and Gratiot counties, in Greenbush and Washington 

townships, and represents almost typically that relation between 

moraines and drainage which results so frequently in artesian flows. 

The descent from the summit of the bordering moraine (fig. 33) is 

steeper in passing down to the edge of the plain than the slope 

farther north across the plain toward Maple River. Sec. 34 and the 

southern part of sec. 27 have imperceptible slopes and imperfect 

drainage. Near Maple River and its larger tributaries there is somei See pp. 230-233.
226 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

what stronger relief, but in general the district is flat. As shown 

in the following table, there is a steady increase of head to the southwest of the area of flow in the direction of the moraine, from which 

the artesian supply is apparently derived.

R. 2 W.

FIG. 33. Map showing Eureka flowing-well area in relation to drainage and moraine. The known 

area of flows is shaded, but flows may lie obtained north of Maple River.

The Eureka flows are not confined to the stream valleys, but are 

distributed over the plain. The first flowing well in the area wT as 

sunk in 1865, and the development has continued steadily to the 

present, a length of time that affords unusual opportunities for the 

determination of the effect of flow 011 the head. Many of the wells 

show a decrease of supply not altogether due to the clogging of the 

pipe. Mrs. Youdan's well furnishes at present but one-eighth gallon 

a minute, whereas its yield when first put down was 5 gallons a minute. A similar decrease is noted in W. W. Williams's well. P. C. 

Zigler reports a decrease of 9 feet in the head of his well, which is 27 

feet deep. The decrease affects deep and shallow wells alike. Seasonal fluctuations in head and flow are noted, these being in flows 

from sources no deeper than those at Eureka.

The following sections indicate the nature and relations of the 

water-bearing material:

Record of Wilson Keiser's well, Eureka.

Thickness. , Total.

Feet. Feet.
CLITNTOJtf OOUNTY.

Recoil of Edwarl Burke'* well, Eureka.

227

Thickness.

Clay and hardpan. 

Rod clay..........

Rock (?').

Feet.

99

Total.

Feet.

99

101

Record of W. O. Bailis's well, Eureka.

Stony clay..... 

Sand" and gravel

Thickness.

Feet.

90

Total.

Feet.

In sees. 11 and 12, Greenbush Township, are two areas smaller than 

the one just discussed. These occur at the heads of smaller tributary 

streams, and in the valley of the stream which joins Maple River in 

sec. 25 there occurs what is probably a continuation of the area of 

flows found farther west.

No flows are reported on the north side of the river, and none are 

likely to be found there, on account of the rapid slope from a moraine

lying near by.

Well* in Eureka district.

bb

c .

F

E

D

0

A

B

r.

D

E

F

G

TT

r

L. 

IVf

N. 

0

P

Q.

Section.

11

3

33

34

00

33

34

34°7

°7

35 

34

35

00

33

c

9

9

C)

Q

9

9 

9

9 

9

9

9

9

to

C

.)

Owner, made.

Fred Russell.......... ........... 1890

q "Rnrrrm-a 1 QQH

M. A. Youdan .................... 1894

D. J. Virrflth... .......... ....... 1903

C. S. Patterson. .................. 1874

E. Darling. . ...................... 1805

E. Weatherby .................... 1894

F Tf- ' (1 KG i s6 r

P. C. Zigler. ...................... 1889

W. Church ........................ 1903

W. C. Bavlis...................... 1904

W. Church ........................ 1903

W. Keiser......................... 1901 

C. Briiwbaker..................... 1884

J. E. Walker. ..................... ........

A. B. Baum. ...................... 1903

Depth.

Feet. 

175

147

190

190

94

124

35

30

70

22

27

109

90

109

33

65 

56

""166

95

50

50

Elevation.

Feet.

086J

725

701

683

685

693

682

083

681

684

677

677

680

676

680

680

692 

690

700 

675

680

673

073

Water

rises 

to 

Feet. 

096

680

6S7J

728

687

089

095

085

6S6

686

OS9

680

685

700

684

680

685

697 

693

705 

683

689

674

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

1.75

251°

1

.11

.5

1.25

.5

12

2

15

3

 1.25

1.5

.75 

1

3

1

Temperature.

-F.

55.7

53.4

50.2

51.8

53.8

51.2

52.1

49.5

51.5

52.7

51.3

52.7

51.2

52.5

50.9 

52

51

52

51 5

51.8

The diameter of the pipes is uniformly 2 inches.
S28 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN, 

MAPLE RAPIDS DISTRICT.

Ill a test boring for coal at Maple Rapids, where the surface elevation is 640 feet above tide, a strong flow of water was obtained from 

three different horizons, as shown in the following section:

Record of coal boring at Maple Rapids.

Coal. .............................................................................

Thickness.

Feet.

OD

9

82

3

29

17

33f.

Total.

Feet. 

25

28

36

04

69

168

184

218

261

'295s

334

About 2 miles east and three-fourths of a mile north of Maple 

Rapids, in the NW. J sec. 3, T. 8 N., R. 3 W., is another flowing well 

that is supplied from the drift. It is located at the foot of a bluff 

which represents the southern valley side of Maple River. The height 

of the bluff as determined by aneroid is 75 feet, an unusual height, due 

to the fact that Maple River here crosses the St. Johns moraine. The 

bluff maintains this height for a half mile up and down the valley, and 

for this distance flows dependent on local relief may fairly be expected 

to occur.

The owner of the well is Zalmoii Wymari; the driller, Barney Norton, of Maple Rapids. The depth is 31 feet, diameter of pipe 2 inches, 

temperature 52° F., altitude 660 feet, head 10 feet, flow 1.5 gallons a 

minute. The well was drilled in March, 1903, and has since yielded 

a constant supply of water, which is derived from gravel underlying 

30 feet of gravelly clay or till, and is used for domestic purposes.

ST. JOHNS DISTRICT.

One mile northeast of St. Johns, near the source of Spring Brook, 

are the two flows first mentioned in the table below. They are 

obtained at a slight depth in gravel and sand underneath a layer of 

clay about 10 feet thick. The flows are supplied from the St. Johns 

moraine, and both are oil the floor of the valley of Spring Brook. 

Flows farther down the valley are unknown, and farther up the valley 

the summit of the moraine is quickly reached. The water in both
CLINTON CO LINT Y. 229

32; 33 34 35

FIG. 34. Flowing wells near St. Johns, Clinton County.

wells is hard and chalybeate and is used for ordinary farm purposes. 

In addition to this the water in the well belonging to the Spring Brook 

Ice Company is collected in an artificial pond about 2 acres in extent, 

from which most of the ice supplied in St. Johns is cut.

A low dam and sluice gate permits the regulation of the height of 

water. Each summer the pond is drained and the bottom plowed, 

effecting thorough aeration, this being necessary because of the coating of iron oxide deposited from the chalybeate water.

Northwest of St. Johns, in the valley of another small tributary of 

Spring Brook and in the same relation with reference to the St. Johns 

moraine, is another 

small group of four 

flows. As shown in fig. 

34, these occur in close 

association with the 

drainage, as they must 

in this locality, where 

the relief, though slight, 

is sufficient to prevent 

flows except along the 

stream courses. The 

character of water and the direction of flows are similar to those in 

the preceding group. Mr. Feightling has constructed a trout pond 

which is fed by the overflow from his well, and he intends to install a 

hydraulic ram for supplying his house with water. The other wells 

of this section are put to ordinary domestic and farm uses.

Still farther northwest, in sec. 32, T. 8 N., R. 3 W., on the next 

western tributary of Spring Brook, is the flowing well of R. T. Ferguson. The well is at the top of the bluff above the little stream just

mentioned. The water rose to

7 within IS inches of the surface 

and by piping to the ravine 200 

feet away a flow was secured. 

Since this method is used to 

secure flows in a number of 

places, a diagram (fig. 35) is

FIG. 36. Illustration of flow obtained by trenching. ^^ illustrating the relations.

Mr. Ferguson has built his barn below the flow and installed a system of pipes so that the water runs by gravity through the basement. 

This combination of slope and flow might in many other cases be 

utilized to the great saving of money and labor.

Between this well and the group east of here the surface is very

level, especially in the western part of the area. The water rises in all

the dug or driven wells with strong artesian effect, standing in many

cases but a few inches below the surface, and is never more than 10

IBB 182 06 16
230 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKN MICHIGAN.

feet below it. But in tracts lying between the stream valleys flows

are not obtained.

Wells in St. Johns district.

Letter fig. on 

34.

0

T)

A

B

P.

F

0,

Section.

9

4

3

3

9

32

N. Township 

7

7

7

7

g

BangeW.

2

3

3

3

3

3

Owner.

.....do............................

When 

made.

1901

1892

1909

Depth.

Feet.

on

70

99

96

40

91

Elevation.

Feet. 7t;i

726

708J

713

711

705

707

Water

rises 

to 

Feet.

7C£

797

712J

71 o

714

706

709

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls.

3

8

1.5

.12

.33

Temperature.

°F.

C1 1

51.2

51.2

51.7

66?

59.6

SHEPARDSVILLE DISTRICT.

One mile south of Shepardsville in Ovid Township (T. 7 N., R. 1 

W.), in western Clinton County, is the flowing well of E. R. Munson. 

It is at an altitude of 716 feet. The water at present is just level 

with the surface, but has fallen 8 feet since the well was sunk about 

forty years ago, the loss being probably due to clogging of the pipe. 

The flow is 1.5 gallons per minute, and the temperature 49.5° F. 

The water is strongly chalybeate. The following section was furnished by Mr. Munson:

Record of Munson well, Ovid Township.

Water-bearing gravel.

Thickness.

Feet. 

14

2

7

Total.

Feet. 

14

16

23

Other attempts to secure flows in the valley of Maple River near 

Shepardsville have been made on slightly higher ground and have 

proved unsuccessful. One-half mile southwest of Duplain in the 

same valley, but in another township, is another flow belonging to 

A. M. Birmingham. It is located within a few feet of Maple River 

at an altitude of 713 feet. The water is unusually soft and comes 

from a water bed 20 feet below the surface and beneath blue clay.

ELSIE AND VICINITY."

Elsie is situated in northeastern Clinton County in T. 3 N., R 1 W., 

on a low, gravel-covered ridge, sloping on the north to the Ann Arbor 

Railroad, on the south to the valley of a tributary of Maple River,

a- Bv Charles A. Davis.
CLINTON COUNTY. 231

and on the west to Maple River. The ridge, in part at least, is the 

result of wave action on the shore of the Glacial Lake Saginaw. 

Hence it is porous, and since it is superposed upon a clay substratum 

at no great depth below the surface water is easily obtained.

The wells in the town are generallj" shallow, some probably too 

shallow for the safety of those who use the water. On the north 

side of town they are from 7 to 20 feet deep; those on the top of the 

ridge are somewhat deeper 35 feet and more. The tile well is common, and this type of construction seems popular in some parts of 

the village. It is certainly less objectionable than the older type of 

dug wells.

There is no public supply at present, and so far as learned none is 

contemplated, but eventually the town will need fire protection at 

least, and for this purpose Maple River is the nearest available source. 

This stream would not furnish a supply of water which would be 

recommended for any purpose except sprinkling and fire protection, 

and if drinking water were sought, wells would have to be developed. 

The most accessible place for putting down test wells would be in 

the lowest part of the river vallejT , within easy reach of the village, 

where a good suppty of water would most probably be found. Wells 

in the vicinity of the railroad station might yield also sufficient water. 

Another possible place for the location of a pumping station would 

be at a powerful flow of water from the ground beside the railroad 

tracks lj miles southeast of the village. Explorations in this neighborhood would probably yield other flows that would furnish a large 

quantity of excellent water, which could be pumped to town.

There are no flowing wells in Elsie village, but in other parts of 

Duplain Township there are two districts with shallow yet strongflowing wells. One of these lies in a drainage vallej" on the eastern 

side of sec. 1. It contains but a single well, but is apparently capable of further development. Several farms along the" valley could 

probably get good supplies of flowing water if the wells were put 

down at the lowest points. The present well has been in existence 

for twenty years at least and flows a large stream of excellent water 

at the present time.

The other and principal area lies south of Elsie, beginning about 

3 miles south and extending several miles in a southeasterly direction, the area seeming nearly coincident with the shallow valley of 

one of the small tributaries of Maple River. It is bounded on the 

west by a small, sharp, morainal ridge 30 to 50 feet high, which runs 

nearly north and south at its northern end and trends southeastward in its southern part.

Within this area large flows are so easily obtained by boring with 

a common earth auger that many of the farms have several wells, 

running in the aggregate enough water to supply the needs of a small
232 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

town. The cost of putting the wells down is said to be from $3 to 

$5, including labor, and the depth ranges from 8 to 25 feet.

The usual way in which these wells are piped is to bore a lj-inch 

hole lengthwise through a common fence post, then start the boring 

into the earth at the bottom of a hole a little smaller than the post 

and about the depth of an ordinary post hole. When water is 

reached, the post is driven into the hole. The head is frequently 

sufficient to drive the water out through the hole in the post; if it 

does not, the next step, after the post is set, is to bore a lateral hole 

through into the central one near the upper limit of the head, or 

at such point as may be desirable, and into this drive a spile of 

simple construction, through which the water is delivered. If the 

head lowers, the spile is easily lowered, and in this way fairly exact 

records of lowering of some of the wells may be had, some posts 

showing several successive orifices of this kind.

The small ridge to the west is hardly large enough to furnish such 

a great quantity of water as flows from the larger wells, and it seems 

probable that the more extended rolling country to the south is 

the source of supply.

Near the bottom of the embankment of the Ann Arbor Railroad 

H miles southeast of Elsie, in a marshy tract at the foot of a long 

slope from the north, is a fine spring, the overflow from which runs 

off as a stream a foot wide and 2 inches deep. The water comes up 

through a barrel and rises 6 inches above the surface of the ground 

about the spring from clean gravel and sand at the bottom. One 

informant said that this was merely a hole made by pushing a fence 

rail down into the ground 6 or 8 feet and breaking through the hardpan. The general character of the ground about the. spring would 

indicate, however, that there have been natural springs in the neighborhood for some time, however this particular one originated. The 

altitude is about 715 feet, and the temperature of the water 48° F.

A well three-fourths of a mile south of Elsie on the west side of 

sec. 13, Duplain Township, is reported as about 200 feet deep, with 

rock at 98 feet. The water rises within 2 feet of the surface at the 

house, and flows one-half gallon a minute at a watering trough 3 feet 

below the level of the pump. This well is near the valley of the 

stream south of town and is about 12 feet below the village, or 725 

feet above tide. South of Elsie the rock surface is said to be from 

100 to 130 feet below the surface, but a mile or two to the north it 

is quite variable, running from 27 to 175 feet or more in depth within 

short distances. This information was given by Mr. Otto Heinze, a 

well driller who has worked in the region several years.
CLINTON COUNTY. 283

WeUft in Elsie, district (T. <V N., R. 1 W.).

Section.

1 

25 

25 

30

25

36 

25 

25

Owner.

G. W. Bowers e ..........

When 

made.

1884

1904

1874

1884

Diameter.

771.

3 

1.5 

1.25

2

2 

2

A M

ft

a

Feet. 

20 

18 

16 

19 

1 22 

i 16 

23 

20

fl 

o

"§ 

H

Feet. 

715 

712 

715 71'2

| 725

720 

718 

725

73

03 

oW

Feet. 

+ 3

+ 5 

- 5 

+ 2 

+ 3 

+ 2-5 

+ 2 

+ 3

Flow per minute.

Galls. 

10 2-3

2

1.5

8+

1-3 

4 

6

Temperature.

°F.

48.5 

48.5 

48.8 

49.5

48.2

48.5 

50

Quality.

Hard; iron. 

.....do.....

.....do.....

.....do.....

.....do.....

.....do.....

.....do.....

.....do.....

Water 

bed.

Gravel. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

a, Bored and never piped, except by pump log driven tbrougb the soil; fine flow. 

b In corn field; not cased.

c Bored log with spigot in side. Yellow clay 12 feet, blue clay 4 feet, water gravel. Rock at 30 feet 

probably a bowlder in pump well near by.

d T. 8 N., R. 1 E. Shows on post three successive lowerings from a head 2 feet higher than present. 

t Largest of group; great waste of water. 

/Mr. Bensinger has four wells from 10 to 23 feet deep. 

g Stock well at north end of farm. 

A Supplies a public trough on road from Elsie to Ovid.

WATERWORKS.

OVID.

The village of Ovid is in Ovid Township, on the eastern border of 

Clinton County, near the headwaters of Maple River. The surface 

is gentty rolling, heing an intermorainic area of slight relief.

The water system is operated in connection with an electric-light 

plant, and both are controlled by the village. The former was established in 1888, the latter in 1894. Water is drawn from a curb 

well 20 feet deep and 16 feet in diameter. The stand tower is 70 

feet high and holds 1,300 barrels, 2,000 barrels being the average 

daily amount supplied.

Ten or twelve years ago oil was used for fuel in running the engines. 

This was stored underground in a large tank, and, a leak having 

formed, the public water became polluted. Two or three years were 

required to purify the oil-sodden earth, during which time the water 

could not be used.

ST. JOHNS.

Admirable drainage is secured for St. Johns by the slopes on which 

it is built, and which, while weak for a moraine, are still strong 

enough to give a pleasing variety to streets and grounds an important factor in the growth of a town.

From the notebooks of James B. Henderson, superintendent of 

waterworks, accurate data were secured as to the depths of the 

different wells and the material penetrated. The 5 deep wells supplying the village are located in a group with intervals of 6 feet, and 

have the following depths: 222, 312, 544, 548, and 574 feet. The
234 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

cost of the wells was $2 a foot, the village furnishing the casing. The 

section of the deepest well is as follows:

Record of waterworks wett, St. Johns.

(This indicates the depth of the moraine at St. Johns. There was a heavy 

water ted at 28 feet, but the supply was too near the surface to be considered 

safe.)

Blue shale ................................. ....... .............................

Thickness.

Feet. 

40

112

20

202

1

150

10

15

24

Total.

Feet. 

40

152

172

374

375

525

535

550

574

Water is drawn from the first and second sandstones. The water 

stands at 40 feet below the surface, or 713 feet above tide; by pumping with forced draft it can be lowered 85 feet, or to 125 feet below 

the surface. It is pumped into two brick reservoirs 19 feet deep and 

27 feet in diameter, together holding 150,000 gallons. The average 

daily amount supplied to the village is 275,000 gallons, over 800 

families and all the steam plants in town making use of the public 

supply.

The quality of the water, as determined by chemical analysis made 

by Thomas Cooley, of the University of Michigan, August 5, 1904, is

as follows:

Analysis of water of St. Johnt waiei^works.

Parts per million. 

Total residue obtained by evaporation at 110° C.............................. 446

Residue after ignition, or inorganic matter in residue.......................... 312

Organic residue, or loss on ignition.......................................... 134

Chlorine (as sodium chloride).............................................. 38

Sulphates (as S03)........................................................ Trace.

Potassium permanganate reduced by organic matter in the water............... 12.1

Free ammonia........................................................... .06

Albuminoid ammonia..................................................... .06

Nitrates................................................................. 0

Nitrites................................................................. 0

Color, clear; odor, none; reaction, neutral; no appreciable deposit; no germs except 

ordinary water germs; inoculation experiment negative. This is a very fair water, perfectly safe for domestic use in its present condition.

FOWLER.

The village of Fowler is reported to have a public supply, both for 

fire and domestic purposes, obtained from a drilled well, but no 

further information was gathered.
IONIA COUNTY. 235 

EAGLE.

The village of Eagle is also reported to have a partial public supply 

for domestic use, the water being pumped by windmill from a driven 

well to a tank.

WATER SUPPLIES OF IONIA COUNTY. 

By ISAIAH BOWMAN.

GENERAL STATEMENT.

In Ionia, County the writer examined each of the several flowingwell districts and visited each town in which a public water supply 

has been put in operation. But little attention was given to the 

portions of the county in which flowing wells were not obtained, 

though it was ascertained that water can generally be had at very 

moderate depths throughout the county. Indeed, the average depth 

of the pump wells is less than that of the flowing wells.

Grand River flows through the county in a valley of considerable 

depth, the bluffs being ordinarily 100 to 150 feet high. The greater 

part of the upland is a gently undulating till plain, which in places 

assumes the form of definite morainic ridges of subdued type. There 

are also narrow strips of gravelly land leading southward between 

the moraines in the northern part of the county to the valley of Grand 

River.

FLOWING WELLS AND SPRINGS.

BELDING.

The Belding flows occur only in the city of Belding, along the flood 

plain of Flat River in Otsico Township (T. 8 N., R. 8 W.), and are 

distributed over an area of about 1 square mile, as indicated in the 

sketch map (fig. 36). An understanding of the nature of the flows 

may best be obtained after an examination of the nature and position 

of the water-bearing strata. The sections follow:

Record of Richardson silk mill well, Belding.

Water-bearing sand and gravel with occ*

Very fine sand, bearing watei with a heac 

it could not be screened and the flow c

Sand, fine but capable of being screened.

[ of 84 feet. Material was so fine that

Present flow from this bed at 120-122

Thickness. Total.

Feet. ' Feet. 

35 35 

10 45 

55 100

1 101 

19 120

2 122
236 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Record of N. Lapliam well, Belcling.

Thickness. Total.

Sand and gravel with streaks of clay. 

Sticky blue clay with no stones.......

Fine, black, water-bearing sand.

Feet. Feet.

50

100

Record of Belding Brothers & Co. well, Belding.

Clay .............................................................................

Thickness.

Feet. 

25

20

1

25

Total.

Feet. 

25

45

46

74

Record of Ballou basket works well, Belding.

Black muck.........................

Blue sticky clay, no stones.........

Fine sand, water-Learing...........

Variegated clay.....................

Sand, clay, and stones, with water. 

Coarse water-bearing sand.

Thickness.

Feet.

Total.

Feet.

8

65

100'

140

ExThe water from the wells of the different companies is used for 

drinking purposes by the employees. Water for boiler use is drawn

out of Flat River. The depths of 

the different wells, as well as the 

succession of materials, show the 

uncertainty of finding water at the 

particular depth apparently indicated by the conditions in a nearby well. While this is more or 

less characteristic of water supply 

in glacial deposits it is more notably the case in the Belding flows 

than in any others where the wells are as near each other as in this 

part of the State.

The flow of water in the second well of Belding Brothers & Co., 

mentioned in the table below, has decreased from 5£ to 4 gallons a 

minute. In the well owned by the Ballon basket works the decrease 

has been from 6 to 1^ gallons a minute. This decrease is due either 

to the obstruction of the screen by the fine sand in which the water 

occurs, or to the corrosion of the screen, or to both, this being proved 

by the condition of different screens pulled up in cleaning wells.

FIG. 36. Map of Belding flowing-well area, 

tent shown by shading.
IONIA COUNTY. 237

The diameter of the wells mentioned in the table is uniformly 2 

inches, and the cost of drilling $2 a foot, including pipe.

The present city supply is from the various city wells or from 

ordinary dug wells. For fire protection, water is pumped from Flat 

River and conveyed by a system of wooden mains to every part of 

the city. The pumping is done for the city under contract by Belding Brothers & Co. The artesian-water resources of the place have 

encouraged the consideration of plans for the installation of a plant 

which will furnish water for all purposes.

Wells at Belding (T. 18 N., B. 8 W.).

Letter 

on 

fig. 37.

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

I

J 

K

L

Section.

11 

11 

11 

11 

10 

10 

10

11 

11

11 11 

u

Owner.

C. C. Briggs..................

Belding Land and ImproveBelding Bros. & Co ..........

Belding Hall Manufacturing

When 

made.

1900 

1904 

1894 

1897 

1903 

1892 

1893 

1890

1888 

1902

1899

^Pth. ^

Feet. 

121 

126 

100 

140 

37 

25 

35 

156

300 

13H 

100*

155

Feet. 

768 

771

768 

678 

768 

768 

769

7(58 

770 

771

768

Water

rises 

to 

Feet. 

770 

774 

774 

776 

771 

77U 771" 

773

768 

774 

780

776

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

1 

1 

6 

1.5

1 

Pumped.

. 75

Pumped.

6 

4

1

Temperature.

o p

^o r. o^. u

52.2 

51.9 

50.7 

49.7 

50. 5 

51.5

52. 2

51.6

a At 300 feet "rotten rock" was encountered, the drill broke, and the well was abandoned. A flow 

was passed at 120 feet. The well at present suppl es the Belding Hotel. Flow is 5 gallc ns a minute 3 

feet below surface.

CLARKSVILLE DISTRICT.

The flows of the Clarksville area in the southwestern part of Ionia 

County occur in and beyond the northern and western limits of the 

village, which is located on a level till plain extending eastward from 

a moraine lying a mile to the west. Extremely slight trenching of 

this plain by Coldwater Creek and its tributaries has occurred, and 

it is on the shallow valley floors or in natural depressions of the 

plain that flows are found.

An examination of the accompanying table shows an increase of 

head in the general direction of the moraine on the southwest. The 

dug-well records near the southern limit of flow uniformly show the 

same condition, besides indicating that here; as in the flowing-well 

area, when the water-bearing stratum is tapped, the water rises with 

strong artesian effect, until it reaches the approximate level of the 

static head within the area of flow. This, together with the fact 

that the flowing wells are shallow and their depths uniform, points 

'to a continuous water bed locally supplied, and attributes to the 

moraine west of the village the function of a catchment area.
238 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Fig. 37 expresses these and other interesting relations. The low 

hill seems to divide the flows, and to constrict them between its

southern limit and the higher ground to 

the south. Beyond the constriction they 

spread out again, fan-like, and may be 

found all the way between this point and 

the creek. These relations, considered 

with the topography, suggest that in the 

same way flows may be obtained on the 

western side of the hill between the railroad track and the creek. The extreme 

eastern limits of the area may also be 

extended a short distance, but the extreme western limits have been well defined by borings. The head and flow of 

Mr. Merrill's well on the southwestern 

limits of the area indicate a probable 

extension of the area as indicated in fig. 37.

The water is in every case hard, and leaves an incrustation of lime 

stained by iron on the pipe. It is used for stock and domestic purposes. The largest flow is that of the Merrill well (see table); the 

flows in the other wells, except the Hull well, are small. Mr. Hull 

furnished the following record of materials penetrated:

Record of Hull well, Clarksville.

FIG. 37. Location of Clarksville flows. 

Present extent shown by diagonal 

lines; probable extension by dotted 

lines. Arrow points in direction of 

underground flow.

Clayey soil...........................

Solid, blue clay.......................

Clean quartz gravel, water bearing.

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

The records of other wells show the same succession of material 

with remarkable uniformity in the thickness of the clay and the position of the water bed.

Wells in Clarksville district (T. 5N.,R.8 W.).

Section.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

3

9

9

4

Owner.

Dr. A. G. Bush. ..............................

L. A. Scoville. ................................

J.Hull........................................

F. E. Richards.. .............................

F. W. Merrill. ................................

.....do........................................

.....do........................................

When 

made.

1894

1894

1896

........

1894

1894

Depth.

Feet. 

27

27

27

22

27

27

25

27

25

20

23

25

Elevation.

Feet. 

815

819

820

820

820

824

824

822

822

824

825

827

826

826

828

826

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

819

819

822

824

824

826

826

824

825

825

826.5

826

832

832.5

830

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls. 

1.33

.5

1

10

1

8

1

.75

.14

15

5

.12

Temperature.

°F. 

51

49.9

50.4

50.4

51.5

50.3

50.5

50.3

51.2

50.5

49.8

50.3

52.3
IONIA COUNTY. 239 

HUBBARDSTON DISTRICT.

There are but 2 flowing wells in the village of Hubbardston; one is 

owned by the village, and the other by C. K. Bennett.

The village well was drilled in 1894 by private individuals to supply a village watering place, and to throw light on the geologic formations present. The depth of the well is 265 feet; diameter, 5 

inches; flow, 64 gallons a minute; temperature, 50.8 °F.; altitude, 

670 feet; head, 20 feet; cost, $2 per foot. The driller was L. J. Lincoln, of Mason, Mich. John A. Tabor, postmaster at Hubbardston 

and one of the promoters of the well, kindly furnished the approximate section which follows:

Record of village flowing well, Hubbardston.

Thickness. Total.

Sand and gravel underlain by a few feet of hard blue clay. 

Water-bearing sand.

Feet.

50 

55 

Very hard clay with occasional layers of soft clay............................... I 103

Thin layers of water-bearing red sand with a flow of 20 to 30 barrels a day....... 2

'' Sandy hardpan'' with no water............................................... 40

Sand and gravel from which present flow is obtained

50 

105 

208 

210 

250 

252 

Sandy hardpan in which drilling was stopped.................................. ' 13 2d5

Feet.

The water contains considerable iron and occasionally roils 

slightly. No reason for this is assigned except that after having 

been driven to 265 feet the well was dynamited at 250 feet to break 

the pipe where a flow was known to occur.

The depth of the Bennett well is 50 feet; diameter, 2 inches; altitude, 652 feet; head, 12 feet; temperature, 51.3 °F.; flow, 8 gallons 

a minute. This well is at present used to supply a sawmill. At 

one time the citizens of the village undertook to found a sanitarium 

to make use of the well, but the project was abandoned. The water 

is said to be derived from gravel beneath a clay hardpan.

In sec. 21, Bloomer Township, Montcalm County, 5 miles northwest of Hubbardston, an old well is reported which was drilled in 

search of coal. No data are at hand further than the authenticated 

statement that the well is at least 200 feet deep and flowed when 

first put down.

Between this flow and the one at Hubbardston there is lower 

ground drained by a tributary of Maple River. This suggests that 

the field might be greatly enlarged. The depth is somewhat unfavorable, however, considering the fact that an abundant supply of 

surface water can be so easily obtained in the ordinary dug wells. 

Yet for some of the larger farms of this district flows even at the 

greater depth would be profitable.

Three miles southwest of Hubbardston, on the farm of A. S. Jessup, in sec. 23, T. 8 N., R. 5 W., is a spring yielding 2 barrels a 

minute, the largest spring found in this part of the State. Two
240 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

years ago its flow was concentrated on the river bluff 50 feet above 

Maple River, but since then it has cut a gully 250 feet long and 20 

feet deep at the mouth. The gully heads in a kettle hole toward 

which both the surface and the subsurface drainage is directed. The 

temperature of the water at the head of the gully is 53°, at the mouth 

56°. The gully is cut in a marl deposit of considerable thickness, formerly used in the manufacture of lime. Lack of railroad transportation stopped the industry, and no use is now made of the deposit.

IONIA DISTRICT.

General statement. About 50 feet above the floor of the Grand 

River Valley are the numerous surface springs of Ionia. Their issuance so high up on the valley side is caused in most places bj the 

outcrop of the clay of morainic origin underneath the sand and gravel 

in which the surface water accumulates. The water furnished by the 

springs is used for drinking and household purposes by private families and is the principal source of the supply at the municipal pumping 

station, the Michigan Reformatory, and the hospital for the criminally insane. The surface water is usually centralized at the mouths 

of the small valleys tributary to Grand River Valley or in the adjacent 

kettle holes, which have been tapped through the headward growth 

of the tributary gullies. A verjT good example of the latter kind of 

centralization of drainage is found just back of the river bluffs onehalf mile west of Ionia.

John Flater, living just outside of the western city limits, has for 

years irrigated his garden from a stone reservoir built about 60 feet 

above the floor of Grand Valley and in the path of the surface drainage. More recently he has irrigated from flowing wells.

Wells. The following table gives data of flowing wells in the Ionia 

district:

Wells in Ionia district.

Letter

Oil

fig. 

38.

K

P

H

N

M

T

A

O 

R

B

A

r

T,

T

K

Township 

N.

7

7

7

7

7

7

7

Range 

W.

6

jj

6

6

G

6 

(i

C

6

6

Section.

27

21

an

21

20

19

19

19 

19

94

24

19

202n

20

Owner.

H. H. Pierce........!...........

G. W. & H. B. Webber.........

H. R. Welker...................

Ionia Gas and Coke Company. .

F. A. Shattuck. .................

H. A. Leek......................

When 

made.

1900

1901

1896

1901

1898

1887

1897

1899

1904

1900

1903

Depth.

Feet. 

340

540

247

a 107

OAJ)

i 525

\ 650

190 

320

240

228

80

67

77i

83

Elevation.

Feet. 

694

665

640

678

635

682

1 685

650

700

650

635

635

635

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

715

725

670

700

637

696

695 

693

720

700

672

637

640

643

Flow 

per 

minute.

Galls. 

36

300

]

4

.25

30

.5

10

18

.5

1

4

Temperature.

o ^ 

52.3

52.3

52.2

53

52.3

"si's

52

51.9

51.2

o There is some doubt as to the depth of this well. It probably belongs to the 80-foot series.
IONIA COUNTY. 241

The data in the above table show, besides the surface system just 

discussed, two distinct sources of water, one occurring at 80 to 100 

feet in gravel underlying blue clay, and the other in rock at depths 

ranging from 200 to nearly 700 feet.

The wells of the first class yield a large supply of water, although 

strongly chalybeate in most cases, and might profitably be prospected 

by the city with a view to future increase of municipal supply. All 

of the wells drawing water from this stratum, except that belonging 

to Ionia Township, are in a group on the north side of Grand River 

Valley; the township well is located almost due south of the above 

group on the south side of the valley.

The deeper wells draw their supply from the rock. The well of the 

Prospecting Company has a larger flow than any other named in the 

table, penetrating so far into a rock formation known to yield water 

at various depths that it undoubtedly draws its supply from several 

horizons. The flow was originally a 6-inch stream under a 60-foot 

head, but through neglect the pipe has become partly filled with

T.7 N., R.7 W. T. 7 N., R.6 W.

FIG. 38. Area in and near Ionia in which flows are found. This could he extended some distance 

both up and down Grand River Valley.

quicksand from the surface, and the flow, while still stronger than 

that of any other well in this vicinity, is considerably less than at 

first. The hole was drilled by a prospecting company in search of 

coal, and on being abandoned by the company the water was piped up 

the adjacent bluff to a farmhouse and for years supplied the farm. 

Later its use in this way was discontinued by the breaking of the pipe, 

and at present no use is made of the water, which is allowed to run 

into Grand River.

The well records in the table are arranged in three series, approximately in the order of their occurrence down the valley: First, those 

deep wells which are located on the south side of Grand River; second, 

the deep wells on the north side; and third, the 80-foot wells on both 

sides.

The extent of the area under consideration is about 6 square miles 

but it could be much increased (fig. 38). A flow has been obtained
242 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

in Grand River Valley at the village of Saranac and others at Lowell, 

and there is apparently no reason why flows may not be obtained in 

the valley in the whole intervening distance between Lowell and 

Ionia. Up the valley from Ionia as far as Lyons the number of flowing wells, at least at present, seems to depend to a large degree on the 

number of people who have been able to bear the expense of putting 

down wells of sufficient depth.

In comparing depths of wells it must be remembered that some are 

on the valley floor and others on the terraces and valley sides. This 

accounts for the considerable difference shown in the column of altitudes. No permanent loss of head is noted except in the case of Mr. 

Yeomans's well, in which the water stands several feet below the surface. This well was dynamited during the drilling, and the consequent filling may have caused the loss of head. Temporary losses 

are frequent through sand-choked conditions, which could be obviated 

were the same care exercised in .entering the pipe in the rock which 

drillers in oil regions are forced to exercise. All the deep wells originally supplied from 15 to 75 gallons a minute, depending uniformly on 

the different depths and the difference between the surface elevation 

and the head.

The following section of the strata as they occur on the south side 

of the river was kindly furnished by J. Horrocks, formerly a well 

driller of Ionia:

Record of well south of Grand River, near Ionia.

Thickness. I Total.

Drift, sand, gravel, and clay.....................................................

Variegated sandstone............................................................

A long series of nonwater-bearing shales and slates, with thin interbedded layers 

of conglomerate and fire clay, with coal near the top and fire clay and slightly 

thicker seams of coal at the bottom. The maximum thickness of the coal 

layers is said to be 3^ feet at 245 feet...........................................

Parma sandstone.

Feet.

170

Feet.

50

120

290

The Parma sandstone yields water from the top, but the flow 

increases with the depth. Other sections are as follows:

Record of well of Ionia Gas and Coke Company, Ionia.

Black muck.................................................

Soft marl clay.......................................... ...

Coarse white'gravel.........................................

Series of shales, \\ ith thin coal seams.......................

Parma sandstone, very much creviced and full of cavities.

Thickness. Total.

Feet.

12

20

150

Feet. 

12 

20 

40 

190
IONIA COUNTY.

Record of John Plater well, (near valley bottom), Ionia.

243

I Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

110 200

28 228

Flow began as soon as this sandstone was encountered and increased 

with the depth, a fact reported in all wells in this formation.

Record of H. B. Welker well (on terrace), Ionia.

t 8 feet ......................................

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet. 

257 257

3 260

43 303

23 326

14 | 340

The supply is obtained in the Welker well from the Parma sandstone. Dynamiting is said to have increased the flow by half. 

The 80-foot series of wells all show approximately the following:

Record of 80-foot wells, Ionia.

Thickness. Total.

Surface loam......................

Blue clay..........................

Clean, loose, water-bearing gravel.

Feet. Feet.

The Ionia Water Company, Charles Girard, superintendent, operates four wells supplied from the springs described on p. 240. It 

also owns four artesian wells varying in depth from 525 to 650 feet. 

The two deepest ones yielded brackish water, and were plugged. 

The water in the others is not considered so good as that from the 

surface wells, and is not used except in cases of emergency. The 

storage reservoir has a capacity of 13,000 barrels, and holds at all 

times 5,000 barrels for fire protection. About 800,000 gallons are 

used daily. The two pumps have a united daily capacity of 3,000,000 

gallons.

The following partial analysis shows the composition of water 

from a deep.well owned by H. R. Welker, at Ionia, in the Parma 

sandstone. The data were furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the 

United States Geological Survey.
244 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Partial analysis of well water at Ionia.

Parts per million. 

Color.................................................................... 19

Iron (Fe)................................................................ 2.25

Chlorine (Cl)............................................................. 21. 5

Carbon dioxide (CO2)..................................................... 95. 85

Sulphur trioxide (SO3 ) .................................................... 213

Hardness (as CaCO3 )...................................................... 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 336 feet.

SHILOH AREA.

But one flow has been secured in Shiloh, Ionia County. This is 

located on the farm of C. H. Brown, 1 mile west of Shiloh station in 

sec. 11 in the valley of a small unnamed tributary of Dickinson 

Creek. The altitude is 670 feet, the depth 24 feet, and the diameter 

1J inches.

The well was driven in 1904, the material being sand for the first 

6 feet and then clay until water-bearing sand was encountered at 24 

feet. The head is 3 inches, but in lower places in the same valley 

many flows could probably be secured with a head of several feet. 

The flow at the surface is one-fourth gallon a minute. The water 

is strongly chalybeate, and the screens are clogged and rendered 

worthless after only a few months' use.

WATERWORKS.

LAKE ODESSA.

The pumping station which supplies water to this village in 

southern Ionia County is on the shore of Lake Jourdan, which lies 

southeast of the village. The lake is in a basin surrounded by more 

or less steep slopes leading up to the gently undulating area on which 

the village is built. The altitude of the lake is 810 feet; that of the 

village 840 to 865 feet or more.

Water is supplied from four 6-inch wells from 48 to 52 feet deep, 

the water standing 3 feet above the lake surface or 813 feet above 

tide. The direct-pressure system is in operation, and the averagedaily supply is approximately 175,000 gallons. A careful record of 

the material overlying the water bed is not available, but all reports 

place a clay layer of some thickness between the water bed and the 

surface. The water is from gravel beneath the clay. The surface 

of Lake Jourdan is much below the general elevation of the surrounding country, and it is doubted whether the flow found near it can be 

duplicated anywhere in this vicinity. Even at places near the waterworks wells on other parts of the shores of Lake Jourdan flows can 

not be obtained, the failure being attributed to the fine material in 

which the water is contained and to the small 2-inch pipes which the
IONIA COUNTY. 245

owners use. The present system amply supplies the needs of the 

village. It was established in 1899. The superintendent is Emerson 

Pool.

MUIR AND LYONS.

Muir and Lyons, neighboring villages in eastern Ionia County, 

are situated, the one on Maple River just before it joins the Grand 

and the other on Grand River where it turns sharply to the west. 

Below this point the river follows an old line of glacial drainage. The 

villages are built partly on the slopes and partly on the floor of 

Grand River Valley.

The water supply at both places is from dug wells 20 to 40 feet 

deep, the water level being about 12 feet below the surface of the 

flood plain, on which the business parts of the towns are built. In 

Muir a public drinking fountain is supplied with water from a spring 

20 feet above it on the neighboring bluff to the northwest. The 

water runs by gravity pressure at the rate of 12 gallons a minute. 

The village has a population of 750, and has no fire protection.

Lyons, with a population of about 880, has a system of fire protection with direct pressure. The pump is operated by waterpower 

in connection with a gristmill, and is set in motion in a very few 

minutes. A maximum pressure of 250 pounds may be attained. 

The pipes extend only along the main street, but are 1,000 feet in 

length, and give protection to practically all the village on the east 

side of Grand River. The extension of the mains to the west side 

of the river is under consideration.

PORTLAND.

The village of Portland, at the junction of Grand and Lookingglass rivers, in Ionia County, has its water supply from 1 well 32 feet 

deep, dug in 1889, into the bottom of which 18 feet of pipe has been 

driven, and from five tubular wells driven in 1900 to a depth of 

38 to 43 feet. The wells are at an altitude of 727 feet, and are located 

on the edge of a terrace bordering the flood plain of Lookingglass 

River. The water rises within 2 feet of the surface under normal 

static conditions, but the drafted head is much less. When pumped 

at the rate of 40,000 gallons an hour, the wells show a lowering of 

head within one-half hour. A steady drafted head is maintained 

when the wells are pumped at the rate of 15,000 gallons an hour. 

The water is pumped into a stone tower, 65 feet above the level of 

the well heads, which has a capacity of 85,000 gallons. To insure a 

supply of water under high pressure in case of fire, connection is 

maintained with the river, and river water may be pumped into the 

mains.

IKB 182 06^-17
246 WELLS AND WATEK SUPPLIES IN" SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

The town is growing steadily, and the mains are being extended 

so rapidly that new sources of supply must be sought. No deep 

borings have been made, and in the absence of these tests possible 

deeper supplies may be neglected. Springs along Lookmgglass 

River, one-half mile above the town, are looked to by the townspeople for increasing the supply.

The superintendent of the waterworks is Charles Selleck. The 

original cost of the plant was $13,000, and the approximate amount 

pumped daily is 250,000 gallons.

The following analysis of Portland water was made in 1899 by 

Prof. R. C. Kedzie:

Analysis of water at Portland.®

Parts per 

million.

Total solids...................... 357.15

Parts per 

million.

Temporary hardness.............. 57.15

Volatile at red heat (organic)....... 42. 86 Nitrites......................... None.

Mineral matter................... 314. 29 ! Nitrates......................... 21. 43

Chlorine......................... 30. 00 , Free ammonia................... .11

Total hardness by soap test........ 185. 72 | Albuminoid ammonia............. .05

Permanent hardness.............. 128. 57

Water colorless, odorless, tasteless. Quality good. Relatively large amount of nitrates. 

Hardness relatively high. Organic matter, containing nitrogen, is nearly oxidized. Small 

amount of chlorides tends to show the water free from sewage. If the water is boiled it is 

not so hard, some of the CaCO3 being precipitated by boiling.

WATER SUPPLIES OF MONTCALM COUNTY.

By ISAIAH BOWMAN. 

GENERAL STATEMENT.

In Montcahn County the writer examined each of the several small 

flowing-well districts, and also each village and city in which public 

supplies have been established. The county as a whole is well 

watered, and, aside from flowing wells and a few deep test borings for 

coal, the residents have sunk few wells to depths of over 50 feet, and 

many of the wells are 30 feet or less in depth.

FLOWING WELLS.

CEDAR LAKE.

The basin-like area in which the Cedar Lake flows are obtained is at 

the head of a tributary of Pine River and is partly encircled by sandy 

hills, the rainfall of which feeds the flows (see sketch map, fig. 39). 

The best records of materials penetrated in driving the wells are 

uncertain, but all agree in recording a thin clay layer about 25 feet 

below the surface, beneath which the artesian supply is obtained. 

The wells are all about 30 feet deep.

a- Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
MOJSTTCALM COUNTY. 247

Lake

T.IZN.

The area has been well developed in its upper part but not in the 

lower or northern and northwestern part, where more flows can 

undoubtedly be obtained. The latter 

section is uncleared and marshy and 

therefore uninhabited, so that the full 

extent of the area of possible flows is 

not determined.

The diameter of pipe used in nearly 

all cases is 1^ inches. The water of all 

the wells is strongly chalybeate. The 

wells are lettered on the map in the order 

of their occurrence from south to north 

over an area 100 rods long and 20 rods 

wide. The first flowing wells were driven 

about twenty years ago and the others 

soon after, except the last one in the table, 

which was put down in 1900 and yields an FlG- ^.-Relation of cedar Lake flows

1 J . to topography and drainage.

excellent flow. Ihe rusting of the pipes

and clogging by sand makes the other flows irregular at the present

time.

Wells at Cedar Lake (T. 12 N., If. 6 W.)

Letter 

on fig. 

39.

A

I

J

R

F

H

Q. -p

o

M

Section.

25

25

25

 "i

25

25

25

95

Owner.

I. N. CoUins...................... ...............

.....do..........................................

D. E . Cole. ......................................

W. W. Carroll. . ................................

Elevation.

Ftet. 

864

859

866

864

862

864

859

859

864

864

864

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

867

870

867

867

867

871

865

865*

865

865

868

867

871

868

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallons. 

0.75

1.25

OC

3

T>

.25

.25

1

1

3

4

20

Temperature.

°F. 

49.2

48.3

49.2

48.8

51.2

50.5

49.7

50

51

49.2

49.1

56.5

48.9

CRYSTAL LAKE DISTRICT.

Under Crystal Lake are treated four isolated and apparently 

unrelated flows in eastern Montcalm County, lying in a line running 

from the west end of Crystal Lake south to the Pere Marquette 

Railroad.

Near the west end of Crystal Lake in sec. 7,T. 10N.,R.5W.,is the 

well belonging to school district No. 7, Crystal Township. It is 2 

inches in diameter, 100 feet deep, and barely flows at the surface, 

which is 777 feet above tide To facilitate getting water a pump 

has been installed. Attempts to obtain flows on the slightly higher 

ground elsewhere in the vicinity have been unsuccessful. On the
248 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEKN MICHIGAN.

shore of the lake flows may be obtainable, but no attempt has been 

made to secure them. The rapid growth of the little summer colony 

at the eastern end of the lake suggests that such a well might be 

profitable to the owner. Ordinary dug-well records show the material 

in which the water occurs to be a rather fine sand underlying clay with 

alternating layers of quicksand. At the surface is 16 feet of ordinary 

coarse sand.

The other three flowing wells of the area are extremely shallow, one 

being 12 feet and two 16 feet in depth. In all three the material 

penetrated is nearly the same a few feet of clayey soil, then clay or 

quicksand to the bottom, where coarse water-bearing gravel is 

encountered. The wells are all on low ground near brook courses 

and seem, so far as suggested by the topography, to depend on a very 

limited catchment area for their supply. The water is strongly 

impregnated with iron, and the flow, on account of the coating formed 

on the screen, soon decreases and finally ceases altogether. The pipe 

is then driven down a few inches with a stone or sledge hammer, 

which loosens the deposit around the screen and thus restores free 

circulation, so that the original flow is resumed. On account of the 

slight depth the total cost of each well was but a few dollars.

Wells in Crystal Lake district.

Township

N.

9 

9 

10

Range 

W.

6 

5 

5

Section.

12 

6 

30

F. 

M 

M

B. 

A.

S.

Owner.

De Hart ........

rhen 

lade.

1900 

188'J

1896

Depth.

Feet. 

16 

16

12

Elevation.

Feet.

777 

784

804

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

779

787

806

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallons. 

1 

.12

1

Temperature.

51.5

52.2

There are many springs in this locality, all yielding iron-impregnated water. The flows in the shallow wells apparently have a source 

identical with that of the springs. The fine quicksand, even where 

clay is altogether lacking, offers sufficient resistance to the upward 

passage of water to permit the maintenance of a low head in the 

underlying stratum.

WHITE FISH LAKE.

The single flowing well of C. C. Hartt at White Fish Lake in 

western Montcalm County (T. 11 N., R. 10 W., sec. 20-A) is of unusual interest in suggesting the possibility of obtaining artesian water 

in similar localities elsewhere on the shores of the larger morainic 

lakes, where flows are not usually expected. Steep morainic hills 

inclose White Fish Lake and ordinary dug-well records show the 

gradient of the clay and sand layers beneath the surface to be steep 

also. This, with the particular alternation of material found here, as 

shown in the carefully kept record below given by Mr. Hartt, favors 

the possibility of flows:
MONTCALM COUNTY. 249

Eecord of Hartt well, White Fish Lake.

Thickness. ! Total.

Feet. Feet. 

40 , 40

30 70

The well w^as driven by the owner in 1899. The temperature is 

50.2°. The flow is so strong, because of the 20-foot head, that a 

screen is unnecessary. The 2-inch stream yields about 40 gallons a 

minute and supplies a small summer village of about 20 families, 

which have been attracted to the lake partly because of the excellent 

water. Enough iron, sulphur, and sulphureted hydrogen is contained in the water to make it medicinally valuable, a feature in 

greater or smaller degree present in most flowing wells in this part of 

the State. The above constituents were determined through a partial analysis made by Professor Kedzie in 1899.

WATERWORKS.

CARSON CITY.

Carson City is located in the southeastern part of Montcalm County, 

on the western border of the Riverdale moraine. The district is 

drained by Fish Creek, a tributary of Maple River. The population 

of 890 get their water supply from dug and driven wells 12 to 60 feet 

deep in gravel lying beneath clay. The average depth of the wells 

in the village is 24 feet, the average distance to water being 20 feet. 

A village water system was established in 1888 at a cost of $13,000, 

which supplies water for manufacturing purposes and fire protection 

at the rate of 20,000 barrels daily. The water is pumped from Fish 

Creek and conveyed along the principal streets in 6-inch and 8-inch 

mains which have a total length of 10,824 feet.

EDMORE.

The Edmore water system was installed in 1880 and uses four 

2^-inch driven wells each 60 feet deep. The depth to water is 40 

feet and the surface elevation 944 feet. Pumping is not continuous, 

the pumps being run only four hours daily. The water is pumped 

into a reservoir with a capacity of 2,600 barrels, which stands sufficiently high above the village to give strong pressure. The system is 

chiefly for fire protection, the water being used by only| about 60 

families, and by these chiefly for toilet purposes. The water mains 

are located only on main streets and have a total length of 2,260 

feet, half being of 6-inch and half of 3-inch pipe. The water is very
250 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

hard, and continuous use of a borax compound is apparently the only 

way to preserve the boilers from scaling.

The above data were furnished by H. T. Aldrich, engineer of 

Edmore pumping station.

The dug wells, which supply the greater part of the village water, 

are from 16 to 40 feet deep in sand and gravel, and as they are 

frequently in close proximity to cesspools they are a menace to the 

health of the village, a feature of water supply by no means confined 

to Edmore. There are no flowing wells in the village.

GREENVILLE.

Greenville, in southeastern Montcalm County, gets its supply from 

wells in the valley of Flat River, the pumping station being situated 

on the flood plain west of the Pere Marquette Railroad bridge. The 

altitude of the surface at this point is about 800 feet.

There is one open brick well, 24 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, 

connected with nine 6-inch wells 40 feet deep. The water, which is 

from the same bed in all the wells, stands from 3 to 5 feet below the 

surface. The material in which the water occurs is sand and gravel, 

which extends 40 feet below the surface the depth of the tubular 

wells. The water bed is limited below by a layer of stony clay.

The present system was established in 1888. Its original cost was 

about $44,000, but the extensions and improvements made since then 

will increase this amount to a total of $70,000. The Holly directpressure system is in use, pumping on an average for the year 300,000 

gallons daily. At present between 400 and 500 families use the 

public water. Water is delivered and fire protection secured through 

nearly 10 miles of mains.

With a view to an increased flow of water to the pumps and therefore ease of pumping, a deeper 4-inch boring was put down in 1900, 

50 feet south of the pumping station, at a cost of $300, by Harvey 

Gardner, of Birmingham, under the direction of Mr. William S. Shepard, superintendent of the Greenville water system. Mr. Robert 

Motlet, engineer at the pumping station, furnished the following

record:

Record ofjleep boring at waterworks, Greenville.

Alternating lafers of dry clay and water-hearing gravel, terminated by coarse 

sand and gravel containing water with greater head than any previously

Thickness.

Feet. 

42

2

10

45

67

Total.

Feet. 

42

44

54

99

16G
MONTCALM COUNTY. 251

The water rises to 820 feet above tide, or 20 feet above surface, 

and the flow is 20 gallons a minute. A high percentage of sulphureted hydrogen and iron gives the water an extremely unpleasant 

odor and taste, so that it is not used for public supply. Except for 

its limited use medicinally it is allowed to run to waste into Flat 

River from the jet fountain which it operates.

The position of the waterworks with reference to adjacent slopes 

and shallow drainage has been well chosen, but the water is all surface 

water and contamination from near-by sources is not impossible. 

Danger would be lessened if the wells were driven 5 feet deeper, to the 

water-bed beneath the hard, stony clay.

HOWARD CITY.

The flows at Howard City occur near Tamarack Creek, and, as the 

table shows, they have such a small head that but a short distance 

back from the creek they can not be obtained.

Flowing wells in Howard City (T. 12 N., R. 10 W.).

Section.

23

23

23

Owner. When 

made.

1903

1898

1900

Depth.

Feet. 

151

136

Elevation.

Feet. 

8G7

870

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

874

874

873

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

20

o

Temperature.

49.9

The city well mentioned in the table is only 3 feet above the surface 

of Tamarack Creek. In driving it two water-bearing strata were 

encountered one at 47 and one at 80 feet, with the same head that 

the deeper one exhibits. The ground water is within 7 feet of the 

surface throughout the area back from the immediate neighborhood 

of the creek. The surface sand is 35 feet thick and is underlain by 

several feet of hard blue clay. The first flow is found under the clay in 

a gravel layer about 4 feet thick. Blue clay extends below this to the 

bottom of the well, except for the layer of gravel, bearing artesian 

water at 80 feet. No further attempts to obtain flows are known to 

have been made near by along Tamarack Creek. Attempts have 

been made several miles upstream, but because of insufficient head 

have not succeeded.

The pumping station at Howard City was established in 1890 and 

furnishes creek water for fire protection and toilet purposes only. 

The mains are 4, 6, and 8 inches in diameter. On an average 200,000 

gallons are pumped daily. The capacity of the pumps is 1,500,000 

gallons a day. The engineer is R. A. Smith. The city drinking 

water is obtained in part from the flowing well at the pumping station, 

the water being carried in buckets, and in part from ordinary dug 

wells, which have an average depth of about 35 feet.
252 WELLS A1STD WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

STANTON.

The water supply of Stanton, the county seat of Montcalm County, 

is obtained from two wells dug to a depth of 20 feet, into the bottom 

of which 10-foot lengths of pipe are driven. Under pumping the 

water is 1 foot below the surface; the static head is 2 feet above the 

surface. The water is pumped into two basins one is built of cement 

and has a capacity of 90,000. gallons, the other is formed by a wooden 

curb resting on clay and has a capacity of 7,000 gallons. The daily 

amount supplied to the village is about 150,000 gallons. The plant 

was established in 1890 at a cost of about $13,000. Since 1896 an 

electric lighting plant has been operated in connection with the 

waterworks.

The character of the Stanton water may be better understood from 

the succession of deposits found here. The surface sand and gravel 

continue down, becoming increasingly finer to from 20 to 25 feet 

below the surface, where clay is found having a thickness of about 20 

feet in some places 50 feet. Water-bearing gravel and sand lie 

beneath the clay and it is chiefly from this source that the village is 

supplied. The water is artesian and of the quality indicated by the 

following analysis made by Prof. R. C. Kedzie in 1885:

Analysis of water from Stanton artesian well.a

Parts per million.

Total solids.............................................................. 296.01

Volatile at red heat (organic) .............................................. 38

Fixed mineral residue............................................... 258. 01

Calcium (Ca)............................................................. 68. 36

Magnesium (Mg)......................................................... 23. 05

Sodium (Na)............................................................ .79

Chlorine (Cl)............................................................. 1. 21

Sulphate radicle (SO4) .................................................... .71

Carbonate radicle (CO3) ................................................... 158. 89

Silica (SiO2)............................................................. 5

258.01

The volatile matter consists chiefly of organized carbon and contains no organic nitrogen (yielding albuminoid ammonia). It contains a slight trace of free ammonia 0.01 pei 

million parts of water. It contains traces of nitrates but no nitrites. In a sanitary view 

this water is good, with the exception that it is hard.

About 25 rods north of the village wells and close to the west side 

of the railroad track is the well of O. D. Vandebogtt, which is 30 to 

35 feet deep and penetrates similar material, the clay bed being

a Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
MONTCALM COUNTY. 253

thinner at this point. An analysis of the water made in 1886 gave 

the following results:

Analysis of water from Vandebogtt weU.a

Parts per million. 

Total solids.............................................................. 279.10

Volatile at red heat....................................................... 40

Fixed mineral reside................................................ 239.10

Calcium (Ca)............................................................. 67. 58

Magnesium (Mg) ......................................................... 17.29

Sodium (Na) ............................................................ .79

Chlorine (Cl) ............................................................ 1. 21

Sulphate radicle (SO4).................................................... .29

Carbonate radicle (CO3)................................................... 142. 93

Iron (Fe)............................................................... Trace.

Silica (SiO2)............................................................. 9

239.09

The temperature of the water is 49.2° F.; altitude, 870 feet; head, 

2 feet; flow, 2 gallons'per minute; diameter of pipe, 2 inches; driller, 

James David.

The surface water in the vicinity of Stanton continues to the clay 

layer, and has a variable head, directly related to local rainfall.

From the fact that the curb well at the pumping station rests on the 

clay and that the lowering of the head by pumping prevents the 

artesian water from counteracting the inflow of the surface water, it 

will be seen that more or less surface water enters the wells. There 

is thus a source of contamination, rendered the more easily possible 

from the fact that the pumping station lies below the village in direct 

line with the surface drainage, and the danger is augmented by the 

lack of a sewer system.

About the village are numerous springs, differing greatly in mineral properties. Some contain large quantities of lime, others iron, 

and still others sulphur and magnesia in quantities sufficient to be 

decidedly laxative in effect. The springs are at the foot of gravel 

hills and express the concentration of surface waters at gradients too 

steep to enable the water table to adjust itself quickly enough for a 

continuance of subsurface flow.

Aside from the small area of low ground adjacent to the pumping 

station, there seems to be no opportunity for the further development of artesian wells in this section.

a Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
254 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

WATER SUPPLIES OF OTTAWA COUNTY.

By ISAIAH BOWMAN. 

GENERAL, STATEMENT.

This county, which borders Lake Michigan and was largely covered by the lake after the withdrawal of the ice sheet, has wide areas 

of sand in which surface wells are obtained at depths of 20 feet or 

less. Below the sand there is usually a compact clay into which wells 

may need to penetrate to considerable depths before strikiitg the 

water-bearing sand and gravel. As yet the deeper water beds have 

been explored but little. The flowing-well districts lie in the eastern 

and southern parts of the county, and are associated with morainic 

ridges which serve as catchment areas, as indicated below. The 

writer gave attention chiefly to the flowing wells and public supplies 

of the several towns, and gave only casual attention to other supplies.

FLOWING WELLS.

CONKLIN DISTRICT.

The flows of the Oonklin area (see fig. 40) occur near the headwaters of a southeastern tributary of Crockery Creek in the northeastern part of Ottawa County. This 

tributary drains the intermorainic area 

just east of that described in the Coopersville report, but the stream flows north 

and around the Coopersville area and 

reaches Grand River southwest of Coopersville. The flows have been developed 

at only a few places in the broad sag 

between the moraines, and their possible 

extension is unknown. The topography 

of this area is more irregular than that 

of the intermorainic area west of it, and 

consequently the flows are not in such 

close relation as those at Coopersville.

Originally the greatest flow was from 

the well of Mr. John Zimmer, which 

yielded 20 gallons a minute when first 

drilled and had a head of 30 feet. 

Through deposition on the screen the flow has diminished to onehalf gallon a minute. The other wells have suffered similar but not 

so great decrease.

R.I3 W.

FIG. 40. Possible extent of Conkliri 

field over sections where flowing wells 

occur.
OTTAWA COUNTY.

Wells in ConJclin area (Tpn. 8 and 9 N., R. 13 W.\

255

Letter 

on fig. 

40.

A

B

C

D

Section.

4

9

34

34

( )wiier.

S. W. \Vright. ...

.....Do... .................. ...

When 

made. Depth.

Feet.

170

Elevation.

Feet. 

S42

790

832

853

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet.

872

834

854

Flow 

per 

minute.

Gallon*.

0.5

.12

Temperature.

°K

53

51.9

51.2

COOPERSVILLE AREAS.

The Coopersville flows occur in two areas near the village, in northeastern Ottawa County, each about 200 acres in extent, and on low 

ground adjoining Deer Creek. (See fig. 41.) The creek drains a 

very gently rolling, narrow, intermoraiiiic plain, extending roughly 

in a north-south direction and terminated on the south by Grand 

River Valley. The influence of the deep 

Grand River Valley in lowering the water 

table of the higher contiguous areas is felt 

some distance up each of the streams. 

Flows are to be expected, therefore, not 

near the mouths of short tributary streams 

such as Deer Creek, hut some distance 

above the mouth and nearer the source 

of the stream, the precise location within 

the limits thus defined being determined 

by local relief.

The entire catchment basin and valley 

of Deer Creek occupy only about 30 square 

miles. The moderate depth of the wells 

and their steady increase of head toward the northeast indicate that 

the subsurface direction of artesian-water movement is from the 

moraine lying east of the creek. A small catchment area for flows 

generally results in seasonal fluctuations in the strength of the flow, 

and probably all the wells in this area have such fluctuation, though 

only a few observers have noted the fact. Mr. Henry Jackson says 

that his well flows one-fourth stronger in winter than in summer, 

"winter" here including much of the spring and autumn. Mr. Jackson furnishes the following record of material penetrated:

Record of Jackson well, Coopersville.

FIG. 41. Coopersville flowing wells. 

Village is inclosed by broken line; 

flowing-well areas are shaded.

Thickness.

Porous clay.. . . .

Dry sand. ......

Clay with altenu 

Water-bearing s 

Water-bearing g

 -- --- - 

iting layers of sand containing considerable iron and " lignite ". 

ind , becoming coarser with increasing depth ........... .... .

ravel.

Feet. 

8 

6 

20 

66 

36

Total.

Feet. 

8 

14 

34 

100 

136
256 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEBN MICHIGAN.

This water rises to within 15 feet of the surface. The deeper supply failed at the end of six months and the well was dynamited at 

100 feet; the pipe was broken and the present flow resulted.

Other sections are as follows:

Record of Heinz fickle factory well, Coopersville.

Clay. .............................................................................

Quicksand, water bearing and becoming slightly coarser with increasing depth.

Record of C. P. LUlie weU, Coopersville.

Thickness.

Feet. 

80

29

Total.

Feet. 

80

109

 =>* ."

Surface sand...........................................................

Clay with occasional layers of sand, some of which are. water bearing. 

Fine water-bearing sa.nd, becoming coarser with increasing depth 

Water-bearing gravel.

Thickness. I Total.

Feet.

150

160

The cost of drilling this last well was $1 per foot.

The Osiah Noble well penetrated clay 112 feet to a bed of water 

gravel, but ceased to flow one hour after the village well (see table) 

began to flow. They are but a few hundred feet apart. The flows 

in a number of wells decreased when the village well was made, in 

some instances causing serious inconvenience to the owners, as in the 

case of Alex. Noble and the Heinz Pickle Company. The water 

from the village wells has until recently been allowed to run to waste. 

There has been a marked decrease in flow in all the wells of the area 

as the number of wells has increased, and it will be necessary to 

enforce the State law against waste of artesian water if this district 

is to receive the maximum of benefit from its artesian waters.

The two flowing-well areas are apparently not parts of the same 

field or pool, for efforts to secure flows along the creek or the higher 

ground between them have been unsuccessful. The approximate 

limits of each area have been defined by borings.

The water everywhere is chalybeate and hard, leaving an incrustation with strong iron stain on the pipes. This condition tends to 

corrode the screens and decrease the flow, in addition to the cause 

of decrease noted above. The lack of screens in many of the wells 

tends toward the same result. Repeated sand pumping and the 

insertion of new screens have been temporary remedies.
OTTAWA COUNTY. 257

Wells at Coopersville (T. 8 N.,R. U W.~).

Letter 

on fig. 

41.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

Section.

OQ

13

24

23

2^>

13

23

23

Owner.

L. Terry.. .....................

C. P. Lillie. ....................

O. Noble.......................

When 

made.

1903

1904

1895

1904

1899

1898

1892

Depth.

Feet.

182

160

100

166

335

109

203 113"

94

Elevation.

Feet. 

622

658

658

668

640

642

637

644

640

638

648

658

Water

rises 

to 

Feet. 

646

690

659

683

644

645

650

644

646

641

650

656

Flow 

per

minute.

Gallons. 

3

3

.12

.05

1

.06

4

.1

Temperature.

°F.

51.9

51.2

DRENTHE AREA.

The first three flows in the table below have hydrographic relations somewhat different from those of the rest of the flows in this 

section, and are therefore discussed separately. They occur on 

Drenthe Creek at the border between the moraine and the till plain, 

which extends south and southwest from the central part of Zeeland 

Township into Fillmore Township, Allegan County. They belong 

to that class of flows which have their catchment area in a moraine, 

and are made possible by the erosion, in this case slight, which the 

streams have effected, this erosion having worn down the surface to 

a level lower than that to which artesian water will rise. East of the 

flows the moraine offers, by its gentle slopes and in places sandy 

nature, a good opportunity for the imbibition of the rain water that 

supplies the wells.

Ter Haar reports clay in his well for the first 85 feet followed by 

water-bearing gravel. The following section for C. Verhulst's well 

is similar:

Record of C. Verhulst well, Drenthe.

Thickness.

Feet. 

Clay. ............................................................................. 90

Total.

Feet. 

90

92

97

108

All other wells in this vicinity are from 90,to 100 feet deep, but 

being on slightly higher ground, do not flow. In many cases the 

water-bearing material, which is often a fine sand, can not be screened 

well enough to allow pumping directly from the pipe. The owners 

have adjusted their methods to meet this condition and built reservoirs 10 to 15 feet deep, into the bottoms of which pipes are driven 

down to the water bed. The bottoms of the reservoirs are below the
258 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

head of the water, which thus flows into the reservoir. This arrangement gives a greater supply of water in case of fire than would otherwise be possible.

The flow in all the wells has decreased, a condition attributed by 

the owners to the clogging of the pipes and the rusting of the screens. 

The water is hard and contains a great deal of iron.

Relations of flows and relief similar to those at Drenthe may be 

found along the other streams south of Drenthe at points where a 

line drawn from Drenthe to Overisel intersects the drainage lines.

Wells near Drenthe (T. 5 N., R. U W.).

Letter 

on fig. 

42.

A

B

C

Section.

27

Owner. When 

made.

1889

1889

1897

Depth.

Feet. 

100

03

Elevation.

Feet. 

042

632

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

044

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

1

2.5

1

Temperature.

T .

52.2

51.9

BEAK CREEK AREA.

One mile south of Forest Grove, in southeastern Ottawa County, 

is another group of flows in the valley of the northernmost tributary 

of Bear Creek. Their occurrence within the moraine noted above 

and not on plains at the border of moraines is unique. They are

T. 5 N., R.I4W. T. 5 N., R. 13 W.

30 27

31

FIG. 42. Map of Bear Creek and Drenthe flowing-well districts.

found in a basin shaped by the ice, whose slopes are sufficiently long 

and steep to favor the development of artesian flows. The sections 

are not unlike those at Drenthe, given above, and the water is 

strongly chalybeate.

Record of Edward Kropschot well, Bear Creek Valley.

Clay.............................................................................

Thickness.

Feet. 

30

39

3

Total.

Feet. 

30

31

70

73
OTTAWA COUNTY.

Record of Albert Karsten well, Bear Creek Valley.

259

Clay....................................................... ...... ......

Water-bearing sand ............. ....

Thickness.

Feet. 

35

Total.

Feet. 

35

37

Surface water in pockets of sand in the clay supplies wells where 

flows can not be obtained. The extent of this flowing-well area has 

not been determined because of the small number of borings. However, it is unlikely that it will be extended much farther.

Wells near Bear Creek (T. 5 N., R. 13 W.).

Letter 

on fig. 

42.

A

B

C

D

E

F

Section.

29

32

32

33

33

Owner.

«

II. Strick......................

When 

made.

1901

1QO9

Depth.

Feet.

37

37

Elevation.

Feet.

65S

635

655

653

Water

rises 

to 

Feet.

r.KO

660

661

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons. 

0 2

5

12 5

12

25

Temperature.

o p_

£<} 9

52

CQ

CO K

52

HARRISBURG AREA.

The flows at Harrisburg occur in an area of 1 or 2 square miles 

extent along the southern and eastern side of the main branch of 

Crockery Creek (fig. 43). They are obtained only on this side of the 

creek, and show increase of head toward the east in the direction of

FIG. 43. Location of flowing wells at Harrisburg, Ottawa County. Area of probable flows is shaded.

the moraine, which bounds them on that side. They occur on a flat 

clayey plain, through which Crockery Creek flows rather sluggishly. 

The water of the whole area is strongly chalybeate. The material 

encountered here is shown by the record furnished by Mr. Gilbert.
260 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

Record of Gilbert well, Harrisburg.

Clay, no stones, occasional pockets of water-bearing sand, which supply dug 

wells of the area . . . . .... .................................

Coarse watei-bearing gravel. Flow begins dir 

at first from somewhat finer material increase 

Peat.

ectly beneath clay, but being

Thickness.

Feet. 

28 

42

Total.

Feet. 

28 

70

The flowing well on the Sherk estate is described as having a 

peculiar origin. A dug well furnished water for the farm until about 

seven years ago, when a break occurred in the clay bottom and the 

present flow began. The same conditions are reported in a few other 

places in the State.

The area has been tested well enough for the determination of the 

limits of flow, but many more flows could be "obtained within those 

limits. The water is used for general farm purposes, and much of it 

allowed to run to waste.

Wells at Harrisburg (T. 9 N., R. 13 W.).

Letter 

on fig. 

43.

A

B

C

D-c*

Section.

5

8

7

8

4

Owner.

A. Bodell......................

When 

made.

1897

1897

1884

1884

Depth.

Feet.

72

9t>

60

42

22

Elevation.

Feet. 

695

707

655

702

718

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet. 

700

711

661

714

720

Flow per* 

minute.

Gallons. 

1.5

1.5

2

6

4

Temperature.

o F50.9

50.5

50.5

54.2

51.2

WATERWORKS.

GRAND HAVEN.

Two separate water plants supply Grand Haven with water, one 

being owned and operated by the city and the other by a private 

company. The latter, called the Grand Haven Water Company, is 

the outgrowth of an earlier organization, which was established in 

1884 as an independent company. The Grand Haven Water Company pumping station is in the eastern part of the city; the municipal plant is in the western part: both are on the banks of Grand 

River.

The city also has sunk a deep boring for the purpose of obtaining 

artesian water. The following record of the strata found was furnished by Dr. A. C. Lane:
OTTAWA COUNTY.

Record of Grand Haven artesian well.

261

Thickness. Total.

Feet. Feet.

40

70

181

197

203

208

486

487

522

546

558

566

588

600

The 72 driven wells of the Grand Haven Water Company are 5 

inches in diameter and about 28 feet deep. There are also two open 

wells 12 feet in diameter and 28 feet deep. The normal level of 

water is 12 feet below the surface and the pumped level 15 feet below. 

The elevation of the surface above the river is 24 feet, or 605 feet 

above sea level, and the distance from the river is 500 feet. The 

direct-pressure system of pumping is used. The mains have diameters of 12 to 6 inches and a total length of 8^ miles. About 375,000 

gallons are supplied daily, the capacity of the pumps being 1,500,000 

gallons. The material penetrated in putting down the wells is as 

follows, the supply being from the gravel above the clay:

Record of Water Company wells, Grand Haven.

Thickness. ' Total.

Ordinary sand becoming coarser \vith increasing depth. 

Water-bearing gra vel...................................

Blue clay, no stones.

Feet. Feet.

24

28

The city pumping station is in part supplied with water from one 

bricked dug well 24 feet deep and 30 feet in diameter, in which the 

\vater stands about 12 feet below the surface. Its natural level is 

from 11 to 15 inches above the river, which is about 75 feet away. 

The material is fine dune sand at the surface, changing rapidly to 

coarse sand and then to fine gravel. Three feet below the bottom 

of the well, or 27 feet below the surface, is a very obstinate layer of 

hardpan, which appears in the bed of Grand River and renders 

drilling or spile driving difficult. The spiles used have to be tipped 

with steel, as those solely of wood are splintered when driven down 

to the hardpan. The water comes into the dug well" from the land 

side, and not from the river side. 

IBR 182 06 IS
262 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES LIST SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

The other wells are tubular 45 are 4-inch and 8 are 8-inch. The 

water level and the material are the same as in the dug well.

The wells are all arranged parallel with the river bank and extend 

over a distance of 250 to 300 yards. The direct-pressure system is 

in use. On an average for the year 750,000 gallons are pumped 

daily, the capacity of the pumps being 1,500,000 gallons. The elevation of the wells is about 10 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, 

or 591 feet above tide. The mains are 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 inches in 

diameter.

The two following analyses show the character of the water supplied from the city pumping station:

Analysis of water from Grand Haven watenrorJcs.

Parts per million. 

Total solids ............................................................. 148

Volatile solids............................................................ 40

Fixed solids.............................................................. 108

Nitrogen as free ammonia ................................................. None.

Nitrogen as albuminoid ammonia .......................................... .04

Nitrogen as nitrites....................................................... None.

Nitrogen as nitrates ...................................................... 3. 20

Chlorine in chlorides...................................................... 17

Turbidity, none. Sediment, slight. Color, faint opalescent. Odor, none. A pure 

and wholesome water, free from all objectionable elements and suspicious bacteria. J. N. 

Kurty, Indianapolis, analyst, November 19, 1898.

Doctor Hurty says further:

The water contains iron, and in the warm summer months certain minute vegetable 

growths which are perfectly harmless get started in the water. They nourish in the 

bends and dead ends or other quiet places in the pipes, and when considerable in amount 

break loose and are drawn out in the faucets. These plants have a great liking for iron 

and have the power to extract it from water. They are so very small that in the aggregate they appear like slime, and when mixed with iron the mass is not inviting. The 

musty odor is imparted by the plants just as an onion odor would be imparted by onions 

or a turnip odor by turnips. The name of the plant in your sample is Crenoihrix Kuh.niana. 

It is as harmless as turnip, but is objectionable on account of the musty odor which it 

imparts and which is characteristic of the plant. The plant might be gotten "rid of by 

aeration and filtration. Aeration would probably precipitate the iron, and if it did filtration through sand would remove the iron so precipitated. Whether aeration would 

precipitate the iron or not, would have to be determined by experiment.

Analysis of water from Grand Haven waterworlfs.a

Parts per million.

Total solids.............................................................. 150

Volatile at red heat (organic) .............................................. 48. 57

Mineral residue after ignition......................................... 101. 43

Calcium(Ca)............................................................. 32. 03

Sodium (Na)..................................................... .. .. 4.61

lesium (Mg) .......'........................................... ...... 2. 79

o Expressed by analyst in grains per gallon and hypothetical combinations; recomputed to ionic 

form and parts per million at United States Geological Survey.
OTTAWA COUNTY. 263

Parts per million. 

Carbonate radicle (CO3 )................................................... 54. 89

Chlorine (Cl)............................................................. 7.10

Ammonia (free) ..................................... ^.................... .05

Albuminoid ammonia. ............................................... ... .03

Colorless, tasteless, odorless. Bacteriological tests show absence of disease germs. 

Quality excellent for potable use. R. C. Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricultural College, 

analyst, October 8, 1898.

COOPERS VILLE.

The village pumping station is a few feet above the flood plain 

of Deer Creek, 15 or 20 feet below the even till plain on which the 

village stands and in which the "creek is incised. The present system, including the wells, pumps, reservoir, and 2.6 miles of mains, 

was installed in 1903, at a cost of $14,000. The pumps have 12 feet 

of suction and a capacity of 30,000 gallons.

Up to the autumn of 1904 creek water was pumped through the 

mains, giving fire protection to the whole village, besides furnishing 

55 families with water for washing and toilet purposes; but in the 

spring of 1904 two 90-foot artesian wells were installed, yielding a 

flowing pressure of 40 pounds to the square inch at the surface, and 

their water was substituted for that of the creek. A cement brick 

reservoir, 20 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, with the top at the 

level of the well head, is being built. Into this the water is to 

flow, and is then to be pumped into the stand tower to run by 

gravity into the mains. The substitution of potable for creek 

water is expected to increase the number of consuming families to 

about 1.50. Superintendent Hoiiing gives the following careful record of material penetrated. Other data may be found in the table 

of wells.

Record of village well at Coopersville.

Conglon erato ("hardpan 

Coarse, vater-bearing sai 

Blue clay with occasional 

Fine water-bearing sand,

")

d ......................................................

bearing a high percentage of muscovite-mica scales. . .

Thickness.

Feet. 

10 

2

10 

2 

4 

6 

50 

12

Total.

Feet. 

10

22 

24 

28 

34 

84 

92

HOLLAND.

The city of Holland, with a population in 1900 of 7,790, is located 

in the southwest corner of Ottawa County at the head of Black 

Lake, 5 miles from the shore of Lake Michigan. The sandy plain 

on which it is built is terminated on the east and south by a moraine, 

and on the west is surmounted by several long lines of sand dunes
264 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

actively growing near the lake shore, but inactive farther inland. 

Penetrating to the border of the rich and extensive farming region 

which centers in Holland, the long and narrow Black Lake is navigable for all lake craft and gives Holland commercial advantages 

surpassed by but few lake ports.

The public water supply is derived from w^ells at two different 

stations, one on Nineteenth street, the other on Fifth street. The 

water is raised by electrically driven triplex pumps, motive power 

being supplied by an electric-light plant owned and operated by the 

city. This plant is located on Fifth street not far from the head 

of Black Lake. Near it are 4 open dug wells 25 feet deep and having about 20 feet of water. At the Nineteenth street pumping station are 6 tubular wells 25 feet deep, siphoning into an open brick 

and cement well 40 feet in diameter and 29 feet deep, to which they 

are located radially. Three of the wells are 5 inches and three are 

4^ inches in diameter. The siphon lines are 8 inches in diameter 

and are started by suction from the pumps. During the year ending March 21, 1904, the total amount pumped from the main station 

on Fifth street was 98,500,000 gallons, and from the Nineteenth 

street station over 104,500,000, making a total of over 203,000,000 

gallons. The average amount pumped daily was 557,000 gallons, 

which is nearly 70 gallons daily per capita. The total number of 

taps installed is 1,095, of which 1,032 are in active service. Of the 

water meters in service 818 are f-inch, 16 are f-inch, 9 are 1-inch, 

4 are 4|-inch, 4 are 3-inch, 2 are 2-inch, and 1 is 4-inch, making a 

total of 854. There are 108,809 feet, or about 21 miles, of water 

mains, ranging from 14-inch down to 2-inch, about half being 

6-inch. The standpipe is 18 feet in diameter and 130 feet high 

and has a capacity of 247,000 gallons. The total cost of operating 

during 1903, including salaries of employees, fuel, repairs, and 

sundries, was $7,780. The total cost to date is $134,000 and the 

estimated present value is $118,000.

The yearly increase in the consumption of water is large, and there 

has been apprehension lest in the dry summer months, when the 

head of water falls off 7 or 8 feet, there might be a serious shortage 

in the supply.

In the attempt to secure deeper sources a tubular well was sunk 

to a depth of 111 feet in 1903 at the Nineteenth street pumping 

station, and water found which rose 5 feet above the surface. The 

superintendent, Mr. James De Young, estimated that with a 20-foot 

screen 50,000 gallons could be drawn from this well daily. Unfortunately, the water is strongly saline and unsuitable for public 

supply.
OTTAWA COUNTY. 265

The following record of material penetrated is supplied by Mr. 

De Young:

Record of flouring well at waterworks, Holland.

i Thickness.

Feet. Feet. 

29

GO 89

111

111 the southern part of the city is the flowing well of Benjamin 

Walter, over 100 feet deep, on ground slightly higher than Nineteenth street, and also yielding saline waters. The flow from this 

well is one-eighth gallon a minute, the temperature 53° F., and the 

head 8 or 9 feet. It was drilled by Edward Riemink in 1896, the 

same succession of material being encountered as in the Nineteenth 

street well.

It appears, in view of the foregoing, that unless a suitable supply 

of water is found at greater depths than these saline flowing wells, 

or is obtained from remote sources, the shallow-well system will 

have to be extended. Southeast of Nineteenth street station is an 

open tract of land available to the city. If this is purchased and 

kept clear of dwellings, it may yield a pure supply sufficient for 

some years. Eventually the city may find it necessary to draw its 

supply from Lake Michigan, which, fortunately, is near enough to 

be reached without great expense.

The following partial analysis of the public water supply at Holland has been furnished by M. O. Leighton, of the United States 

Geological Survey. The supply is from about ten wells sunk to an 

average depth of 30 feet.

Partial analysis of well water at Holland.

Parts per million.

Color ................................................................... 19

Iron (Fe) ................................................................ Trace.

Chlorine (Cl) ............................................................. 1.5

Carbon dioxide (CO2) ..................................................... 58. 04

Sulphur trioxide (SO3) .................................................... 25

Hardness (as CaCO3)....................................................... 139+

S. J. Lewis, analyst. Depth, 30 feet.

ZEELAND.

The village of Zeeland is in southeastern Ottawa County, about 

12 miles from the shore of Lake Michigan. The Zeeland Light and 

Water Company's present system was established in 1902 at a cost 

of $20,000, not including the cost of the mains. About 225,000
266 WELLS AND WATEE SUPPLIES IN SOUTHEEN MICHIGAN.

gallons of water a day are supplied to about 100 families besides six 

different factories and mills.

The water is obtained from two brick-curb wells 20 feet deep and 

14 feet in diameter, which were dug in 1890. The level of the water 

is 8 feet below the surface, and is not affected by pumping 2,000 

gallons a minute. The capacity of the two compound duplex pumps 

in use is 1,500,000 gallons a day. The direct-pressure system is used.

There are 3^ miles of mains with a diameter of 6 inches, but these 

will soon be replaced by 8-inch mains, being inadequate to supply 

the growing-demand for water. There is at present no map of the 

mains.

The wells are located off the main street in Zeeland. Near them 

&re the cesspools and privies common to smaller villages. The 

supply of water is wholly from the surface and would seem to be 

particularly liable to contamination, though the surface is quite flat 

and subsurface drainage is slow. The present system has been in 

use only two years, and the increased pumping seems likely to drain 

a larger and larger area around the wells, and so increase the danger 

of pollution. No chemical or hygienic analysis of the water has been 

made,i so far as known. The water should be subjected to frequent 

analysis, and deeper sources of supply should be sought and substituted.

MISCELLANEOUS ANALYSES OF WELL WATERS. 

By ISAIAH BOWMAN.

Analyses of water from wells in Clinton, Ottawa, Ionia, Montcalm, and Newaygo counties.

[Parts per million.1

^3

7 

9 

8 

7 

8 

9 

5

11

5 

9

8

12

1*

2 

2 

3 

3 

14 

13 

14

11

8 

8 

8 

10 

6

Section.

12

"3 

3

24 

7 

27

31

3 

9 

11

20 

21

Quarter.

SE. 

S\V. 

N\V.

NE. 

NW. 

NW. 

SE.

SE.

SW. 

SE. 

NW. 

SE. 

SW.

Town or district.

Ovid................

Eureka district......

St. Johns district. . . . 

Coopersville district. 

Harrisburg district . 

Drenthe district .....

Well.

Public .... 

Flowing . .

.....do.... 

.....do.... 

.....do....

.....do.... 

.....do....

.do ...

Owner.

Municipal ...... 

W. C. Baylis ...

G. Feightung... 

S. Tynewever. .. 

W. DeValve....

Drenthe Canning Co. 

School district 

No. 9.

Mimicinnl

Belding ..... .'.. .do....! TT. Leonard ....

f

Municipal ...... 

.....do..........

Hardness.

130.9 

154.7

178.5 

226. 1 

107.1 

83.3 

178.5

77. ,35

95.2 

71.4 

107.1 

142.8 

47.6

Chlorine.

2.500 

.816 

.170 

.067 

. GOO 

.301 

.300

.335

.248 

. 335 

. 167 

.330 

.300

Alkalinity.

150

7 

6 

125 

66 

50 

53. 5

120

77 

127. 5 

110 

105 

150

Isaiah Bowman, analyst.
WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 267

WATER SUPPLIES OF KENT COUNTY.

By JOHN F. NELLIST. 

DRAINAGE AND WATER POWER.

The surface water supply of Kent County embraces four rivers and 

their small affluents, numerous springs, and an extensive artesian 

district which gets ks supply from the Marshall sandstone. Strong 

wells are obtained in drift, some of those in the valleys being artesian.

Grand River, the main stream of the county, enters the county on 

the east side and flows for 37 miles across it, making a long bend to 

the north and returning to the west side on its way to the lake. This 

river has within the county a fall of less than a foot to the mile except 

at the rapids in the city of Grand Rapids, where it falls about 17 

feet over limestone ledges in less than one-half mile. A dam was 

placed at the head of the rapids about 1836, and canals dug on both 

sides of the river to supply mills. A town, which grew up around 

these mills, has developed into the flourishing city of Grand Rapids 

with 100,000 inhabitants and a world-famous furniture industry, 

the result of its water power and timber resources. The river has a 

valley about 150 feet deep cut by a stream flowing from the receding 

ice sheet. The width is over a mile, and the valley is marked by 

terraces and islands.

The minimum flow in the last three years, since the gage station 

was established at Grand Rapids, was 1,885 second-feet; the maximum flow during the extreme flood of March 24-30, 1904, was 39,400 

second-feet. This flood was 19.30 feet above low-water mark, the 

danger line being at 10.73 feet, as determined by Fred Schneider, 

section director of United States Weather Bureau.

The tributaries of Grand River in Kent County are Flat, Thornapple, and Rouge rivers. Flat River, emptying into it from the 

north at Lowell, is a stream of remarkable steadiness of flow due to 

its many lake tributaries and porous soil. It has a drainage area of 

610 square miles and a minimum flow of 215 second-feet, as measured 

by R. J. M. Danley in September, 1899, and by the writer in September, 1904. Its rapid fall of some 8 feet to the mile has been extensively used for power, four plants being located in Kent County. 

The Lowell dam is used for local mills. The two plants of the Grand 

Rapids Edison Company of 300 and 1,000 horsepower, respectively, 

transmit power to Grand Rapids by high-power electric transmission. 

Still farther up the valley is the old Fallasburg dam not now in use.

Thornapple River has a drainage of 824 square miles and a minimum flow of 155 second-feet, as measured by L. W. Anderson in 

September, 1899. The small minimum flow per square mile (less 

than half that of Flat River) is due to the rapid run-off in the wet
268 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

season, there being few lake basins to act as reservoirs and much 

impervious clay soil. It has several power plants, one owned by 

Wesley N. Hyde, of Grand Rapids, being located at Labarge, and 

supplying electric power to neighboring villages; another at Alaska is 

used to run a sawmill; another, purchased by Grand Rapids parties, 

is at Cascade, where they propose to build a 20-foot dam; and another 

at Ada is used to drive a gristmill. The average fall is about 4 feet 

to the mile.

River Rouge has a drainage area of 230 square miles and a minimum flow of 110 second-feet, as measured by Otto Krause, September, 1902 and 1904. Two power plants are located on this stream, 

one at Rockford supplying current for lighting the village, pumping 

its water, and running a shoe factory and another at Childsdale used 

to run a paper mill. The fall of this river is only a few inches to the 

mile except in the last 6 miles of its course. It has the largest flow 

in proportion to its drainage basin of any river in Kent County.

WATE RWORK8.

GRAND RAPIDS.

The chief water supply of Grand Rapids for domestic and various 

other purposes is obtained from Grand River. It is pumped to a 

low-service reservoir one-half mile east of the river on a bluff 177 feet 

above city datum and to a high-service standpipe located at the same 

place at an elevation of 256 feet. A new standpipe of concrete 

is being erected in the southern part of the -city at an elevation of 

206 feet to supply that district. The city had, in 1904, a daily consumption of 14,000,000 gallons. The pumps consist of one Holly of 

10,000,000 gallons capacity for the low service and a Norburg engine 

of 15,000,000 gallons capacity for the high service. Two old Butterworth and Lowe engines are kept in reserve, but are not in regular use. 

There are 152 miles of mains in use, as follows:

Water mains at Grand Rapids.

Diameter 

in inches.

36

24

20

18

16

14

Length in 

miles.

0.019

1.660

1.853

.749

6. 088

.239

Diameter 

in inches.

12

10

8

6

4

Length in 

miles.

14. 723

7.045

19. 811

56. 754

40.556

The total cost of the water works up to April 30, 1904, was $1,505,- 

521. The income for the year 1904 was $127,897.

A small supply of water has been furnished to the northeastern 

part of Grand Rapids by a private concern known as the Hydraulic
KENT COUNTY. 269

Company, which must soon go out of business, as its charter was 

repealed by the State legislature in 1905. This company has a few 

miles of pipe and a pumping station one-half mile north of the city 

limits, which draws from a well on the bank of the river.

On account of the large number of cases of typhoid fever in the city 

each year, there has arisen a prejudice against the present supply 

from Grand River. Several new sources have been suggested, among 

which three are prominent: Bailey Springs, supplemented by filter 

beds for Grand River; Flat River, and Lake Michigan.

Bailey Springs is situated 3 miles north of the city and has a groundwater drainage area of some 14 square miles, nearly all the water of 

which can be intercepted by a conduit 4,000 feet long laid along the 

east bank of the river below the level of the river bed. It is estimated that a supply of from 7,000,000 to 10,000,000 gallons a day 

can be thus collected. With sand filters at Grand River for the 

additional supply a sufficient amount of pure water could be obtained. 

The cost of establishing this system is estimated at $700,000.

A gravity system from Flat River can be obtained by going 35 

miles northeast of the city, where the water is 330 feet above city 

datum. The plans embrace building a concrete conduit of 12 miles 

from the source to Silver and Bostwick lakes, which are 265 feet above 

city datum and which have storage capacity for one hundred days 

consumption, or 2,500,000,000 gallons. From these storage reservoirs 

to Grand Rapids steel pipe could be used and connected to the present 

system at a net head 10 feet above the present system.

A plan to draw from Lake Michigan has been proposed by A. C. 

Sekell, of Grand Rapids. It calls for (1) a pipe line 27 miles long, 

leading directly west from the city; (2) a storage reservoir about 1 

mile from the city limits on the west bluff of Grand River; (3) a 

4-foot steel-riveted pipe laid to the pumping station on the shore 

of the lake where collecting mains would be distributed parallel 

with the lake shore and wells sunk in batteries below the level of 

the lake bottom, so that the ground water would be intercepted. 

This system, with gas producers and gas-engine pumping units, 

could be built for $1,100,000, and would have a capacity of 35,000,000 

gallons a day.

Engineers Hazen and Gray were employed in 1899 to make a 

report on additional water supply for the city, and, after a thorough 

survey of all the sources, recommended the placing of sand filters 

about 2 miles above the present station, at a cost of $1,062,000, to 

supply the immediate needs of the city and the adding of filters as 

they should be required.
270 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES LIST SOUTHERN MICHIGAN. 

MICHIGAN SOLDIERS' HOME.

The Soldiers' Home is located near the northern limits of Grand 

Rapids. Maj. E. B. Taylor, adjutant at the home, reports as follows 

concerning- the water supplies and equipment in March, 1906:

You are informed that this home has a waterworks system of its own entirely independent of any municipal system. The supply is from three sources: First, from three springs, 

which are used by this home for drinking and cooking purposes; second, from what is 

known as "Soft Water Lake," the water from which is used for the boilers; third, from 

a pond made by damming Lamberton Creek, the water from which is used for sprinkling 

purposes and fire protection. Our pumping plant consists of one pump of a capacity of 

15,000 gallons, one of 20,000 gallons, one of 30,000 gallons, and one fire pump of 500,000 

gallons per day. From 700 to 1,250 persons are supplied, according to the membership 

ol this home at various times of the year.

ROCKFORD.

Rockford, situated on the banks of River Rouge, has a municipal 

water system consisting of a tank of 3,000 gallons capacity, situated 

on a hill west of the village. The distributing system consists of 

1,350 feet of 8-inch, 2,310 feet of 6-inch, 6,270 feet of 4-inch, and 

1,000 feet of 2-inch, mains. Cast-iron pipes are laid in the principal 

streets. The pumps and pipe are owned by the village, and the 

pumps are operated by electric-motor current furnished under contract by Hirth, Krause & Co. The daily consumption is 216,000 

gallons. An ordinary pressure of 60 pounds and a fire pressure of 

100 pounds is carried. The plant cost $11,200.

SPARTA.

Sparta is supplied by a system owned by the Welch Folding Bed 

Company, which consists of a tank of 3,000 gallons capacity and a 

cast-iron pipe distributing system of 1,200 feet of 7-inch, 1,880 feet 

of 6-inch, and 5,280 feet of 4-inch, mains. The supply is obtained 

from Sparta Creek, and a fire pressure of 75 pounds is carried.

LOWELL.

The village of Lowell is supplied with water by a system consisting of 20 2-iiich wells pumped to a reservoir of 3,000 gallons capacity, 

which stands on a hill east of the village. The distributing system 

consists of 9,240 feet of 8-inch, 9,200 feet of 6-inch, 7,020 feet of 

4-inch, 2,310 feet of 2J-inch, and 1,450 feet of 1-inch, mains. The 

1\- and 1-inch pipes are of wrought iron; the others are cast iron. 

The system is owned and operated by the Grand Rapids Edison 

Company, and was built b}r A. C. Sekell in 1893.

FLOWING WELLS.

There are several flowing-well districts obtaining supplies from 

the drift and one obtaining them from the rock. The writer investigated the rock district and five of those which obtain supplies from 

the drift, and Mr. Bowman the two others (pp. 274-276).
KENT COUNTY. 271 

CANNON TOWNSHIP.

Near the point where Bear Creek opens into Grand River Valley 

in Cannon Township (T. 8 X., R. 10 W.) a single flowing well has been 

obtained in the XW. \, sec. 29. It is at an altitude of 700 feet, or 

about 80 feet above the river, but the bordering uplands rise above 

800 feet. The well is 150 feet deep, mainly through bowlder clay. 

It has been running about ten years and has nearly stopped flowing. 

Probably a narrow strip along Bear Creek Valley and the neighboring part of Grand River Valley would yield flows, but no tests have 

as yet been made.

ADA TOWNSHIP.

In a recess on the east side of Grand River Valley in sec. 9, Ada 

Township (T. 7 N., R. 10 W.), are 2 flowing wells with a surface altitude of 720 feet, or about 100 feet above the river. They are each 

184 feet deep, mainly through clay, and are about exhausted. It 

seems probable that flows may be obtained in the neighboring low 

bottoms of Grand River Valley, and perhaps this district is connected 

with the Cannon district.

SPARTA.

At Sparta village, in T. 9 X., R. 12 W., several wells formerly 

flowed, but have now entirely stopped, apparently because of exhaustion of the field. The wells were all very shallow, and the general 

lowering of the ground-water level may account for their cessation.

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

In an abandoned valley forming a line of glacial drainage in the 

western part of Paris Township (T. 6 X., R. 11 W.) are 2 wells located 

in XW. \ sec. 29 that are only 13 feet deep. They are at an altitude of 680 feet and the water rises just even with the surface. The 

material is blue clay down to a water-bearing gravel overlying the 

limestone. The water is rather soft and is bottled and sold in Grand 

Rapids for drinking purposes'under the name of "Ponce de Leon 

water." It has been used commercially since 1848. An analysis 

by John De Boe follows:

Analysis of Ponce de Leon water.

Parts per million. 

Calcium carbonate....................................................... 123.12

Calcium sulphate ........................................................ Trace.

Sodium chloride......................................................... Trace.

Organic matter.......................................................... 30

Total solids.............................................................. 153. 564

Nitrites................................................................. None.

Nitrates................................................................. . 422

Free ammonia........................................................... . 015

Albuminoid ammonia..................................................... .022

Total hardness, 7. 2°.
272 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

BELMONT.

At a hotel in Belmont, in T. S X., R. 11 W., there is a flowing well 

100 feet in depth, with a surface altitude of 660 feet and a flow of 

2 gallons a minute. It carries considerable iron. Belmont is situated in a recess in the north bluff of Grand River near the mouth 

of River Rouge. It is probable that flows ma}' be obtained elsewhere in this low tract and perhaps for some distance up River 

Rouge Valley.

GRAND RIVER VALLEY DISTRICT^

From the north line of Grand Rapids to a point several miles down 

the river there are flowing wells penetrating in some cases to the 

Marshall sandstone and obtaining a flow of water sufficiently fresh to 

be suitable for drinking. They pass through the salt- and gypsumbearing beds of the lower Grand Rapids group, which, as indicated 

below, was at an early date tested for brine. Most of the wells in 

the northeastern part of Grand Rapids, however, have been abandoned on account of the brine which has permeated from these old 

salt wells down into the Marshall sandstone. Below the Marshall 

sandstone the water again becomes more saline. Care must therefore be taken in sinking to case out the upper salt water and to stop 

drilling before reaching the lower salt water. In this district the 

surface altitude is within a few feet above or below 600 feet.

The largest well is located in the Hermitage basement, corner of 

Canal and Bridge streets. It is 8 inches in diameter, 385 feet in 

depth, and flows at a pressure of about 3 pounds. The temperature 

of the water is 50° F. At Eagle Hotel a well 209 feet deep has some 

brine in it. At the Widdicomb Block is a w^ell furnishing the sole 

water supply for the establishment. At the county jail there has 

been a flowing well, but no data were obtained as to its present 

condition. The Leonards refrigerator works at the corner of 

Market and Railroad streets have two wells, one plugged, the other 

used for fire protection. The water is unfit for boiler use. The wells 

are 245 feet deep; one is 5 inches, and the other 7 inches in diameter. 

In the basement of the Rindge Kalmbach Block, corner of Ionia and 

Fulton streets, is a flowing well only 33 feet deep with 13 feet of earth 

and 20 feet of rock. It flows about 1 gallon a minute and is used for 

drinking purposes. In the basement of the Weatheiiy & Pulte 

Blockj near the corner of Ionia and Pearl streets, is another flowing 

well whose water is used for drinking. The Furniture City Brewing 

Company has a 6-inch well, drilled in 1904, 170 feet deep, in which 

the water rises to within 5 feet of the surface. At the Grand Rapids 

gas works and the Wallin tannery are flowing wells. There is also 

one on a vacant lot at the corner of Shawmut and Gold streets. The 

Luce Furniture Company has a well at the factory on Godfrey avenue.
KENT COUNTY. 273

The Alabaster Company have three wells at their factories southwest 

of the city. The Pere Marquette Railroad shops have a new 5-inch 

well 165 feet deep, flowing 1,500 gallons an hour. At the tollgate 

at forks of road to Grandville is a well flowing a weak stream.

Between the wells just mentioned and Grandville is an interval 

of 2 miles in which no borings have been made, but conditions seem 

to be as favorable for obtaining flowing wells as in neighboring 

districts above and below.

FIG. 44. Plat of Grandville, Kent County, showing distribution of flowing wells.

Grandville uses no other supply than its flowing wells. There arc 

ten wells within tile village limits, two on the Grandville road onefourth mile east of the village, and two one-half mile south. Some 

of these wells are 5- and 6-inch, and are capped with fire plugs so that 

an engine can be attached in case of fire. Small faucets or pet-cocks 

on the wells flow all the time in cold weather to prevent freezing.
274 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

At Jemiison, 1 mile west of Graiidville, are four wells put down 

some fifteen years ago and in good condition to-day. These weUs 

were all drilled by O. S. Taylor of Grandville and are from 120 to 

170 feet deep. The cost was $2 a foot for 5-inch and $2.50 for 7-inch 

holes, including pipe.

LOWELL. a

The writer examined only two of the flowing-well districts of Kent 

County, located one on the east and the other on the north border 

of the county, and closely connected with adjoining counties whose 

entire area received attention. Kent County, with the exception of 

these two flowing-well districts, is reported on by J. F. Nellist.

The village of Lowell stands at the mouth of Flat River, on the 

north side of Grand River in eastern Kent County, in T. 6 N., R. 9 

W., and had a population of 1,776 in 1900. The Grand Rapids 

Edison Company controls the water system, and data concerning 

this system appear in the report of Mr. Nellist (p. 267).

The old waterworks system once operated by the village is located 

on the flood plain of Grand River at an altitude of 636 feet, at which 

elevation the wells were said to flow H feet above the surface. The 

material in which the wells were sunk consists wholly of sand, which 

is very flue near the surface and offers greater resistance to the 

upward movement of the water than does an open pipe and thus 

enables the water to flow.

The most interesting well in Lowell is that of Goodrich Kopf, 

located in the southern part of town near Flat River. It was drilled 

in 1887 to a depth of over 100 feet and flowed for six months, when 

in attempting an alteration of the pipe a break resulted and the flow 

ceased. Below 20 feet of surface sand there is 80 feet of blue, slightly 

stony, clay, beneath which is a black water-bearing sand which 

yielded the flow. The water rose 3 feet above the surface, which 

has an elevation at that point 10 feet above the old waterworks well, 

or 646 feet above tide. The water was of good quality, containing 

a little iron and sulphur, but not in sufficient quantities to affect 

the taste. It was said to be remarkably clear and pure.

No other well in Lowell seems to have penetrated this blue-clay 

layer. That it is persistent is shown by the dug-well records collected, 

in all of which, where the depth was sufficient, the clay was found. 

No one besides Mr. Kopf searched for water below it. That it is a 

potable water and that the supply is ample seems fairly indicated 

by the results which he obtained. Hundreds of acres of land along 

Grand River are 10 to 15 feet lower than the surface at Mr. Kopf s 

well, and flows should be obtained over the whole of this area, even 

when differences of head are considered, these being generally small 

in short distances.

a By Isaiah Bowman.
KENT COUNTY. 275 

SAND LAKE. "

The wells in this area are located near the head of the valley of 

Black Creek in T. 10 N., R. 10 W., in northern Kent County. "Mr. 

Farnham's well is 1 mile below the source of the creek, which originates in a kettle lakelet oirthe divide between Rouge and Flat rivers. 

A half mile farther down the valley is the well belonging to the sc.hool 

district 1 mile east of Sand Lake, and a mile farther down the valley 

is the well of Mr. Grosvenor.

The following sections show the character of the water-bearing 

material in this area:

Record of R. Farnham well, Sand Lake.

Thickness.

Feet.

Total.

Feet.

4

11 | 15 

30 I 45

The material could not be screened until the final depth given was

reached.

Record of ftchoolhou fie veil. Sand Lake.

Thickness. ' Total.

Feet. Feet.

Ordinary surface sand........................................................... 3 3

Blue clay, dry and tough........................................................ 27 30

Clean water-bearing gravel......................................................' tj 30

There is no quicksand between the clay and gravel. Cost of well,

Record of Grosvenor irell, Sand Lake.

Thickness.

Feet.

Total.

Feet.

These records are typical of all others for this area. The blue 

clay layer is persistent throughout, and with but two exceptions 

is underlain by quicksand or very fine water-bearing sand, which is 

difficult to screen. This condition, combined with peculiar drilling 

methods and the wishes of well owners, is the reason for some peculiar 

differences of head and flow and therefore of temperature. In this 

locality there is a decided preference among well owners for the use 

of easily operated pitcher pumps in wells instead of allowing the 

water to flow. The flat surface would allow the waste water to 

collect in pools in the yard, giving it an unsightly appearance.

» Bv Isaiah Bowman.
276 WELLS AND,, WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Fortunately, the conservation of the water supply is by this means 

secured, although it is not a primary consideration in the mind of 

the well owner.

It is said to be difficult to install the pump if there is a strong flow of 

water, and the driller who has driven most of the wells in this locality, 

J. S. Parker, says that for this reason he tries to drive the pipe only so 

far into the fine sand below the clay as will permit merely a slight flow. 

The true head of the water is by this means rendered indeterminate 

except where a flow is secured under more favorable circumstances, as 

in the well of Mr. Philo. Here the temperature of the water is lower 

than elsewhere in the area, a condition in this as in other cases due to 

the strong flow and the consequent slight effect of the relatively 

warmer pipe in raising the temperature during the ascent of the water. 

Where the flow is slight the temperature is always modified. The true 

temperature of the subsurface water therefore is nowhere closely 

expressed except in the case of strong flows. Compare the temperature of the Philo well (47.5°) with that of the Reed well (50°).

The Sand Lake flows occur in an area of 5 square miles extent. 

They have in general a low head which could be considerably increased (though the present method of drilling works an advantage), 

yield chalybeate water, whose source is in the moraine and clay plain 

at the head of Black Creek, and belong to that general class of wells 

which obtain water of local origin at slight depth beneath clay. From 

the head of the water in the well in the series farthest down the valley 

it is clear that if other conditions are favorable more flows could be 

obtained in that locality. The valley some distance below this point 

is wooded and flat and therefore not settled, which accounts for the 

undeveloped condition of this section of the area with respect to wells. 

The cost of installing wells is 50 to 75 cents a foot. The pitcher 

pumps in common use cost several dollars. The last two wells 

described in the table are used in supplying the boiler in a sawmill. 

The others are for stock and domestic purposes.

Wells at Sand Lake (T. 10 N., B. 10 W.).

Section.

4

4

4

4

10

3

3

3

10

2

1

3

n?ahdeen

T. J. Blanchard .......................... 1892

C. Cavanaugh ............................ 1902

School district ........................... 1904

T. J. Blanchard.......................... 1902

J. W. Marshall. .......................... 1890

Mr. Grosvenor. .......................... 1900

A. J. Philo.......-------................. ........

.....do.................................... ........

W. Kohn ................................. 1894

Depth.

Feet.

32

41

36

43

33

S3

30

30?

OA9

35

22

25

32

Elevation.

Feet.

882

897

895

899 Qftn

870

899

893

885

879

867

870

880

Water 

rises 

to 

Feet.

900"

901

897 90°

QA1

895

886

883

871

871

881

Flow per 

minute.

Gallons.

0

. 12

.06

9

Temperature.

53?

53

50

47.5
KENT COUNTY. 277 

XONFLOWLtfG WELLS.

A large number of the wells obtained from the drift are not flowing 

wells, and yet yield large amounts of water, there being a general 

distribution of water-bearing sand and gravel beds in clayey areas as 

well as in sandj- areas. On the highest moraines the wells frequently 

reach a depth of 100 to 200 feet and have but a few feet of water. 

On the more level tracts, especially the broad sandy plains of the 

northeastern part of the county, also the terraces along the rivers, 

the wells are shallow, ranging from 10 to 50 feet in depth. The wells 

on upland tracts that are not morainic, especially in the portion of 

the county south of Grand River, are frequently sunk to depths of 50 

to 100 feet. The wells from the rock are confined almost entirely to 

Grand River Valley, where flows are often obtained as noted.

SALT WELLS.

Several salt wells were drilled in Grand Rapids about 1860 on 

each side of the river. The range in depth was from 260 to over 500 

feet, but the deeper wells passed below the Marshall sandstone and 

obtained 110 additional flow. Considerable brine was pumped for a 

time, but the wells have all been abandoned. The Taylor well on 

Canal street in the bed of Cold Brook Creek is still flowing. The 

others never had a strong flow, and some barely reached the surface. 11

SPRINGS.

There are strong springs along Grand River between Grand Rapids 

and Ada, also along Thornapple Valley near Whitneyville and at Cascade. Crystal Springs are in the north bank of Plaster Creek south of 

Grand Rapids, and farther southeast others occur along a depression 

in which no surface stream is found. Besides these there are numerous weaker springs along nearly every stream in the county, which, as 

a whole, is exceptionally well supplied with springs, some of which are 

already of high commercial value.

Crystal Springs, on Madison avenue, 1J miles south of the city limits 

of Grand Rapids, on the bank of Plaster Creek, comprise some 60 

springs. The water of the largest is bottled and sold for drinking 

purposes as Crystal Spring water. About 3,000 gallons a day is sold.

In the same township, Paris, in the SW. \ sec. 8 and the NW. \ 

sec. 9, are two springs known as Paiitlaiids Springs, one used for a 

fish pond and stock, the other for a public watering trough and 

known as the '' watering-trough spring.''

Custer Spring 011 East Bridge street hill in Grand Rapids is used to 

supply the Grand Rapids Brewing Company and is also bottled and 

sold as Arctic Spring water, the amount sold being perhaps 1,500 gallons a day.

(i Winchell, A., Ann. Kept. Mich. Geol. Survey, I860: also, Lane, A. C., Geology of Michigan, vol. 5. 

The latter contains the record of a deep boring which extends down into the Devonian limestone,

IBB 182 06 19
278 WELLS AND WATER SUPPLIES IN SOUTHERN MICHIC1AN.

Harrison Springs, on the Fourth street hill on the west side of Grand 

River, issue at several places along a small valley. The water is bottled and sold as Minnehaha water in about the same amount as that of 

Ouster Spring.

Mill Creek has two large springs that have been piped down from 

the hills west of the village, one supplying the West Michigan Fair 

Grounds through a 6-inch pipe, and the other supplying the Michigan 

Black Bass Fish Hatchery at a head of about 24 feet.

Three miles north of the city on the east bank of Grand River are 

the extensive Bailey Springs, which have been proposed for a partial 

water supply for Grand Rapids and a e estimated to yield 7,000,000 

gallons a day. These springs apparently embrace in their catchment 

area a large part of the high tract in the bend of Grand River above 

Grand Rapids. There is considerable water coming to the surface 

for a distance of 3 miles along the east bank of the river from sec. 6, 

Grand Rapids, to sec. 29, Plainfield Township, but the strongest 

springs are in sec. 29.

At Cascade, on Thornapple River, east of Grand Rapids, are extensive springs used for fish ponds and for a sanitarium. These springs 

are derived largely from drift deposits; but in the center of the river 

are'others carrying sulphureted waters that may be from gypsum 

rock. They are used for baths and for medicinal purposes.

The Whitneyville Springs west of the village have not as yet been 

developed, but are of great strength and of excellent quality.
INDEX.

Aaron Township (Macomb County), wells

in............................. 203-204

Acme Township (Montcalm County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 247 

wells in............................... 240-247

Ada Township (Kent County). wells in.... 271

Adair, water supply of..................... 208

Addisou, water supply of.................. 81

Adrian, waterworks of..................... "9

wells at and near....................... 78

water of, analysis of................ 79

Adrian Township (Lenawee County), well

in............................... 98

Agricultural College, wells at............... 175

Alaiedon Township (Ingham County),

depth to rock in................ 171

Alamo, water supply of.................... 130

Albion, waterworks at............... 131,132,133

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 133 

Alcona County, rainfall in....... ^......... 10

wells in, water of, temperature of..... 16

Algonac, waterworks at.................. 205,208

Algonquin, Lake, location of............... 0

Algonquin beach, location of............... 6

Allegan, waterworks at.................. 152,153

Allegan County, flowing wells in......... 153-160

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 152

village supplies in...................... 153

waterworks in........................ 152-153

wells in............................... 152-160

records of........................ 158-159

temperature of..................... 16

water of, analysis of............. 155,160

Alien Township (Ilillsdale County), wells

in............................... 102

Almont, waterworks at.................... 217

Alpena, rainfall at and near................ 11

Alpena County, rainfall in................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Amboy Township (Tlillsdale County'1,

wells in......................... 99

Anchorville, wells nea r................... 204-205

Ann Arbor, springs at................ 16,140-141

springs at, temperature of............. 17-20

temperature at, variation in, chart

showing........................ 20

waterworks at.................... 22,142-145

wells at and near................. 138,140-142

water in, analyses of............. 140,144

temperature of.............. 15,17-20

variation in, chart showing. 20

Page, 

Antrim County, rainfall in................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Antrim shale, occurrence of................ 73

water from............................. 66

Antwerp Township (Van Buren County),

wells in......................... 123

Arcadia Township, wells in................ 218

Arenac County, rainfall in................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Arkona, Lake, character and location of... 61 

Arkona beach, location of.................. 6

Arlington Township (Van Buren County), 

plat of, showing well distribution............................ 124

wells in............................... 124-125

Armada, waterworks at................... 199

Armstrong, A. H., information by......... 1S5

Artesian map of Michigan.................. 6

Ash Township (Monroe County), wells

in............................ 27,30, 38

Assyria, water supply of................... 163

Athens, water supply of................... 132

Atkins, wells near.......................... 211

Attica, water supply of.................... 217

Attica Township (Lapeer County), wells in. 218 

Auburn, depth to rock at.................. 177

Augusta, water supply of.................. 130

Avoca, water supply of.................... 208

Avon Township (Oakland County), wells

in......................... 189,195-196

B.

Bailey Springs, location of................. 278

water supply from..................... 2d9

Bainbridge,wells at........................ 118

Bainbridge district, plat of, showing well

distribution.................... 118

wells in............................... 117-118

Bainbridge Township (Berrien County), 

plat of, showing well distribution.......................... 115,118

wells in................... Ill, 114-115,117-118

Bancroft, wells in.......................... 175

Bangor, waterworks at................... 120,121

Bangor Township (Van Buren County),

wells in......................... 125

Baroda, water supply of................... 113

Barron Lake, water supply from.......... Ill

Barry County, flowing wells in........... 163-164

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 160

village supplies in...................... 163

279
280 INDEX.

Page. 

Barry County, waterworks in............ 161-162

wells in............................... 160-164

temperature of..................... 16

water of, analysis of............... 162

Batavia, water supply of.................. 105

Bath, wells in.............................. 175

Battle Creek (post-office), waterworks at. 131-132 

waterworks at, water of, analysis of.. . 133 

wells at............................... 132-133

Battle Creek, drainage of................ 131,164

wells on................................ 132

Bay County, rainfall in.................... 10

wells in. water of, temperature of...... 16

Beaches, glacial-lake, locations of.......... 6

underground water on................. 7

Bean Creek. Sec Tiffin River.

Bear Creek, wells on..................... 258-259

wells on, records of................... 25S, 259

Bear Creek area, plat of, showing well distribution ....................... 258

wells in............................... 258-259

Bedford Township (Monroe County), wells

in............................... 27,32

Belding, plat of, showing well distribution. 236 

wells at............-....--..-.----...- 235-237

records of........................ 235-236

water of, analysis of............... 2C6

Belford, wells at and near.................. 177

Bellaire, wells at........................... 8

Belle River, drainage of.................. 205,213

Bclmont, wells at.......................... 272

Belmore. beach, location of................. 6,25

wells of.......................... 67, 82,88,199

Bennington, wells in....................... 175

Benton Harbor, waterworks at.......... 112,113

Benton Township (Eaton County), wells in. 175 

Benzie County, rainfall in.................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Berlin Township (Monroe County), wells in. 27,30 

Berrien County, flowing wells in......... 113-118

location of.............................. 110

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 110

village supplies in...................... 113

waterworks in...................... 111-113

wells in............................. 7,111-118

water of, temperature of........... 16

Berrien Springs, water supply of........... 113

Berville, water supply of................... 208

Big Meadows area, wells in................ 188

Bingham Township (Clinton County'1, plat

of, showing well distribution... 229 

wells in........................... 228-229, 230

Birmingham, depth to rock at........... 177,183

rainfall at.............................. 49

waterworks at......................... 182

water of, analysis of............... 182

Bismarck, wells in......................... 169

Bismarck-Roxana district, wells of........ 169

Black Creek, wells on...................... 275

Black River, drainage of................... 205

wells on.............................. 126,209

Blissfleld, wells at and near................ 78,81

Blissfleld Township (Lena wee County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 87

Page 

Bloomer Township (Montcalm County),

well in.......................... 239

Bloomneld Township (Oakland Countyi,

wells in......................... 189

Bloomingdale, plat of. showing well distribution.. ........................ 126

water supply of........................ 121

wells in................................. 126

Bog lime, water from...................... 7-8

Bonsteel cowing well, view of.............. 140

Bored wells, description of................. 13

Bowman, Isaiah, analyses by.............. 266

on Barry County............. 161-162,163-164

on Clinton County................... 225-235

on Eaton County................... 164-170

on Graatschap area.................... 155

on Ingham County................... 164-170

on Ionia County..................... 235-246

on Lowell wells........................ 274

on Montcalm County................. 246-253

on Ottawa County................... 254-266

on Sand Lake wells.................. 275-276

on Wayland area..................... 155-160

work of................................ 2, 270

Boyne, wells at............................. 8

Branch County, flowing wells in........... 104

location of.............................. 104

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 104

village supplies in...................... 105

waterworks in........................ 104-105

wells in............................... 104-105

water of, analysis of............... 104

temperature of................. 10

Brandon Township (.Oakland County),

wells of................... 184-187,188

Bravo, water supply of.................... 153

Breedsville, water supply cf............... 121

wells at and near..................... 125-126

Bridgeman, water supply of................ 113

Brines, salt secured from................... 75

Britton, wells at........................... 81,88

wells at, water from, analyses of....... 88

Bronson, water supply of.................. 105

Brooklyn-Clark-Lake-Norvell district, wells

of...................... 136-137

Brooklyn (Allegan County), water supply

of............................... 153

Brooklyn (Jackson County), water supply

of............................... 135

wells near.............................. 136

Brownstown Township, springs in......... 74

wells in........................... 65,67,70,76

water supply in........................ 75

Bruce Township (\Vayne County), wells in. 201 

Buchanan, waterworks at................. 112

wells at and near..................... Ill, 113

Burlington, water supply of............... 132

Burlington Township (Lapeer County), 

plat of, showing well distribution. ........................... 220

wells in........................... 220-221,224

Burnside, wells in and near...... 214,217,218-220

Burnside Township (Lapeer County1), wells

in............................. 218-219

Butler, water supply of.................... 105
INDEX. 281

c. Page.

Cadillac, elevation near.................... 5

Calhoun County, flowing wells in........ 132-133

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 131

village supplies in...................... 132

waterworks in....................... 131-] 32

wells in............................... 131-133

water of, analyses of............... 133

temperatures in................ 10

California, water supply of................. 105

Cambria, water supply of.................. 100

Cambria Township (Hillsdale County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 103 

wells in.................................. 103

Camden, well near......................... 103

Campbell, E. D., analyses by............. 140,144

Campbell Township (Ionia County i, plat

of, showing well distribution... 238 

wells in............................... 237-238

Cannon Township (Kent County), wells in. 271

Canton Township (\Vayne County >, wells in 05,

00,07,08-09,70,70,77

Capac, waterworks at................ 205-200,208

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 200 

Carleton, water supply of.................. 103

Carleton region, wells of................... 38, 44

Carson City, waterworks at................ 249

Cascade, springs on........................ 278

Casco Township (St. Clair County), wells in 204 

Cass County, flowing wells in............ 1 OS-109

rainfall in............................... 10

topography of.......................... 108

village supplies in...................... 108

waterworks in.......................... 109

wells in............................... 10S-110

record of............................ 110

temperatures of.................... 10

Cass River, drainage of..................... 213

Cassopolis, water supply of................ 108

waterworks at......................... 110

Catchments areas, distribution of.......... 5

Cedar Lake, plat of, showing well distribution. ........................... 247

wells at............................... 240-247

Cedar River, drainage of................. 104-105

wells on................................ 174

Cement City, water supply at.............. 81

wells at................................. 78

Center Line, wells at....................... 200

Centerville, water supply at................ 107

water supply at, water of, analysis of.. 107 

Chamberliii, T. C., water-supply data collected by....................... 1

Charlevoix County, rainfall in.............. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of..... 10

Charlotte, waterworks at................ 100-107

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 107 

Charlotte district, wells of............... 108-109

Cheboygan County, rainfall in............. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 10

Chelsea, waterworks at..................... 140

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 140 

Chesterfield Township (Macomb County),

wells in...... .................. 204

Page. 

Chester Township (Ottawa County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 254 

wells in................................. 255

Chicago, Lake, location of................. 0

Christian, E. A., information from....... 12S, 177

Churn drill, well sinking by................ 13

Clare County, rainfall in................... 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 10

Clarendon, water supply of................ 132

Clark, J. E., analyses by................... 00, 07

Clarks Lake, water supply of.............. 135

wells near............................ 130-137

See also Brooklyn-darks Lake-Norvell

district. 

Clarkston, water supply of................. 183

Clarksville district, plat of, showing well

distribution.................... 23S

wells in............................... 237-238

record of............................ 238

water of, analysis of................ 200

Clayton, water supply of................... 81

Clifford, wells at and near................ 217,221

Climax, water supply of.................... 130

Clinton, wells at and near............... 78,80,81

Clinton River, drainage of............ 170,190,213

wells on.............................. 203-204

Clinton County, depth to bed rock in..... 171-172

flowing wells in................... 175,225-233

rainfall in............................... 10

topography of........................ 225-220

waterworks in.................... 225,233-235

wells in........................... 171,172,175

records of............. 220-227.228,230.234

water of, analysis of................ 200

temperature of................. 10

Cloverdale, water supply of................ 103

Clyde, water supply of..................... 1S3

Clyde Township (St. Clair County), plat of,

showing well distribution...... 210

wells in............................... 210-211

Coal measures, water from................. 7

Coldwater, waterworks at.................. 104

Coldwater shales, occurrence of............ 73

water from............................ 07,140

Coloma, water supply of................... 113

Columbia Township (Van Buren County),

wells in......................... 125

Columbiaville, waterworks at.............. 217

wells near.................... 214,217,224-225

Columbus Township (St. Clair County), 

plat of, showing well distribution. ............................ 212

wells in........................... 205,212-213

Concord, water supply of................... 135

Cone. See Milan-Cone district. 

Conklin district, plat of, showing well distribution. ...................... 254

wells in............................... 254-255

Connors Creek, drainage of................. 55,58

Constantine, water supply at.............. 107

Cooky, M. E., on rainfall................... 50

Cooley, Thomas, analysis by............... 234

Cooper, "VV. F., information from......... 109,203

work of............................. 3,118,203
282 INDEX.

Coopersvllle, plat of, showing well distribution............................. 255

waterworks at.......................... 263

wells near............................ 255-257

records of......................... 256,263

water of, analysis of................ 206

Covert, water supply of.................... 121

Crawford County, rainfall in............... 10 j

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Crenothrix, occurrence of................... 133

Cressy, water supply of.................... 163

Crocker, T. M., on Mount Clemens's wells... 197 

Crockery Creek, wells on................... 259

Crystal Lake district, wells in ........... 247-248

Crystal Springs, location of................ 277

Crystal Township (Montcalm County),wells

in............................. 247-248

Custer Spring, location of.................. 277

D.

Davis, Charles A., on Big Meadows district. 188 ' 

on Elsie and vicinity................. 230-233

on Groveland Township.............. 187-188

on Holly wells........................ 180-181

on Imlay City wells.................. 214-216

on Lapeer wells......................... 216

on Ortonville district................. 184-187

on Oxford wells...................... 178-180

work of................................. 2,176

Davisburg, water supply of................ 183

Dayton, water supply of................... 113

Dayton Township (Tuscola County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 222 

wells in............................... 222,224

Dearborn, water supply of, analyses of.... 68

Dearborn Township (Wayne County),

water supply of................ 65

wells in................................. 76,77

Decatur, waterworks at.................. 120,121

Deer Creek, water supply from............. 263

wells on................................ 255

Deerfield, wells at.......................... 81

Defiance moraine, location of.............. 138

wells on................................ 138

Delray, water supply of.................... 53

wells at..--................-.....--.-..- 75

Delta, wells at............................. 175

Delta Township (Eaton County), depth to

rock in......................... 172

Delton, water supply of.......-._.....-.... 163

Delwood, wells at.........----..--......-.. 175

Dentons, water supply at.................. 68,74

water supply at, analysis of............ 69

Depth, influence of, on temperature........ 14-15

Detroit, population of..................... 24

rainfall at.............................. 49

water supply of..................... 24,53-54

Detroit River, description of............... 52

flow of..........----.-.....--..----..-.- 52

Detroit River, region of, wells of........... 43

Detroit River, water supply from.......... 52

water supply from, analyses of... 52,55-56,58 

contamination of................... 55-58

wells on................... ............ 7

Devereaux, water supply of................ 135

I 'evonian shales, gas in.................... 140

Dexter, water supply of.................... 146

Dimondale, wells at........................ 175

Disco, wells at............................. 200

Dorr, water supply of...................... 153

Douglass, water supply of................. 153

Dowagiac, water supply of................. 108

waterworks at....................... 109-110

wells at and near.......... .......... 108-110

record of........................... 110

Dowagiac River, drainage of............... 119

Drainage, character of..................... 9-10

See also Topography 

Dray ton Plains, water supply of........... 183

Drenthe, wells at......................... 257-258

wells at. record of 1..................... 257

water of, analysis of............... 266

Drenthe area, plat of, showing well distribution .......................... 258

wells of............................... 257-258

Drenthe Creek, wells on.................... 257

Drift, Glacial, character of................. 8

distribution of......................... 5

structure of............................ 8-9

water from............................. 7,25

analysis of......................... 88

Drilling, use of............................. 13

Drought, effect of, on wells............. 26,46-48

Drumlins, distribution of.................. 6

Dryden, water supply of................... 217

Dufneld, S. P., analyses by................. 64,75

Dug wells, dangers of...................... 12

 description of.......................... 12

Dundee, rainfall at......................... 49

Dundee limestone, occurrence, of........... 35

Dundee Township (Monroe County), wells

in............................... 31

Dunning, water supply of.................. 153

Duplain Township, wells in.............. 230-233

E.

Eagle, waterworks at...................... 235

East Greenwood district, wells in.......... 209

East Jordan, wells at...................... 8

Easton Township (Ionia County), plat of,

showing well distribution...... 241

wells in................................. 242

East Saugatuck, water supply of.......... 153

Eaton County, depth to rock in............ 172

flowing wells in....... 136,165,168-169,174-175

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of........................ 164-165

waterworks in........................ 165-167

' wells in........... 136,165,168-169,172,174-175

temperatures of.................... 16

water of, analysis of............. 166,167

See also Lansing.

Eaton Rapids, plat of, showing well distribution .......................... 165

waterworks at....................... 165-166

wells at................................. 136

record of........................... 165

water of, analysis of............... 166

Eau Claire, waterworks at................. 113

Ecorse, well at............................. 75

Ecorse River, drainage of.................. 58
INDEX. 283

Page 

Ecorse Township (Wayne County), wells

in............................ 67,70,76

Edmore, waterworks at.................. 249-250

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 266 

Edwardsburg, water supply of............. 108

Elba, water supply of...................... 217

Elevations, heights of...................... 4-5

Elkton Beach, location of.................. 6

Eloise, rainfall at.......................... 49

water supply at..................... 58,63-64

analysis of......................... 64,75

Elsie, wells at and near.................. 230-233

Emmet, water supply of................... 208

Emmet County, ground-water table in..... 11

rainfall in.............................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Ensley district, wells of, water of, analysis

of............................... 266

Erie lobe, location of....................... 213

Erie Township (Moiiroe County), wells in.. 32 

Essex Township (Clinton County), wells in,

water of, analysis of........... 266

Eureka, wells at.......................... 226-227

wells at, records of................... 226-227

Eureka district, plat of, showing well distribution ....................... 226

wells in............................... 225-228

water of, analysis of................ 266

Exeter Township (Monroe County), wells

in...................... 27,30,35-38,42

F. 

Fairfield, wells at........................... 81

Fairhaven. wells at...................... 204-205

Parmington, water supply of.............. 183

Fannington Township (Oakland County),

wells in....................... 189,194

Feeble-minded, Home for, waterworks at. 216-217 

Fennville, water supply of................. 153

Fish Creek, drainage of.................... 249

Fish Lake, well on................'.......... 109

Flat River, description of.................. 267

water supply from................... 236,269

wells on.............................. 235,251

Flint River, drainage of.................. 176,213

wells on................................ 224

Flowing wells. See Wells, flowing; also

particular counties. 

Ford, water supply of...................... 54,58

Forest beaches (upper and lower), location

of............................... 6

Forests, distribution of..................... 5

Fowler, waterworks at...................... 234

Fowlerville, wells in........................ 175

Francisco, water supply of................. 135

Franklin Township (Lenawee County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 95 

wells in.............................. 95-97,98

Franklin, water supply of.................. 183

Eraser, wells at............................. 200

Freeport, water supply of.................. 163

Fremont Township (Sanilac County), wells

in............................... 209

Frenchtown Township (Monroe County),

wells in......................... 30

Fuller, M. L., on loss of head............... 26

on lower Huron River region........... 33-48

work of................................ 3, 4, 33

Fulton, waterworks at................... 129,130

G. Page.

Galbraith, I.E., information from......... 120

Galesburg, water supply of................. 130

Galien, wells at and near................. Ill, 113

Galien district, wells in................... 113-114

Gearey, wells in............................ 175

Gelston, L. M., analysis by................ 59

Genesee County, rainfall in................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Geneva Township (Van Buren County),

wells in......................... 125

Geography, description of.................. 4-6

Geologic history, outline of................. 4-6

Geologic map of Michigan.................. 8

Geology, account of........................ 4-9

Girard, water supply of.................... 105

Glacial epoch, history of................... 4-6

Glacial lakes, description of................ 6

Glaciers, distribution and character of..... 4-6

Gladwin County, rainfall in................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Glemvood, water supply of................. 108

wells at and near..................... 108,109

Glenwood district, wells in................. 108

Goblaville, water supply of................. 121

Goguac Lake, water supply of............. 131

Goodells, water supply of.................. 208

Graatschap area, wells in.................. 155

Grand Haven, rainfall at and near......... 11

waterworks at........................ 260-263

water of, analysis of.............. 262-263

wells at, record of...................... 261

Grand Junction, water supply of......:.... 121

Grand Ledge, waterworks at............... 174

Grand Rapids, waterworks at........... 268-269

wells at and near............... 7,272-273,277

Grand River, description of................ 267

drainage of............... 134,139,164,235,267

water supply from..................... 269

wells on...................... 135-136,174,241

location of, figure showing.......... 241

Grand River Valley district, wells in. 272-274,277 

Grand Traverse Bay, wells near........... 16

Grand Traverse County, rainfall in......... 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Grandville, plat of, showing well distribution. ............................ 273

waterworks at.......................... 273

wells at................................. 273

Grant Township (St. Clair County), wells

in............................... 209

Grape, rainfall at.......................... 49

Grasmere beach, location of................ 6

Grass Lake, water supply of............... 135

Gratiot County, rainfall in................. 10

wells in............................... 225,227

water of, temperature of........... 16

Greenbush Township (Clinton County), 

plats of, showing well distribution. .......................... 226,229

wells in....................... 225-227,229,230

Greenfleld Township (Wayne County),

wells in......................... 77

Greenville, waterworks at................ 250-251

well of, record of....................... 250

water of, analysis of................ 266

Greenwood Township (St. Clair County),

wells in......................... 209
284 INDEX.

Page. 

Gregory, W. M., information from......... 41

work of................................. 3

Grosse Isle, wells of..................... 43-44, 70

Sec also Swan well. 

Grossepoint farms, water supply of........ 51

Grossepoint Township (Wayno County),

water supply of............. 51,68,77

Ground-water table, depth of.............. 11-12

Groveland Township (Oakland County),

wells of....................... 187-188

Gypsum, influence of, on water............ 14

H. 

Hadley, wells near....................... 214,217

Hale, A. K., information from............. 143

Hale Creek, drainage of.................... 58

Hamilton, water supply of................. 153

Hamtramck, water supply of.............. 53

Hamtramck Township (Yfayiie County),

wells in......................... 65,77

Hanover, water supply of.................. 135

Harrisburg, wells at..................... 259-260

wells at, record of...................... 260

Harrisburg area, plat of, showing well

distribution.................... 259

wells in............................... 259-260

water of, analysis of............... 266

Harrison Springs, location of.............. 278

Hartford, waterworks at.................. 120

water supply at........................ 121

water of, analysis of............... 121

Hartford Township (Van Buren County),

wells in. ...................... 121-122

Haslet Park, wells in....................... 175

Hastings, waterworks at............. 161-162,163

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 162 

Head, loss of......................... 22-23.33-48

Headlands, distribution of................. 5

Hickory Corners, water supply of.......... 163

Highland Park, water supply of........... 53

Hilliards, water supply of.................. 153

Hillsdale, waterworks at................... 99

Hillsdale County, flowing wells in.. 98-99,100-103 

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 98

village supplies in...................... 100

waterworks in......................... 99-100

wells in................................ 98-103

water of, analysis of............... 99

temperature of................. Ifi

Holland, waterworks at.................. 203-265

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 205 

wells at, record of...................... 265

Holloway, wells at......................... 81

Holloway district,plat of, showing well distribution ....................... 87

wells of................................. 87-89

Holly, waterworks at.................... 180-181

wells at and near..................... 177,181

record of........................... 181

water of, analysis of............... 181

Holt, wells in............................... 175

Homer, water supply of.................... 132

Hooper, water supply of................... 153

Hopkins, water supply of.................. 153

Page. 

Hopkins Township (Allegan County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 156 

Horton, water supply of................... 135

Horton, R. E., work of.................... 3

Howard City, waterworks at.............. 251

wells at................................. 251

water of, analysis of............... 260

Hubbardston, wells in..................... 239

wells in, record of...................... 239

Hubbardston district, wells in........... 239-240

Hudson, waterworks at.................... 80

Hudson Township (Lenawee County),

well in.......................... 95

Huron lobe, location of.................... 213

Huron River, course of..................... 25,58

drainage of....................... 139,164,176

low water in, effect of.................. 46

pollution of............................ 60

region of, geology of.................... 34-35

rainfall in.......................... 47-48

topography of...................... 33-34

water supplies of................ 33,35-48

decline of.................... 33,44-47

wells on.................... 48, OS, 138-145

Huron Township (Wayne County), wells in. 41 

Hurty, J. U., analysis by.................. 262

on Grand Haven water................ 202

I.

Ida Township (Monroe County), wells in... 31 

Illinoian stage, drift of..................... 8

Imlay City, waterworks at............... 214-210

wells at................................. 217

wells at, record of...................... 215

water of, analyses of............... 215

Imlay Township (Lapeer County), wells

in............................. 214-216

Ingham County, depth to rock in.......... 171

flowing wells in........... 130,169-170,174-175

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of........................ 114-165

waterworks in.................... 168.173-174

wells in................... 136,109-170,173-175

record of........................... 170

water of, analyses of............. 172-173

temperature of................. 16

See also Lansing. 

Insane Asylum, well at.................. 177-178

well at, record of....................... 177

Institutions, water supplies of............. 23-24

Intermediate Lake, wells on............... 8,16

Ionia, waterworks at...................... 243

Ionia County, flowing wells in ........... 235-244

rainfall in.............................. 10

springs in........................ 239-240,246

waterworks in........................ 244-246

wells in....................... 235-244,245-246

records of........ 235-236,238,239,242-243

water of. analyses of............. 244,246

temperature of................. 10

I onia district, springs in................... 240

wells in............................... 240-244

records of........................ 242-243

water of, analysis of............... 244
INDEX. 285

Page, 

Ionia Township (Ionia County), plat of,

showing well distribution ...... 241

wells in ................................. 242

Iron, presence of ........................... 14

Iroquois Lake, location of ................. 6

Irving, water supply of .................... 163

Isabella County, rainfall in ................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of ...... 10

,-

Jackson, water supply of ................... 24

waterworks at ....................... 134-135

wells at. .............................. 135-130

Jaekson County, flowing wells in......... 135-137

rainfall in. ............................. 10

topography of.......................... 133

village supplies in ...................... 135

waterworks in. ....................... 134-135

wells in. .............................. 134-137

water of, temperatures of.......... 16

Jasper, wells at ............................ 81-82

Jeddo, water supply of ..................... 208

Jefferson, M. S. W., on rainfall. ............ 50

Jerome, wells at.......................... 101-102

Jones, water supply of ..................... 108

Jonesville, waterworks at. ................. 99

waterworks at, water of, analysis of . . . 99 

Joppa, water supply of. .................... 132

Kalamazoo, waterworks at .............. 127-129

wells at and near. ...................... 130

water of, analyses of............... 129

Kalamazoo County, flowing wells in ....... 130

rainfall in. ............................. 10

topography of .......................... 127

village supplies in ...................... 130

waterworks in. ......................... 127

wells in. .............................. 127-130

water of, analyses of............... 129

temperatures of.. .............. 16

Kalamazoo moraine, location and character

of....... .............. 119,127,152,100

Kalamazoo River, drainage of ............. 127,

131, 134. 152, 104 

wells on. ..................... 127,131,132,155

Kalkaska County, rainfall in ............... 10

wells in, water of, temperature of ...... 10

Kathairo water. See Swan well.

Kedzie, R. C., analyses by. ................. 100,

173,183,215,246,252,263 

Keeler, water supply of .................... 121

Kendall, water supply of ................... 121

Kent County, drainage of ................ 207-268

flowing wells in ....................... 270-276

rainfall in.............................. 10

springs in. ............................. 217

water power in. ...................... 207-208

waterworks in. ....................... 208-270

wells in ............................... 208-277

records of. ......................... 275

water of, analysis, of. .............. 271

temperatures of ................ 10

Kibbie, water supply of .................... 121

Kimball, water supply of .................. 208

Page. 

Kimball Township (St. Clair County), wells

in. ............................ 211-212

Kinderhook, water supply of .............. 105

Kings Mill, water supply of ................ 217

Klingers Lake, water supply at .......... 105-100

water supply at, water of, analysis of. . 100

Lacota, water supply of.. .................. 121

Laingsburg, wells in ....................... 175

Lake Border moraine, location of .......... 119

Lake County, rainfall in. .................. 10

wclls in, water of, temperature of ...... 10

Lake Odessa, waterworks at. ............ 244-245

Lakes, occurrence of ....................... 5

water supply from. .................... 24

Lakes, Glacial, description of. .............. 0, 8

Lane, A. C., on Kent County salt wells .... 277

On Lansing and vicinity. . ............ 170-175

on rainfall. ............................. 50

Work of ......................... 1, 3, 14, 33, 133

Lansing, vicinity of, drift in ............. 171-172

vicinity of, flowing wells of. .......... 174-175

geology of ........................ 170-172

water supply of .................. 170-175

water supply of ........................ 24

waterworks of ........................ 173-174

wells'at. .............................. 173-175

water of, analyses of.. ........... 172-173

Lansing Township (Ingham County), wells

in. .............................. 175

Lapeer, waterworks at. .................. 210-217

wells at.. ............................... 214

Lapeer County, flowing wells in. ......... 218-225

rainfall in. ............................. 10

topography of ........................ 213-214

village supplies in ...................... 217

waterworks in. ....................... 214-217

wells in. .............................. 214-225

record of ........................... 215

water of, analyses of ............... 215

temperatures of ................ 16

Lasalle Township (Monroe County), wells

in.. ............................. 32

Latitude, influence of, on temperature of

underground water. ........... 15

Lawrence, waterworks at ................ 120, 121

Lawton, water supply of ................... 121

wells near .............................. 123

Lee, watei supply of ....................... 153

Leelanaw County, rainfall in. ............. 10

wells in, water in, temperature of ...... 10

Legislation, character and text of .......... 21-22

Leighton, M. O., analyses furnished by. .... 08,

09, 88, 92-93, 99-100, 104, 100-107, 121, 

122-123,129,146,147,151,155,160,178, 

181, 198, 199, 200, 208, 215, 243-244, 265 

Leighton Township (Allegan County), plat

of, showing well distribution . . . 150 

Lena wee County, flowing wells in .... 28, 78, 82-98

location of .............................. 78

map of. ................................ 28

rainfall in. ............................. 10

topography of .......................... 78

village supplies in. ..................... 80-82
286 INDEX.

Page, 

Lena wee County, waterworks in........... 79-80

wells in............................ 7,78,82-98

water in, analyses of............... 79, 88

temperature of................. 16

Lenox, waterworks at..................... 198

waterworks at, water of, analyses of... 198 

Leonard, water supply of.................. 183

Leslie, wells at....................... 136,169-170

wells at, water of, analyses of.......... 170

Leslie district, wells in................... 169-170

Leverett, Frank, information from........ 41,

114,123,125 

introduction by........................ 1-24

on Allegan County................... 152-160

on Barry County..................... 160-164

on Berrien County................... 110-118

on Branch County................... 104-105

on Calhoun County.................. 131-133

on Cass County...................... 108-110

on Eaton County.................... 104-165

on Hillsdale County................... 98-103

on Ingham County................... 164-165

on Jackson County................... 133-137

on Kalamazoo County............... 127-130

on Lapeer County.................... 213-225

on Lena wee County.................... 78-98

on Macomb County.................. 196-205

on Monroe County..................... 25-32

on Oakland County.................. 170-196

on St. Clair County.................. 205-213

on St. Joseph County................ 105-107

on Troy district...................... 188-194

on Van Buren County................ 119-126

on Waslitenaw County............... 138-160

on Willow wells........................ 36

work of............................... 3,26,33

Lewis, S. J., analyses by.................. 6R, 69,

88, 99,100, 104, 106, 107, 121,123, 129,

146, 147, 151, 155, 160, 178, 179, 181,

191-192,198,199,206,208,215,244,265

work of............................... 3,14,82

Limestone, water from..................... 7

Litchfleld, water supply of................. 100

Livingston County, rainfall in............. 10

wells in................................. 175

water of, temperature of........... 10

Livonia Township (Wayne County),springs

in............................... r>3

wells in................................. 70,77

Lockport Township (St. Joseph County),

wells in......................... 106

London Township (Monroe County), wells

of............................... 28,29

Long Lake, wells near...................... 109

Lowell, waterworks at................... 270,274

wells at................................. 274

Lum, wells near...................... 214,217,218

Lyons, waterworks at...................... 245

M.

McLouth, C. D., work of.................... 3

Macomb County, flowing wells in .... 197,201-205

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of........................ 19ii-197

Page. 

Macomb County, village supplies in ....... 200

waterworks in........................ 197-199

wells in....................... 188,192,19',-205

water of, temperatures of.......... 16

Macon River, course of..................... 25

Macon Township (Lenawee County), map

of............................... 28

wells of.............................. 83,84-85

Manchester, water supply of............... 139

wells in........................... 139,150-151

water of, analysis of............... 151

Manchester district, wells in............. 150-151

Manistee County, rainfall in................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Map of Michigan, showing area reported on 2

showing ground-water temperatures... 17

See also Artesian map; Geologic map. 

Maplegrove, water supply of .............. 163

Maple Rapids, wells at and near........... 228

wells at and near, record of............ 228

Maple Rapids district, wells in............. 228

Maple River, water supply from........... 231

Marcellus, water supply of................. 108

waterworks at...................... .. 110

wells near.............................. 108

Marengo, water supply of.................. 132

Marine City, wa terworks at.............. 205,208

Marlette moraine, location and character

of............................. 222-223

Marls, water from.......................... 7-8

Marshall, waterworks at................... 132

Marshall sandstones, occurrence of....... 133,214

water from................. 7,131,216-217,267

Martin, wa ter supply of.................... 153

Marysville, water supply of................ 208

Mason, waterworks at..................... 168

wells at................................. 175

Mason County, rainfall in.................. 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Mattawan, water supply of................ 121

Mauniee, Lake, location and history of..... 6,219

Mecosta County, rainfall in................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of ...... 16

Medina, well in............................. 94

Meridian, wells in.......................... 175

Meridian Township (Ingham County),

depth to rock in................ 171

Metamora, water supply of................ 217

Michigan, Lake, water supply from........ 269

water table near....................... 12

Middleville, water supply of................ 163

Midland County, rainfall in................ 10

wells of, water of, temperature of...... 16

Milan, water supply of............... 139-140, ] 47

water suppl y of, analyses of............ 147

wells in................................. 140

Milan-Cone district, map of................ 28

wells in......-...--...---....---...-.... 27-29

Milan Township (Monroe County), map of. 28

wells of................................. 28,85

Milford, waterworks at.................. 178,183

waterworks at, water of, analysis of ... 178 

Mill Creek (Kent County), springs on...... 278

Mill Creek (St. Clair County), drainage of.. 205 

Milletts, wells at........................... 175

Missaukee County, rainfall in.............. 10

wells of, water of, temperature of...... 16
INDEX. 287

Page. I Page.

Moline, water supply of.................... 153 North Macon Creek, wells on............... 86

Monguanon Creek, drainage of............. 58 North Plains Township (Ionia County),

Monguanon Township (Wayne County), spring in...................... 239-240

wells in......................... 65,7(1 wells in................................. 239

Monroe, wells at and near.................. 32 North Steel station, wells near........... 210-211

Monroe heds, occurrence of................. 35,73 [ Northville, fish hatchery at, springs at..... 71

Monroe County, artesian belts in........... 25 fish hatchery at, springs at, view of.... 44

flowing wells in......................... 25-32 j water supply of........................ 71-72

location of.............................. 25 ' Northville Township (Wayne County),

map of.................................. 28 lake in.......................... 51

rainfall In.............................. 10 springs in............................... 71

Sylvania sandstone in, water in........ 75 ' Norvell, water supply of................... 135

topography of.......................... 25 wells near.............................. 136

wells in............................... 7,25-32 i See aJso Brooklyn Clarks Lake Norwater of............................ 33 , veil district.

temperature of..................... 16 i Novi, water supply of...................... 183

Montcalm County, flowing wells in....... 246-249

rainfall in............................... 10 °-

springs in.............................. 254 i Oakland County, flowing wells in.... 176,183-196

waterworks in........................ 249-253 rainfall in............................... 10

wells in........................... 239,246-523 | topography of.......................... 176

records of......................... 249,250 village supplies in...................... 183

water of, analyses of......... 252,253,2fi7 waterworks in................... ... 177-183

temperature of................. 16 wells in 17ii-177

Monterey Township (Allegan County), plat records of........................ 177,181

of, showing well distribution... 156 water of, analyses of............... 178,

Moraines, character and distribution of.... 4-6 : ^79; jg^ 1$% is3, ISO, 192

Morenci, plat of, showing well distribution. 92 I temperature of............. 16

water supply of........................ 80 j Qceana County, rainfall in................. 10

wells at.............................. 82,91-93 ' weUs in, water of, temperatuie of...... 16

water of, analysis of................ 93 Ogden Center, wells at and near........... 89

Morgan, water supply of................... 163 Qgden Township (Lena wee County) plat

Morrice, wells in............................ 175' of, showing well distribution... 90

Moscow Township (Ilillsdale County), well wells in .. .- . 89-91

in............................... 102 I Ogemaw County, rainfall in................ 10

MoshervilLe, water supply of............... 100 wells in> wa'ter ol> temperature of...... 16

Mount Clemens, waterworks at.......... 197-198 Ohio corners, water supply of............. 153

wells at and near................. 197,198,204 , Qkemos, wells in........................... 175

Muir, waterworks at....................... 245 Qneida Township (Eaton County), depth

Municipal water supplies, statistics of..... 23-24 ^o roc.k; m 172

Muskegon River, source and course of..... 5 ' Qnondaga, wells at......................... 136

	Onsted, water supply at................... 81

	' Orangeville, water supply of............... 163

Nankin Township (Wayne County), wells in 66,77 j Orchard Lake, water supply of............. 183

Napoleon, water supply of................. 135 | Orion, depth to rock at.................... 177

Nashville, waterworks at................ 162,163 Ortonville, plat of, showing well distribuNellist, J. P., work of...................... 3 tion............................. 185

Newaygo County, rainfall in............... 10 section at, figure showing.............. 184

wells in, water of, analysis of.......... 266 , wells at............................... 184-187

water of, temperature of........... 16 ' water of, analysis of............... 186

New Baltimore, waterworks at............ 198 | Ortonville district, wells of.............. 184-187

New Buffalo, water supply of............ 113,114 j Osceola County, elevation's in.............. 5

New Buffalo district, wells in.............. 114 rainfall in............................... 10

Newburg, water supply of.................. 108 wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

New Haven, wells at and near........... 183,204 Oshtemo, waterworks at................. 129,130

Newport quarry, effect of, on wells......... 46 Otsego, waterworks at..................... 153

New Richmond, water supply of........... 153 See also Watson Otsego district.

New Troy, water supply of................. 113 Otsego County, rainfall in.................. 10

Niles, waterworks of................. 111-112,113 wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Nipissing, Lake and beach, location of..... 6 Otsego Township (Allegan County), plat of,

North Adams, water supply of............ 100 showing well distribution...... 154

North Branch, wells near................ 214,217 j wells in................................. 154

North Branch Township (Lapeer County), Otsico Township (Ionia County), wells in. 235-237

plat of, showing well distribu- Ottawa County, flowing wells in......... 254-260

tion............................. 220 rainfall in............................... 10

wells in........... ................... 220-221 topography of.......................... 254
288 INDEX.

Page. 

Ottawa County, waterworks in .......... 260-266

wells in............................. 7,254-266

records of........................... 255-

256, 257,258-259,260,261,263,265 

water of, analyses of..... 262-263,265,266

temperature of................. 16

Otter Lake, water supply of............... 217

Ovid, waterworks at....................... 233

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 266 

Ovid Township (Clinton County), wells in. 230 

Ovitz, F. K., analysis by................... 44

Oxford, ground-water conditions at, figures

showing...................... 179, ISO

water supply of........................ 183

dangerous character of........... 179-180

waterworks at........................ 178-180

water of, analysis of................ 179

Oxford Township (Oakland County), wells

'in............................. 178-180

P.

Palmyra Township (Lenawee County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 87 

wells in................................. 89

Pantlands Springs, location of............. 277

Paris Township (Kent County), springs in. 277 

wells at................................. 271

analysis of................. % ....... 271

Parma, water supply of.................... 135

Partello, water supply of.................. 132

Pawpaw, waterworks at............. 120,121,122

wells at and near..................... 122-123

water of, analysis of................ 123

Pawpaw Lake, wells on.................... 118

Pawpaw River, location of................. 119

wells on.............................. 121-122

Pawpaw Township (Van Buren County),

wells in....................... 122-123

Penn, water supply of...................... 108

Perry, wells in............................. 175

Pine Creek, wells on...................... 122,126

Pine Grove Township (Van Buren County),

wells in......................... 126

Pine Lake, wells on........................ 8

Pine River, drainage of..................... 205

Pipestone district, plat of, showing well distribution ....................... 115

wells in .............................. 114-117

Pipestone Township (Berricn County), 

plat of, showing well distribution. ........................... 115

wells in........................... Ill, 114-117

Pittsfleld, water supply of................. 100

Pittsfleld Township (Washtenaw County),

wells in......................... 148

Pittsfleld Junction district, wells of...... 147-149

Plaimvell, waterworks at.................. 153

Plymouth, mineral water at................ 66-67

mineral water at, analysis of.......... 67

water supply of........................ 71-72

Plymouth Rock mineral water, analysis of. 67 

source of............................... 66-67

Plymouth Township (Wayne Countyl,

springs in...................... 71

wells in.............................. ,. 70,77

Page. 

Points, well, use of......................... 13

Pokagon Township (Cass County), wells in 109 

Polglase, W. A., information from......... 216

Ponce de Loon water, analysis of........... 271

Pontiac, depth to rock at.................. 177

water supply of...................... 177-178

well at, record of....................... 177

Population, estimates of................. 4, 23-24

Portage, water supply of.................. 130

Portage Creek, wells on.................... 130

Port Huron, rainfall at and near........... 11

waterworks at....................... 205, "OS

Port Huron moraine, location of........... 211

Portland, water at, analysis of............. 246

waterworks at....................... 245-246

Prairieville, water supply of............... 163

Precipitation, records of................... 10-11

Prescott, A. B., analysis by................ 79

Presque Isle County, rainfall in............ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Pulaski, water supply of................... 135

Q.

Quincy, waterworks at..................... 104

waterworks at, water of, analysis of.. 104

wells at................................. 105

R.

Rabbit River, wells on..................... 155

Rainfall, effect of, on wells................. 47-48

records of........................... 10-11,47

Raisin Center, wells at..................... 81

Raisin River, course of..................... 25,78

drainage of............................. 134

water supply from..................... 79,80

wells on................................ 150

Raisin Township (Lenawee County), plat

of, showing well distribution.. 87 

wells in................................. 89

Raisinville Township (Monroe County),

wells in......................... 30

Ransom Township (Ilillsdale County), 

plat of, showing well distribution. ........................... 101

wells in................................ 99,100

Rattle Run, wells on....................... 212

Ray Township (Wayne County), plat of,

showing well distribution....... 201

wells in................................. 202

Reading, waterworks at.................. 99-100

wellj near.............................. 99

water of, analysis of............... 100

Redford Township ("\Vayne County), wells

Richland, water supply of................. 130

Richmond, waterworks at................. 198

waterworks at, water of, analysis-of... 198 

Rich Township (Lapeer County), plat of,

showing well distribution...... 222

wells in............................... 221-224

Ridgeway, wells at......................... 81

Ridgeway Township (Lenawee Countyl. 

plat of, showing well distribution............................ 87

River Rouge, description of................ 268
INDEX. 289

Page. 

River Rouge, drainage of ................ 139,170

water of, analysis of................... 59-GO

pollution of.-.-..........----.----. 58-60

water supply from..................... 53

wells on................................ 189

Rivers, course of................ .......... 5

supply of.....-.-.--....-.-..----------. 9

water supply from..................... 24

" See also Topography. 

Riverside, water supply of................. 113

River Junction, water supply of........... 135

Rochester, plat of, showing well distribution............................ 195

waterworks at................... 182-182,183

waterworks at, water of, analysis of... 1S3 

wells in................................. 195

Rock, water from.......................... 25

Rockford, waterworks at.................. 270

Rockwood region, wells of.............. 41-42, 44

Rollin, wells at and near................... 95

Rollin Township, plat of, showing well distribution....................... 94

wells in................................. 94-95

Rome Township ("Lenawee County i, wells

Romeo, waterworks at..................... 199

waterworks at, water of, analysis of.... 199 

Romulus Township ("Wayno County I, water supply of................... 65

wells in................................. 77

Roscommon County, rainfall in............ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 16

Rose Center, water supply of............... 183

Roseville, wells at and near.............. 200,203

Rouge River. See River Rouge.

Roxana Township (Eaton County), depth

to roc-k in...................... 172

wells in............................... 169,175

Royal Oak, depth to rock at............... 177

water supply of........................ 183

Royal Oak Township (Oakland County),

wells in....................... 1SS, 194

Rush Lake, well near...................... 121

Russell, I. C., 011 Ann Arbor waterworks... 143 

Russell, T., on Michigan weather.......... 11

Saginaw, Lake, location of.................. 6

Saginaw Bay, wells at and near, head in.... 23

Saginaw County, rainfall in................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of ...... 16

Saginaw lobe, description and location of... 4-5,

131,160,176,213

St. Clair, waterworks at................. 205,20S

St. Clair, Lake, character of................ 52

shore of, wells on..................... 203

utilization of...........................

water supply from.....................

wells on................................ 7

St. Clair County, flowing wells m........ 209-213

location of.............................. 205

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 205

village supplies in...................... 280

Page. 

St. Clair County, waterworks in.......... 205-208

wells in........................... 204,205-213

records of.......................... 207

water of, analyses of............. 206,208

temperature of................. 16

St. Clair River, contamination of.......... 56

wells on................................ 7

St. Johns, waterworks at................ 233-234

wells at, record of...................... 234

water of, analysis of ............... 234

St. Johns district, wells in............... 228-230

water of, analysis of................... 266

St. Joseph, waterworks at............... 112,113

St. Joseph County, flowing wells in...... 105-106

rainfall in.............................. 10

topography of.......................... 105

waterworks in........................ 106-107

wells in............................... 105-107

water of, analyses of............. 106,107

temperature of................. 16

St. Joseph River, drainage of............ 110,127

wells on................................ 112

Saline, water supply of................... 139,147

Saline River, course of..................... 25

water supply from..................... 139

Saline Township (Monroe County), map of. 28 

wells of................................. 85,86

Salts, presence of.....................

Sand, occurrence of..................

texture of........................

relation of water supply and.

water from.......................

Sand Creek, wells near...............

14 

25 

9 

9 

25 

91 

Sand Lake, wells at...................... 275-276

wells at, records of..................... 275

Sand Plains, occurrence of................. 5

Sandstone, water from..................... 7

Sanilac Comity, rainfall in................. 10

wells in................................. 209

water of, temperature of........... 16

Saugatuck, water supply of................ 153

Sawyer, water supply of................... 113

Schoolcraft, water supply of............... 130

School Creek, wells on.................... 163-1*14

Shaftsburg, wells in........................ 175

Sharon Township (Washtenaw County), 

plat of, showing well distribution............................ 149

wells in............................... 149-1M)

Shell >y ville, water supply of................ Ib3

Shepardsville, well near, record of......... 200

Shepardsville district, wells in............. 2U)

Sherwood, wells at and near............. 104,115

Sherzer, W. II., information from.......... 25

011 Huron River region................. 44-45

on Monroe County wells............... 29

on \Vayne County...................... 48-77

work of............................... 3,26,33

Shiawassee County, rainfall in............. 10

wells in................................. 175

water of, temperature of........... 16

Shiawassee River, drainage of............. 176

Shiloh, well near.......................... 244

Sickles, Mary, information from........... 80

Silver Creek, wells near.................... 214
290 INDEX.

Page. I Page.

Silver Creek Township (Cass County), , Three "Rivers, water supply at....... 105,106-107

wells in......................... 109 water supply at, water of, analysis of... 107

Silverwood, water supply of............. 217,224 Tiffin River, drainage of.................... 78

Silvenvood district, plat of, showing well wells on................................ 91,92

distribution.................... 222 Tipton, wells in............................ 96

wells in............................... 221-224 Tipton district, plat showing well distribuSmiths Creek, wells at and near.. 205,208,211-212 tion............................ 95

Soils, buried, occurrence of................. 8 ' wells in................................. 95-97

Soldiers Home, waterworks at............. 270 Topography, outline of.................... 4-6

South Arm, wells at........................ 8 ' See also particular counties.

South Black River, drainage of............ 119 Traverse City, wells at..................... 16

Southfleld, water supply of................ 183 Troy district, flowing wells in.............. 15

Southfleld Township (Oakland County), Trenching, advantage of, in obtaining flow,

wells in............... 188-189,191,194 figure showing.................. 229

South Haven, waterworks at............ 120-121 Trenton, water supply of................ 54,55,58

South Lyon, water supply of.............. 183 Trowb ridge Station, wells at............... 175

Sparta, waterworks at..................... 270 Troy, water supply of...................... 183

wells at................................. 271 Troy district, drift of...................... 191

Spring Arbor, water supply of............. 135 plat of, showing topography........... 188

Springport, water supply of............... 135 section of, figure showing.............. 190

Springwells Township (Waync County), wells in............................... 188-195

wells in...................... 07,70,76 , water of, analysis of............... 192

Stanton, water at, analyses of........... 252,253 Troy Township (Oakland County), wells

waterworks at........................ 252-253 , in..................... 188,191,192-193

State Industrial Home for Girls, water sup- Tubular wells, description of............... 13

ply for.......................... 80 Tuscola County, rainfall in................. 10

Steere celery farm, wells at........... 138,147-148 wells in............................... 222,224

wells at, analysis of.................... 149 water of, temperature of........... 16

Sterling Township (Macomb County1), wells Typhoid fever, occurrence of......... 24,56-57,88

in......................... 188,192,203

Stevensville, water supply of............... 113 *-.

Stone Lake, water from.................... 110 Uddenj T. A-) analyses by.................. 182

Stony Creek, course of...................... 25 information from..."................. 112-114,

Streams. Sec Rivers. JOQ ^99 -^ -^5 ^-^ ^Q^

Sturgis, water supply at................... 107 on Avon Township.......'....'....'....'195^-196

water of, analysis of.................... 107 on Birmingham wells................... 182

Sulphur, presence of.................... 14,25-26 on Rochester wells................... 182-183

Summerfield Township (Monroe County), on Troy district.. . .... ... 188-194

wells in........................ 31 workof... 2,3,79,82,88,91,94,100,102,116,117,

Sunfield, wells at........................... 175 122j 125; 130j 137; 155j 170j 202> 203

Swan, James, information from............ 33 Union City, waterworks at................ 105

Swan Creek, course of...................... 25 wells near.............................. 104

wells on and near................. 33,38-40,44 utica, wells at........................ 200,202-203

Swan well, description of................ 43-44,74 utica area, wells in...................... 202-203

effects of................................ 45-46

history of............................... 43-44 i V.

 - --- _ - --- - Valparaiso moraine, location and character

water from, analysis of................ 44 Qf ......... m, 113,119,152

Sycamore Creek, wells on................... 175 , Van Buren Collnty flowing wpllg in__ _ __ m_126

Sylvania sandstone, occurrence of.......... 35,73 I rainfall in 10

water from........................ 7,38,41,75 springs of .............................. 119

	topography of.......................... 119

	village supplies in...................... 121

Taylor, E. B., on Michigan Soldiers' Homo waterworks in........................ 120-121

water........................... 270 wells in............................... 120-129

Taylor Township (Wayne County), wells water of < analysis of................ 121

. a" 7g temperature of................. 16

Tecumseh, waterworks of." .......... ^.'".'. ' 80 Van Burcu T hi P CWayne County)

wells near.............................. 78,80 .. . ^'ater supply of............. 65,66,67

	wells in.............................. /0,76,</ Tekonsha, water supply of................. 132 Vandalia, water supply of.................. 108

Temperatures of well water, map showing... 17 Vaughan, V. C., analysis by................ 167

recordsof........................... 14-20,68 on typhoid fever........................ 57,58

Thornapple River, description of......... 207-268 work of................................. 3

drainage of..........-....---...--.-.... 164 Vermontville, wells at...................... 175

Thomas, water supply of................... 183 Vevay Township (Ingham County), wells

Three Oaks, waterworks at.............. 112,113 in............................... 175
INDEX. 291

Page. 

Vicksburg, waterworks at................ 129,130

Victor Township (Clinton County;, depth

to rock in....................... 172

Village supplies. See particular counties. 

Vineland, water supply of.................. 113

Viscosity Oil Company, analysis by,....... 162

Wadhams, water supply of. 

Wakelee, water supply of... 

Waldenburg, wells at.......

Waldron, water supply of..

.......... 208

.......... 108

.......... 200

.......... 100

Walled Lake, water supply of.............. 183

Warren, wells at........................... 200

Warren Lake, location of................ fi, 25,211

Washington, wells at....................... 200

Washington-Ray district, plat of, showing

well distribution............... 201

wells in................................. 202

Washington Township (Gratiot County I, 

plat of, showing well distribution. ............................ 226

wells in............................... 225,227

Washington Township (Macomh County), 

plat of, showing well distribution. ............................ 201

wells in................................. 202

Washtenaw County, flowing wells in....... 128,

138,140-141,147 

gas in.................................. 140

rainfall in.............................. 10

springs in.............................. 139

topography of.......................... 138

village supplies in.................... 146-147

waterworks in.................... 140,142-146

wells in............................. 7, 138-151

record of........................... 145

water of, analyses of............... 146

144,146,147,149,151 

temperature of............ 10,148,149

Waste, restriction of.................... 13,21-22

Water, underground, occurrence of........ 7-8

quality of.............................. 14

temperatures of........................ 14-20

map showing....................... 17

Water-bearing formations, distribution of. 7-8 

distribution of, map showing.......... 6

Waterf ord, water supply of................ 183

Waterloo, water supply of................. 135

Watervliet, wells at and near............ Ill, 113

Watervliet Township (Berrien County), 

plat of, showing well distribution............................ 118

wells in............................... 117-118

Waterworks, statistics of.................. 23-24

See also particular counties. 

Watson, water supply of................... 153

wells at and near..................... 153-155

Watson-Otsego district, plat of, showing

well distribution............... 154

wells in............................... 153-155

water of, analysis of............... 155

Watson Township (Allegaii County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 154 

wells in............................... 154-155

water of, analysis of............... 155

Page. 

Waverly, wells near........................ 124

Waverly Township (Van Buren County), 

plat of, showing well distribution............................ 123

wells in............................... 123-124

Wayla nd. water supply of................. 153

wells at and near....................... 7

Wayland district, location of.............. 154

plat of, showing well distribution...... 156

wells of............................... 155-160

records of........................ 158-159

water of, analysis of............... 160

Wayland Township (Allegan County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 156 

Wayne, water supply of.................... 63

water supply of, analysis of............ 69

Wayne County, artesian belts in........... 67

bed rock in, character of............... 73

water of............................ 73-77

analyses of..................... 68

flowing wells in................... 67-70,73-74

geology of.............................. 73

Glacial deposits in, character of........ 64-65

water of............................ 65-72

analyses of..................... 68

ground water in........................ 60-77

analyses of......................... 64

lake and river deposits in, character of. 60-61 

water of............................ 01-64

lakes in................................. 51

location of.............................. 48

mineral water in....................... 66-67

population of........................... 48

rainfall in........................... 10,49-50

reservoirs in............................ 50-51

springs in........................ 63,71-72,74

streams in.............................. 52-60

surface waters of....................... 50-60

analyses of................ 55-56, 58,59,60

topography of....................... 58,60-61

water of, contamination of............. 55-58

waterworks in................. 51, 53-55, 59,60

wells in...................... 7,01,65-70,73-77

water of............................ 33

analyses of............... 68,69,70,75

contamination of............... 62

temperature of................. 16

Wayne County Infirmary, water supply

of............................ 59,63-64

water supply of, analysis of............ G4,75

Weather Bureau, United States, records of. 10-11 

Webberville, wells in....................... 175

Weesaw Township (Berrien County), wells

in............................... 114

Well points, use of.......................... 13

Wells, boring of, methods of............... 237

descriptions of......................... 12-13

flow from, obtained by trenching, figure

showing........................ 229

water of, temperature of............... 16,68

map showing....................... 17

water supply from..................... 24

See also particular localities. 

Wells, flowing, character of................ 9,22

defects in............................... 23

districts of............................. 22

head of................................. 22-23
292 INDEX.

Page. 

Wells, flowing, occurrence of............... 8

use of................................... 22

waste from.......................... 13,21-22

water supply from..................... 24

See also particular localities. 

West Holt, wells at........................ 175

Weston, wells at........................... SO, 82

Wexford County, rainfall in................ 10

wells in, water of, temperature of...... 10

Wheatland Township, well in.............. 102

White Fish Lake, well at................. 248-249

well at, record of....................... 249

Whiteford Township (Monroe Count}'),

wells in......................... 31

WT hitneyville Springs, location of.......... 278

Whittlesey Lake, location of............. U, 25,07

Williams, G. S., on river contamination.... 56-57

Williamsburg, wells at..................... 10

Williamston, wells in....................... 175

Willow, wells at and near.................. 36

Willow-Exeter region, wells of.......... 35-38,44

Winchell, A., on Kent County salt wells.... 277

Windmills, use of.......................... 13

Winfield, well at........................... 130

Winter, effects of, on wells................. 46-47

Wisconsin stage, drift of................... 8

Wixom, water supply of................... 183

Wolf Creek, wells at........................ 97-98

Wolf Creek district, wells of................ 97-98

Woodland, water supply of................ 163

wells near.............................. 163

Woodland Center, wells near............. 163,164

Woodmere, water supply of................ 53

Page. 

Woodstock, water supply of............... 81

Wright Township (Ottawa County), plat

of, showing well distribution... 254 

wells in................................. 255

Wyandotte, water supply of............ 54,57-58

water supply of, analyses of........... 58

Y.

Yale. waterworks at................. 205,206-208

wells at, records of..................... 207

water of, analysis of............... 208

Yale moraine, location of.................. 209

Yerkes Lake, data on...................... 51,71

York, plat of, showing well distribution... 82 

York district, map of...................... 28

wells of................................. 82-86

York Township (WashtenawCounty*,map

of............................... 28

wells of................................. 85-86

Yorkville, water supply of................. 130

Ypsilanti, drilling apparatus used at, view

of............................... 140

rainfall at.............................. 49

water supply of........................ 145

wells at............................... 138,140

record of........................... 145

Ypsilanti Township (Washtenaw County'1,

wells in......................... 138
CLASSIFICATION OF THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL

SURVEY.

[Water-Supply Paper No. 182.]

The serial publications of the United States Geological Survey consist of (1) Annual 

Reports, (2) -Monographs, (3) Professional Papers, (4) Bulletins, (5) Mineral 

Resources, (6) Water-Supply and Irrigation Papers, (7) Topographic Atlas of United 

States folios and separate sheets thereof, (8) Geologic Atlas of the United States 

folios thereof. The classes numbered 2, 7, and 8 are sold at cost of publication; the 

others are distributed free. A circular giving complete lists can be had on application.

Most of the above publications can be obtained or consulted in the following ways:

1. A limited number are delivered to the Director of the Survey, from whom they 

can be obtained, free of charge (except classes 2, 7, and 8), on application.

2. A certain number are delivered to Senators and Representatives in Congress for 

distribution.

3. Other copies are deposited with the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 

D. C., from whom they can be had at practically cost.

4. Copies of all Government publications are furnished to the principal public 

libraries in the large cities thruout the United States, where they can be consulted 

by those interested.

The Professional Papers, Bulletins, and Water-Supply Papers treat of a variety of 

subjects, and the total number issued is large. They have therefore been classified 

into the following series: A, Economic, geology; B, Descriptive geology; C, Systematic geology and paleontology; D, Petrography and mineralogy; E, Chemistry and 

physics; F, Geography; G, Miscellaneous; H, Forestry; I, Irrigation; J, Water storage; K, Pumping water; L, Quality of water; M, General hydrographic investigations; N, Water power; O, Underground waters; P, Hydrographic progress reports. 

This paper is the sixty-second in Series O, the complete list of which follows (PP=Professional Paper; B = Bulletin; WS=Water-Supply Paper):

SERIES o, UNDERGROUND WATERS.

WS 4. A reconnaissance in southeastern Washington, hy I C Russell. 1897. 96 pp., 7 pis. (Out of

stock.) 

WS 6. Underground waters of southwestern Kansas, by Erasmus Haworth. 1897. 65 pp., 12 pis.

(Out of stock.)

WS 7. Seepage waters o f northern Utah, by Samuel Fortier. 1897. 50 pp., 3 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 12. Underground waters of southeastern Nebraska, by N. H. Darton. 1898. 56pp., 21 pis. (Out

ol stock )

WS 21 Wells of northern Indiana, by Frank Leverett. 1S99. 82 pp., 2 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 26. Wells of southern Indiana (continuation of No. 21) by Frank Leverett. 1899. 64 pp. (Out

of stock ) 

WS 30. Water resources of the lower peninsula of Michigan, by A. C. Lane. 1899. 97 pp., 7 pK (Out

ol stock.)

W.S 31. Lower Michigan mineral waters, by A 0. Lane. 1899. 97 pp., 4 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 34. Geology and water resources of a portion of .southeastern South Dakota, by J. E. Todd. 1900.

34 pp., 19 pis. 

WS 53. Geology and water resources of Nez Perces County, Idaho Pt. I. by 1. C. Russell. 1901. 86

pp., 10 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 54. Geology and water resources <>) Ntz 1'erces County, Idaho, Pt. II, by I. C. Russell. 1901.

87-141 pp. (Out ol «tock.)

IKE 182 06 20 i
II SERIES LIST.

WS 55. Geology and water resource* of a portion of Yakirna County, Wash., by G, O. Smith. 1901.

6.spp., 7 pis. (Out of stock.] 

WS 57. Preliminary li*t of deep borings in the United States, Pt. I, by N. H. Barton. 1902. 60 pp.

(Out of stock, i WS 59. Development and application of water in southern California, Pt, I, byj. B. Lippincott. 1902.

95 pp., 11 pis. (Out of stock.) 

WS 60. Development and application of water in southern California, Pt. II, by J B. Lippincott.

1902. 96-140 pp. (Out of stock.) 

WS 61. Preliminary list of deep borings in the United States, Pt. II, by N. H. Darton. 1902. 67pp.

(Out of stock.)

WS 67. The motions of underground water*, by (' S. Slichter. 1902. 106 pp., 8 pis. (Out of stock.) 

B 199. Geology and water resources of the Snake River Plains of Idaho, by I. C. Russell. 1902. 192

pp., 25 pis.

WS 77. Water resources of Molokai, Hawaiian Islands, by Waldemar Lindgren. 1903. 62 pp., 4 pis. 

WS 78. Preliminary report on artesian basin in southwestern Idaho and southeastern Oregon, by I. C.

Kusseil. 1903. 53 pp., 2 pis. 

PP 17. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of Nebraska west of the one hundred

and third meridian, by N H. Darton. 1903. 69 pp.,43 pis. 

WS 90. Geology and water resource* of a part of the lower James River Valley, South Dakota, by

J. E. Todd and C. M. Hall. 1904. 47 pp., 23 pis. 

WS 101. Underground waters of southern Louisiana, by G. D. Harris, with discussions of their uses for

water supplies and for rice irrigation, by M. L. Fuller. 1904. 9S pp., 11 pi*.

Wfc< 102. Contribution* to the hydrology of eastern United State*. 1903, by M. L. Fuller. 1904. 522 pp. 

WS 104. Underground waters of Gila Valley, Arizona, by W. T. Lee. 1904. 71 pp., 5 pis. 

WS 106. Water resources of the Philadelphia district, by Florence Bascom. 1904. 75 pp., 4 pis. 

WS 110. Contributions to the hydrology of eastern United States, 1904: M. L. Fuller, geologist in

charge. 1904. 211 pp.,5 pis. 

PP 32. Geology and underground water resources of the central Great Plains, by N. H. Darton. 1904.

433 pp., 72 pi*. (Out of stock.) 

WS 111. Preliminary re'port on underground waters of Washington, by Henry Landes. 1904. So pp.,

1 pi. 

WS 112. Underflow tests in the drainage basin of Los Angeles River, by Homer Hamlin. 1904.

55 pp., 7 pis. 

WS114. Underground waters of eastern United States; M. L. Fuller, geologist in charge. 1904.

285 pp., IS pis. 

WS 118. Geology and water resources of east-central Washington, by F. C. Calkins. 1905. 96 pp.,

4 pis. 

B 252. Preliminary report on the geology and water resources of central Oregon, by I. C. Russell.

1905. 138 pp., 24 pis. 

WS 120. Bibliographic review and index of papers relating to underground waters, published by the

United States Geological Survey, 1879-1904, by M. L. Fuller. 1905. 128 pp. 

WS 122. Relation of the law to underground waters, by D. W. Johnson. 1905. 55 pp. 

WS 123. Geology and underground water conditions of the Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico, by C. R.

Keyes. 1905. 42 pp., 9 pis.

WS 136. Underground waters of the Salt River Valley, by W. T. Lee. 1905. 194 pp., 24 pis. 

B 264. Record of deep-well drilling for 1904, by M. L. Fuller, E. F. Lines, and A. C. Veatch. 1905.

106 pp. 

PP 44. Underground water resources of Long Island, New York, by A. C. Veatch and others. 1905.

394pp., 34 pis. 

WS 137. Development of underground waters in the eastern coastal plain region of southern California,

by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 140 pp., 7 pis. 

WS 138. Development of underground waters in the central coastal plain region of southern California,

by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 162 pp., 5 pis. 

WS 139. Development of underground waters in the western coastal plain region of southern California,

by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 105 pp., 7 pis,. 

WS 140. Field measurements of the rate of movement of underground waters, byC. S. Slichter. 1905.

122pp., 15 pis. 

WS 141. Observations on the ground waters of Rio Grande Valley, by C. S. Slichter. 1905. 83 pp.,

5 pis.

WS 142. Hydrology of San Bernardino Valley, California, by W. C. Mendenhall. 1905. 124 pp., 13 pis. 

WS 145. Contributions to the hydrology of eastern United States; M. L, Fuller, geologist in charge.

1905. 220 pp., 6 pis.

WS 148. Geology and water resources of Oklahoma, by C. N. Gould. 1905. 178 pp., 22 pis. 

WS 149. Preliminary list of deep borings in the United States, second edition, with additions, by

N. H. Darton 1905. 175pp. 

PP 46. Geology and underground water resources of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas, by

A. C. Veatch. 1906. 422 pp., 51 pis.
SERIES LIST. Ill

WS 153. The underflow in Arkansas Valley in western Kansas by C. S. Slichter. 19C6. 90 pp., 3 pis. 

WS 154. The geology and water resources of the eastern portion of the Panhandle of Texas, by C. N.

Gould. 1906. 64 pp., 15 pis. 

WS 155. Fluctuations of the water level in wells, with special reference to Long Island, New York,

by A. C. Veatch. 1906. 83 pp., 9 pis. 

WS 157. Underground water in the valleys of Utah Lake and Ji irdan River, Utah, by G. B. Richardson.

1906. XI pp., 9 pis. 

WS 158. Preliminary report on the geology and underground waters of the Roswell artesian area

New Mexico, by C. A. Fisher. 1900. 29 pp., 9 pis. 

PP 52. Geology and underground waters of the Arkansas Valley in ^astern Coloradi >, by X. H. Darton.

190(1. 'JO pp., 2S pi*. 

WS 159. Nummary of underground-water resources of Mississippi, by A. F. C'rider and L. C. Johnson,

1906. S(i pp., 6 ]ils. 

PP 53. Geology and water resources of the Bighorn basin, Wyoming, by C. A. Fisher. 1906. 72 pp.,

16 pis.

WS 160. Underground-water papers, 1906, by M. L. Fuller. 1906. 104 pp., 1 pi. 

WS 163. Bibliographic review and index of underground-water literature published in the United

States in 1905, by M. L. Fuller, F. G. Clapp, and B. L. Johnson. 190(3. 130 pp. 

WS 164. Underground waters of Tennessee and Kentucky west of Tennessee River and of an adjacent

area in Illinois by L. C. Glenn. 1906. 173 pp., 7 pis. 

WS 181. Geology and water resources-; of Owens Valley, California, by Willis T. Lee. 1906. 28 pp.

6pK ' .

WS 182. Flowing welN and municipal water supplies in the southern portion of the Southern Peninsula of Michigan, by Frank Leverctt and others. 1906. 292 pp., 5 pis.

The following papers also relatf to this subject: Underground waters uf Arkansas Valley in eastern 

Colorado, by G. K. Gilbert, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II; Preliminary report on artesian waters of a 

portion of the Dakotas, by N. H. Darton, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II; Water resources of Illinois, 

by Frank Leverett, in Seventeenth Annual, Pt. II; Water resources of Indiana and Ohio, by Frank 

Leverett, in Eighteenth Annual, Pt. IV; New developments in well boring and irrigation in eastern 

South Dakota, by X. H. Darton, in Eighteenth Annual, 1't. IV; Rock waters of Ohio, by Edward 

Orton, in Nineteenth Annual, Pt. IV; Artesian-well prospects in the Atlantic coastal plain region, by 

N. H. Darton, Bulletin No. 138.

Correspondence should be addrest to

THE DIEECTOR,

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY,

WASHINGTON, D. C. 

NOVEMBER, 1906-

o