DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FRANKLIN K. LANE, Secretary

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

GEORGE OTIS SMITH, Director 

Bulletin 701

GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES

INCLUDING MANY ORIGINAL DETERMINATIONS 

OF UNDERGROUND TEMPERATURE

mBY

N. H. DARTON

WASHINGTON

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

1920

CONTENTS.

Page.

Introduction.............................................................. 7

Alabama................................................................. 9

Temperatures......................................................... 9

Summary............................................................ 11

Geologic relations..................................................... 12

Arizona.................................................................. 13

Source of information.....................'.,............................ 13

Phoenix............................................................... 13

Congress mine........................................................ 14

Plateau region........................................................ 15

San Simon Valley...................................................... 15

Arkansas.................................................................. 17

Temperatures.......................................................... 17

Summary............................................................ 18

Geologic relations.................................................... 18

California................................................................ 18

Southern California.................................................... 18

San Luis Obispo....................................................... 22

San Joaquin Valley................................................... 22

Indio Basin.......................................................... 25

Oil region............'................................................ 27

Grass Valley.......................................................... 27

Colorado................................................................. 28

\rkansas Valley....................................................... 28

San Luis Valley...................................................... 29

Leadville............................................................ 30

Trinidad............................................................. 30

Denver Basin.......................................................... 30

Miscellaneous localities............................................... 31

Summary............................................................ 31

Geologic relations..................................................... 31

Florida .................................................................... 32

St. Augustine .......................................................... 32

Miscellaneous data.................................................... 33

Summary............................................................ 34

Geologic relations..................................................... 34

Georgia.................................................................. 34

Temperatures.......................................................... 34

Summary............................................................ 35

Geologic relations..................................................... 35

Idaho.................................................................... 36

Boise.................................................:............... 36

Snake River valley................................................... 36

Nez Perce County.................................................... 37

3
4 CONTENTS.

Page.

Illinois................................................................... 37

Temperatures........................................................... 37

Summary............................................................ 39

Geologic relations..................................................... 39

Indiana................................................................... 40

Temperatures.......................................................... 40

Summary............................................................ 40

Iowa...................................................................... 40

Temperatures.......................................................... 40

Summary...............................................-.-..-.-......... 42

Geologic relations..................................................... 43

Kansas.. ................................................................... 44

Temperatures ........'................\.............................. 44

Summary............................................................ 45

Geologic relations..................................................... 45

Kentucky................................................................ 46

Temperatures.......................................................... 46

Summary............................................................ 46

Geologic relations...........................................:......... 46

Louisiana.............................................................;.. 47

Belle Island.......................................................... 47

Miscellaneous data.................................................... 47

Summary............................................................ 47

Geologic relations. .................................................... 47

Maryland................................................................. 47

Michigan.................................................................. 50

Sources of information.................................................. 50

Northern peninsula.................................................... 50

Central and southern Michigan........................................... 52

Minnesota................................................................ 54

Mississippi................................................................ 54

Temperatures.......................................................... 54

Summary............................................................ 55

Geologic relations...............................................:..... 55

Missouri.................................................................. 55

Temperatures.. ........................................ :............... 55

Summary............................................................ 57

Geologic relations.................................................:... 58

Montana .................................................................. 58

Anaconda mine........................................................ 58

Miles City............................................................. 59

Little Bitterroot Valley................................................ 59

Nebraska. ................................................................ 60

Temperatures.......................................................... 60

Summary............................................................ 62

Geologic relations..................................................... 62

Nevada................................................................... 63

Comstock lode........................................................ 63

Tonopah.............................................................. 63

New Jersey............................................................... 64

Temperatures.......................................................... 64

Summary............................................................ 65

Geologic relations..................... i ............................... 65
CONTENTS. 5

Page.

New Mexico............................................................... 65

North Carolina.............................................................. 66

North Dakota.............................................................. G6

Ohio..................................................................... C6

Findlay...............................;.............................. 66

Miscellaneous wells.................................................... 67

Oklahoma................................................................ 68

Temperatures.......................................................... 68

Summary............................................................ 69

Geologic relations..................................................... 69

Pennsylvania............................................................. 69

Anthracite region...................................................... 69

West Elizabeth........................................................ 71

McDonald............................................................. 71

Pittsburgh............................................................ 72

Homewood............................................................ 72

South Carolina............................................................. 73

Temperatures.......................................................... 73

Summary.............................................................. 73

Geologic relations..................................................... 73

South Dakota. .............................................................. 74

Temperatures...'....................................................... 74

Summary.............................................................. 80

Geologic relations..................................................... 81

Tennessee................................................................ 82

Texas.................................................................... 82

Temperatures.......................................................... 82

Summary.............................................................. 85

Geologic relations..................................................... 85

Utah..................................................................... 86

Virginia................................................................... 87

Richmond coal field................................................... 87

Fort Monroe...'....................................................... 88

Reedville.............................................................. 88

Washington............................................................... 88

Yakima artesian basin.................................................. 88

Walla Walla........................................................... 89

Whitman County........................................................ 89

West Virginia.............................................................. 89

Wheeling.............................................................. 90

Chelyan.............................................................. 91

Mannington........................................................... 91

Spencer ............................................................. 92

Volcano Junction.................................................... 93

Grantsville .......................................................... 93

Shinnston........................................................... 94

Lake well............................................................ 94

Goff well.............................................................. 94

Wisconsin................................................................. 94

Temperatures.......................................................... 95

Summary.............................................................. 95

Geologic relations...................................................... 96

Wyoming.................................................................. 97
ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

PLATE I, Map of eastern.South Dakota and North Dakota showing configuration 

.of .bedrock floor under the artesian basin and rate of increase of 

underground temperature with increase of depth in deep wells.. 80

FIGURE 1. Thermometer used in taking deep-well temperatures.............. 9

2. Map of part of the San Bernardino Valley, Calif., showing location

. of wells and indicating geothermal gradient...................... 20

3. Sections across eastern South Dakota............................. 81

6 ......
INCLUDING MANY ORIGINAL DETERMINATIONS OF 

UNDERGROUND TEMPERATURE.

By N. H. DAETON.

INTRODUCTION.

The purpose of this report is to present all available published data 

bearing on the rate of increase of underground temperature with 

increasing depth in the United States, together with several hundred 

original observations by myself and my associates. A canvass of the 

governmental, State, and serial publications has yielded many 

records of temperature of flowing wells and also a few observations 

made with thermometers in borings and deep mines. Additional data 

on temperature of flows have been given by correspondents. Some of 

the data, especially those relating to flows from wells, may not be 

reliable, and as a rule these could not be discriminated. Many 

records are omitted because no facts are available as to the source of 

flow.

During extended investigations of the geology of underground 

waters in many parts of the United States I and my assistants have 

had opportunity to observe the temperature of flows and to sink 

thermometers in deep borings. One very important contribution 

has come from an associate, J. E. Todd, who recorded the temperature 

of flows from a large number of wells in central-eastern South Dakota.

Mr. C. E. Van Orstrand, of the U. S. Geological Survey, has taken 

observations in various exceptionally deep wells in Pennsylvania, 

West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas, with very accurate apparatus, 

but only a few of the data are published.

The principal feature brought out by the data here presented is the 

fact that the rate of increase in underground temperature with 

increase in depth varies widely from place to place, though probably 

subject to certain regional relations. There is also a local and possibly 

a general variation in rate at different depths, but few of the observations have afforded data on this matter. The fact that there are 

regional variations has been recognized for half a century and was 

brought out in considerable detail in Prestwich's compilation of data

7
8 GEOTHEKMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

up to 1886 1 and his later publication in 1S95. 2 This observer and 

others later have grouped earth temperatures and attempted to show 

their relation to rocks and minerals of various kinds,3 petroleum,4 

flowing water, etc. There are undoubtedly in the earth many factors 

that may influence the rate of temperature increase, such as variation 

in conductivity of rocks, underground tension, mineralization, volcanic influences, and movement of underground waters. Variation 

in radioactivity has been suggested as a factor, and the influence of 

bodies of cold water, such as Lake Superior, and the former presence 

of glacial ice are thought to be causes of local diminution of earth 

temperature. Positive evidence is lacking as to all these matters, 

however, and we must await the results of extended special investigations before the weight of the several factors can be evaluated.

In nearly all my calculations of the rate of increase in temperature 

with increase in depth mean annual air temperatures were used as a 

standard. These were obtained from publications of the Weather 

Bureau, United States Department of Agriculture, and nearly all of 

them represented averages up to and including 1916. 5 In places 

for which no observations are on record temperatures were deduced 

from means of near-by stations, with due consideration of .difference 

in latitude and altitude. It is realized that these means of air temperature may differ from the ground temperature a few yards below 

the surface to the amount of 2° or more, but they were the only data 

available for comparison. 6 In a few places the temperatures at shallow 

depths were recorded, and the rate of increase could also be calculated 

from them.

The thermometers used by me and my assistants and supplied to 

certain correspondents were maximum self-registering instruments 

made to order by Henry Green, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The style is 

similar to that used by William Hallock, but certain modifications 

were found desirable. The modified form has been termed the Darton thermometer, but the difference hardly merits the title. The 

main features are shown in figure 1. A 10-inch outer tube of heavy 

glass, sealed, carries an 8-inch thermometer held by plugs of cork, 

C; S, stricture; r, rounded end of mercury column. The calibra1 Prestwich, J., On underground temperatures: Roy. Soc. London Proc., vol. 41, pp. 1-116,1886.

2 Prestwich, J., On underground temperatures, in Collected papers on some controverted question in 

geology, pp. 166-279, published separately, London, 1895.

3 Konigsberger, J., Normale und anormale Werte der geothermischen Tiefenstufe: Centralbl. Miner: 

alogic, 1907, pp. 673-679.

* Konigsberger, J., and Muhlberg, Max, Uber Messungen der geothermischen Tiefenstufe deren Technik 

und Venvertung zur geologischen Prognose [etc.]: Neues Jahrb., Beilage Band 31, pp. 107-157,1911.

6 Climatological data for the United States by sections, vol. 3, No. 13, Washington, 1917.

«Slichter found while investigating the underflow of Arkansas River in western Kansas in 1901 that 

the temperature of water in shallow wells ranged from 56° to 58° F., or 2° to 4 ° higher than the mean annual 

air temperature of the region. (See U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 153, p. 12,1906.)
ALABAMA.

tion is in degrees Fahrenheit and is readable to half 

a degree with certainty.

Most of the instruments were verified at the 

Bureau of Standards. As a rule they were used 

singly, but in certain places two instruments were 

used either simultaneously or in succession. They 

are intended to be sunk bulb end up, for the mercury in the bulb end does not easily jar past "the 

stricture. In warm weather care is taken to chill 

the instrument before lowering. . It is wrapped in 

flannel, placed in a 14-inch piece of 1-inch lead 

pipe, and usually lowered by means of No. 18 wire, 

with care to avoid jars. ...

Generally the instrument was left down the hole 

overnight or at least four hours. In observing temperatures of flowing water I and my assistants used 

ordinary 6-inch thermometers readable to half degrees and tested as to accuracy.. Nothing is known 

as to the kind of instruments used for most of the 

observations given in published reports or furnished by correspondents. They probably varied in 

character. -

Throughout this report temperatures are given in 

degrees Fahrenheit, depths in feet, and yield of 

wells in gallons a minute. Although the geothermal 

gradient should strictly be stated in units of temperature per unit of depth, it is customary, in order 

to get larger and more readily comparable' quantities, to use the reciprocal statement, units of depth 

per unit of temperature. The figures are here given 

in feet per degree Fahrenheit. A high gradient is 

of course represented by a small number of feet per 

degree, and vice versa.

ALABAMA.

TEMPERATURE OBSERVATIONS.

Many observations of the temperature of waters 

from flowing and other wells in Alabama have 

been recorded, most of them by the State geologist.1 Unfortunately, in the greater part of these 

observations the source of the water is not stated, 

and there is uncertainty as to the accuracy of the 

thermometers used. The following selected data are 

believed to be of sufficient value to be considered.

; 8

1 S

-i 8

i Smith, E. A,, U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 102, pp. 277-331,1904.
GEOTHERMAL, DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

- Temperatures in iveUs in Alabama.

"Well.

Bat-boar County: Eufaula, 1 mile south 

of..................;.................

Dallas County: 

Cahaba: 

Great well <*. ...................

Bell's Hotel d..................

Huntersfield. ................. . ...:

Selma: 

Ferrill well <*'...................

Greene County: 

Boligee. ..........................I.

Do.............................

Do.............................

Boligee, Canfleld's a ................

Do.............................

Burton Hill, Dr. Perrins. ..........

Erie................................

Eutaw, 4J miles south of. ......... .

Eutaw, 6 miles south of ............

Do.............................

Eutaw, 10 miles south of 

Cres wel 1 No. 1 ..................

Cresweli No. 2..................

Creswell No. 3. ....:............

Morrison, 3 miles southwest of ..... 

Steeles Bluff. ................ .

Locality not given*. . .............

Do.............................

Do...........................

Hale County: 

Cypress Switch. .................:..

Evans, 11 miles west of. ............

Evansville station. .................

Evansvilie, several near. ...........

E vansville, i mi le west of .......

Greensboro. ......................

Greenwood, 3 miles east of ....

Greenwood, 3 miles southwest of. . . 

Greenwood, 3 to 5 miles southwest of 

Do............................

Do.............................

Greenwood, 1 mile east of ..........

Do.............................

Mays station, 1§ miles south of. .....

Do...........................

Sawyerville, 3 miles west of ........

Do.............................

Stewart ............................

Marengo County:

Mobile County:

Do.............................

Total 

depth 

(feet).

350

848

728

555:

400

550

487

470

409

151 190

 500

415

250

142

522

550

320

544

330

200

340

495

450

456

440

550

495

330 

400

415

525

544

320

210

200

160-200

160

200

200

140

160 :

185

079

210

710

719

285

236

360

440

360

' 363

280

1,200

700

800

Depth 

of flow 

(feet).

!>S43

300 (first).

290

300

300

270 

360

300

160

180

160

140

140:

160

140 

140 

175

17<! 94/1

170

300

440

300

200.

1,11%

Flow 

<gallons per 

minute).

6

1,200

Many.

70

110

9VI

5

40

10

4i

2

10

2

1

4i

00

1J

24

30

3H8

18

18

65

40 

17

10

IS

18

22

850

6

17

4

2

35

400

1.000

Temperature 

(°F.).

68

76

<771

75

733

69

68

72

67J

68

70

68

68

66

70

71

67

70

68

71

70

71

71

72J

71

791

791

68 

69

68

70

79

67

67

68

68

67

68

67

67 

68 

68

68

67

75

75

69

72

70

70

CQ

67

66

«73

76

78

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

<°F.).

a64.6

C64.6

«64.8

e 64. 8

«64. 8

«64.8

<64.8

«64.8

e64.8

/66.1

063.7

063.7

063.7

063.7

063.7

063.7

A 63. 8

A 63. 8

ft 63. 8

»63.5

* 63. 5

»63.5

i 63. 5

i63.5

»63.5

263.5

263.5

jf63.6 

>63.6

J63.6

^63.6

763.6

263.5

m63.8

n»63. 8

ro 63. 8

OT63.8

"64

61.8

61.8 

61.8 

61.8

61.8

o65

o65

P61.8

964

964

964

864

r63.8

61.8

*65.2

«66.1

«66.1

Depth 

per degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

103

74

57

55

45

131

152

65

136

SO

96

58

62

83

75

90

87

80

27

46

66

CO

SO

59

61

57

66 

74

66

82

63

86

50

43

38

42

35

32

27 

23 

28

77

71

72

40

29

50

73

72

945'

! >

71

67

a Average for 33 years.

b Cased to 843 feet.

c Average for 30 years.

<J Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. Proc., vol. 10, p. 95,1856.

e Selma average for 27 years.

/ Flornatom average for 25 years.

-B Livingston average minus O.I 9.

* Livingston average for 33 years. 

« Livingston average minus 0.3°. 

3 Livingston average minus 0.2°. 

k Tuomey, Michael, Geology of South Carolina, 

p. 247,1848.

* Mean of Greensboro and Tuscaloosa.

"»Greensboro average minus 0.2°.

n Average for 38 years.

o Uniontown average for 31 years.

p Average at Lock No. 4 for 20 years.

9 Greensboro average.

7 Greensboro average minus 0.2°.

s Probably cooled by mingling of upper flows.

t Uniontown average plus 0.2s.

« Average for 45 years.
ALABAMA. . : "' 

Temperatures in wells in Alabama Continued.

\7ell.

Pickens County:

Do...............................

Russell County:

Do.............................

Sumter County:

Gainesville, 2-J milessoutheast of . . .

Gainesvillc, 4 miles southeast of. ...

Gainesville, 4 miles southwest of. . .

Do.............................

Do.............................

Tuscaloosa County:

Hullstation, 1 mile southwest of. ..

Total 

depth 

(feet).

G02

GOO

725

380

350

175

219

185

165

750

930

700

630

700

600

550

660

500

700 

560

400

460

7f>9

300

300

396

210

200 

160

234

Depth 

of flow 

. (feet).'

sfift_onfl

700

630

600

450-500

700 

560

460

702

v

210

200 

160

Flow 

(gallons per 

minute).

^Ort

6£

3

60

1

30

1

oa

1

5

2

3

4

19

1

1 

^1

?

1

l|

38

30 

GO

2i

Temperature 

(°F.).

79

79

71

67

66

67

7O

68

r.S

70

79

7271?

74

72 71

71

71

7171'

f.Q

70

71

69

68

69

67

66 

67

66

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(° F.).

o63.3

o63.3

o63.3

663.3

663.3

c64.6

c64.6

c64.6

c64.6

d63.7

d63.7

d63.7

«63. 5

<63.5

«63.5

c63.5

<63. 5

/63.4

c63.5 

063.8

063.8

063.8

063.5

063.8

063.8

063.8

&63.S

663.3 

663.3

A63.1

Depth 

per degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

p.o

69

94

tCVt

i vi

73

7(i

54

48

190

>;9

84

66

67

70J

73

80

60

93

78

on

74

97

 58

71

 76

57

74 

43

81

0

a, Llvingston average minus 0.5°. 

6 Tuscaloosa average plus 0.2°. 

c Union Springs average. 

<J Llvingston average minus 0.1°.

c Livingston average minus 0.3°. 

/ Livingston average minus 0.4°. 

g Llvingston average, 

ft Tuscaloosa average for 36 years.

Temperatures of flows from wells that derive part or all of their 

water from unknown depths are reported as follows: Boguechitto, 

Dallas County, 460 'feet deep, 68°; Boligee, Green County, 468 feet, 

66£°, and 420 feet, 66°; Montgomery, 550 feet, 68°, with some 

water from 480 feet.

SUMMARY.

Probably several of the wells represented in the , table have 

admixtures of water from different depths. The well at Union 

Springs, in Bulloch County, is pumped with an output of 150 gallons 

a minute, and as it is cased to a depth of 843 feet its water probably 

indicates the underground temperature with fair accuracy; the 

rate of increase indicated is 1° in 74 feet. The two deeper wells 

at Cahaba if cased to their bottoms indicate temperature increases 

of 1° in 57 and 55 feet, but tlie record of the shallower well at Bell's 

Hotel, with a rate of 1° in 45 feet, in some measure invalidates 

the data from the others. The 409 and 487 foot wel]s at Selma may 

have mixed flows. The exceptional temperature of 72° reported for
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES;

tKe 470-foot well may be a mistake. The Eutaw wells show rates 

of increase of 1° in 27 to 66 feet. The Steeles Bluff well is cased to 

a depth of 360 feet. Its recorded rate of increase of 1° in 74 feet 

is probably reliable if the thermometer reading is correct. This 

rate is subject to a small plus or minus correction due to uncertainty 

as to the mean annual temperature. - The Hale County wells of which 

the depths to flowing water are recorded show considerable range 

in rate of increase, mostly 1° in 34 to 54 feet.; The wells at Mobile 

indicate rates of 1° in 67 and 71 feet. The temperature of the 

water from the Pittsboro and Millwood wells, 72°, is remarkably 

high for wells only 219 and 236"feet deep and indicates rates of 1° 

in 30 and 79 feet, respectively. These figures might be modified 

slightly, however, if the exact mean annual temperature were 

known. The same is true of the '200-foot well 4$ miles south of 

Eutaw, in Greene County. Hale County also shows some high 

rates of increase. The low rate of the 200-foot well at Linden, in 

Marengo County, is a notable exception in the region southwest 

of Tuscaloosa. The Epes 750-foot well, the Huntersfield well, and 

the Selma wells (except the 470-foot well) are others having lower 

rates than the many wells that show increases of 1° in 50 to 90 

feet.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS. '

All the wells given in the list are in the southern or Coastal Plain 

part of the State and penetrate sands, marls, and clays of Cretaceous 

and Tertiary age. These strata form a succession of sheets which 

dip southward at a low. angle and mostly thicken in that direction. 

They lie on a basement of older granite, schist, and other rocks, 

which is nearly reached by the deeper wells in the northern part of 

the Coastal Plain district, among them the deeper wells in Tuscaloosa County, the wells 500 to 550 feet deep in Greene County, the 

deeper wells in Pickens County, the 930-foot well 3 miles southeast 

of Epes, in Sumter County, and the 1,200-foot well at Linden, 

Marengo County. These wells appear to show a wide range in rate 

of increase of temperature, the rate in the well at Linden, the deepest 

well reported, being very low 1° in 143 feet, if the temperature of 

the flow is given correctly. The group of wells in Bullock, Russell, 

and Barbour counties, most of which draw from younger formations, show no special variations. The temperature recorded for 

the wells in Selma, which draw from the upper part of the Tuscaloosa formation, is about 68°, indicating a low rate of increase. The 

wells at Mobile draw from higher beds and show a rate of 1° in 

about 70 feet.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 13

ARIZONA. 

SOURCE OF INFORMATION.

Underground temperatures in Arizona have been determined by 

W. T. Lee, C. A. Fisher, and A. T. Schwennesen, of the United 

States Geological vSurvey. In 1904 Mr. Lee made for me a number 

of observations in wells and shafts at the Congress mine, near 

Phoenix, and in the Plateau region, and from 1913 to 1915 Mr. 

Schwennesen 1 obtained temperatures'in the San Simon Valley.

PHOENIX.

Several moderately deep borings were made in Salt River Valley 

near Phoenix, most of them sunk to develop water supplies from 

the deep desert-valley fillings. In January, 1904, Mr. Lee 2 carefully determined temperatures in these holes by sinking Darton 

thermometers with the results set forth below. The mean annual 

air temperature at Phoenix for 21 years, 69.4°, is used in the calculations of gradient.

Temperature in wells near Phoenix, Ariz,

Well.

Murphy & McQuccn ranch. ..........

Consolidated Canal Co. ..............

Sec. 30, T. 2 N., R. 4 E.. .............

E. F. Kcllner, sec. 6, T. 1 N., R. 1 E . .

Valley Grape Co.. sec. 4. T. 1 S., R. 4

E.

Depth

(feet).

/ 349

\ 150

/ 375

\ 150

835

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

324

319

Temperature

OP.)-..

78.1

77.6

84.6

Q1 1

oi. 1

83

82.1

81.9

81.1

80.6

80

79.8

79.1

82.3

74.4

Depth

per

degree of 

increase

in temperature

(feet).

40

1C lo

25

13

Cl

63

56

51

45

38

29

21

25

64

Remarks.

!

Well 1,305 feet deep but clogged at

349 feet.

Well 705 feet deep but clogged at

375 feet.

All water cased off; thermometer

down 20 hours.

Thermometer down 2 hours.

Do.

Do.

Thermometer down 17 hours.

Thermometer down 7 hours.

Thermometer down 16 hours.

Thermometer down 3 hours.

The increase is 3^° from 150 to 375 feet in the well of the Consolidated Canal Co., though it is only half a degree from 150 to 349 feet 

in the well at the Murphy & McQueen ranch. Lee suggests that this 

difference may be due. to freer circulation of the underflow at the 

latter place.

i Schwennesen, A. T., Ground water in San Simon Valley, Ariz. and N. Mcx.: U. S. Geol. Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 425, pp. 1-35,1917.

a Lec, W. T., Underground waters of Salt River valley, Ariz.: TJ. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 

136,1905.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

CONGRESS MINE.

The large Congress gold mine, south of Prescott, Ariz., which has 

been worked to a depth of 1,300 feet, was selected for a series of 

careful determinations of temperature. The tests were made in 

March, 1904, by W. T. Liee, in shafts No. 6 and No. 3, which had not 

been worked for several months. A week in advance of the tests 

holes from 5 to 9 feet deep were drilled at various depths into the 

walls of side drifts 30 to 142 feet from these shafts but out of the 

main currents of ventilation. The thermometers were lightly covered and allowed to remain in the holes from 10 to 24 hours. The 

shafts are steep inclines, No. 6 being at an angle of about 45° and 

No. 3 at about 21°, and as they extend downward the land above 

rises considerably. The depths given below are taken from a surface 

profile in which the elevations were determined barometrically by 

Mr. Lee.

Temperatures in shafts at Congress mine, near Prescott, Ariz.

Shaft No. 3 .....................:......................

Do.................................................

Do.................................................

Do.................................................

Shaft No. 6 ............................................

Do.................................................

Vertical 

depth 

(feet).

205

637

1.125

1,285

560

1,158

Thermometer remained in 

hole 

(hours).

23

10£

104

22i24

24

Temperature (*F.).

68. 1

71.4

74.6

82.1

76. 6

84.2

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in 

temperature (feet). o

1S6

167

89

63

70

a Based on mean annual temperature of 67.7°, the average for 1897 to 1904 at the mine. This is probably 

too high, as the mean at Wickenburg, about 1,000 feet lower in altitude, was 64.2° for 1916.

The rate of increase in shaft No. 6 is 1° in 78.7-feet between 560 

and 1,158 feet. The rates in shaft No. 3 are 1 ° in 146 feet between 20j5 

and 687 feet, 1° in 137 feet between 687 and 1,125 feet, 1° in 141 feet 

between 205 and l,125feet, and 1° in 21.3 feet between 1,125 and 1,285 

feet. The rock is granite, mostly massive, but at the 1,285-foot level 

in shaft No. 3 the observation was made 8 feet below a 2-foot zone of 

crushed schistose material with slickensided surfaces indicating much 

movement. Probably this condition caused the much greater increase 

of temperature between 1,125 and 1,285 feet than in the intervals 

above and in shaft No. 6. Shaft No. 6 is all in massive granite down 

to the vein, which is cut at 1,158 feet. The temperature at 1,285 feet 

in shaft No. 3 was verified by a duplicate observation.
 ARIZONA. . v -UlO 

PLATEAU BEGION.

Several observations were made in borings along the Atchison, 

Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in Paleozoic rocks in the Plateau region 

of north-central Arizona, resulting as follows:

Temperatures in wells along Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway in north-central

Arizona.

Well.

Yucca .....................

Nelson.....................

Seligraan ..................

Do....................

Depth 

(feet).

1

1,004

455

I 1,043 J

[ 200

700

1,216

227

Temperature

( £.).

090. 5

.

80.6

73.4

61.2

84.2

77.9

69.5

Mean 

annual 

air temperature

.(°F.).

667

67

C52.3

52.3

52.3

52.3

52:3

Depth

per degree 

of increase 

in temperature

(feet).

45'"

34

50

23

22

47.5

13

Remarks.

Standing water below 346 feet.

Test bv W. T. Lee, September.

1903.

No work for 3 months. Test by

W. T. Lee, September, 1903.

553 feet of water in well. Test by

W. T. Lee, September, 1S03.

No work for 4 mouths. Test by

W. T. Lee, September, 1903.

Thermometer down 2 hours. Well

was being drilled all day and

had been "shot" 8 hours before.

Test by C. A. Fisher, June, 1902.

Dry hole; tools in bottom (1,479

feet). No work for 24 hours. Test

by W. T. Lee, September, 1903. 

Old hole. Test by C. A. Fisher,

June, 1902.

a Duplicate tests, closely accordant.

J> Mean of Needles, Calif., and Kingman, Ariz.; may be somewhat lower or higher.

c Scligman average for 10 years.

In the Yucca well the rate of increase was 1° in 55.5 feet between 

455 and 1,004 feet, and in the Nelson well it was 1° in 69.1 feet 

between 200 and 1,043 feet. Both holes are in nearly horizontal 

limestone of Carboniferous age and perhaps had reached the underlying Cambrian shale. The Seligman well was tested at two levels, 

first at 700 feet and 14 months later at 1,216 feet, where the temperature was 6.3° cooler. At Seligman there ;is a mass of later 

Quaternary basalt several hundred feet thick which may retain 

some of its original heat and so cause the higher rate of increase near 

the surface. In another hole at this place 227 feet deep and entirely 

in the basalt the rate is still higher. Below the basalt the boring 

was in Carboniferous limestone in a shallow syncline.

SAN SIMON VALLEY.

San Simon Valley, in the southeast corner of Arizona, contains 

many flowing wells 200 to 1,230 feet deep, drawing their supply from 

the thick valley fill of sand and clay. Mr. Schwenn^sen made the 

following tests.
16 <5EOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in San Simon Valley, Ariz.

Location.

T. 13 S.. R. 29 E.: 

N W. J sec. 18. .........................

NE.isec.24.. ..........:..............

T. 13 S.. R. 30 E.: 

N W. J sec. 3. ..........................

NE. J sec. 9. ...........................

NW. J sec. 11. .........................

NE.Jsec. 13.......... .................

SW. J sec. 18 ..........................

NW. J sec. 23. .........................

NE.isec.24.. .........................

NE. J sec. 25........................... 

NE. J sec. 25. ..........................

NE. J sec. 25. ..........................

NE.Jsec. 25.. .........................

N VV. J sec. 26. .........................

NW. J sec. 30. .........................

SW. J sec. 17 ..........................

NE. J sec. 18. ..........................

SW. | sec. 19 ...........................

NW. J sec. 20. .........................

NE. J sec. 20 ..........................

SW. J sec. 20 ..........................

SE. J sec. 20 ...........................

SE. J sec. 20. ..........................

SE.Jsec. 21...........................

SE. J sec. 21 ...... ....................

NW. J sec. 28. .... ....................

NE.Jsec.28.. .........................

NE.Jsec.28.. .........................

NE.Jsec.29.. .........................

T. I3S..R. 31 E.: 

SW.Jsec. 29. .........................

SW. Jsec.30..... ....................

SW. J sec. 31. .........................

SE.isec.31...........................

SE.Jsec. 33.............. .............

SE. J sec. 33 ........................... 

SE.Jsec. 33............... ............

T. 14 S., R.30E.: 

SW. Jsee. 1...... . . .... . ....

NE. J sec. 12. ..... ....................

NE. J sec. 12. ..........................

SE.Jsec. 13...........................

T. 14 S.. R. 31 E.: 

N W. J sec. 3. ..........................

SW. Jsec.3. ..........................

SW. Jsec.4. ..........................

SW.Jsec. 5...........................

NW. J sec. 6 ...

SW.Jsec. 7. ..........................

NE. J sec. 8. ...........................

SW. J sec. 9 ...........................

SE. J sec. 9 ............................

NE. J sec. 10. ..........................

N W. J sec. 10. .........................

SE. J sec. 10 ...........................

SW. J sec. 11 ..........................

SW. J sec. 11 .....;....................

 SW. i sec. 13...........................

SW.Jsec. 13. .........................

NW. J sec. 14. .........................

N W. J sec. 15. .........................

NW i sec I 1)

SW.Jsec. 15. .........................

SE. J sec. 16 ...........................

NE. J sec. 17. ..........................

NW. J sec. 19. .........................

NE. J sec. 21. ..........................

NE. J sec. 21. ..........................

SE. J sec. 21 ...........................

NE. J.sec. 22.. .........................

SW.Jsec. 22. .........................

SE. * sec. 22...........................

NW. J sec. 23. .........................

SW.Jsec. 23. .........................

Depth 

(feet). .

SCO

960

860

900

950

760

900

900

860

880 

880

900

935

860

930

840

610

840

560

590

660

640

615

550

600

673

549

625

618

760

1,008

884

850

590

690 

663

920

1,040

880 

743

626

704

570

770

900

760-

796

800

775

603

624

650

433

730

490

530

440

822

790

726

715

830

1,140

875

730

800

620

750

770

705

750

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

26

10

8

4

11

9

3

1

14

9

1

1

10

2

3

12

24

64

1

24

111

58

12

164

51

107

54

95

5

36

36

200

21 

170

2

45

1

95

166

48

19

2

45

8

46

107

222

24

260

28

1

3

60

206

274

125

31

18

1

34

28

40

120

250

Temperature 

V F.).

£3

105

109

93.98

96

88

67

92

80

75 

80

84

84

78

105

79

83

82

84

83

73

84

83

80

72

82

82.80

81

79,78

81

79

84

82

80

81 

81

81

82

78 

72

80

75

76

78

78

77

78

80

76

80

 74

78

76

72

80

76

75

79

80

83

79

84

70

77

84

85

' 78

85

83

84

S3

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).o

48.6

24.2

19.7

27. 6-32. 5

30.9

33.4

33.7

58.5

90.7 

59.9

48.1

50.0

67.7

23.4

61.3

34.4

50.3

30.0

33.3

85.7

34. 2

34.8

37.4

90.0

40.3

37. 3-32. 3

40.0

48. 7-45. 1

48.4

73.6

47.3

51.0

40.0

44.0 

42.0

58.6

62.3

69.3 

111.0

42.6

72.6

53.2

60.6

70.8

65.0

62.7

54.4

73.1

41.0

71.7

51.2

40.4

109.0

33.3

49.5

44.4

60.0

W 7

41.0

52.2

45.4

242.5

74.9

39.0

40.7

48.8

38.1

43.5

32.3

42.4

Remarks.

Two tests.

Do.

Two tests.

Do.

Do.

a Calculated from 65.3% the average at San Simon for 9 years to 1907.
ARKANSAS. 17

Temperatures in wells in San Simon Valley, Ariz. Continued.

Location.

T. 14 S., R. 31 E.: Continued. 

SE. iscc. 23...........................

SE. J sec. 23 ...........................

SE. J sec. 23 ...........................

N W. J sec. 24. .........................

NE.Jsec. 25.... .......................

, SE. Jsec. 25........ ...................

* N W. i sec. 26. .........................

NW. { sec. 20. .........................

NW. J sec. 27. .........................

T. 14 S.. R. 32 E.: 

N W. } sec. 19. .........................

SW.Jscc. 19..........................

SW.isec. 19.... ......................

SW. J sec. 29 ..........................

NW. J sec. 31. .........................

T. 15 S.. R. 32 E.: 

N W. £ sec. 5. ..........................

Depth 

(feet).

C20

720

580

590

040

COO

735

920

740

390

441

207

330

430

603

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

ISO

90

87

134

137

22

25

3

20

300

2.54

34

20

Temperature 

( F.).

80

80

79

77

80

83

81

84

83

75

80

73

70

78

7fi

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase 

ini temperature 

(feet).

42.2

49.0

42.3

50.5

43.5

37.3

46.7

49.2

41.8

40.1

30.0

26.9

74.5

33.8

56. 3

Remarks.

ARKANSAS.

TEMPERATURES.

Very few temperature determinations from Arkansas are available 

The following are taken mostly from a report by Veatcn: 1

Temperatures in wells in Arkansas.

Well.

Do..................

White Cliff Chalk Co.... 

Do..................

Depth 

(feet).

466 

552 

502 

760 

860 

750 (or 

604?) 

890 

415

937 

194

455

450 

540

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

66 

59 

Flow.

110

650 

600

380

Temperature (" P.).

65 

72 

72J 

70 

05 

79

04 

66

67 

65. 3

71.8

64 

65

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

( F.).

064. 

664 

c63 

d62.5 

«62. 1 

/C3.2

063 

A64

<C4.4 

/C3.2

63.2

Depth 

per degree 

of increase in temperature 

(feet).

70 

48+ 

30

35+

207+

360

88

46i+

Remarks.

Water pumped 1 foot. 

Pumped 550 feet. 

Water from 460 to 502 feet. 

Water from 200 to 225 feet. 

Pumped. 

Water pumped 555 feet.

Pumped. 

Pumped from 233 to 345 

feet.

Water pumped from 184 to 

194 feet. 

Water pumped from 400 to 

455 feet.

a Centcvpoint average for 16 years.

b Greenville, Miss., average minus 0.1°.

c Camden average for 30 years minus 0.3°

<J Amity average for 24 years.

« Average for 24 years.

/ Warren average for 34 years.

g Average for 32'years.

ft Camden average plus 0.7°.

»' Average for 21 years.

1 Veatch, A. C., Geology and underground-water resources of northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 46, pp. 153-177,1906.

137163° 20 Bull. 701 2
18 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

SUMMARY.

The data for AUbrook, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Stamps, and 

Texarkana apparently are not valid, probably because the true 

source of the flow is not given. The temperatures in other wells 

appear to be consistent. These wells are in the southern quarter 

of the State and reach water-bearing strata in the great Tertiary 

sedimentary series of the Mississippi embayment.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The Gurdon well draws from the Nacatoch sand in the Upper 

Cretaceous; the Arkansas City well, the shallow well at Wilmar, and 

the Fordyce well, all with high rates of increase in temperature, 

draw from Eocene beds at the horizon of the Yegua ("Cockfield") 

formation, about 1,500 feet higher; the Monticello well and the 

455-foot well at Wihnar, both with high rates of increase, draw from 

coarser deposits of Eocene age not far below the Yegua horizon.

CALIFORNIA.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

W, C. MendenhaU.,1 in studying the hydrology of southern California, determined the temperature of water flowing from many 

artesian and other wells and from several hot springs. The following 

list sets forth the principal data obtained in San Bernardino Valley:

Temperatures in wells in San Bernardino Valley, Calif.

Well.

Mound City.: ;

Do............... ...................................... 

Do.....................................................

Do.....................................................

Do.....................................................

Do.....................................................

Urbita. new well ................................................

Depth 

(feet).

984

784

656

125

582

534

517

506

472

482

320

83

196

190

142

148

141

181

472

740

Temperature 

(° F.).

74 

75

68

74 

74

70

70 

70

74

70

68

70

70

70

68.5

67

68

70

78

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(° F.).

-c.63-

 068 '

a 63 «63 ' 

a 63

a 63

a 63

o63

a 63

a 63

a 63

662.7

*62.7

662.7

662.7

662.7

662.7

662.7

662.7

C62.5

Depth 

per degree 

of increase 

in temperature 

(feet).

82

71

55

25

53

<1Q

CO

72

67

44

99

16

27

26

19

25<M

34

65

48

a. Mean annual temperature for Riverside for 35 years. 

6 San Bernardino average for 25 years plus :0.2°. 

c San Bernardino average for 25 years.

 Hydrology of San Bernardino Valley, Calif.: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 142, 124 pp., 

1905.
CALIFORNIA. 19

Temperatures in wells in San Bernardino Valley, Calif. Continued.

Well.

San Bornardino:

Do.....................................................

Do.....................................................

Harlem Springs:

Colton:

Do.....................................................

Do.....................................................

Depth 

(feet).

642

614

544

682

460

225

121

158

169

451

231

185

150

300

68

92

81

68

Temperature 

(° P.).

112

69

68

68

72

71

98

85

76

90

72

an

68

115

86

73

73

71

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(° P.).

o62.5

o62.5

a62.5

o62. 5

o62.5

o62.5

o62.5

a62.5

a 62. 5

o62.5

o62.5

o 62. 5

o62.5

a62.5

63

f>3

63

Depth 

per degree 

of increase in temperature 

(feet).

13

94

99

129

48

27

0

7

11

17

24

11

27

6

0

g

«

8

( San Bormrdino average for 25 years.

The. distribution, depths, and geothermal gradients of most of 

these wells are shown in figure 2.

The data in the table present variations that are difficult to 

understand. Some of them are not reliable, because flows from 

higher horizons may have ingress to the well, and in a few wells 

the outflow is small, but these two conditions cause diminished 

temperatures. The materials penetrated by the borings are a thick 

series of Quaternary sand, gravel, and clay lying horizontal and 

constituting a wide desert plain. The conditions are favorable for 

rapid circulation of water, so that the mean annual air temperature 

62.5° should be expected to extend some distance below the surface. 

On the edge of the basin and at Harlem Springs there are thermal 

springs, and in a local crumple of the beds passing through Bunker 

Hill warm waters come very near the surface. The areas of high 

temperature are probably due to seepage of warm spring waters 

along or near recent faults. Admixture with the shallow underflow 

causes the great diversity of temperatures shown.

The 642-foot boring 2 miles southeast of San Bernardino, whose 

water has a temperature of 112°, appears to have tapped a particularly warm spot, although shallower borings a short distance southwest show nearly the same rate of temperature increase. The water 

of the Urbita Springs has a temperature of 102° to 105°. Several 

wells near the Bunker Hill anticlinal ridge show temperatures of 

85° to 105°, and the shallow wells of the Riverside Water Co. along 

the north bank of Santa Ana River show temperatures of 7.1° to 73°. 

Deeper wells, 320 to 656 feet deep, near Loma Linda show temperatures
20 GEOTHEEMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

of 70° to 75°, but the rate of increase is not.so high in these wells as in 

the other wells just mentioned.

 O X XX

Flowing well Pumped well BunkerHill uplift

FIGURE 2. Map of part of the San Bernardino Valley, Calif., showing location of wells and indicating 

geothermal gradient. Depths of wells are represented by gothic figures, and italic figures show the 

depth in feet per degree of increase in temperature. Data from Mendenhall's report.

Mendenhall* has recorded the temperatures in many wells in the 

Anaheim and Santa Ana districts of the eastern coastal-plain region 

of southern California, and, although most of them are too shallow 

to indicate the geothermal gradient, they present some interesting 

features. Most of the wells are from 80 to 200 feet deep, and the 

waters show unaccountable variations in temperature, mostly from 

61° to 65° and a few to 70°. Of the few deeper wells covered by the

1 Mendenhall, W. C., Development of the underground waters in the eastern coastal-plain region of 

southern California: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 137,1905.
CALIFORNIA. 21

records one flowing well 397 feet deep in the San Joaquin district 

showed a temperature of 79°, which indicates a rate of increase of 

about 1° in 23 feet. Another well near by, 165 feet deep, with a 

temperature of 81°, indicates a still higher rate. The temperature 

of water from a 386-foot well was 67°, a 390-foot well 70°, a 264-foot 

well 71°, a 360-foot well 71°, a 336-foot well 71°, a 400-foot well 68°, 

two 450-foot wells 66°, and a 118-foot well 71°. Some of the wells 

showing the higher temperatures are in groups or districts, but 

others appear to be irregularly distributed.

Temperatures in the Cucamonga and Pasadena region have been 

recorded by Mendenhall, as follows:

Temperatures in wells in Cucamonga and Pasadena quadrangles, Calif.

Location.

Cucamonga quadrangle: °

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do................... ............. ........

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Sec. 33, T. 1 N., R. 8 W .........................

Do..........................................

Pasadena quadrangle:

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Sec. 9, T. 2S.,R. 13 W... ... .... .......

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

 San Pasqual. ....................................

Do. .........................................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Sec. 20, T.I S., R.ll W.........................

Depth 

(feet).

541

479

456

433

428

666

638

624

640

540

649

375 126'

300

374

347

400

385

367

in?

283

276-280

210

205-226

189

175

202

160

492

140

130

156

302

130

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

280

56

33

45

850

850

850

850

1,675

900

225

500

340

280

165

335

280

560

22

45

670

1,750

Temperature 

<°F.).

71

72

72

72

73

. 64

62

62

62

62

70

64

67

69

66

65

62

64

70

68

66

68

65

60

62

68

61

65

65

67

71

71

68

64

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

( F.).

6 62. 5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62. 5

62. 5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

c60.3

60.3

60.3

60.3

60.3

60.3

60.3

60.3

d62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

62.5

Depth 

per 

degree of . 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

64

50

49

46

41

144

250

30

46

107

140

49

40

50

36

45

110

23

64

197

33

18

15

55

87

a Mendenhall, W. C., Ground waters and irrigation enterprises in the foothill belt, southern California: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 219. pp. 140-174,1908. 

& Azusa average for 15 years. 

c Average for 40 years. 

d Pasadena average for 27 years 

In this region other wells from 113 to 300 feet deep show temperatures of 62°; wells 68 and 172 feet deep, 63°; 280 feet, 64°; 

250 feet/65°; 60 and 160 feet, 66°; 147, 160, and 300 feet, 67°; 139, 

160, 180, 250, and 255 feet, 68°; and 140 and 220 feet, 69°. These 

figures indicate great irregularity in the rate of increase at slight 

depths.
22 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF TH-E UNITED STATES.

SAN LUIS OBISPO.

A flow of sulphur water from a 928-foot well at San Luis Obispo 

has a temperature of 103°. As the mean annual air temperature at 

this place is 57.2°, this indicates a rate of increase of 1° in 20 feet.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY.

Mendenhall and Dole * have given records of many observations 

of temperatures of wells in San Joaquin Valley. Most of the wells 

are shallow,"but others are deep and flowing, so that their temperatures throw much light on the rate of increase. These wells are all 

in the filling of loam, clay, sand, and gravel, occupying a broad 

valley between mountain ranges of older rocks. These deposits are 

known to be more than 2,000 feet thick in places. It is believed 

that none of the wells here recorded have reached their base. The 

data which appear to be most useful are given in the following list:

Temperatures in wells in San Joaquin Valley, Calif.

Location.

Fresno County: 

Sec. 22, T. 13 S..R. 14 E. ........................

Sec. 31, T. 13 S., R. 15-E... . .....................

Sec. 2, T. 14 S.,R. 15 E. .........................

Sec. 10, T . 14 S. , R. 16 E .........................

Sec. 12, T. 15 S. ,R. 16 E. ........................

Sec. 25, T. 15 S.,R. 16 E. ........................

Sec. 19, T. 15 S.,R. 16 E. ........................

Sec. 11, T. 15 S.,R. 15 E. ........................

Sec. 25, T. 15 S.,R. 17 E. ........................

Sec. 14, T. 16 S.,R. 17 E. ........................

Sec. 2, T. 17 S.,R. 18 E. ..........................

Sec. 17, T. 17 S., R. 19 E. ........................

Sec. 21, T. 17 S., R. 19 E... ......................

Sec. 28, T. 17 S.. R. 19 E. ........................

Sec. 1. T. 17 S.,R. 20 E. .........................

Sec. 36, T. 18 S., R. 16 E. ..:.....................

Sec. 5, T. 19 S., R. 20 E. .........................

Sec. 28, T. 18 S., R. 20 E... ......................

Kern County: 

Sec. 20,T. 25S..R. 24 E.........................

Sec. 26, T. 25 S..R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 34, T. 25 S. . R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 3, T. 26 S.,R. 24 E. .........................

Sec. 11, T. 26 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 31, T. 25 S. , R. 25 E. ........................

Sec. 17, T. 26 S. ,R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 19, T.26S.,R.24E.........................

Sec. 34, T. 26 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec.32,T.26S.,R.23E.........................

Sec. 34, T. 26 S., R. 22 E... ......................

Sec. 6, T. 27 S. , R. 23 E. .........................

Sec. 10, T. 27 S., R. 23 E.. .......................

Sec. 3, T. 27 S. , R. 25 E. .........................

Sec. 5, T. 28 S.,R. 23 E. .........................

Sec. 24, T. 288., R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 25.T.28S.:R.23E.........................

Depth 

(feet).

700

640

750

800

SIV>

825

700

733

750

690

1,200

700

1,500

1,200

700

1,178

CArt

700

800

995

647

500

1,000

700

512

480

369

284

320

800

423

700

+600

390

450

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

70

80

225

180

112

22

125

345

QO

260

168

11

80

or

225

2,9004<;

230

155

345

580

620

1,330

975

650

70

1,160

515

335

Temperature 

(°F.).

78

78

78

78

 77

76

79

76

80

75 78

77

82

80

80

80

76

76

78

 82

78

80

82

79

79

78

78

78

70

82

76

78

76

76.

73

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

a63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2 KI o

63.2

&62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

62.2

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

47

ds

CAX

r.4

CO

64i

44

57

44i

roi

81502l

79 1.

711

411

70

30

54J

50i

50

28

50i

41

30i

Oft 1

18

23

40.V

44

40i

28

41i

a Fresno average for 30 years.

b Wasco mean annual average for 17 years.

1 Mendenhall, W. C., Dole, R. B., and Stabler, Herman, Ground water in San Joaquin Valley, Calif.: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 398, pp. 185-298, 1916.
CALIFORNIA.

Temperatures in wells in San Joaquin-Valleyy Calif. Continued.

Location.

Kern County Continued. 

Sec. 18, T. 29 S..R. 23 E. ..........................

Sec. 30, T. 29 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 5, T. 29 S., K. 29 E... ........................

Sec. 5, T. 29 S. , R. 29 E. ..........................

Sec. 4, T. 30 S., R. 27 E.. .........................

Sec. 26. T. 30 S.. R. 26 E... ............. ... ......

Sec. 34, T. 30 S., R. 26 E... ......................

Sec. 12, T. 31 S., R. 26 E... .......................

Sec. 12;, T . 31 S .. R.. 26 E ..........................

Sec. 7, T. 31 S.,R.. 28 E. .........................

Sec. 20, T. 31 S., R. 27 E:.. .......................

Sec. 19, T. 31 S., R. 27 E... ......................

Sec. 32, T. 31 S., R. 26 E... .......................

Sec. 6, T.32S.. R. 26 E. .........................

Sec. 2, T. 31 S.,R. 27 E. .........................

Sec.30>T31 S., R. 27 E...... ...................

Sec. 30, T. 31 S., R. 27 E .........................

Sec. 4, T. 32 S. , K. 27 E.. ........................

Sec. 9, T. 32 S.,R. 27 E. ..........................

Sec. 8, T. 32 S., R. 27 E. .........................

Sec. 16, T. 32 S., R. 27 E.. .......................

Sec. 21, T. 32 S., R. 27 E... ......................

Kings County: 

Sec. 21, T. 19 S., R. 20 E... ......................

Sec. 36, T. 20 S., R. 21 E. ........................

Sec. 36, T. 20 S., R. 21 E... ......................

Sec. 1, T. 21 S., R. 21 E... . . ... ........ .... ......

Sec. 1 , T, 21' S ., R . 21 E ......_...................:

Sec. 10i T.. 20 S.. R. 20 E. .........................

Sec. 6, T. 21' S., R. 22 E... ........................

Sec. 21, T. 21 S.,R. 22 E. .........................

Sec. 21, T. 21 S., R. 22 E... ............ ..... ......

Sec. 21, T. 21 S., R. 22 E... .......................

Sec. 21, T. 21 S., R. 22 E. .........................

Sec. 14, T . 21 S . , R . 22 E .........................

Sec. 15, T. 22 S., R. 22 E... ............ ...... .....

Sec. 24, T. 22 S. , R; 22 E. ........................

Sec. 25, T. 22 S., R. 22 E... ......................

 Sec. 25>, T. 22 S.,R. 22 E. ........................

Merced County: 

Sec. 27; T. 6 S.,R. 9'E. ..........................

Sec. 26', T. 6 -S..R. 9 E.. .........................

 . Sec. 22; T.TS..R. HE. .........................

Sec. 21, T. 7 S ., R. 11 E ..........................

Sec. 33, T. 7 S., R. 11 E. .........................

. Sec. 11, T. 7 S. ,11. 10 E. .........................

Sec. 7, T. 7 S., R. 10'E... ........................

Sec. 9, T. 8 S..R.9E. ...........................

Sec. 9, T. 9 S.,R. 9 E. ...........................

Sec. 13> T. 9 S . , R. 9 E ...........................

Sec. 36, T. 9 S. , R. 10 E. .........................

Sec. 21, T. 11 S., R. 12 E... ......:..... ....... ......

Sec. 3, T. 8S.,R. 13 E...........................

Sec. 16, T. 8 S., 11. 13 E... .......................

Sec. 26., T. 8 S., R. 13 E.... ......................

Sec. 27, T. 8 S., R. 14 E................. .........

Sec. 4, T. 9 S.,R. 13 E. ..........................

. Sec. 21 T. 9 S., R. 13 E. .........................

San Joaquin County:. 

Stockton- Gas & Electric Co. .....................

Do..........................................

Do..........................................

Stockton Insane Hospital. . ......................

Do..........................................

Do...........................................

Stockton Crown Mils. ...........................

Stockton old well ...............................

Stockton county well ............................

Stockton Glass Co ...............................

Do..........................................

Depth 

(feet).

600

800

1,300 4nn

d HA

950

+500

560

500

4nn

650

1,395

41";

416

345

C45

fi^C

582

CfVT

378

648

896

400

7nn

400

1, 100

1,600

COA

4cn

1, 225

1,200

1,247

1, 106

928

950

I1 9o/i

one

300

300

250

338

328

OCA

330

580

430

402

750

550

685

707

750

325

698

4flft

1 800

1, 498

2,500

1,990

l',750

2,078

1', 786

1,210

« 1,080

1,003

2,100

1..850

1.700

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

22 340'

i">eifl

99

34

45 250'

AC

200'

200

IRfl260

200

45

99

33

80

33

370'

11

380

4frtY

ooc

245 370-

480'

oqc

270'

1 AC.

680

Af(

35

10080'

100

22

70

Pew.

225

35

80

1111

50

60'

170

115

1 &<M1,450

125

168

\ 560

Temperature 

(°F.).

: 6767'

87

Q9 68'

79

fit)

70

74

67

76

72

78

70

78

74

78.

74

74

74

74

7t

7771

71

70

78

77

74:

74

74

79

79

71

72

7Q

85:

71

79

79

72

70.

! 70

74

74.

77

11 78

79

76

76

75

74

7470

74,

97

89

101

9188'

OR

94

90

75

77

88

f 85

1 85

Mean 

annual 

air temperature '(°F.).

62.2

62.2

o65.1

65,1

65.1

65.1

K1 1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.1

. 65. 1

65 1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65.1

65,1

65.1

562:2

62.2

fi9^ 9

fi9 9

62.2

fi9 9

fi9 9

62.2

62.2

fi9 t

fi9 9

62.2

62,2

r.o o

fiO 9

fi*> 9

«'63,2

63,2

63.2

63.1

63.2

63. 2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63,2

63,2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2.

63.2'

63.2

<J60 1

60.. 1

60; 1

60.1

60.1

r>n 1

60.. 1

60.1

60.1

60.1

60 1

60.1

60.1

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

T95

167

59

15

155

1Q7J.

128

114

ifi

59J

OrtO

. y*

onv>i

5065i57

42i

79J

90i

97

65

17

Qn

101

^

OQ

1AO

127

105

97

76

67

^4

oc

QC

9QX

344 OO 1

23

OA1

11

27

47i

43

53i

60

AOI.

in

71

17

49

52

61

64

63

58i;i

41

72

60

7C

08

74

o Bakorsfiold average for 28:years; wells'27 to 100-feet, 68° to 71° mostly.

b Hanford average for 17 years.

c Merced average for 43 years.

d Stockton average for 46 years.

e Well cased to bottom; flows also at 980 and 1,030 feet, which may minglo.
24 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in San Joaquin Valley, Calif. Continued.

Location.

San Joaquin County Continued.

Do..........................................

Sec. 10, T. 2 N., R. 6 E ..........................

Sec. 22, T.I S.,R. 6 E. ..........................

Sec. 8, T.I S., R.I E. ........... ................

Sec. 25, T.I S.,R. 6 E. ..........................

Tulare County: 

Sec. 30, T. 18 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 29, T. 19 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 31, T. 19 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 7,T. 20S.,R. 24 E..........................

Sec. 16, T. 20 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 10, T. 20 S., R. 23 E. ........................

Sec.ll, T. 20 S.,R. 23 E.... .....................

Sec. 5, T. 20S.,R. 24 E..........................

Sec. 32, T;20S.,R. 24 E.........................

Sec. 30, T. 20 S ., R . 24 E .........................

Sec. 25, T. 20 S., R. 23 E. . .... 1 ..................

Sec. 25, T. 20 S. , R. 23 E .........................

Sec. 35, T. 20 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 22, T. 20 S., R. 23 E .........................

Sec. 28, T. 20 S., R. 23 E.. .......................

Sec. 32, T. 20 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 32, T. 20S.,R. 23 E.........................

Sec. 32, T. 20 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 8, T. 21 S.,R. 23 E. .........................

Sec. 3, T. 21 S. , R. 23 E ..........................

Sec. 3, T. 21 S., R. 23 E.. ........................

Sec. 10, T. 21 S.,R. 23 E.... .....................

Sec. 10, T. 21 S., R. 23 E.. .......................

Sec. 26, T. 21 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 4, T. 22 S. , R. 24 E. .........................

- Sec. 23, T. 21S..R. 24 E... ...................'...

Sec. 28, T. 21 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 29, T. 21 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 31, T. 21 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 17, T. 22 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 17, T. 22 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 21, T. 22 S., R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 30, T. 22 S., R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 30, T. 22 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 29, T. 22 S. , R . 23 E .........................

Sec. 29, T. 22 S.,R. 23 E. ........................

Sec. 8, T. 22 S.,R. 24 E................... ........

Sec. 20, T. 22 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 10, T. 22 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 10, T. 22 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 22, T. 22 S. , R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 22, T. 22 S. , R/24 E. ........................

Sec. 22, T. 22 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 24, T. 22 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 23, T. 22 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 13, T. 22 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 3, T. 23 S., R. 25 E. .........................

Sec. 7, T. 23 S.,R. 25 E. .........................

Sec. 7, T. 23 S. , R. 25 E. ..........................

Sec. 8, T. 23 S..R. 25 E. .........................

Sec. 18, T. 23 S.,R. 25 E. ........................

Sec. 11, T. 23 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 11, T. 23 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 11, T. 23 S.,R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 35, T. 22 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 34, T. 22 S., R. 24 E.. .......................

Sec. 3, T. 23 S. , R. 24 E. .........................

Sec. 9. T. 23 S., R. 24 E.. ........................

Sec. 16, T. 23 S., R. 24 E. ........................

Sec. 3, T. 23 S., R. 23 E. .........................

Sec. 3, T. 23 S.,R. 23 E. .........................

Sec. 33, T. 23 S., R. 25 E. ........................

Depth 

(feet).

1,045

1,128

1,165

1,400

1,250

1,200

800

420

430

470

462

505

1,150

430

1.000

500

640

787

600

418

521

530

800

868

954

900

750

800

778

600

600

500

400

500

630

815

918

800

1,000

1,200

700

830

606

606

 435

480

600

1,400

450

500

1,100

1,043

680

500

800

1,387

500

1,142

815

1,000

900

582

600

1,000

1,100

1,103

1,025

1,300

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

Few. " 22

100

 90

11

90

60

70

230

270

11

45

45

270

540

56

80

56

325

270

450

475

270

225

425

22

134

56

80

100

56

340

875

560

850

340

180

270

150

180

56

OK

. 200

400

35

90

35

450

35

125

205

360

850

2,300

465

215

245

Temperature 

(°F.)-

79

84

84

84

77

74

78

75

76

74

74

74

75

73

79

75

74

76

74

73

74

74

75

76

78

7*1

74

74

75

79

79

70

72

' 79

71

76

78

78

81

77

68

76

70

70

fiQ

fiQ

70

71

69

70

70

79

76

78

77

79

76

80

70

78

70

75

74

18

80

78

78

75

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

60.1

60.1

60.1

60.1

60.1

60.1

o61.6

61.6

61.6

663.2

 63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

61.3

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

63.2

<=64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64 8

64 8

64.8

64 8

64 8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64 8

64.8

64.8

64 8

64 8

64.8

64 8

64.8

64 8

64 8

64.8

64.8

64.8

fid S

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

64.8

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase 

in temperature 

(feet).

55

47

46

59

- 74

86

48

31

30

411

41

461 97*

44

114

49

60

61

rci

4°.

48

49

68

68

79

CO

811

87

79

CO

81

96

55J

70

1011 70

69J

C

ni61J

Qfil

91 Ql

74

1161

116J

104

114

115

226

107

96

911

145

61

OQ

65

QQ

4^

75

157

76

57

65

76

72

831

771

1271

a Visalia average for 30 years. 

6 Mean of Visalia and P'orterville. 

c Porterville average for 28 years.
CALIFORNIA. 25

The water in many shallow wells in San Joaquin Valley has temperatures ranging from 65° to 72°, or considerably higher than the 

mean air temperature.

INDIO BASIN.

Mendenhall x has given the temperatures of flow from many oi the 

artesian wells in the Indio Basin. They all draw from gravel and sand 

in the deep Quaternary valley fill, the bottom of which has not been 

reached by any of the borings.

Temperatures in ivells in Indio Basin, Calif.

Location.

Sec. 23, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. .............................................. r....

Sec. "£}, T. 6 S..R. 8 IS,. ...................................................

Sec. 23, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E ....................................................

Sec. 23, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 23, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 25, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec, 26, T. 6 S..R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec, 26, T. 6 S.. R. 8 E. ............... i ...................................

Sec. 26, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

See.Z3,T.6S.,'R.S'E.............. ......................................

Sec. 22, T. 6S..R. 8 E....................................................

Sec. 22, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ............................................. . ..

Sec. 16, T. 7 S.,B. 9 E............ ........................................

Sec. 18, T. 7 S..R. 9 E........... .........................................

Sec. 8, T. 78., B. 9 E. ...........::..........:............................

Sec. 8, T. 7 S.,R. 9 E. ...... ..............................................

Sec. 12, T. 58., B. 7E....................................................

Sec. 23, T.5S.,B. 7E....................................................

Sec. 13, T. 5S..B. 7E....................................................

Sec. 13, T. 5S..R. 7E....................................................

Sec. 23, T. 58., B. 7 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 34, T. 6 S., R. 8 E ....................................................

Sec. 34, T. 6S.,R. 8 E....................................................

Sec. 16, T. 7S..R. 8 E....................................................

Sec. 18, T. 78., B. 9 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 12, T. 7 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 12, T. 7 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 17, T. 68.. B. 8 E.. ............................................... 2..

Sec. 17, T. 68.. B. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 20, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 20, T. 6S.,R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 20, T. 6 S., R. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 30, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 30, T. 6 S..B. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 30, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 30, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 30, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 30, T. 68., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 24, T. 6 S.,R. 7 E. ...................................................

Sec. 14, T. 6 S.,R. 7 E. ...................................................

Sec. 20, T. 78., R. 9 E. ...................................................

Sec. 20, T. 78., R. 9 E. ...................................................

Sec. 20, T. 78.. R. 9 E. ...................................................

Sec. 8,T. 7 S.,B. 9 E. ....................................................

Sec. 8. T. 78., R. 9 E. ....................................................

Sec. 12, T. 7 S., R. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 2, T. 7 S.,R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 2, T. 78.. R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 2, T. 78., R. 8 E.. ...................................................

Sec. 2, T. 78., R. 8 E... ..................................................

Sec.2,T. 78., R.8E.....................................................

Sec. 35, T. 6 S..R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 35, T. 68., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 35, T. 68., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 35, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 35, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 34, T. 7 S., R. 8 E.. ...................................................

Sec. 5. T. 6 S. . R. 8 E. ....................................................

Depth 

(feet).

499

509

497 .

512

526

538

487

514

601

519

506

498

484

525

547

531

165

465

600+

480

652

487 /inn

380

409

480

<;<;o

500

518

500

520

407

437

474

430

446

410

480 >;77

480

640

1AS

550

563

464

496

495

499

477

550

584

497

495

504

' 780

549

Flow (gallons per 

minute).

135

260

225

225+

58

170

170

90

 170

280

091

125

150

22

45

415

383

280

70

157

280

80

336

112

. 68

180

80

90

257

22

125

45

415

370

335

347

34

390

526

291

145

335

291

620

370

168

Temperature 

(°F.).

74

74

74

76

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

76

76

77

77

74

73

78

78

74

73

81

74

76

74

7470

73

73

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

72

76

76

75

76

77

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

74

75

90

73

1 Mcndcnhall, W. C., Ground waters of the Indio region, Calif., with a sketch of the Colorado Desert: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 225,1909.
GEOTHEKMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Temperatures in ivells<in Indio Basin,. Calif. Continued.

Location.

Sec. 5, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 6, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 6, T. 6 S., R. 8 E.. ......................;.. ..... ...... ... ........ ... ..... . ... .

Sec. 5, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 5,.T. 6'S., R. 8 E. ... ............ .... ......................................

Sec. 5, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ..................................,....... ;........

Sec. 5j T. 6 S.. R. 8-E... .......................................... ........ ....... . ...

Sec. 5, T. 6 S..R. 8 E.. ...................................................

Sec. 5, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 8, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 8, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 5, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ......................................................

Sec. 8, T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 12, T. 6 S., R. 7 E .....................................................

Sec. 12.T. 6 S., R. 7 E........... ;..'.....'.................................

Sec. 26,T. 6 S. , R. 7 E. ...................................................

Sec..26,T. 6 S., R. 7 E. .....................................................

See. 25^ T. 6 S., R..7 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 36, T. 6 S. , R. 7 E. ...................................................

Sec. 1, T. 7'S..B. 7 E. ....................................................

Sec. 32, T.,6S.,R. 8 E. .....................................................

Sec. 32,T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 32, T. 6 S., B. 8 E. ............... ............................... ......

Sec. 32. T. 6 S., R. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 32. T. 6 8., R. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 32, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...........:............:..........................

Sec. 4, TJ7 S., B. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 4, T. 7. S., R. 8 E. .............................................:......

Sec. 22. T. 6 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 22, T. 6 S...,.R. 8 E. ......... I .........................................

sec. 22,1. 6 s. , R-. 8 E. ........................:.......;...........;......

Sec. 26, T. 6 S. , R! 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 26,T. 6 S., R. 8 E. i ............ I..................................!....

Sec. 26. T. 6 S.,.R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 35,T. 6 S-, R. 8 E. ...........................................;.......

Sec. 35, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ........... I...................................:....

Sec. 22, T. 6 S.,B. 8 E. ............. I...........:........................:.

Sec. 4, T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ....................................................

Sec. 5 T. 6 S.,R. 8 E.. ..............:......'. ...............................

Sec. 10, T. 6 S., R. 8 E.. ..................................................

Sec. 10, T. 6 S. , R. 8 E. ...........:.'............ '..........................

Sec.10 T. 6 S.,R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 34, T. 7 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

S<v> Id T 7 M T? S IT,

Sec. 14, T. 8 S...R. 8 E. ...................................................

Sec. 24, T. 8 S.,R. 8 E... .................................................

Sec. 12, T. 7 S., R. 8 E. ...................................................

Depth

 (fCCt)',

548

557 586-

550

553

540

548-

558 547'

545

563

541

510

500.

500

329

320

385

340

385

397

400 540'

484

448

438

' 474

440

498

375

580

' 572

510

500

511

509

500

577

542

574

526 "532

' 517

220

250

300

315

315

464

Flow (gallons -per 

 minute).

45

22

200

180

\. 340

| 450

45

225

130

145

112

100

100

170

170 235-

190

358.

257

70

80

258

90

157

280

180

210

125

100. 292'

215

225

130

130

90

112

90

390 390-

33

390

640

'Tempera- 

 ture (°'P;>.

73

73

70

7373; 73.

73

/ 73

\. 73!

f 73

\ 73

73

73

72.

72

74

74

74

74

7473-

73.

74.

74,

74.

74:

7.4

74-

; 7.4-

74

7.4:

7.4-

7.4-

74'

74'

7.4-

7474-

75

74

75.

75

75:

91'

91,

92

9*

90:

70^

The flows from most of these wells have remarkably low temperatures. Some are only a degree or two warmer than the mean 

annual air temperature of 73.9° (the average for 39 years- at India)-,, 

and several are colder. One well 400 feet deep in sec. 16'-, T. 7 S.,. 

R. 8 E., has water 8° warmer than that found in closely adjoining 

wells of similar depth. The 780-foot well in sec. 34 has. a flow with 

a temperature of 90°, indicating a rate of increase of 1° in 48 feet, and 

two wells, near by 220 and 250 feet deep have flows with a temperature of 91°, indicating rates of increase of 1° in 13 and 15 feet, respectively. About 3. and 4 miles to the south, along a prolongation of 

the same line, are wells, yielding large flows with temperatures of 92°,. 

94°, and 90°. It is probable that these wells tap a supply from a 

fissure, possibly a fault, along which heated waters are rising from a 

deep-seated source. It is. stated that a 500,-foot hole was sunk in
CALIFORNIA. 27

the bottom of the Salton Basin before the inundation and obtained 

a flow of water with a temperature of 92°.

OIL REGION.

In investigating the chemistry of the waters of the oil fields in San 

Joaquin Valley Rogers l determined temperatures of flow from 

several deep wells in Fresno and Kern counties.

 " Temperaiwes in several deep wells in Fresno and Kern counties, Calif.

Location.

Fresno County:

Sec. 12, T.21S.,R. 14 E..

Sec. 2, T.20S..R. 14 E..

Kern County:

Sec. 9, T.31S.,R. 22 E..

Sec. 32, T. 12 N., R. 23 E.

Sec. 35, T. 31 S., R. 22 E..

Sec. 15, T.32S.,R.23E..

Sec. 25, T. 32-S., R. 23 E..

Sec. 31,T.32S.,R.24E..

Sec. 20, T. 12 N., R. 24 W.

Sec. 12, T. 11 N.,R.24\V.

Sec. 35, T.32S..R.23E.. 

Sec. 28, T.31S.,R.23E..

Depth of 

source of 

flow (feet).

2,077

1,104

3,800

2,505

1,495-1,727

1,705-1,820

1,400.

1,334-1,009

2,540-2,500

3,S50

1,090 

3,000

Temperature 

( F.).

118

80

131

115

120

102

97

109

93

104

84 

125

.Mean

annual air 

temperature

oCl.5

01.5

b 05

05

05

05

05

05

05

05

05 

05

Depth per

degree of 

increase in temperature

(feet).

37

Remarks.

Sulphur water COO feet below

oil sand.

45 |

j

58i

50

27+

48

40

30+

91

91

58 

50

Flow probably from 3,000+ 

feet Below main oil sand.

Flow from below oil sand,

about 100 feet above second

oil sand . About 100 feet below lowest

oil sand.

Flow from about 150 feet

below oil sand.

Flow from about 50 feet

below oil sand.

Do.

Flow from about 125 feet

below oil sand.

Flow from about 2,550 feet

below oil sand.

Shale of Monterey group. 

Flow from a few feet below

oil sand.

a Hanford average minus 7° for difference in altitude. 

6 Balcersfleld average mimis 1°.

It is-reported that in a 5,390-foot hole at Rosemary station the oil 

at 3,000 feet had a temperature of 140° to 160°.

GRASS VALLEY.

Lindgren 2 made observations of temperatures in the mines of 

gold-bearing quartz in the Grass Valley and Nevada City districts 

in 1894. Thermometers were left in holes with the following results: 30 feet below surface, 53|°; 1,513 feet below surface, 66°; 

1,513 feet below surface (dry hole in quartz), 67£°; 1,553 feet below 

surface, 66°. These observations indicate a rate of increase of 1° 

in 122 feet at 1,553 feet and of 1° in 105 feet at 1,513 feet.

1 Rogers, G. S., Chemical relations of the oil-field waters in San Joaquin Valley, Calif.: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Bull. 053,1917.

2 Undgron, Waldcmar, The gold quf.rtz veins of Nevada City and Grass Valley districts, Calif.: U. S. 

Geol. Survey Seventeenth Ann. Kept'., pt. 2, pp. 170-171,1890.
28 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

COLORADO. 

ARKANSAS VALLEY.

There are flowing wells at short intervals along the valley of Arkansas Kiver from Canon City to Granada, Colo. The temperatures in 

some of them are as follows: .

Temperatures in ivclls in Arkansas Valley, Colo.

Location.

Canon City: 

- Oil company, sec. 23«. ... 

Sanitariums miles northeast, sec. 26. 

Florence: 

' Sec. 14...................

SW. i sec. 26, T. 18 S., 

R. 69 W.c 

Pueblo:

Sec. 12, T. 21 S., R. 65 W. 

Ferris Hotel .............

Baxter, 4 £ miles north of. ....

Boone, 2£ miles north of ......

Do.......................

Rocky Ford. Wycholf Park. . 

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Depth 

(feet).

1,600 

1,670

800

1,085

1,230 

1,219

1,260 

1,400

1,402

1,404

660

1,000 

1.113

767

790

793

820

845 

1,003

412

420

420

439

700

64.0

766

740

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

" 700 

Many.

1,000

750

360 

20

25 

1

87

100

49 

42

130

08

68

38

115 

17

8

45

35'

25

12

Temperature 

(°F.).

90

98J

86

92

87 

76

80$ 

77.2

79.5

82

73.2

82.5 

80

78

74

78

75

72

75

68

70

68

68

68

68

68

75

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

6 52. 9 

52.9

52.9

52.9

52.9 

b 51.5

51.5 

51.5

51.5

51.5 

d51.5

51.5

51.5

51.5

51.5

51.5 

51.5

«52

52

52

52

52

52

52

52

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in temperature 

(feet).

31 

30

35

9<S

36 

49J43 

54iSQ

30-i

32 

39'

29

35

30

35

41 

43

26

23

26

 274

44

40

48

32

Remarks.

Flew probably from 1,150 feet. 

Water from 1,650 feet, test by 

owner.

Test by N.H.Darton.

with Barton thermometer.

N. H.Darton Nov. 7, 1898. 

Pressure 15 pounds.

N.H.Darton Nov. 7, 1898.

hose. Test by N. H. Darton 

Nov. 7, 1898.

Test by C. A. Fisher February,

1904. Down 3 hours, water 

stands at 550 feet. Some gas. 

Test by C. A. Fisher, February, 

1904; down 3 hours. Dry 

hole.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do. 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

level, at least in part.

Do.

. Do.

a 51st Cong., 1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 222, p. 214. 

6 Canon City average for 29 years.

c Fuller, M. L., and Sanford, Samuel, Record of deep-well drilling for 1905: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull.298, 

p. 193. Water from 1,210 to 1,223 feet; cased to 1,040 feet, 

d Average for 28 years. 

e Rocky Ford average plus 0.50."
COLOKADO. 

SAN LUIS VALLEY.

29

Siebenthal 1 has supplied many observations of well temperatures 

in the San Luis Valley. The following data are compiled from his 

report:

Temperatures in wells in or near Alamosa, Colo.

Location.

Goodall well. ................

Mill..........................

li miles south of Alamosa .... 

1 mile southeast of Alamosa. . 

4 miles north of Alamosa .....

Do.......................

Veteran, near ................

Do.......................

Do.......................

northeast of.

east of.

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do............ ...........

Do.......................

Do.......................

Depth 

(feet).

1,000

865

883

725

680

800+

810 

800 

840 

585

308

325

200-300

805

265

383

156

220

189

126

640

 300

380

375

481

500

600

385

f 500

800

712

740

300

ccn

630

766

500

22 32

Depth 

of 

flow 

(feet).

932

876

680

800+

810 

800 

840

800

265

335

147

189

616

300

500

740

300

450

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

600

400

Few

350 

Many. 

130

or.

150

250

8

55

58

10

50

90'

120

70

1

70

25

2

Temperature 

(°F.).a

74.7

72

70

66

fiQ

73

72 

72 

72 

64

48

49i

53-55

63

54

55

61

58i

58

61

51

55£

58

62

66

69

60

63

62 

71

63

69

53

54

59

60

68

58

57

45-47

KA

Depth 

per 

degree 

of 

increase 

in 

temperature, 

(feet). &

20

 ?n

32

op.

40±

28 

28 

29

9<J

62

50

20-25

40

24

28

8

14

12

83 '

34

37

30

25

25

22

23

23

25

lo

29

36

28

30

39

34

36

51

33

29

Remarks.

mingle.

feet; larger ones at 776 and 883 

feet.

Do.

Do. 

Do. 

Do.

Cased to bottom.

Separate casing. "

Do.

Flow from above 380 feet.

Cased to 360 feet.

a Temperature about Alamosa observed by Trof. Carpenter.

6 Based on an approximate mean annual of 43° averaged from observations in adjoining regions.

It is suggested that the high rate about Swedes Corners is probably due to the presence of an old lava flow, a part of which crops 

out 1 mile west and 3 miles north from the Corners.

1 Siebenthal, C. E., Geology and water resources of the San Luis Valley, Colo.: U; S. Geol. Survey WaterSupply Paper 240, pp. 57-98,1910.
30 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

The flow from a 405-foot well on Cotton Creek, in Saguache County, 

is reported to have a temperature of 58 °, but as the mean annual air 

temperature at that locality is not known the rate of increase can 

not be calculated.

LEADVILLE.

It is reported x that a 400-foot well in sec. 25 near Leadville yields 

a flow with a temperature of 58°. As the mean annual air temperature at Leadville is 35° (average for 18 years) this would indicate 

a rate of increase of about 1° in 17 feet.

TRINIDAD.

In June, 1905, W. T. Lee made temperature determinations at 

various depths in a 2,500-foot boring at Trinidad. The hole was 

found to be plugged at 770 feet, and a Darton thermometer left at 

that depth for several hours recorded 69.6°. A test at 370 feet gave 

67.8°. As the mean annual temperature of Trinidad is 51.3° (average 

for 15 years) these readings indicate rates of increase of 1° in 42 

feet and 22 feet, respectively. The. difference between the two readings, however, indicates a rate of increase of 1° in 222 feet between 

depths of 370 and 770 feet. . :

DENVER BASIN.

Few data are available as to the temperatures in many wells in 

the vicinity of Denver that formerly flowed. The following figures 2 

may possibly be significant: -

Temperatures in wells in and near Denver, Colo.

Depth 

(feet).

350

340

.407

239

AAZ

Ttll)

410 

563

635

352

620

480

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

t

3

30

Many.

50

20

10

140

325 

300

Temperature

f° T? \

( *.).

56

58

62

55

62

58 

66

62

652

6 C5 

657

Depth

per

degree 

of 

increase 

of

temperature

(feet). a

56

41

33

46

50 

35

52

160

38 

G7

Remarks.

Some flow from 240 feet perhaps.

>Same well.

Littleton.

Cased to 248 feet.

Principal flows from 250 and 575 feet. 

Both same temperature. 

Cased to 350 feet.

a Calculated from mean annual temperature of 49.8°, average for 45 years.

& Emmons, S. F., Cross, Whitman, and Eldriclge, G. H., Geology ot the Denver Basin in Colorado: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 27, pp. 456-459, 1896.

1 Fifty-first Cong., 1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 222, p. 329.

2 Idem, pp. 188-208, 334, 336, 337.
COLORADO. 

MISCELLANEOUS LOCALITIES.

Temperatures of wells in Montrose, Akron, and Loveland, Colo.

31

Locality. Depth 

(feet).

<: 829

070

2,165

Temperature

(°F.).

72

04

58

Mean

animal 

air 

temperature

C F-).

i> -17.3

c 49

d 46. 7

Depth

per

 degree ofincreasc in

temperature

(feet).

TH

45

«121

Remarks.

1898.

1898; in well 3* hours.

byC. A. .Fisher, 1898.

« 30-gallon flow. 

6 Average for 21 years. 

c Approximated from Fort Morgan, 48.7° (20-year average), 

 d Fort Collins average for-33 years. 

«Calculated to 1,365 feet.

SUMMARY.

The rate of increase of temperature in wells in tla« Arkansas Valley 

varies considerably, but in most of them it is high. From Baxter to 

La Junta the average is near 1° in 34 feet and variations from the 

average are mostly less than 10 feet. The Pueblo wells show an 

average near 1° in 50 feet, but farther west the rate is higher. In 

San Luis Valley the rate is 1° in 33 to 42 feet so far as the few observations show. The Trinidad hole showed too much variation to be 

significant. The rate in the Denver wells was 1° in 33 to 56 feet, 

at Montrose 1° in 33£ feet, and at Akron 1° in 45 feet. The observation at the Loveland well is open to question as to the source of the 

flow.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

Wells in the Arkansas Valley below the Pueblo draw from the 

Dakota and associated sandstones, which dip gently eastward. The 

well in T. 18 S., H. 6'9 W., also reaches the Dakota sandstone. The 

Florence wells penetrate much higher sandstones in a basin holding 

coal measures, and the Canon City holes are on the west rise of this 

basin. The San Luis Valley wells are in Quaternary valley filling. 

The Trinidad hole was in the Pierre shale at 770 feet. Wells in the 

Denver Basin penetrate the nearly horizontal younger Tertiary 

deposits. . At Montrose the Dakota sandstone was probably reached, 

and the Akron hole was in the Pierre shale. The precise relations 

at the LeadviUe well are not known, but the region contains limestone 

cut by igneous rocks and greatly mineralized.
32 GEOTHERMAL' DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

FLORIDA.

Although many determinations of temperature of flows from 

artesian wells in Florida have been published, there are few reliable 

data to indicate the geothermal gradient. This is due largely to lack 

of information as to the depth from which the water is derrved and 

as to whether or not higher flows mingle with the main flow.

ST. AUGUSTINE.

In the large well at the Ponce de Leon Hotel, St. Augustine, the 

main flow, from 1,340 to 1,390 feet, has a temperature of 86 0,1 As 

the mean annual temperature of St. Augustine is 69.5° (65-year 

average), this would indicate a rate of increase of 1° in 81.2 feet, 

providing no water enters the casing above 1,340 feet. When the 

well was being bored the temperatures of water from the principal 

large flows brought rapidly to the surface in the sand pump from 

various depths were recorded as follows :2

Temperature at different depths in well at Ponce de Leon Ho Vt I, St. Augustine, Fla.

Depth (feet).

170 

410 

520 

1,110 

1,225 

1,340-1,390

Temperature 

( F.).

74 

76 

79 

80 

85 

86

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in 

temperature (feet).

38 

63 

55 

106 

79 

81

The temperature at a depth of 35 feet was reported as 62°, or 7|° 

less than the mean annual air temperature. The rate of increase from 

170 to 1,340 feet is 1° in 87£ feet. ' 

1 Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol. 34, p. 70, 1887.

2 Florida Geol. Survey Third Kept., pp. 114-115,151,1910.
FLORIDA. 33

MISCELLANEOUS, DATA.

Data for Florida, some of which may be reliable, are as follows;

Temperatures in wells in Florida.

Location.

Brevard County:

Melbourne, 1 mile west of.

Titusville

Clay County:

Duval County:.

Jacksonville Electric Co.. 

Jacksonville city well .... 

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Jacksonville, 3 mileseast of 

Lee County:

Fort Myers 1 mile east of. 

Manatee County :

Do...................

Marion County: Ocala .......

Nassau County: Fernandina. 

Osceola County: Kissimmee.. 

Putnam County:

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

St. Lucie County: 

Orchid...................

Orchid, i mile east of . . . .

Do...................

St. John County:

TTpof irifirG

Do...................

Volusia County:

Depth 

(feet).

230 

350

400? 

500?

350 

218

500 

362 

450

550 

' 1,020

984

498 

635

900 

1,031

800

496 

403

347 

400 

368 

378 

350 

1,210 

700 

309

300 

160-250 

250 

225 

206 

250 

280

368 

400 

460 

350

155 

337 

300

100-163 

230 

227

Flow 

(gals.).

Many. 

Many. 

150 

Many. 

250 

Many. 

810 

Many.

Many. 

200-600 

500 

600 

Many. 

Many. 

Many.

Many. 

Many. 

Many. 

Many.

120 

400 

400

Many. 

Many. 

115

Temperature

78 

78

77

78

80 

75

80 

74

78

77 

81

71 

74

74 

74 

75

80 

80

72 

80 

74 

75 

76

743 

75

72 

72-75 

72 

75 

76 

72 

78

78 

78 

75 

75

75 

72 

72

70-73 

70 

78

Mean 

annual 

air 

temperature

o72.6 

72.6

72.6 

72.6

672 

"71.2

(J68.3 

68.3 

68.3

e 68. 2 

68.2

68.2

68.2 

68.2 

68.2

68.2 

58.2 

68.2

/73.1 

73.1

0 71. 7 

(771.7 

071.7 

ft 71. 9 

ft 71. 9 

<70.2 

«68.2 

<72.3

/69.6 

»69.6 

*69.6 

<69.6 

*69.9 

*69.9

n»72.6 

n»72.6 

"72.7 

»72.7

o69.6 

P68.9 

P68.9

970 

70 

70

Depth 

per degree of 

ncrease in temperature 

(feet).

43 

65

90 

93

44 

60

42* 

64 

46J

62J

118

72 

56

48 

150 

116 

73 

284 

121 

52

125 f

83 

31 

31 

119 

35

66 

74 

200 

152

29 

107 

90

28

Remarks.

Large flow; well 325 feet. 

Large flow; first flow at 280 

feet, probably mingles. 

Large flow; possibly some 

from 318 feet. 

Large flow; may be from 250 

feet. 

Large flow; cased to bottom. 

Large flow.

300-gallon flow; well 815 feet. 

Large flow. 

Do.

"Flow from 550 feet." 

Main flow probablv from 555 

feet; another at 975 feet. 

Water probably also from 524, 

750, and 860 feet.

1- Mixed flows.

Do. 

Do. 

Flow from bottom.

Cased to bottom. Large flow. 

150-gallon flow.

Flow from 347 feet. 

Flow mostly from 200 feet. 

Flow from 348 leet. 

Flow from 360 feet. 

Flow from 300 feet. 

Pumped 74 feet.

Water irom 140 feet.

Water from 300 feet. 

Water from 155 to 200 feet. 

Water from 200 feet. 

Water from 168 feet. 

Water from 190 teet. 

Water from 250 feet. 

Water from 280 feet.

Water from 155 feet. 

Water from 330 feet. 

Water from 280 feet.

a Malabar average for 25 years.

& Orlando average minus 3°.

c 21 years average.

d Middlcburg average.

«Jacksonville average for 46 years.

/ Average for 48 years.

g Average for 33 years.

ft Braidentown average plus 2°.

i Average for 25 years.

137163° 20 Bull. 701 3

/ Average for 18 years. 

* Federal Point average plus 0.3°. 

' Federal Point average plus 0.4°. 

m Fort Pierce average minus 0.3°. 

n Fort Pierce average minus 0.2°. 

o St. Augustine average plus 0.1°. 

V St. Augustine average minus 0.6°. 

« Deland average for 20 years.
34 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

SUMMARY.

Apparently the most important data on temperature here presented are those from St. Augustine, Fort Myer, Mandarin, and 

Rockledge. Some of the others may be reliable, but there is a possibility that in many of the wells higher flows mingle with the main flow. 

The source of the flows at Melbourne and Micco is not known, and 

most of the other wells in Brevard County are shallow. The flows 

at Jacksonville are known to be mixed, for although the main flow 

is derived from a depth of 555 feet other flows come in, notably in the 

deeper wells, which tap a flow at a depth of 975 feet, below a body of 

clay. Temperatures of flows in the 984-foot city well, which is 

cased only to 494 feet, are stated 1 to be as follows: 524 to 727 ieet, 

76° to 77|°; 865 to 970 feet, 78° to 79°; flow at mouth, 77*°. The 

large flow from the 496-foot well at Fort Myer probably affords a 

true indication of underground temperature, although it shows a 

smaller rate of increase than is indicated by the well a mile east of 

Fort Myer.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The wells in Florida penetrate sands, clays, and limestones of 

Tertiary age, which lie nearly horizontal and are uniform in character over wide areas. Those at St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and 

Mandarin penetrate deeply into Oligocene limestones of the Vicksburg group, which are overlain by clays and sands of later Tertiary 

age. These limestones were also reached by the holes in Brevard 

and Clay counties and at Fort Myer. The variations in geothermal 

gradient have no obvious connection with geologic features.

GEORGIA.

TEMPERATURES.

Local observers have furnished records of the temperature of flows 

from several wells in Georgia which afford a few data as to the geothermal gradient. Other facts regarding the wells are given by 

McCallie 2 and by Stephenson and Veatch. 3

1 U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 298, p. 196,1906.

2 McCallie, S. W., A preliminary report on the artesian-well system of Georgia: Georgia Geol. Survey 

Bull. 7,214 pp., 1898; A preliminary report on the underground waters of Georgia: Georgia Geol. Survey 

Bull. 15, 370 pp., 1908.

8 Stephenson, L. W., and Veatch, J. O., Underground waters of the Coastal Plain of Georgia: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Water-Supply Paper 341, 539 pp., 1915.
GEORGIA.

Temperatures in wells in Georgia.

35

Locality.

Chatham County: Savannah, 12 miles west of.

Dougherty County: b

' Albany city well.........

Albany, well No. 2<J. .....

Evans County: Claxton ......

Glynn County: Brunswick...

Mclntosh County: Valona....

Pierce County: Offerman «. . .

Pulaski County: Hawkinsville

Ware County: Way Cross, 2

wells.

Wilcox County: Bowrns mill.

Depth

(feet).

659

750

1,320

646J

465

455

675J

490

691

673

Flow

(gallons 

per minute).

Many.

200

125

100

600

120

250

Many.

Many.

Many.

Temperature

"

72

73J

78

75

70

70

76

71

72J

74

Mean

annual

lir ail

temperature

066.6

C66.9

C66.9

/65.8

1767

h 66. b

<67.2

/62.4

*67.2

* 66. 2

Depth

per degree of increase 

in lemperatu re

(feet).

122

103

119

59

155

116

73

57

127

86

Remarks.

Cased to 660 feet, principal

flow from 680 feet.

Cased to bottom.

Cased to 459 feet, water begins 

at 460 feet. Water pump.

 cd to 80 feet.

Possibly some flow from 300

feet also.

Possibly some flow from 320

to 365 feet also.

Cased to 635 feet. Water 040

to 67 5£ feet. R ises to within 33 feet of surface.

Cased to bottom. Flows.

Air-pumped, main supply 670

to 691 feet.

Sourrc of water not given.

<* Average for 67 years.

6 Georgia Geol. Survey Bull. 7, pp. 178-181,1902.

c Average for 30 years.

<J Georgia Geol. Survey Bull. 15, pp. 97-99,190S.

e U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 298, pp. 201-202,1900.

/ Statesboro average for 17 years.

a Average of various distant stations. 

ft Savannah average + 0.5°.

* Waycross average for 28 years. 

i Average for 11 years.

* Average for 28 years.

l Eastman average for 25 years.

SUMMARY.

The data given indicate considerable variation in the geothermal 

gradient in Georgia, but it is difficult to know which are reliable. 

The figures for the Claxton, Hawkinsville, and Offerman wells appear 

to be valid, and the source of flow in the wells at Albany and a well 

12 miles west of Savannah, which show a low rate of increase, may 

be correctly reported. The Waycross water is probably cooled by 

air lift. The Georgia wells can not be grouped geographically by 

their rates of increase or by their depths.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS. 1

The wells in the list are all in the Coastal Plain province, in which 

sheets of sand, gravel, and clay of Cretaceous and Tertiary age dip 

gently to the east and southeast. The older beds lie on a basement 

of pre-Cambrian crystalline rocks, which slopes to the southeast and 

is far beneath the surface along the coast and at the Florida State 

line. The Albany deeper wells draw from the Ripley formation, 

high in the Cretaceous. The water-bearing stratum at Hawkinsville 

and Bowens Mill is sand, probably at the top of the Cretaceous or 

the base of the Eocene. The Offerman, Claxton, and Waycross wells 

draw from beds in the Eocene at a considerably higher horizon, and

i For details regarding relations of wells see Stephenson, L. W., and Veatcb, J. O., op. cit.
,-36 GEOTHEEMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

the Savannah, Brunswick, and Valona wells may reach beds still 

higher. From these statements it will be seen that there is no 

apparent relation between the rates of increase in temperature and 

the water horizons.

IDAHO.

BOISE.

The water of the artesian wells at and near Boise is reported to 

have temperatures of 80° to 170°. As the depths of these wells are 

less than 500 feet, the higher temperatures, at least, indicate a very 

high geothermal gradient, which is due, doubtless, to local volcanic 

conditions.

SNAKE EIVEK VALLEY.

Russell 1 reports temperatures in a number of wells along the 

Oregon Short Line Railroad on the Snake River Plains as observed 

by Scott Turner. They all indicate high temperatures. The most 

notable are as follows:

Temperature in wells along Oregon Short Line Railroad in southwestern Idaho.

Location.

Bliss................................................

Cleft.................................................

Depth 

(leet).

483

450

600

114

Depth 

of flow 

(feet).

'430

530

40

Temperature . 

(°F.).

70

71

70

61*

Mean annual air 

temperature 

(°F.)-

nSO. 3

*>48.6

w

50

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

22

10

in

Approximated from averages at Boise and Garnet. 6 Mountain Home average.

Russell 2 has also given data of wells on the south side of Snake 

River valley in Owyjhee County. The temperatures are high, and 

as there are numerous hot springs in the region it is believed that the 

wells draw in part from deep-seated thermal waters rising in fissures. 

The wells all flow from 20 to 120 gallons a minute and are sunk to 

sands in the Payette formation, of lower Tertiary age.

1 Russell, I, C., Geology and water resources of the Snake River Plains of Idaho: U. S. Geol. Survey 

Bull. 199, p. 173, 1902.

2 Russell, I. C., Preliminary report on artesian basins in southwestern Idaho and southwestern Oregon: 

U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 78, p. 35, Washington, 1903.
ILLINOIS. 37

Temperature in ivells in Owyhee County, Idaho.

Locality.

Do...................................................................

Do...................................................................

Do........................................................:..........

DO:..................................................................

Depth 

(feet).

538

1.033

940

1.035

720

340

385

700

975

Temperature 

(°F.).

76i100

98

100

100

87

90

90

120

Depth per 

degree of 

increase 

in temperature 

(feet).

22

911

20i

19

15

Ql

10

18i

14

a Lindgren, Waklemar, and Drake, N. F., U. S. Geol. Survey Geol. Atlas, Silver City folio (No. 104), 

p. 8, 1904.

These rates are based on an assumption that the mean annual 

temperature is 52° F., a figure approximated from observations at 

distant stations.

Russell also states that the water in a 240-foot well near Hot 

Springs, in Bruneau Valley, Owyhee County, had a temperature of 

109° F. The well flows 7 gallons a minute and is near a hot spring 

of the same temperature. There are many shallow wells on these 

lava plains of Snake River which yield warm water, but as the region 

is one of relatively recent volcanic activity the lava flows are doubtless the source of the heat.

NEZ PERCE COUNTY.

In his report on Nez Perce County, Russell 1 gives a number of 

temperatures of deep wells and warm springs. A 220-foot well on 

the Dowd farm, 8 miles southeast of Lewis ton, has a flow of 15 to 20 

gallons a minute, which in December, 1900, John Adams found to 

have a temperature of ,58f°. A copious spring near by had a temperature of 54°. Several wells about 100 feet deep, not far away, 

had flows with temperatures of 66° to 68°, according to the same 

observer. The mean annual temperature of the locality is estimated 

by Russell as 48° to 49°. Russell believed that the water must come 

from a depth of 540 to 1,000 feet in these wells in order to account for 

the high rate of increase indicated, but as the region is underlain by 

recent basalt it appears to me more likely that this rock at a moderate 

depth is the source of the heat.

ILLINOIS.

TEMPERATURES.

About fifty records of temperatures in deep wells in various parts 

of Illinois were obtained, and although in many of the wells the flows 

are mixed, in others the depth of flow is known and the rate of 

increase is indicated. At Streator and St. John Darton thermometers 

were sunk to the bottom of the wells.

1 Russell, I. C., Geology and water resources of Ncz Perce County, Idaho: U. S. Geol. Survey WaterSupply Paper 54, pp. 106-109,1901.
38 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in Illinois.

Location.

Alexander County: Cairo: o 

Halliday Hotel.. ..........

Near mouth of Cache River 

Cook County:

Oat Parlr

Hancock County: Warsaw..... 

' Henry County: Kevvanee, 3 

wells. 

Knox County:

McDonough County: Macomb.

Perry County: St. John Coal 

& Salt Co. 

Putnam County: Hennepin. . . 

Peoria County: g

Sulphur water house. ......

Rock Island County: n 

Carbon Cliff... ............

Moline:

Rock Island:

Mitchell & Lynie ...... 

St. Glair County: Marissa. .....

Tazewell County: Pekin. ......

Whiteside County: Sterling....

Depth 

(feet).

824

811

806 

1,602

2,180

751

844 

1,500

1,226

1,360

2,496

3,115

1,630 

3,735 

800 

1,600

QOfl

850

800

950

1,050

1,027

1 191

1,375

1,187

2,049

685 

2,054

950

1,450

Temperature 

(° F.).

62

62

62 

65

64

55

60 

65

60

68

J76

68

68 

olOl

58 

78

65

6562 -

60

61.5

61.5

61

63

60.5

68

65 

68

70

62

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(° F.).

57.5

57.5

57.5 

648.5

48.5

48.5

(J51.4 

«49.4

050

50

*50.4

*50

w51 

56.3 

P49.4 

J49.9

; * 49. 4

49.4

49 4

49.4

49 4

49.4

49.4 

"55.2

x 49 9

1/48.2

Depth 

per degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

155

155

163 

97

115

98 

90

ft 106

»66

97

»C7 

83.5 

93

Ifi Q

co fi

56.3

66.1

9007

85

QQ

101

tt S9

83

70 

110

42

105

Remarks.

Water possibly all or mainly from

498 to 518 feet. 

60-gallon flow from 753 feet; no in«

crease below 700 feet. 

Water from 735 feet or higher.

Source of flow not given. Probably

higher waters mingle.

Source of flow not given. 

Cased to 1,330 feet."

Cased to St. Peter sandstone at

1,060 feet. Pumped 160 feet; 

main supply from 1,100 to 1,215 

feet. 

Cased to St. Peter at 1,180 feet.

Cased 1,705 to 1,805 feet. " Most of

flow from bottom." 

Cased to St. Peter sandstone at 

1,135 feet. 

Thermometer down 24 hours.

Cased nearly to bottom.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Cased to 1,200 feet. "Probably 

main flow from 1,550 feet." 

Pumps 30 gallons 200 feet.

175 feet. '

a Glenn, L. C., Underground water of Tennessee and Kentucky west of Tennessee River and of an 

adjacent area in Illinois: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 164, pp. 150-152,1906.

6 Chicago average for 42 years.

c Schott, C. A., On underground temperatures: Smithsonian Rept. for 1874, p. 250.

d Ke.okuk, Iowa, average for 46 years.

' Ga Iva average for 24 years.

/ Udden, J. A., Some deep borings in Illinois: Illinois Gcol. Survey Bull. 24, p. 65,1914.

Q Approximated.

ft Calculated to 1,060 feet. N

» Calculated to 1,180 feet.

i Taken by Prof. R. Williams with thermometer from U. S. Weather Bureau.

* Average for 23 years.

' Average for 61 years.

m Approximate mean annual.

« Calculated to 1,135 feet.

o Observation by superintendent in 1899 with Darton thermometer down 24 hours. Dry hole. Limestone below 2,500 feet. Another 24-hour observation gave 95° and a short one gave 93°, all in the midst of 

working double shift.

P La Salle average to 1908.

9 Udden, J. A.. Artesian wells in Peoria and vicinity: Illinois Geol. Survey Bull. 8, p. 334,1908.

r All taken by Prof. J. A. Udden, 1898, with a Sargent thermometer reading 1° higher than instruments 

in U. S. Weather Bureau, Davenport, Iowa.

i Davenport average for 45 years.

t Upper flow cased off. but casing may be corroded through as suggested by diminished pressure.

u Calculated to 912 feet.

» Maccoutah average for 26 years.

«> Henry average for 28 years.

z Peoria average for 26 years.

v Dixon average for 26 years.
ILLINOIS. 39 

SUMMARY.

The most satisfactory observations of underground temperature 

in Illinois are those made at St. John and Streator, where thermometers were sunk to the bottoms of the holes. At St. John the instrument was left down 24 hours. When withdrawn it read 101°, indicating a rate of increase of 1° in 83.5 feet. The temperatures in wells 

in Rock Island County were accurately taken by Prof. Udden. The 

variation which some of them show is possibly due largely to mingling 

of flows. However, the observations were made just after vigorous 

drilling, and some heat of impact may be manifest. The wells at 

Peoria give results so closely accordant that presumably the flows are 

all from the bottom or near it. The Hennepin well, "cased nearly to 

the bottom," and the Knoxville, Chicago, Marissa, and Galesburg 

wells give close approximations of rate if the water is not cooled by 

pumping. The temperatures in the Cairo wells may not be accurately determined.

Flows from the deep well, at Aledo may be mixed, and if so the rate 

of 1° in 168 feet is not valid. The Oak Park flow is undoubtedly 

mixed. The high temperature of water from the 950-foot well at 

Pekin probably indicates a source at the bottom of the well, and the 

rate of 1° in, 42 feet is considerably higher than that of any other 

well in the State.

The rates of increase given in the list appear not to have any 

regional relations but vary from place to place. Galesburg and 

Knoxville, not far apart, apparently have rates of 1° in 106 feet and 

66 feet, respectively. Pekin is not far south of Peoria, where the 

average rate is 1° in 60 feet.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The Illinois wells penetrate limestone, shale, #nd sandsfone of 

Carboniferous to Ordovician age, all lying nearly horizontal, without 

local disturbances of large amount and with no volcanic rocks. The 

Streator well is stated to be on a low anticline trending northwestward. The deep wells in the southern part of the State reach the 

oldest strata, most of them drawing from the St. Peter sandstone. 

At Peoria the shallower wells in the Niagara limestone show no 

material difference in rate of increase in temperature from the 

deeper ones, which draw from the St. Peter sandstone. A similar 

condition is presented by various wells of Rock Island County. The 

Cairo wells penetrate Cretaceous deposits to a depth of about 500 

feet and then enter flint rock and sandstone of Mississippian age. 

If the flow£ are from about 500 feet, the base of the Cretaceous, 

the rate is 1° in about 110 feet.
40 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE.UNITED STATES.

INDIANA.

TEMPERATURES.

The few well temperatures on record for Indiana are not very 

significant, because no statement is furnished as to the depth from 

which the water comes. The following data may be of interest:

Temperatures in wells in Indiana.

Location. .

iBrown County: Nashville. ....

Carroll County:

Delphi, several wells ...... 

Flora..:!.,...... ..'.......

Cass County: Logansport i> . . .

Crawford County: English. . . .

Decatur County: Sandusky.. .

Lake County: . .

Laporte County: Michigan

City........................

Depth 

(feet).

530

898-928- 

1,040

447

887

830

1,780

2,635

2,270

1,923

833

Temperature 

(feet).

56

62 

62

54

60

60

60

51.5

50.5

81

57

annual 

air temperature

a 53

o50.7 

50.7

c50.9

o53

d49

/50.1

054.6

ft 49

Depth per

degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet).

176

80 

92

222

118

162

73

104

Remarks.

Flows 300 gallons a minute.

Oil wells. 

Do.

300-gallon flow.

source or chilled by pumping.

a From U. S. Weather Bureau map.

&Capps, S. R., Underground waters of north-central Indiana: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 

254, p. 93, 1910. 

c Average for 36 years.

d Average for 29 years. . < U. S. Geol. and Geog. Surveys W. 100th Mer. Rcpt., vol. 1, p. 209,1889. 

/ Average for 20 years. 

g Average for 26 years. 

A Average at Laporte.

SUMMARY.

The rate in Indiana probably is not indicated accurately by these 

data except possibly by those for the Carroll County, Sandusky, 

Terre Haute, and Michigan City wells, which give figures that appear

reasonably accordant.

IOWA.

TEMPERATURES.

A report of the State Geological Survey 1 and a report by Norton 

and others 2 give temperatures of flows from many deep wells in Iowa. 

Doubtless most of the figures are correct, but for most of the wells 

either the flows are known to be from various depths or no facts are 

given as to their source. Some of the wells are pumped, a condition which is unfavorable for accurate results, especially if the 

air lift is used. The 3,000-foot well at Des Monies is one in which 

many flows mingle and the water is pumped to the surface. Temperatures of flows from several of the deep wells at Davenport were 

taken for me by J. A. Udden in 1898, but unfortunately in most of 

the wells there are mingled flows. The well at Ames was tested by 

S. W. Beyer, 3 who lowered a Miller-Casella thermometer and took 

readings every 100 feet.

1 Iowa Geol. Survey Rept., vol. 6, pp. 294-299,1897.

2 Norton, W. H., and others, Underground water resources of Iowa: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply 

Paper 293, 994 pp., 1912. 

a U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p.-749,1912.
. IOWA. 41

Temperatures in ivells in 'Iowa.

Location.

Allamakee County:

Waukon, 3 miles north 

of.» 

Blackhawk County:

Do.................

CedarCounty: Tipton <=<*,«.

Clavton County: McGregor.c 

Clan ton County: Clinton....

Henry County: Mount 

Pleasant Asylum. A 

DCS Moines County: i

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Iowa County: Amana Society.'

Lee County: 

Fort Madison :

Paper company ....

Atchison, Topeka 

& Santa Fe Ry. « 

Keokuk: p

Pottery company . . 

Y.M.C. A.. ...:...

Pickle company....

Polk County: 

DCS Moines city park.. .

Do.................

Do................. 

Do.................

Do.................

Do..... ............ 

Do.................

.Do.................

Do.................

Total 

depth 

(feet).

500

675.748

396 

1,360

1.365

2,696i

520 

1,605 

1,125

509

450

852

460

1,640 

740

689 

681

764 

700

701 

769

. 710 

661

800

2, 250 

2,000

1,750 

1,500

1,250

1,000

7CA

CArt

250

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

Pumps 

many.

Pumps 

225

Many. 

500 

165

15

500

40

100

600 200-tMany, 

Many.

250 

350

250

5

165

Temperature 

(°F.).

51

50

52 

56

54

57

52 

72 

62

56

60

64.5

60

68 

64

62 

65

60 

65

60 

64

64 

61

67

70.0 

69.4

69.5 

69.1

68.3

65.4 

firt >;

58.2

 55.5

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

45.7

45.7

647

Afi S

AK 8

/48.3

43 

4S.6 

»50.2

»50.5

50.5

50.5

50.5

ro47.9 

o51.9

 51.9 

51.9

51.9 

851.4

51.4 

51.4

51.4 

51.4

51.4

«49.3 

49.3

49.3 

49.3

49.3

49.3 

49.3

49.3

Depth 

per degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

80

118

074 

69 

84

93

47

61

48

81 

57

62 

43

77 

51.5

73

55.5

42

8

109 

99J

87 

V6

66

62 

67

56

Remarks.

 Sandstone 347 to 396 feet, with 

water within 137 feet of surface.

Water pumped 65 foot. "Np 

water below 1,200 feet"; probably all from St. Peter sand- ' 

stone, 1,030 to 1,070 feet. 

Flows.

Probably cased. Many other 

wells with mixed flows. " 

Water pumped 30 feet. 

Water from 990 feet.

800 feet.

Cased to 400 feet. Main flow 

begins at 1,200 feet; gradual 

increase to 1,640 feet.

Water from about 680 feet. 

Water from 607 feet.

Waterprobably from sandstone, 

692 to 756 feet.

First sandstone 628 to 701 feet.

Water from 530 feet. 

Water mainly from 648 to 661

feet.

feet.

Thermometer sunk by S. W. 

Bcycr. '

Rate 250 to 2,250 feet is 138 feet 

tol°. 

Rate 250 to 1,000 feet is 75 feet

tol°. 

Rate 1,000 to 2,250 feet is 272 feet

tol°.

« U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 252, 1912. 

b Dubuquc average minus 0.9°:

c Iowa Geol. Survey Rept., vol. 6, pp. 185,189, 200, 266-267,1896.

<J Mead, D. W., Hydrogeology of the Upper Mississippi Valley: Assoc. Eng. Soc. Jour., vol. 13, p. 368, 189-1. 

e U. 8. Geol. Survey Water Supply Paper 293, p. 374,1912. 

/ Cedar Rapids average plus 0.6 . 

o Postville average. . . A Iowa Geol. Survey Rept., vol. 6, pp. 320-321,1896; U. S. Geol. Survey-Water Supply Paper 293, p. 535. 

1912.

» Average for 36 years.

> U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, pp. 528-529, 1912. 

k Average for 19 years.

J Iowa Geol. Survey Rept., vol. 6, pp. 286-287,1896. 

«n Cedar Rapids average plus 0.2°.

» U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 563,1912. 

o Keokuk average minus 0.4°.

p U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, pp. 564-566, 1912. 

5 Average for 46 years..

T U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 568, 1912. ' 

« Average for 38 years. 

t U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, pp. 734-738, from Iowa College Water-Supply, Ames, 1897.
42 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in ivells in Toioa Continued.

Location.

Pottawattamie County: 

Council Bluffs.a 

Scott County: v 

Davenport: c 

Glucose works,three 

wells. 

Malting company. . 

Do.............

Witts Bottling Co..

Story County: 

A. TUGS f 

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Do.................

Wapello County: 

Ottumwa: ft

Do.........-.--

Y. M. C. A.........

No.3. .............

Washington County: Washington.;'

Total 

depth 

(feet).

1,280

1,969

800 

1,653

780 

1,050

1,050

1,050

9 inn

2,000

1,500 i finfi

500

200

940

2,047

2,047

1,554

1.150

800

1,702

1,611

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

105

*Many. 

Many.

Many.

200

700

300

1,000

33

1,500

95

Temperature 

(°F.).

62

66.5

60 

64

59.5 

60.5

60

59.5

63.4

64.1

60.9

57.0

53.0

51.2

59

70

70

64

62

65

67

72

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

&50

<*49.4

d49.4 

d49.4

d49.4 

d49.4

(Z49.4

(149.4

/46.8

/46.8

/46.8

X46.8

/46.8

/46.8

/46.8

J49.3

<49.3

i49.3

»49.3

»49.3

*49.3

S49.4

Depth 

per degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

83

116

75

77

127

116

107

08

01

77

74

82

77

71

Remarks.

Flow from 1,000 to 1,100 feet.

Flows probably mingle. 

Cased to bottom.

Do.

Do.

Beyer.? 

Do.

Do.

Do.

Do.

feot to 1°. 

Cased 810 feot. Water at 940

feet pumped.

to 2,047 feet.

Air lift pumps water 54 feet. 

Water from various depths; 

much at 1,115 feet, main supply at 1,600 feet.

a. U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 951,1912.

b Omaha, Nebr., average for 46 years.

c Taken by S. A. Udden, 1898, with a Sargent thermometer reading 1° higher than the one in the Weather 

Bureau at Davenport.

d Average for 45 years.

«Calculated to 1,385 feet.

/ Boone average of 14 years.

g TJ. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, pp. 734-738, from Iowa College Water Supply, Ames, 1897.

ft Iowa Geol. Survey Kept., vol. 6, pp. 317-320, 1897; U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, pp. 

606-609, 1912.

i Mean of Keosauqua and Oskaloosa.

} Average for 35 years.

* U.S.Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 293, p. 613, 1912.

SUMMARY.

The data here given from the Iowa wells present considerable 

diversity in value. The Beyer determinations of temperature at 

2,250 feet at Des Moines and at 2,100 feet at Ames are valuable 

records. They were taken with a Miller-Casella self-registering instrument at intervals of 250 feet in the Des Moines well and 100 feet 

at Ames. The wells were full of water and had not been disturbed 

for a month or more. The rates of increase in temperature, 1° in 

109 feet and 127 feet, respectively, appear abnormally low and are 

considerably less than the rate in the 940-foot Nevada well, 9 miles 

east of Ames. As shown in the table there were some remarkable 

local variations at different depths. The rates indicated by many
IOWA. 43

records in the southeast corner of the State vary greatly. The 

deeper Ottumwa wells give 1° in 62£, 77|, 80, and 87 feet, and the 

800-foot well at the Young Men's Christian Association Building 

indicates 1° in 53 feet or less. The Amana data appear to be not 

worth considering. Some of the Davenport data appear to be consistent and indicate a rate of 1° in 75 to 77 feet. The Keokuk, 

Fort Madison, and Burlington rates of 1° in 42 to 73 feet appear to 

be reliable, but the precise rate for each place is not deducible from 

the data given. The Mount Pleasant and Washington rates are 

reasonably consistent with the figures for the adjoining counties. 

The McGregor and Waukon wells, in the northeast corner of the 

State, although of moderate depth, appear to afford reliable data. 

The same is true of Council Bluffs, in the extreme western part of 

the State, where the rate of increase is the same as in the wells at 

Omaha, across Missouri River 1° in 83 feet.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The Iowa wells penetrate limestones, shales, and sandstones of 

Carboniferous to Cambrian age. They lie nearly horizontal, but 

most of the State is occupied by a broad, open syncline whose axis 

extends from east and northeast to southwest and passes near Musca'tine, Oscaloosa, Indianola, Osceola, and Bedford. The Algonkian rocks are deeply buried, for they were not reached by the 

2,696^-foot hole at Tipton, and no igneous rocks or marked local 

disturbances are known to be near the wells of which data were 

recorded. The deeper borings and those in the northeast corner of 

the State draw from the sandstones of Cambrian or Ordovician age, 

especially the St. Peter sandstone, which is the source of supply 

at Tipton and Washington and is about 1,300 feet below the surface 

at Ottumwa, 1,100 feet at Davenport, 950 feet at Burlington, and 

900 feet at Keokuk. The Ames, Amana, Davenport, and Des Moines 

holes penetrate the Jordan sandstone; the Nevada well draws from 

much higher limestones of Silurian age. The shallow Burlington 

and Fort Madison wells draw from strata considerably above the 

Jordan sandstone. When these facts are considered in connection 

with the rates of increase given in the table there appears to be no 

connection between the geologic horizon and the rate, so far as is 

indicated by the data available.

The abrupt change of rate from 1° in 75 feet to 1° in 272 feet at 

a depth of about 1,000 feet in the Des Moines well .occurs just below 

the base of the Devonian.
44 GEOTHERMAL DATA. OF .THE UNITED STATES.

KANSAS.

TEMPERATURES.

Sixteen temperature determinations were obtained in Kansas, 

part of them by me and my assistants, who lowered thermometers 

to the bottom of. the wells. Others are given in publications, notably in the report on mineral water.1 The following are the data:

Temperatures in wells in Kansas.

Location!

Alien County: lola .........

Bourbon County: 

Fort Scott 6. ...........

Do.................

Cherokee County: ColumCrawford County:

Decatur County: Kanona.. 

Douglas County: Lawrence, ft 

Ellsworth County: Ellsworth. ;'

City. 

Meade County:

Do.................

Montgomery County: 

Cofieyville. 1 mile

northeast of. 

Caney, 1 mile west of. . .

Independence o. ........

Morton County: Richfield g 

Neosho County: St. Paul t. .

Pawnee County:

Do.................

Total 

depth 

(feet).

720

621

700

1,400

Q11?

980

1,540 

1,400

730

435

OOK

265$

610

1.100

600 

700

750

743

Flow 

(gallons 

per minate).

7

6.3

'250

240

Temperature 

(°F.).

61 

67.5

67

75.2

71.5

89.7

70

63.5

71.5

61.7

fid

7%

62

66 

55

65

65

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.)-.

56

c56.5

c56.4

556. 3

ft 51. 6

*55

=14

«57.7

57.7

r56

t 54.3

54.3

Depth 

per degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

54

75

60|

eo

40£

49

J46

90

51

54

181

57

70

694

Remarks.

from 100 feet.

from 150 feet. 

In progress July. 1903. Thermometer sunk byN. H. Darton.

Fisher in 1900, 2£ hours.

Johnson, July, 1898.

Johnson in July, 1898. Water 

was within 42 feet of surface.

eter sunk by E. G. Woodruff.

eter sunk by E. G. Woodruff.

Flows from 570 feet. In red 

beds 265 to 600 feet.

from 743 feet. Flow also at 

430 feet cased off.

Fisher, 1900.

a Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 251,1902.

6Idem, p. 265.

c Average for 10 years.

d Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 39,1902.

< Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 268,1902.

/ Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 151,1908.

0 Columbus average minus 0.2°.

ft Norton average for 18 years.

t Average for 20 years.

f On ranch of J. Cochran,.SW. i NW. J sec, 15, T. 15, R. 8.

* Salina average minus 0.1°.

t Average for 21 years.

m Ashland average for 18 years.

»Independence average minus 0.1 °.

o Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 150,1902.

^Average for 38 years.

9 Senate Committee on Use and Reclamation of Arid Lands Rept., vol. 4, p. 60,1890.

T Ulysses average minus 1°.

« Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, p. 158,1902.

<Marksville average minus 0.2°. - / -

> Bailey, E. H. S., Kansas Univ. Geol. Survey, vol. 7, 343 pp., 1902.
KANSAS. 

Temperatures in wells in Kansas Continued.

45

Location .

Rice County:

Lyons Gas & Oil Co. . . .

Lyons, salt mine .......

Sterling, NE. i SW. }

sec. 22.

Total 

depth 

(feet).

950

1,083

94G

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

Temperature 

(°F.).

71J

69

711

Mean

annual 

air temperature

(°F.).

o5-1.4

54.4

54.4

Depth

per degree of 

increase in temperature

(feet).

56

74

56

Remarks.

Salt shaft. Thermometer lowered by C. A. Fisher, 1900.

Down three hours.

Salt shaft. Thermometer placed

in bottom by C. A. Fisher.

Thermometer lowered by C. A .

Fisher, 1900. Down 4 hours.

Water is within 3 feet of surface. Rock salt and shale 710

to 946 feet.

« Kllinwood average for 21 years. 

SUMMA11Y.

Most of the Kansas observations are in fairly close accord as to 

rates of increases in temperature. The principal exception is that of 

the Caney boring, which shows a temperature of only 73° at a depth 

of 2,775 feet. Possibly this is due to gas escape. This hole and 

those at Independence, Coffeyville, Fort Scott, Girard, Cherokee, and 

Columbus are all in the southeast corner of the State. The average 

rate exclusive of Caney is 1° in slightly less than 60 feet. The group 

of four holes in central Kansas have rates of 1° in 48.7 to 56.2 feet, 

but the rate decreases to 1° in 74.2 feet in the deep shaft at the Lyons 

salt mine. Four wells in the western part of the State have rates 

of 1° in 41, 47, 51 j and 57 feet; the first and third represent careful 

measurements. There is a great difference in the rates of the two 

wells at Meade as determined by Johnson.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The wells in Kansas penetrate a variety of sedimentary formations, but the strata are nearly horizontal and no igneous rocks are 

known to exist near any of the holes in the list. The wells in the 

southeast corner of the State are in limestone, shale, and sandstone 

of Carboniferous age, some of the deeper ones penetrating the .upper 

part of the Mississippian. The Ellsworth, Lynn, and Sterling wells 

are in the salt series of the Permian. The Richfield well is in the red 

beds of the Permian, Garden City, and Kanona in the Dakota sandstone (Upper Cretaceous). The Meade wells reach red beds under a 

thick mantle of sand and gravel of Tertiary'age. The high rate of 

increase in the 325-foot well at Meade, 1° in 21.7 feet, may be related 

to a fault supposed to extend along one side of the artesian basin.
46 GEOTHERMAL DATA .OF THE UNITED STATES.

KENTUCKY.

TEMPERATURES.

/

Very few records of well temperatures have been reported from 

Kentucky. The most important one is that of the 2,086-foot well 

sunk in 1857-58 at Louisville, which indicates a rate of increase of 

1° in 106 feet if the water comes from the bottom.

Temperatures of ivells in Kentucky.

Location.

Jefferson County: Louisville..

Jessamine County: Harrisburg (on Kentucky River).

 Farm.*

Depth 

(feet).

2,086

485.

428

(gallons 

per

utc).

264

Temperature

t. * ) 

a76i

C S2J

77

64

Mean

annual 

air 

temperature '

(° F.).

656.8

56.8

£»56.1

/56.2

Depth

per

degree of increase 

in temperatu re

(feet).

106

81

23

57

Remarks.

Flow of poor water.

a Owen. D. D., Geological reconnaissance of Arkansas, p. 61, 1860. Another report gives a temperature 

of 86i°, which indicates a rate of 1° in 71 feet.

& Average for 44 years.

c Am. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., vol. 27, pp. 174-178, 1859.

d Richmond average for 22 years.

« Report on the occurrence of petroleum, natural gas, and asphalt rock in western Kentucky, based on 

examinations made in 1888 and 1889: Kentucky Geol. Survey, p. 179,1891.

/ Irvington average for 19 years.

SUMMARY.

The old Louisville artesian well with a large flow should give a 

reliable indication of the rate of increase, but two widely different 

temperatures are reported. The result for the Harrisburg well is 

dubious. The Fountain Farm well is gassy, but the rate is reasonable.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The strata penetrated by the wells listed in the table are limestone 

and shale of Paleozoic age on the west slope of the Cincinnati arch, 

and the dips are very low. The Louisville hole penetrates Devonian, 

Silurian, and Ordovician strata. The Fountain Farm well penetrates Mississippian limestone to the Devonian black shale.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 47 

LOUISIANA. 

BELLE ISLAND.

The most significant determination of underground temperature in 

Louisiana is one made for me by I. N. Knapp in February, 1909, 

during the sinking of a 3,171-foot boring at Belle Island, near Morgan 

City. A Darton thermometer was lowered to various depths with 

the following results.:

Temperatures at different depths in hole at Belle Island, La.

Depth 

(feet).

427

764 

975

1,625

Temperature 

(°F.).

75

79 

82

82

Remarks.

In salt water.

24 hours after drilling ceased. 

Dry salt.

Dry hole.

 s

At 427, 764, and 975 feet the instrument was down 36 hours. 

It was sent down again 24 hours later, obtaining closely accordant 

results. At 1,625 feet there was much gas, which caused a diminished 

temperature, so no observations were made at greater depths. The 

beds below 211 feet were salt or salt bearing. The rates of increase 

were as follows, as calculated from a mean annual temperature of 

68.7° (Franklin average for 24 years plus 0.2°):

Depth per degree of increase in temperature in hole at Belle Island, La.

Feet. 

Surface to 427 feet.................. 68

Surface to 764 feet.................. 74

Surface to 975 feet.................. 73

Feet. 

427 to 764 feet....................... 84

427 to 975 feet........................ 78

764 to 975 feet....................... 70

MISCELLANEOUS DATA.

Although there are vmany flowing wells in Louisiana they afford 

but few reliable data as to the geothermal gradient. Harris * gives 

results of his own observations for many wells, notably those in 

St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes, and Veatch 2 gives records 

from various sources, but only in a few of the records is information 

given as to the source of the water. However, as the pressures are 

such as to indicate considerable depth, and as the materials are soft, 

it is probable that the wells are cased to or nearly to the bottom. 

If so, the temperature records are valuable as indicating approximately the rate of increase with depth.

i Harris, G. D., U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 101, pp. 33-60,1904. 

» Veatch, A. C.f U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 46, pp. 208-223,1906.
48 GEOTHERMAL DATA .OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in Louisiana.

Location.

Caddo Parish : Shreveport. . . . 

Calcasieu Parish: Welsh. ....

Catahoula Parish: Leland.... 

Orleans Parish: 

New Orleans.............

New Orleans, 1 mile west 

Of. : Ouachita Parish: Monroe. . . .

St. Tammany Parish: 

Covington: 

Dummet. ............

Dixon Academy .....

Courthouse, 1901 .....

H.Hallen............

Hernandez. 2 miles north 

of. 

Hernandez...............

Do...........:...:.:.

Do.....:.............

Mandeville. ..............

Do...................

Chiuchuba ...............

Sabine Parish: Negreet. .....

Tangipahoa Parish:

Ponchatoula, 3 miles 

north of.

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Hammond: 

1} miles south-southwest of. 

Do.....---.......

1 J miles south of ...... 

$ mile southeast of .... 

Do...............

1$ miles south-southeast of. 

Vermillion Parish: Gueydan, 

3 miles southwest of. 

Winn Parish: Drake Salt 

Works.

Depth 

(feet).

996 

190

1,550 

1,229

«900 

385 

1,500

572

600

520

610 

610

480

545

V74

526

217

247

325

630

232

170 

272

225

330

265

265

377

300

id(\

212 

140

309 

318 

302

'380

235

298 

190 

»1,011

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

Many. 

1,200

10.

55

12 

Many. 

10

20

30

20 <n

38 

40

16

54

27

56

28

30

3

10 

20

9).

24

7

28

24

25

8 

3

30 

45 

24

. 15

5J

8 

18

Temperature 

( P.).

84.0 

71.5

86.5 

81.5

79 

71 

70

74

72.6

70

71*

79 d

" 74

79

73 

72J

72} ? }

70

74

fiQ ^

71

72

70

71

69.5 

?fl ^

70

71.5

71

71

71

71

79

69 

fid

72 

70.5 

70.5

70.6

6970J73 

75

Mean 

annual 

air 

temperature 

(° P.).

«65. 1 

667.4

c66.8 

d68.2

68.2 

/65.6 

S 64.8

ft 66. 8

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8 

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8

66.8

 <67

67

67

;65.4

67 

, 67

67

67

67

67

67 .

67

67' 

67

67 

67 

67

67

67

-67 

m 68.3 

066.

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in temperature 

(feet).

53 

46

78 

92

S3 

71

80

101

83

100

98 

111

07

88

93

73

87

ft9

65

137

58

70 

80

75? <

66

66

.94

75

68

106 

70

62 

91 

86

106

80 

40 

123

Remarks.

Brine with gas.

Do. 

Do.

Flows at 241. to 281 and 998 to

1,275 feet; probably mingle.

From 630 feet, but possibly

higher flows mingle.

Brine from Cretaceous.

» Average for 45 years.

& Lake Charles average.

« Natchez, Miss., average for 29 years.

< Average for 45 years at Station 1.

« Cased to bottom.

 / Monroe average for 28 years. 

o Grand Cane average for 22 years. 

ft Average for 24 years.

* Covington average plus 0.2°.

/ Average at Nacodoches, Tex.

fc Hammond average for 24 years.

I Water from 340 to 380 feet.

«»Abbeville average.

» Veatch, A. E., Louisiana Geol. Survey Kept. lor 1902, pp. 51-64,1903.

oMean at Dodson, 1910.
MARYLAND. 49

Water from pumped wells 197 to 315 feet deep in Bossier Parish is 

reported to have temperatures from 64° to 66°; from a 225-foot well 

at Belcher, in Caddo Parish, 66°; from wells 137 to 280 feet deep at 

Shreveport, 66° to 68°; and from severalwells 115 to 368 feet deep 

in Webster Parish, 65° to 66 0 . 1 All these figures are so near the 

mean annual air temperature that they throw no light on the rate 

of increase.

SUMMARY.

None of the rates of the deeper wells given in the list are close 

approximations. In the Frierson and Negreet wells probably the 

mingling of flows gives a lower temperature than the water from the 

lower flow would show. The wells of Tangipahoa Parish are too 

shallow to be reliable within close limits, but they give an average 

rate of 1 ° in very nearly 80 feet.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

All the wells in Louisiana are in the great Coastal Plain sedimentary series of the Mississippi embayment, but several horizons are 

tapped. The strata are sands, clays, and limestones of Cretaceous 

and Tertiary age, dipping at low angles in various directions. In 

northern Louisiana there is a general dip to the east into a basin 

whose bottom is near Vicksburg, Miss., at a rate of generally from 

7 to 10 feet to the mile, with few local variations, some of which are 

due to sharp local uplifts. This basin widens and deepens to the 

south and becomes a deep, wide trough containing a great thickness 

of Tertiary strata. The briny waters of the Shreveport well come 

from the Nacatoch sand in the Upper Cretaceous, and the brine at 

the Drake salt works is also from the Cretaceous.. Brine from the 

Leland well is believed to be from the Eocene Yegua ("Cockfield") 

formation, 1,500 feet higher. The beds tapped by the shallow wells 

of Calcasieu, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa parishes are high in the 

Tertiary.

MARYLAND.

Only one well temperature was obtained from Maryland that of 

the 140-galJon flow of saline water from the deep well at Crisfield, 

Somerset County, on the eastern peninsula. The flow comes from a 

depth of 1,025,feet in the Potomac group, and the temperature, 79°, 

was determined by Mr. John Buxton with a reliable thermometer 

sent to him for the purpose. As the mean annual temperature at 

Pocomoke City, not far away, is 57.4°, this determination indicates a 

rate of increase of 1° in 47.4 feet.

i Veatch, A. C., U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 46, pp. 201-207, 217-223,1906. 

137163° 20 Bull. 701 4
50 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

MICHIGAN. 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION.

Temperature observations that have been made in deep borings 

and deep mines in Michigan throw important light on the rate of 

increase in temperature underground. Some of these have been 

made by A. C. Lane, 1 in part with thermometers which I furnished. 

On account of the differences in the geology of the two areas it is 

best to present the results of observations made in southern and 

central Michigan separately from those of observations made in the 

area of older rocks in the northern peninsula. Lane has considered 

the probable mean annual temperature of the northern peninsula and 

also gives temperatures in shallow borings and in upper levels in certain copper mines.

NORTHERN PENINSULA.

Many determinations of underground temperature are available 

for the northern part of Michigan, mainly in connection with the 

deep mines.

. In 1895 Alexander Agassiz 2 reported the results of a series of 

observations made in copper mines of the Calumet & Hecla Co. on 

Keweenaw Point. This point, which extends 70 miles out into Lake 

Superior, consists of a series of old igneous and sedimentary rocks 

dipping 7°-55° and overlain by Cambrian sandstone. The mines 

are mostly in the older series. The temperatures were taken at intervals, but only those at 105 feet and 4,580 feet were published. Negretti and Zambra thermometers were used, placed in 10-foot holes, 

slightly inclined upward, and left from one to three months, the holes 

plugged with woqd and clay. The results were 59° and 79°, a difference of only 20° for the 4,475 feet, or an increase of 1° in 223.7 feet. 

However, if the 59° observation is disregarded and the increase to 

4,580 feet calculated from a mean annual air temperature of 43° 3 

the result is 1° in 127 feet, which is borne out by other observations. 

It is evident that the reading of 59° at 105 feet was defective, because 

it is 16° to 20° higher than the mean annual air temperature.

In a letter to J. D. Everett in 1896, 4 Agassiz stated that further observations had shown that the rate was "different from what it 

was believed to be when the preliminary announcement was made."

1 Lane, A. C., The Keweenaw series of Michigan: Michigan Geol. and Biol. Survey Pub. 6, vol. 2, pp. 

757-773,1911; Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., vol. 9, p. 435, 1900.

2 Agassiz, Alexander, On underground temperatures at great depth: Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol. 50, pp. 

503-504, 1895.

3 The mean annual air temperature at Calumet is 39.7° (29-year average), but shallow-water and mine 

workings indicate several degrees higher, according to Lane. 

< Underground temperatures: British Assoc. Adv. Sci., Report of 71st meeting, p. 65, 1901.
MICHIGAN. 51

In 1886 Wheeler 1 presented to the St. Louis Academy of Sciences 

an account of temperature observations in copper mines of Keweenaw 

Point. Wheeler's results are given in the following table:

Temperature observations in copper mines on Keiueenaw Poinf,, Midi.

Mine.

Conglomerate (Delaware or Manitou).

Depth.

907

1.950

617 

1,931

996

2,240

Temperature

(°F.).

51.6

61

48.3 

58.5

54.5

62

Depth

per

degree of

increase

in temperature

(feet).

99$

101

95 

122

76.V

IIOJTemperatureatcertaindepths.o

43.6° at 111 feet.

42.6° at 90 feet.

42.8° at 90 feet. 

43° at 111 feet.

42.3° at 130 feet.

43° at 136 feet.

o The figures in this column were used in calculating the rates of increase.

Wheeler states that the most satisfactory results were obtained in 

the Atlantic mine, where observations at intermediate stations gave 

an accordant rate. The Conglomerate mine is 36 miles farther east. 

The rate in the Tamarack mine may be vitiated by the proximity of 

active mining. All the mines were nearly dry. Wheeler suggests 

that the low rate of increase in this district may be due to the proximity of Lake Superior, with its great volume of cool water (38. 8°).

Temperature observations in mines and holes in northern peninsula of Michigan. a

Locality. >v

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do..... ..................

Do.......................

Old Franklin. ................

Depth

(feet).

nrn

c 1,350

4«c

1,335

1,650

1,090

1,210

1,153

1, 435

2,400

1.850

&

680

1,600

3.200

Temperature

(°F.).

55.6

57

45.8

V)

Cp. K

56

55

59

61

62

69

50

61

62-63

Moan

annual 

air temperature

( F.).

±44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

Depth

per

degree of 

increase

in temperature

(feet).

84

104

111

83

94

105

95i

141

180

(?)

94

169

Remarks.

Eighteenth level.

west.

feet from fifth shaft.

level.

lode, 72° during previous summer.

Third level: G. Pone, observer.

o Lane, A. C., The geothermal gradient in Michigan: Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., vol. 9, p. 435,1900; Michigan Geol. Survey Ann. Kept, for 1901, pp. 244-251, 1902.

6 Lane, A. C., The Keweenaw series of Michigan: Michigan Geol. and Biol. Survey. Pub. 6, vol. 1. pp. 

757-773, 1911.

c Vertical depth not given.

1 Wheeler, H. A., Temperature observations at the Lake Superior copper mines: Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., 

vol. 32, pp. 125-129, 1886.
52 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperature observations in mines and holes in northern peninsula of Michigan. Con.

Locality.

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Dd.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Do.......................

Calumet & Hecla stamp mill, 

Lake Linden, Houghton 

County, S W. i sec. 6, T. 55, 

R. 32. 

Do.......................

Do.......................

Lake Superior mine, Ishperning.

Depth 

(feet).

4,400

5

OOO

5,367

4,662

4 onn

1,080

2,941

2,941

3,090

3,196

3,403

3,620

3,816

3,875

500 

1,000

1,490

900

Temperature 

(°F.).

QA

QX

88-91. 4

89

87

57

64.5

67.5

68.5

69

71

75

79,80

76

47.5 

51.5

55.5

50

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44 

44

44

44

Depth 

per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

110

Q3X

114

00

143-|

126

126

117

106

121

143 

133

130

150

Remarks.

Do.

damp mud. 

W.E.Tarnall.

Do.

Do.

Do.

Two wells, 1.502 and 1,508 feet. 

Flow 50 gallons. All in sandstones.

tween figures for 500 and 1,490 

feet is 10 in about 124 feet. 

Thermometer 20 minutes in 5- 

foot hole in shaft.

a The depths here given assume the surface to be 500 feet above Lake Superior, for in the original paper 

depths are given with the lake as the datum and the surface is irregular. Temperatures were all taken by 

S. Smillie, engineer.

The temperature of 57° at 1,080 feet in the Quincy mine appears 

anomalously high when compared with the record at greater depths. 

The rate of increase calculated from the difference between the temperature at 1,080 feet and 3,875 feet is 1° in 147 feet; from 2,941 to 

3,875 feet it is 1° in 81 feet on the basis of a temperature of 64.5° in 

the bore hole, and 1° in 110 feet on the basis of an observation of 

67.5 n in the breast of a drift.

CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.

Temperatures in deep wells in central and southern Michigan.

Locality.

Alpena County: Alpena« ....

Bay County: 

 BayCityc.. .............

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Depth 

(feet).

698-711

3,455

2,934

9

i, loi

1,793

1,304

Flow (gallons 

per minute).

200

Temperature

53

97

/ 90.1 

\ 90.2

/ 77

\ 77

71

65

Mean

annual 

ante mperature

641.8

d 46. 5

 46.5 

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

Depth

per

degree of increase 

in tempera- . 

ture

(feet).

62

68J

67

75*

75

73

70

Remarks.

^

Main supply from 698 to 711 feet; 

surely below 588 feet.

Thermometer 5688 downShours.

^Thermometers 5688 and 5690 

/ down half an hour.

\Thermomcters 5688 and 5690

/ down half an hour.

Thermometer 4708 down 50

minutes.

Thermometer 4708 down 1 hour.

a Lane, A. C., Am. Jour.

b Average for 44 years.

c Lane, A. C., op. cit., pi 

ceased two months; bore ml 

in duration.

d Average for 21 years.

Sci., 4th ser., vol. 9, p. 435,1900.

i

. 434-438. Test by C. A. Davis with Darton thermometers after drilling had 

of heavy brine. The tests at 2,282 and 1,793 feet were regarded as too short
MICHIGAN. 53

Temperatures in deep wells in central and southern Michigan Continued..

Location.

Bemie County:

Do*. ................

Do...................

Cheboygan County:

Do g..^.. ............

Crawford County: 

Grayling/............... 

Do................... 

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Emmet County: Petoskey. . . . 

Gcnesoe County: Flint"*.. . . .

City, o 

Giatiot County:

Ingham County:

Ionia County:

Do...................

Do...................

Lenaweo County: 

Britton* ................

Mackinac County: St.Ignace «

demons."'

Depth 

(feet).

2,200

2 200

1,438

1 ISO

2,700 

408

464

2,600 

2,376 

2,150

onn

500

575 

376

417

2,863

900.

1 400 '400

400

/ 340,

I 540 

320

1,617 

945

1,155 

1, 265

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

OCA

15

4(?)

750

8

Flows.

1

Many.

Temperature 

( F.).

nQ

^fi

54

CO

61.6

73 

A 51. 8

51

95.9 

93.8 

89

58.4

51.8

50 

52 

51

98

69.6

11

52.3

53.8

67.6

CO

51 

56

Mean 

annual 

air 

temperature 

(°F.).

644.9

44 9

44 9

/42.0

42.6 

42.6

42.6

d42.7 

42.7

A 1) 7

42.7

42.7

'43.3 

» 45. 9 

45.9

A*, fi

46.7

46.7

r46.8

46.8

46.8

t48 

48

40.9 

Z47.8

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in temperature 

(feet).

cei

r 79

c88

71J

89 

44

55

49 

46i 

46>i

*57

55

86 

61

82

071

44

46

83 

86

»57 

79

Remarks.

low 590 feet. 

Do.

Do.

The rate from 1,360 to 2,700 feet 

is 118 feet to 1°.

Water at 376 feet.

up in sand pump. 

Test by A. C. Lane, 1900.

Flow at 575-681 feet; some also 

at 1,040 feet. 

Water from 700 feet.

« Michigan Geol. Survey, 1881-1893, p. 59.

6 Average for 13 years.

« Calculated to 800 feet.

d Lane, A. C., Am.Jour.Sci.,4th ser.,vol.9,p.435,1900.

t Taken by A. C. Lane (Geol. Soc. America Bull., vol. 13,1903) with Darton thermometer 7812. Down 

1 hour on bailer. Temperature 51.8° at 408 feet.

/ Average of 20 years to 1908.

o Tested by F. P. Rust, contractor, who determined other temperatures with thermometer 9114 as 

follows: 100 feet,53°; 400 feet,51°; 700 feet,5,1.5°; 1,000 feet, 55°; 1,300 feet, 60°; 1,400 feet, 60°; 1,700 feet, 63°; 

1,800 feet, 65°; 2,000 feet, 65°; 2,300 feet, 68°.

ft Taken by A. C. Lane with Darton thermometer 7536.

< Leverett, Frank, U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 182, p. 363, 1907. Other wells with flows 

46° to 48°.

i Lane, A. C., op. cit., and Michigan Geol. Survey Ann. Rept. for 1901, p. 250,1902.

* Rate of increase from 500 to 2,600 feet is 48 feet to 1°.

J Average for 27 years.

m Cooper, W. F., U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 102, p. 492,1904.

» Average for 28 years.

o Loverett, Frank, and others, U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 183, pp. 16, 242,324,1907.

P Michigan Geol. Survey Rept., 1881-1893, pp. 45-46, 1895. This report is somewhat discredited by 

A. C. Lane in Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., vol. 9, p. 435,1900, but accepted in Michigan Geol. Survey Rept. for 

1901, p. 249.

i Michigan Geol. Survey Rept., 1881-1R93, p. 66,1895.

" Grand Rapids average for 28 years minus 1.3°.

> Lane, A. C., Michigan Geol. Survey Rept. for 1901, p. 249, by probable misprint gives deeper temperature (53°) but with data indicating that it is 67.6°.

' Hillsdale average for 20 years plus 0.6°.

« Michigan Geol. Survey Kept. 1901, p. 248,1902.

» Calculated to 575 feet.

«> Cooper, W. F., op. cit., p. 498.

* Average for 17 years.
54 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in deep wells in central and southern Michigan Continued.

Location.

Midland County:

Muskegon County:

Muskegon, Kyerson well. .

Do...................

Do...................

St. Glair Count v: <

St. Glair.. ................

St. Clair, Oakland well. . -

Do...................

Do...................

Saginaw County:

Do...................

Do...................

Do...................

Depth 

(feet).

1,205

1,150

fi*>0

240

1,635

1. 200+

300

838

617

OAO

102

(gallons 

per

P'mp'd

Temperature

( * ) 

62.5

52

67.2

5S 7

(TO 2

n

o

69

W 9

57 5

C4

51

50

47

Mean

annual 

air 

temperature

<°F.).

646.1

46.1

d46.7

46.7

46.7

/45.3

45.3

45.3

45.3

?46.3

46.3

AR Q

46.3

Depth

per

degree of increase 

in temperature

(feet).

701

105

56

54

37

63

56+

60

69

80

113

80

Remarks.

Plugged at 1,200 feet; full of 

water; flows from base of drift

at 240 feet are 53° to 53i°.

feet is 1° in 65 feet.

feet is 1° in 163 feet.

feet is 1° in 81 feet.

feet is 1° in 75 feet.

a Lane, A. D., Am. Jour. Sci., vol. 9, p. 434,1900.

b Average of Bay City minus 0.4°.

c Leverett, Frank, and others, U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 183, pp. 16, 242,324,1907.

<J Average lor 20 years.

e Michigan Geol. Survey Kept. 1901, p. 248,1902.

/ Port Huron average for 42 years.

a Average for 22 years.

MINNESOTA.

Few temperatures of flows from wells hr Minnesota have been 

reported and the source of the flows is uncertain. The large flow 

from a 467-foot well at Winona is stated to have a temperature of 

54°, which may indicate a rate of increase of 1° in 47 feet if the 

water is from the bottom. This well penetrates sandstones of 

Cambrian age which lie on granite at a depth of about 500 feet. 

The beds are nearly horizontal. The 600-gallon flow from a 707- 

foot well at Henderson, in Sibley County, is stated to have a temperature of 50°, but doubtless part of the water is from beds some 

distance above the bottom.

MISSISSIPPI.

TEMPERATURES.

Temperatures of several flowing wells in Mississippi have been 

recorded by G. D. Harris l and others, and as most of the wells flow 

in large volume and appear to be cased to the bottom the temperatures indicate approximate rates of increase. The Biloxi well, 

with readings at 500 and 900 feet, is of particular interest.

U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 101, p. 31,1904.
MISSOURI.

Temperatures in wells in Mississippi.

55

Locality.

Hancock County: Bay St.

Louis........-...-..--..-.-

Harrison County:

Biloxi....................

Do...................

Pass Christian. ...........

Jackson County: Scranton....

Lowndes County: Columbus.

Madison County: Canton.....

Warren County: Vicksburg e. 

Yazoo County: Satartia. .....

Depth 

(feet).

700

500

900

700

774

400

1,021

1,100

CQQ Ooo

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

Many.

JOO

Many.

50

25

Many.

170

Few. 

14

Temperature

(°F.).

78

79.5

82.5

71

74

70

74

70 

70

Mean

annual

air till

temperature

(° F.).

a 57. 4

668

68

c68

68

d63.4

d64.7

764.8 

064.8

Depth

per

uegreo 

of increase 

in temperature 

(feet

to 1°).

66

43

62

129

60

109

211

Remarks.

Flow.

First flow.

May be mixed flow, 400 ami

700 feet.

"Cased to bottom ."

Sandstone 300 to 325 feet.

Saline water, Wilcox group.

a Pearlington average for 29 years.

6 Average for 26 years.

c Biloxi average.

d Average for 29 years.

e U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Taper 46, pp. 226-227,1906.

/ Average for 46 years.

g Yazoo City average for 23 years.

SUMMARY.

The rates of increase deduced in Mississippi show considerable 

variation, but this may be due, in part at least, to lack of information as to source of water, notably in the wells at Canton, Vicksburg, 

and Sartartia. If, as stated, the Scranton well draws from the 

bottom, a low rate is indicated.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Pass Christian, and Scranton wells 

are in the higher Tertiary strata of the southern part of the State. 

All these strata dip gently to south or west. The Vicksburg, Sartartia, and Canton wells are deep in the Tertiary. The Columbia 

well is in the Cretaceous.

MISSOURI.

TEMPERATURES.

About 50 well temperatures have been obtained for Missouri, 

some of them taken by Schweitzer 1 and Shepard,2 who were competent 

observers, and others by various persons who may or may not have 

obtained reliable figures. The depth from which the flows may

' Schweitzer, Paul, A report on the mineral waters of Missouri: Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3, 256 pp., 

map, 33 pis., 1892.

2 Shepard, E. M., Underground waters of Missouri; their geology and utilization: Ci, S. Geol. Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 195, 224 pp., 6 pis., 1907.
56 GEOTHEEMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

come is not indicated for some of the wells, and other wells are 

pumped. The following is a list of the more reliable data:

Temperatures in wells in Missouri.

Location.

Audrain County:

Do...................

brewery. 

Cam den County: c

Clay County: c 

Excelsior Springs, 1 mile 

north of. 

Do...................

Dunklin County: Campbell/. 

Franklin County: Sullivan c.

Henry County: Clinton fc . . . . 

Howard County:

Lewis County:

Livingston County: Uticafc.. 

Marion County: Hannibal*-. 

Montgomery County: Montgomery. 

Pike County : Louisiana w . . . .

Randolph County:

Randolph Springs ao ..... 

Rails County: Rensselaer 

station, 5 miles south of.

Depth 

(feet).

1,125

1,100

1,805

780

864

1,460 

1,327

910 

1,550

720

913 

860

1,002

908

900

850

ocn

421 

950 

600

1,275 

.508

969 

330

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

Many.

7

8

400

20

16

72

60

Few. 

208 

40

Many, 

inn

120

7

Temperature 

(°F.).

66

66

82

<;Q

63

67 

o64.4

78 

63.5

60

64 

61.5

62

65

60

61

60

59 

60

58

*64.2 

fin

!/59 

57

Mean 

annual 

air 

temperature 

(°F.).

o53.8

53.8

652.2

d56.6

56.6

«54 

54

060.5 

ft 55. 9

»54.8

J56.6 

o53.9

53.9

356.2

*52.5

52.5

52.5

"52.4 

53.1 

054

V 53. 1 

*53.5

53.5 

bb 53. 1

Temperature increase 

(feet 

to 1°).

92

on

60.5

112 

127

52 

204

138

175 

113

103

116

94

64 

138 

150

115

78

176

77

Remarks.

Do.

Pumped 150 feet. Source of water not given.

Flow from 910 feet. 

Six-inch casing to bottom where 

main flow was found.

well." i 

"Cased to bottom." m

Cased to "bottom; pumped 119i

feet. 

Flow from 870 to 900 feet.

Flow from 800 to 850 feet.

Cased 400 feet. 

Flow is from considerable depth. 

No data.

Cased 910 feet. Source of waternot given.

bottom. 

Flows; source of water not given.. 

Flows from 300 to 330 feet.

a Average for 28 years. 

b Oregon average plus 0.5°.

c U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 156, 1907. 

vol. 3, p. 99,1892. 

d Warsaw average for 13 years. 

e Liberty average for 27 years.

/ U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 102, p. 392,1904. 

g New Madrid average, 

ft Oakfleld average for 25 years. 

i Average for 29 years.

j U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 132,1907. 

* Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3, pp. 120-121,1892. 

i Warsaw average. ^ 

ro U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 118,1907. 

n Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3, pp. 141-143,1892. 

o Average for 31 years. 

P Idem, p. 138. 

q Mount Vernon average.

r U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 45,1907. 

s Keokuk average plus 0.1°.

t U. S. Ge.ol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 46,1907. 

« Kidder average. 

Fulton average.

Schweitzer, Paul, Missouri Geol. Survey,.

to Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3, pp. 94-95,1892.

x 63.5° on July 15,1903 (U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 52,1907).

V Average for 23 years.

z Brunswick average for 28 years.

oo Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 3, p. 73,1892.

66 Hannibal average for 25 years.
MISSOURI.

Temperature in ivellsin Missouri Continued.

57

Location.

St. Louis County:

St. Louis:

Asylum..............

Belcher well <=........

 

Do/. ............

Union Power Co .....

North St. Louis......

Vernon County :a

Nevada, near.............

Nevada ..................

Richards. ................

Depth 

(feet).

3,843i

2,200"

1,590

1,470

735

800

/ 869 1 1,001

650

Flow

(gallons 

per minute).

"""75"

Many.

Manv.

60

120

/Many.

Few.

Temperature

al05

73.4

69

70

63

67

62

Mean

annual

air 

temperature

6 55. 8

<*55.8

55.8

55.8

55.8

A 55

55

55

Temperature increase

(feej;

7S.1

«S5.3

102

103

118

100

93

Remarks.

Granite, etc., 3,558 to 3,843 feet.

Water from 1,515 feet; much

H2S; water-bearing sandstone

from 1,502 to 1,640 feet.

Water from 1,351 feet.

Water pumped 70 feet.

Water pumped 45 feet. Source

of water not given.

Flow from below 785 feet.

/Flow from below 785 feet; pump- 

\ ed 78 feet.

Gtissy.

a Broadhead. G. C. (St. Loin's Acad. Sci. Trans., vol. 3, p. 216, 1878), who used a registering thermora 

eter and gave temperatures of 106° at 3,127 feet; 107° at 3,129 feet; 106° at 3,264 feet; 1053 at 3,473 feet; 105°.

 4 o POO f«~4.. irvrO «j. o m\A *««4-. M\AfO n * O fi A 1 fn^t> TAClO rt 4- Q 7OQ fn.n+ rtTi/1 ins° of 9. CHfl fn/\*- r\Kc?nr^rnfl iirtfK at 3,533 feet; 105° at 3,604 feet; 104J° at 3,641 feet; 105J° at 3,728 feet; and 105° at 3,800 feet, observed with 

thermometer reading to one-fifth of 1°. .

6 Average for 44 years.

c Litten, A., Belcher & Bros, artesian well (St. Louis Acad. Sci. Trans., vol. 1, pp. 80-86, 1856-1860). . Another authority gives 2.199 feet (U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 159, 1907).

d Litten gives 55.22° as deduced from observations by Engleman for 22 years, indicating a gradient of 

1° to 83.3 feet.

e Calculated to a depth of 1,502 feet.

/ Am. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., vol. 15, p. 460,1853.

o U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 195, p. 104,1907.

ft Average for 22 years.

SUMMARY.

The data from the Missouri wells listed above appear to indicate 

considerable diversity in gradient, but doubtless some of this diversity 

is due to error, especially as to source .of water. The tests by 

Broadhead and Litten in the deep wells of St. Louis are most valuable, giving mean rates of increase of 1° in about 78 and 85 feet. 

The apparent decrease of 2° from 3,127 to 3,843 feet and some other 

inconsistent variations are difficult to explain. Some of the shallower wells appear to indicate a diminishing rate toward the surface, 

but uncertainty as to source of flow and influence of pumping may 

affect the observations. The Clinton well, which is said to.be cased 

to the bottom, indicates the surprisingly low rate of 1° in 175 feet, 

and the Sullivan well shows a .rate of 1° in 153 feet. The rates 

indicated for the Springfield well, 1° in 138 feet; the Canton well, 

1° in 132 feet; the Hahatonka well, 1° in 131 feet; and the Fayette 

well, 1° in 113 feet, are valid if, as is reported, all these wells are 

cased to or nearly to the bottom. The data from Mexico, Excelsior 

Springs, Hannibal, Louisiana, Montgomery, Moberly, and Randolph 

Springs may be defective. The relatively high rates of 1° in 52 feet 

indicated by the Campbell well and 1° in 53 feet by the Utica well
58 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

are exceptional but almost surely correct. The rate indicated by the 

St. Joseph brewery well, l°.in 60£ feet, is also regarded as reliable, 

although the source of the water is not given precisely.

GEOLOGIC EELATIONS.

The southeastern third of Missouri consists of a low dome hi the 

center of which the pre-Cambrian granites and other rocks are 

exposed in the Iron Mountain region. West of this dome, the strata 

dip west, and north of it they slope gently to the north and northwest. At Kansas City and northward the pre-Cambrian rocks are 

far below the surface. The wells included in the above list penetrate a great variety of strata, all on the north or west slopes of the 

dome. The 3,843-foot hole at St. Louis is the only one that reached 

the granite, but its water supply is derived from sandstones of 

Ordovician age. The wells at Moberly, Hannibal, Canton, Lagrange, 

Louisiana, Rensselaer, Gunters, Hahatonka, Fayette, Sullivan, 

Montgomery, Springfield, Nevada, and Richards all draw from 

sandstones in the Ordovician or Cambrian. The deep well near 

St. Joseph entered Mississippian limestones at 1,250 feet and possibly reached the St. Peter sandstone. The deep borings of Excelsior Springs are believed to draw their mineralized waters from the 

"Jefferson City limestone and base of the Pennsylvanian." 1 The 

well at Campbell, in the southeast corner of the State, penetrates 

a thick deposit of clay of the Lagrange formation (Tertiary) and 

draws from the sand of the upper part of the Ripley formation 

(Cretaceous). The well at Utica draws water from the base of 

the Cherokee shale (Pennsylvanian).

There is no evidence that the variations in rate of increase in 

temperature are related to the horizons from which the waters are 

derived, to structural features, or to proximity to the pre-Cambrian 

rocks, with the possible exception of the high rate at the Campbell 

well, which is in the Tertiary and Cretaceous. The St. Joseph and 

Utica wells which show high rates are higher in the Paleozoic succession than the wells farther east and south.

MONTANA. 

ANACONDA MINE.

In 1899 H. V. Winchell made a series of observations in the Anaconda mine, near Butte. He placed Darton thermometers in drill 

holes at various depths and left them for several days. The following, results were obtained:

i Shepard, E. M., op. cit., p. 58.
MONTANA. 59

Temperature at different depths in the Anaconda mine, near Butte, Mont.

200-foot level... ..........................................................

800-foot level .............................................................

Altitude 

(feet).

5,877

5,673

5.471

5,271

5,081

4,477

Temperature 

( F.).

45.8

49.5

51.4

69.8

62.0

74.3

Depth

per

degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet).o

53.0

53. 0

63.8

28.8

50.0

49.2

o Based on mean annual air temperature of 42°, average for 21 years at Butte.

The reading at a depth of 800 feet is abnormally high, probably 

on account of some local, condition. The rates of increase indicated 

between various depths are as follows: 200 to 1,600 feet, 1° in 49.8 

feet; 400 to 1,000 feet, 1° in 48.2 feet; 400 to 1,600 feet, 1° in 48.5 feet; 

600 to 1,600 feet, 1° in 43.6 feet; 1,000 to 1,600 feet, 1° in 48.8 feet. 

S. F. Emmons made an additional observation in the Gagnon mine 

1,550 feet below the surface. The Darton thermometer was placed 

in a 3-foot drill hole and read 79° after 48 hours and 79^° after 7 

days. As the mean annual temperature here is 42° the rate indicated 

is l°in 41.7 feet. This mine is the nearest one to the latest rhyolite 

eruption.

MILES CITY.

The flow from a 456-foot well in Miles City, Ouster County, is 

reported l to have a temperature of 57°. Its volume is 5 gallons a 

minute and its pressure 7 pounds. Flows were also found at 300 

and 390 feet, but presumably they are cased off. The mean annual 

air temperature at this place is 44.1° (average for 39 years), or 12.9° 

less than the temperature of the flow^ a difference indicating a rate 

of increase of 1° in 35.3 feet.

LITTLE BITTERROOT VALLEY.

Meinze*r 2 has given some data on temperature in artesian wells in 

Little Bitterroot Valley.

' Nettleton, E. S., Final report on artesian and underflow investigations, pt. 2: 52d Cong., 1st sess., S. 

Ex. Doc. 41, pt. 2.

s Meinzer, O. E., Artesian water for irrigation in Little Bitterroot Valley, Mont.: U. S. Cool. Survey. 

Water-Supply Paper 400, pp. 9-37, map, 1916.
60 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Temperatures in artesian wells in Little Bitterroot Valley, T. 22 N., R. 23 W., Mont.

Location.

NW.Jscc. 18....................................... ...........

SE. J sec. 20. ...................................................

SE. Jsec. 20.. ..................................................

N W. J sec. 29 ..................................................

SW. i sec. 29. ..................................................

 SW.Jsec. 29.. .................................................

Depth 

(feet).

267

232

232

244

260

274

Flow 

(gallons 

per

minute).

14

365

400

245

85

25

Temperature

( * ).

91

78

6120

99

92J

Depth per

degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet). a

5.6

8.3

6.7

3.2 i.'f

5.6

n Calculated from average of mean annual air temperature at Plains and Kalispell, 43.4° plus 0.2°. 

b Reported to have been 126° three years before; the volume of flow has also diminished.

The temperatures of flow from wells 52, 82, and 90 feet deep were 

57£°, 53°, and 59^°, respectively, and flows from two of the deeper 

wells had low temperatures. Water in a 94-foot dug well at Lone Pine 

post office had a temperature of 52£°. The water occurs in a bed of 

sand and gravel underlying a thick mass of silt supposed to have been 

deposited by a lake. Meinzer suggests that the variations in temperature in these wells, which are all near together, probably indicates 

that the warmer water comes in part from some deeper source. The 

Camas Hot Springs are in the northwest corner of sec. 3, T. 21 N., 

R. 24 W.

NEBRASKA.

TEMPERATURES.

The well temperatures in Nebraska listed below, except the observations at Lincoln and Omaha, were obtained by G. E. Condra in a 

reconnaissance of the" counties in the northeast corner of the State.1 

These data are not only very important in themselves but they 

extend the area of close observation in eastern South Dakota described 

in subsequent pages.

1 Condra, G. E., Geology and water resources of a portion of the Missouri Eiver valley in northeastern 

Nebraska: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 215,1908.
NEBRASKA. 61

Temperatures in wells in Nebraska.

Location.

Boyd County:

Cedar County: 

Sec. 17, T. 33, N.I W....

Sec. 17, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 16, T. 33, N.I W.... 

.Sec. 10, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 16, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 9, T. 33, N. 1W..... 

Sec. 10, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 12, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 12, T. 33, N.I W.... 

Sec. 8, T. 33, N.I E......

Sec. 17, T. 33, N.I E..... 

Sec. 10, T. 33, N.I E..... 

Sec. 17, T. 33, N.I E..... 

Sec.22,T.33,N.lE..... 

Sec. 24, T. 33, N.I E..... 

Sec. 30, T. 33, N.I E..... 

Sec.34,T.33,N.2E..... 

Sec. 28, T. 33.N. 2E..... 

Sec. 5, T. 32, N. 2E......

Sec. 10, T. 32.N. 2E.....

Sec. 8, T. 32, N. 2E......

Sec. 10, T. 32, N.2E..... 

Sec.lO,T.32,N.2E..... 

Sec. 10, T. 32,N.2E..... 

Sec. 12, T. 32, N.2E..... 

Sec. 14, T. 32, N.2E..... 

Sec. 15, T. 32,N.2E..... 

Sec. 11,T.32,N.2E..... 

Sec. 11, T. 32,N.2E..... 

Sec. 13, T.32.N.2E..... 

Sec. 24, T. 32, N.2E..... 

Sec. 25, T. 32.N.2E..... 

Sec. 14, T. 32, N. 2E..... 

Sec.7,T. 32,V. 3E......

Sec. 8,T. 32, N. 3E......

Sec. 8, T.32, N. 3 E......

finp Q T 39 M 3 V,

Sec. 15, T. 32, N. 3E..... 

Sec. 15, T. 32, R.3E..... 

Sec. 15, T. 32, E. 3E..... 

Sec. 16, T. 32, R. 3E..... 

Sec. 12, T. 32, E. 3E..... 

Scc.21,T.32,E.3E.....

Sec. 21, T. 32, B.3E..... 

Sec. 16, T. 32, E. 3E..... 

Sec. 7, T. 32. E. 3E...... 

Sec. 21, T.32, E. 3E..... 

Sec. 21, T. 32, E.3E.... 

Sec.l4,T.32,E.3E.... 

Sec. 12, T.32. E. 3 E..... 

Sec. 23. T.32, E. 3 E.... 

Sec. 11, T.32, E. 3 E.... 

Sec. 24, T. 32, E. 3 E. ... 

Sec. 24, T.32, E. 3 E....

Sec. 24, T.32, E. 3 E.... 

Dixon County: 

Sec. 19, T.32, E. 4 E.... 

Scc.l9,T.32,E.4E.... 

Sec.29,T.32,E.4E.... 

Sec. 29, T.32, E. 4 E.... 

Sec. 28, T.32, E. 4 E.... 

Sec. 28, T.32, E. 4 E.... 

Sec. 28, T.32, E. 4 E.... 

Sec. 34, T.32. E. 4E.... 

Sec. 28, T.32, E. 5 E.... 

Sec. 32, T.32, E. 5 E.... 

Sec. 32, T.32, E. 5E....

Depth 

(feet).

797 

923

500

365 

400 

400 

400 

400 

400 

400 

380 

360 

420 

360 

454 

500 

350 

530 

280 

420 

500

530 

241 

400 

360 

300 

400 

320 

417 

300 

400 

300 

340 

520 

400 

400 

300 

280 

305 

310 

240 

270 

310

340 

400 

300 

327 

310 

270 

250 

530 

245 

280

340

300 

300 

280 

280 

290 

277 

177 

300 

265 

265 

400

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

min- . 

ute).

405 

Many.

26 

Many. 

7 

7 

7 

15 

7 

44 

52

5J

15-20

30

4

2

11 

1

9

li

7 

Several. 

3 

4 

8 

3 

1 

5

3 

20 

8 

12 

11

2

2 

 2 

1

1

3 

3

Temperature 

(T.).

79J 

90

59

59J 

59* 

60 

58! 

' 58! 

59 

59*. 

60 

59*. 

59 

58 

58i 

62 

00 

03 

00 

60! 

01 

CO! 

60! 

60 

60 

59 

59 

GO 

59 

58 

58*. 

59 

59 

58 

62! 

01 

00| 

58J 

59 

57 

60 

58 

58J 

59! 

59! 

59 

59! 

59 

55! 

55 

59i 

57 

59 

57! 

59 

63! 

60

61 

61 

61 

60! 

601 

60} 

59 

58 

61 

55 

54

Mean 

annual 

air 

temperature 

(°F.).

47.9. 

47.9

a46.5

46.5 

40.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

40.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

40.5 

40.5 

46.5 

40.5 

40.5 

40.5 

40.5 

40.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

40.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

40.5 

40.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5 

46.5

048.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3 

48.3

Depth 

per 

degree of increase 

n temperature 

(feet).

23.1 

20.8

28.0 

30.8 

29.6 

33.3 

33.3 

32.0 

30.8 

28.1 

27.7 

18.7 

31.2 

37.8 

32.2 

25.9 

32.1 

20.7 

30.0 

34.4

37.8 

17.9 

29.6 

28.8 

24.0 

29.5 

25.6 

36.2 

25.0 

32.0 

24.0 

29.6 

32.5 

27.6 

28.5 

25 

22.4 

34.8 

22.9 

20.9 

22.5 

23.8

27.2 

30.8 

24 

36.3 

36.5 

21.2 

23.8 

42.4 

22.3 

22.4

25.2

23.6 

23.6 

22.0 

22.9 

24.1 

22.1 

16.5 

30.9 

20.9 

39.6 

70.0

Remarks.

Flow 761 to 797 feet. 

Third flow from 875 feet.

Flow probably in part from 400 

feet. 

Flow at 337 feet.

o Yankton, S. Dak., average for 43 years. 

i> Vermilion, S. Dak., average for 10 years.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in Nebraska Continued.

Location.

Douglas County: 

Omaha. . /...............

Do...................

Jefferson County: Sec. 4, T.

2 N., R. 2 E.

Knox Countv:

Sec. 18, t. 33, R. 8W.

Sec. 29, T. 31. R. 6W.

Niobrara, mill ........

Niobrara packing house 

Sec. 12, T. 32, R. 6W.

Sec. 13, T.33, R. 5 W.

Sec. 16. T.33, R. 3 W.

Sec. 15, T.33, R. 3 W.

Sec. 13, T.33, R. 3 W.

Sec. 19, T.33, R. 3 W.

Sec. 20, T.33. R. 3 W.

Sec. 17, T.33, R. 2 W.

Sec. 20, T. 33, R. 2 W. 

Sec. 16, T.33, R. 2W.

Sec. 15, T.33, R. 2W.

Sec. 15, T.33, R. 2W.

Lancaster County: Lincoln

Salt Lake.

Depth 

(feet).

650-800

500

770

770

656

600

548

740

400

400

504

550

650

400

600 

' 400

403

425

2, 4fi3

Flow (gallons 

per minute).

Many.

Many.

Several.

Several.

14

1,900

280 

240

900

8

Few.

2

10

30

25J

Few 

11

14

14

Many.

Temperature 

(°F.).

58-62

58

70

70

744

68

66 

65

64

62

61

63

62" 63*

624

62 

62

59J

61

60.7

Mean

annual 

air 

temperature

50

651.9

c48. 1

48.1

48. 1

4&1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

48.1

«50. 1

Depth

per

degree of increase 

in temperature

(feet).

83

27.7

33.8

29.2

32 9

33.' 5 

32.4

<* 37. 5

28.8

31.0

33.9

35.7

46.8

27.8

43.2

28.8

35.4

32.9

/57

Remarks.

Many wells; large flows.

Third flow at 740 feet.

Main flow at 520 feet.

Water at 600 feet.

Flowprobably from near 400 feet.

Main flow from 600 feet. Saline

water. Smal ler flow from 828

feet. Test by 0. A. Fisher,

18DS.

o Average for 46 years.

6 Fairburv average for 21 years.

c Santee Agency average.'

d Calculated to 600 feet. 

< Average for 33 years. 

/ Calculated to 600 feet.

SUMMARY.

The rates of increase indicated at Lincoln and Omaha are moderate 

and apparently are fairly close approximations. The many records 

of flowing wells in the lowlands along Missouri River in Boyd, Cedar, 

Dixon, and Knox counties all show high rates and in general are 

closely accordant. From these records lines in Plate I, showing 

relations to the South Dakota area, have been drawn. Most of the 

records show rates of increase of 1° in 22 to 30 feet, and there is a 

.notably warm spot in the area southwest of Vermilion. Possibly 

some higher temperatures in some of the shallower wells are due to 

waters rising from lower beds, and it may be that all the high temperatures are due to this cause, if this area is a zone of permeable 

strata in which such a rise would be possible.

GEOLOGIC EELATIONS.

The many artesian wells in Cedar, Knox, Dixon, and Boyd counties draw their water from the Dakota sandstone, which underlies 

shales of Ben ton age-and lies on Paleozoic limestone and possibly in 

part also in pre-Cambrian rocks. The beds are nearly horizontal
NEVADA. 63

and apparently have no local disturbances or notable stratigraphic 

differences, so that no suggestions can be offered to account for the 

variations of gradient in relation to the geology. The Omaha wells 

penetrate deeply into Paleozoic limestone that lie n,early horizontal. 

The deep boring at Lincoln passed through very slightly tilted 

Paleozoic limestones and sandstones and reached quartzite that is 

supposed to be of pre-Cambrian age.

NEVADA.

COMSTOCK LODE.

The high temperatures in the deep workings of the Comstock lode 

near Virginia City are well known through the extended investigations of G. F/Becker.1 The temperature at a depth of 3,100 feet 

was found to be 170°, indicating a rate of increase of 1° in 28 feet, 

and an elaborate series of temperature determinations in drill holes 

at various depths gave an average rate of 1° in 33 feet. The rate 

decreases horizontally away from the lode. It is believed that the 

high rate in the Comstock lode indicates the presence of hot volcanic 

material a few miles underground, and that ascending water is the 

mportant factor in the transportation of the heat. As a 1 arge number of data are presented, the reader interested in details should 

consult the monograph cited, also a critical review by Locke.2

TONOPAH.

Leon Dominiau made measurements of underground temperatures 

in the Mizpah Extension, Ohio Tonopah, and Montana Tonopah 

shafts at Tonopah.3 These shafts had very limited side workings 

and no complete ventilation. The thermometers were placed in 

shallow drill holes. The following results were obtained:

Temperatures (° F.) in mines at Tonopah, Nev.

Depth 

(feet).

100......

200......

300......

317......

400......

460......

Mizpah 

extension.

60}

61J

64

66*

Ohio Tonopah.

60

61

62J

64

Montana Tonopah.

64

68

Depth 

(feet).

500. ....

600.

700. ....

766.....

780. ....

Mizpah 

extension.

69

701

72

73J

Ohio Tonopah.

66t 69"

74

78

Montana Tonopah.

70i

The rate of increase from 100 to 780 feet in the Mizpah extension is 

1° in 51.3 feet; from 100 to 760 feet in the Ohio Tonopah, 1° in 37 

feet; from 317 to 600 feet in the Montana Tonopah 1° in 43.5 feet.

1 Geology of tho Comstock lode and the Washoe district: U. S. Geol. Survey Mon. 3, pp. 228-265, 18S2.

? Locke, Augustus, The abnormal temperatures on the Comstock lode: Econ. Geology, vol. 7, pp. 583- 

587, 1912.

3 Spurr, J. E., Geology of the Tonopah mining district, Nov.: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. 1'c.per 42, pp. 

263-265, 1905.
64 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

From 400 to 780 feet in the Mizpah it is 1° in 54.3 feet, and from 400 to 

766 feet in the Ohio it is 1 ° in 26.1 feet. Spurr in comparing the Tonopah and Comstock data points out the fact that the temperature at 

766 feet in the Ohio Tonopah was found in the Comstock at 900 feet, 

and he suggests that the increased rate toward the bottom may be 

due to proximity to a "local heat focus, such as a hot spring." The 

lack of a record of mean annual air temperature at Tonopah makes 

it difficult to compute the gradient. The average given by the 

Weather Bureau for 1916 is 48.9°. The temperature of 60° at a depth 

of 100 feet therefore shows a rapid increase in the upper part of 

the mine.

NEW JERSEY.

TEMPERATURES.

Records have been made of temperatures of flows of some of the 

many artesian wells along the seashore in southern New Jersey. 

The more useful ones are given in the following table:

Temperature in wells on coast of southern New Jersey.

Location.

Sea Girt.. ..................

Do/... .................

Total 

depth 

(feet).

448

813

803

420

408

755

655

1,244

Flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

20

105

180

40

50

300

10

Temperature 

(°F.).

60

66

66

60

60

65

63

67

annual 

air temperature

(°F.).

651.9

c52.4

C52.4

dol.9

52.1

e52

053.6

053.6

Depth

per degree of 

increase intemture

(feet).

55

59

59

52

51

58

69

ft 88

Remarks.

.

Water also at 570 and 694 feetSmall flows at 625, 750, and 843

feet and salt water at 1,185 feet;

probably some mixing of

flows.

a New Jersey Geol. Survey Ann. Rept. for 1895, pp. 72-74,1896.

6 Average for 27 years.

c Average for 43 years.

d Asbury Park average.

« Asbury Park average plus 0.1°.

/ New Jersey Geol. Survey Ann. Kept, for 1894, pp. 155-170,1895.

a Cape May 32-year average minus 0.1°.

A Calculated to 1,185 feet.

All but the deep well at Wildwood are believed to get their flow 

from the bottom, so that they give a reliable indication of the rate 

of increase if the temperatures are correct.

Water from a 615-foot pumped well at Newark, yielding 50 gallons 

a minute, is reported to have a temperature of 55-|°, * but the temperature may be modified by pumping. Mudge 2 mentions a 394-foot well 

at New Brunswick in which the rate of increase was found to be 1° in 

72 feet.

i Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol. 30, p. 162,1885. 

* Kansas Acad. Sci. Trans., 1877-78, p. 50,1879.
NEW MEXICO. 65

SUMMARY.

The wells on the coast of New Jersey from Asbury Park to Wildwood show rates of increase that seem closely accordant when the 

possible plus and minus is considered. In general there is an increase 

to the south from 1° in 55.3 and 52 feet at Asbury Park and Ocean 

Grove to 1° in 59 feet at Atlantic City and Longport and 1° in 69 feet 

in the 655-foot well at Wildwood.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

All these wells draw their water from sands in the Coastal Plain 

sedimentary series,1 which dips gently to the east and lies on a platform of pre-Cambrian crystalline rocks. The Asbury Park, Ocean 

City, and Sea Girt wells draw from sands in the Miocene. It would 

appear from these facts that there may be a lower rate in the higher 

beds, but the data are not sufficiently numerous or reliable to prove it.

NEW MEXICO.

Temperature determinations were made by W. T. Lee in September, 1905, in the well at Sandia siding, on the Atchisori, Topeka & 

Santa Fe Railway, 11^ miles southwest of Isleta. A deep-well thermometer was used, with precautions to obtain accurate data. The 

water stood at a depth of 445 feet in the boring, which was 843 feet 

deep and penetrated Cretaceous shale and sandstone, overlain by 

sand of the Tertiary Santa Fe formation at the edge of the sheet of 

recent lava which covers the plateau to the north and east. The 

following. results were obtained:

Temperatures at different depths in well at Sandia siding, N. Mex.

543 feet........................... 72.1

443 feet........................... 71.7

843 feet............................ 78.1

743 feet........................... 76. V

643 feet........................... 75. 6

If 54.5°, the mean annual air temperature at Los Lunas (average 

for 27 years), which is at.about the same latitude, although 400 feet 

lower, is taken as a standard, the rates of increase indicated by these 

results are as follows:

Depth per degree of increase in temperature in well at Sandia siding, N. Mex.

Feet.

Surface to 843 feet.................. 35}

Surface to 743 feet.................. 35

Surface to 643 feet.................. 30}

Surface to 543 feet.................. 31

Feet.

Surface to 443 feet.................. 25}

443 to 843 feet..................... 62}

643 to 843 feet..................... 80

443 to 643 feet..................... 51

The variability, especially in the amount of change from depth to 

depth as taken, may be due to convection, but the rate at the bottom 

is doubtless near the true one.

1 Barton, N: H., Artesian prospects in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 138, 

pi. 3,18&6.

137163° 20 Bull. 701 5
66 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

NORTH CAROLINA.

No significant well temperatures have been reported from North 

Carolina. The water flowing from the 985-foot well at Wilmington 

has a temperature of 70°, or about 7° higher than the mean annual 

air temperature, but the flows mingle from depths of 379, 496, 578, 

608, 734, and 985 feet.

NORTH DAKOTA.

Nettleton l has given temperatures of flows of several wells in 

North Dakota. The determinations were probably made with care, 

and as the flows come from the bottoms of the wells and most of 

them are of large volume the data give a close approximation of the 

rate of increase.

Temperatures in deep wells in North Dakota.

Devils Lake. ...............

Ellendale..................

Grafton.. ..................

Tower City ................

Buffalo, 2£ miles northwest

of.

Buffalo, 6 miles northeast of.

Depth (feet).

1,431-1,520"

1,042-1,087

390

l,458-l'476

937

716

600

514

Flow 

(gallons 

per

ute).

82

700

700

Few.

460

817

25

12

25

Temperature

(°F.).

62

69

46

76

62

57

52

51J

Mean 

annual 

air temperature

o36.4

640.4

cJ35.2

«39.6

«40.9

/39.6

39.6

39.6

Depth

per degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet).

56 '

43

199

40

41

48

43

Remarks.

870 feet.

a Average for 12 years.

6 Fullerton average for 19 years plus 0.4°.

c Average for 25 years.

<J Pembina average for 37 years. 

« Average at Forrnan for 25 years. 

/ Average at Jamestown for 25 years.

These borings are in Cretaceous shale and obtain water from the 

Dakota sandstone, which lies on or not far above the pre-Canabrian 

basement. The data from the Hamilton well are doubtless inaccurate 

as to the depth from whicn the water comes, or there is a chilling of 

the small flow near the surface.

OHIO.

FINDLAY.

The most important data on underground temperature in Ohio are 

the measurements in the 2,980-foot hole at Findlay by John Johnson.2 

The hole, which was a test for oil or gas, began in the Niagara limestone and continued through older Silurian, Ordovician, and Cam1 Nettleton, E. S., Final report on artesian and underflow investigations, pt. 2: 52d Gong., 1st sess., S. 

Ex. Doc. 41, pt. 2,1892.

* Johnson, John, Note on the temperature In the deep boring at Findlay, Ohio: Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., 

vol. 36, pp. 131-144, 1913; Econ. Geology, vol. 11, pp. 745-748, 1916.
OHIO. 67

brian shale, limestone, and sandstone to pre-Cambrian granite, which 

was penetrated 210 feet. 1 The strata have a very low dip. Johnson 

used six thermometers, accurately calibrated and sunk in groups of 

three in a special cage to prevent jarring. The principal results were 

as follows (averages):

Temperatures at different depths in hole at Findlay, Ohio.

550feet......................:.... 55.6

770feet........................... 58.1

1,165 feet........................ 67.0

1,900 feet........................ 72. 5

F.

2,650 feet........................ 77.9

2,800 feet........................ 79.7

3,000 feet........................ 82.1

Some gas coming from beds at a depth of 770 feet probably vitiated 

the readings in that vicinity. Readings after 18 hours continuously 

at 100 feet gave 51.8°, which is 1.4° higher than the mean average 

air temperature from 27 years' observations by the United States 

Weather Bureau. The figures given by Johnson indicate rates of 

increase as follows:

Feet.

1,165 to 3,000 feet................ 121

1,900 to 3,000 feet...............

Depth per degree of increase in temperature in hole at Findlay, Ohio.

Feet. 

100 to 3,000 feet.................... 95

550 to 3,000 feet.'................... 92

MISCELLANEOUS WELLS.

Several other wells in Ohio give the following data as to rate of 

increase:

Temperatures in wells in Ohio.

Location.

Cuyahoga County: Cleveland . . 

Franklin County:

Hamilton County:

Do....................

Do....................

Do....................

Richland County:

Depth 

(feet).

535 

&2,775i

2,575

1,360

1. 475

1,960

2,408

f 3,020 

< 2,800

1 1,400

Temperature

54 

91

88

60

61

63

62

92.8 

90.6

71.2

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

o49.3 

c52.1

52.1

54.3

54.3

54.3

749.4

Depth 

per degree 

of increase in temperature 

(feet).

114 

71

87

88

68

64

Remarks.

With Walferdin thermometer

down, 25 hours.

Cased to 916 feet.

D. Sykcs.

o Average for 46 years. 

6 Geology of Ohio, vol. 1, p. 113; Am. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., vol. 27, p. 276,1859.

c Average for 39 years.

d Wormley, T. E., Am. Jour. Sci.. 2d ser., vol. 30, p. 306, 1860.

« U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 259, pp. 122-123, 1912.

/ Bucyrus average for 23 years minus 0.3°.

a Ohio Geol. Survey Rept., vol. 6, pp. 302-303,1888.

i Record given by Condit, D. D., Deep wells at Findlay, Ohio: Am. Jour. Sci., 4th ser., vol. 36, pp. 

123-130,1913.
68 GEOTHEBMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Cleveland well is pumped and the water in whole or part may 

come from higher beds. Temperatures were taken in the bottom 

of the old Columbus well and at 3,020, 2,800, and 1,400 feet in the 

Plymouth well. In the Plymouth well the rate of increase from 

1,400 to 2,800 feet is 1° iii 76.2 feet, and from 1,400 to 3,020 feet 1° 

in 70.5 feet. The strata in all these holes are limestones, sandstones, 

and shales dipping at; low angles. The Columbus and Plymouth wells 

penetrated to a horizon low in the Ordovician. The Cleveland hole 

was sunk for water in sandstone of Devonian age.

OKLAHOMA.

TEMPERATUBES.

A series of careful observations in wells and borings at several 

points in Oklahoma were made in 1906 by E. G. Woodruff, who used 

maximum thermometers lent by the Weather Bureau and lowered 

them to the depths given in the table. The following are the results:

Temperatures in deep wells in Oklahoma.

. Location.

Cleveland County:

Do....................

Kay County: Newkirk, 9 miles 

southeast of.

Logan County: Meridian ...... 

Muskogee County:

Do....................

Noble County: Perry, 1 mile 

east of. 

Pawnee County:

Do....................

Ralston, l mile west of. ....

Pittsburg County: McAlester, 2 

miles northwest of. 

Tulsa County: 

Red Fork, 2 miles northeast of. sec. 14.

Wagoner County: Wagoner.... 

Washington County:

Owen, 2 miles northeast of. 

Ramona, 5 miles west of. . .

Depth 

(feet).

407

240

760 

525

2,200 

. 1,020

410

500 

1,650

1,625

2,350

2

cnn

540

705 

1,170

1,010 

1,100

1,275 

1,700

Temperature 

(°F.).

65.0

62.5

76.0 

63.0

82.0 

84.0

'67.0

68.0 

107

107

128 

124

73

78 

98

78 

86 .

84 

103

Mean 

annual 

air temperature 

(°F.).

60.5

fin s

58.7 

o60.4

660.3 

c60.4

60.4

<*59.0 

«59.2

59.2

/59.2 

59 1

063

A 60.3 

fin ?

<60.3

i t& 9

*50 

59.4

Depth 

per degree 

ofincrease 

in temperature 

(feet).

90i

120

44 

202

lOli 

43

62

55J 

34£

34

34 

38.5

54

40 

31

57 

41

51 

39

Remarks.

Old well, plugged.

Gas well, 970 feet deep. Salt 

water.

Boring in progress. 

Old oil well.

Do.

Old boring.

In progress.

In coal, diamond drill, stopped 

17 hours before test.

Abandoned hole full of salt 

water; some gas.

only for test. 

Small salty flow. Temperature 68°.

Oil well; tubing just with 

drawn. 

Do.

a Guthrie average for 24 years plus 0.1°

6 Guthrie average.

c Average for 18 years.

d Average for 10 years.

e Average for 14 years.

/ Stillwater average for 24 years.

a Average for 12 years.

ft Tulsa average for 13 years.

* Average for 20 years.

i Pawhuska average plus 0.1°.

* Pawhuska average minus 0.1° 

' Pawhuska average plus 0.3°.
PENNSYLVANIA. 69

SUMMARY.

All the borings tested are in the northeastern part of the State 

except the one at McAlester, which is considerably south of the 

others. The results show a considerable range in the geothermal 

gradient, but exclusive of the pumping well at Norman, the old hole 

at Fallis, and the deep boring at Meridian the rate of increase is 1 ° in 

34 to 62 feet. The boring at Meridian was in progress and may 

have been chilled by the pumping of cool surface water to remove the 

drillings. All the conditions in the Fallis well are not known, but 

they appeared to be favorable for a reliable test. For many "of the 

localities there is some uncertainty as to the mean annual air temperature, which had to be approximated from stations at some distance. The holes in Pawnee and Tulsa counties and at Yale and 

Rampna, which show rates of 1° in 30 to 40 feet, appear to be consistent in indicating a high rate of increase for at least a portion of 

the central-northeastern part of the State.

, GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The borings all penetrate limestone and shale of Carboniferous age, 

which dip at a low angle to the west and southwest. There are no 

notable local disturbances and no igneous rocks, and the pre-Cambrian rocks lie far below the surface.

PENNSYLVANIA.

ANTHRACITE REGION.

In 1909 to 1911 I made a series of careful determinations of underground temperatures in the anthracite coal fields. Thermometers 

were sunk in bore holes and in several places buried for a while in 

holes in remote chambers in coal mines. The following results were 

obtained:

Temperatures in coal mines in anthracite region of Pennsylvania.

Location.

Scranton, Pine Brook mine....

Throop, 1 mile northeast of. ....

Storrs mine, gangway, l.C Big 

bed.

Sloan mine, lowest Dunmore

bed.

Wood ward mine, gangway No.

O l*j.

South Wilkes-Barre, mine, 9

slope, Baltimore bed.

Depth 

(feet).

960

540

776

580

1,200

1,300

Temperature

(

o a.). T? \

59.5

53.5

60.0

64.5

61.0

64.0

Mean

annual 

temperature

f<> 1? \

(. * ) 

"49.3

49.3

49.3

49.3

649.8

49.8

Depth per

degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet) .

94

129

72£

38

107

9U

Remarks.

Borehole 670 feet deep in mine,

290 feet below surface. Water

flows. Boring suspended 18

hours.

Drilling finished 24hours.

Old boring 405 feet deep in mine 

371 feet oelow ground.

In new chamber in a 6-foot hole

bored in coal the day before.

6-foot hole in coal; no ventilation.

6-foot hole in coal ; some ventilation.

a Average for 16 years. t> Scranton average plus 0.50°
70 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperature in coal mines in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania Continued.

Location.

Dorrance mine.................

Auchincloss mine, foot of No. 3 

slope, No. 1 shaft. 

Lackawanna & Western Coal 

Co., southwest of WilkesBarre:

. B ore hole, Colliery 21 ......

Glen Lyon drill hole near..

Pottsville, Pottsville shaft, 2 

miles north of. 

Newkirk. 1 mile north of ......

Minersville, near, Lehigh Valley Co. 

Do.........................

Mount Carmel, flowing well. . . .

Mount Carmel, 2 miles east of . . 

Lofty, £ mile east of ...........

Depth 

(feet).

479

1,283 

880

843

1,030

1,598

1,596 

1,090

620 

630

1,125

1,125

1,125

 1,300 

680

1,850

41 1

Temperature 

(° F.).

63.5

64.2 

56.5

56.0

61.5

61.5

61.8 

59.5

54.0 

Mo

56.3

<\fi z,

<*54

55.0 

<»51

60.5

is n

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

( e F.).

49.8

o49.9 

650

50

50

50

C48.3 

48.3

48.3 

48.3

48.3

48.3

48.3

48.3 

'e47.0

/49.3

40 ^

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

35

90 

13<;1

140£

89£

130

118 

90

109 

110

141

137

197

194 

170

165

113

Remarks.

360-foot hole in old Baltimore

workings, 119 feet below 

ground. 

Old 115-foot hole from Ross bed 

to Red Ash bed.

Full of water.

Do.

Do.

Full of water. Thermometer 

down on Jan. 12, 1911, for 24 

hours. Old hole. 

Shatt full of water.

Old drill hole in coal me'asures.

Old bore hole with flow of water 

at temperature 51° F. 

Old bore hole containing water.

Boring in progress; stopped 12

hours. 

Same hole; another thermometer. Main flow from 1,125 feet. 

Some at 650 feet (end of casing). Air lift to depth of 300 

feet but not working at time 

of test. 

Old hole. 2,060 feet deep but 

blocked at 1,300 feet. 

1,100-foot boring blocked at 680

feet.

1:850 feet below ground. 

Old drill hole, full of water.

a Scranton average plus 0.60°.

6 Scranton average plus 0.7°.

c Gordon average for 13 years.

d By two thermometers.

« Approximate altitude is 1,500 feet. Mean annual may be much lower than 47°.

/ Gordon average plus 0.1°.

An 1,800-foot diamond-drill hole bored horizontally in the coal 

measures by the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co. in the Huntet 

tunnel, near Ashland, in Schuylkill County, found a 150-gallon flow 

of water with a temperature of 54°, or about 4° above the mean 

annual air temperature. A similar hole on Potts Run near Mahanoy 

City, in the same county, found a 200-gallon flow with a' temperature 

of 51°, but the depth below the surface is not stated.

Except those in the holes in coal in the Dorrance and Sloan mines 

the rates of increase are remarkably low. The reasons for the differences in the others, however, are not apparent. In the holes near 

Scranton and Wilkes-Barre the strata are in a wide syncline with 

gentle dips and with a few local crenulations. In the Auchincloss 

mine the beds are highly tilted and faulted. The test in this mine 

was made in a 115-foot hole in one of the lower chambers, through 

which passes a ventilating current. The Glen Lyon hole and the 

Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Co. bore holes are in steeply tilted strata.
PENNSYLVANIA. 71

The Pottsville shaft was an abandoned shaft at a mine that had been 

full of water for several years. This and the remaining observations 

in the table were made in the southern anthracite basin, where the 

strata lie in a deep syncline with rather steep dips on the sides.

WEST ELIZABETH.

A well 5,386 feet deep has been put down on Peters Creek about 2£ 

miles west of West Elizabeth and about 12 miles south-southeast 

of Pittsburgh. The rocks are nearly horizontal and comprise strata 

from those not far below the Pittsburgh coal bed to those near the base 

of the Devonian. Temperatures in this well were taken by William 

Hallock1 in 1897, by lowering four thermometers to a depth of 5,000 

feet and leaving them suspended for 16 hours. The reading waa 

120.9°, an increase of 68.2° over the mean annual air temperature at 

Pittsburgh for 46 years (52.7°), which indicates a rate of 1° to 73.3 

feet. A reading at 2,350 feet gave about 78°, indicating a somewhat 

higher rate, but this observation was not considered satisfactory.

MCDONALD.

Some preliminary information regarding a 6,975-foot hole 4 miles 

northwest of McDonald, 15 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, has been 

given by I. C. White and C. E. Van Orstrand.2 Until recently this 

was the deepest hole in the United States. Precise determinations 

of temperature have been made by C. E. Van Orstrand, some of 

which are as follows:

100 feet.......................... 57.0

350 feet.......................... 59. 2

1,100 feet................ -........ 64.4

2,100 feet............."............ 76.3

2,600 feet......................... 82.4

3,100 feet......................... 88. 2

3,600 feet......................... 96. 8

4,100 feet......................... 104.4

4,600 feet......................... 110.5

5,100 feet......................... 121.1

5,600 feet......................... 133.3

6,000 feet......................... 140.0

6,600 feet......................... 144,1

6,775 feet......................... 145.8

6,975 feet......................... 144.9

The rates of increase indicated by some of these figures are as 

follows:

Feet per degree F. 

100 to 6,775 feet.................. 75. 2

100 to 6,600 feet.................. 75. 8

100 to 5,600 feet.................. 72.1

1,100 to 6,775 feet................. 69. 7

Feet per degree F. 

3,100.to 6,775feet................. 63.8

4,100 to 6,775 feet................. 64. 6

5,100 to 6,775 feet................. 67. 7

1 Hallock, WilUam, Subterranean temperatures at Wheeling, W. Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa.: School of 

Mines Quart., vol. 18, pp. 151-153,1897.

8 White, I. C., Discussion of the records of some very deep wells in the Appalachian oil fields of 

Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia; West Virginia: Geol. Survey, Barbour and Upshur counties, pp. 

xxv-lxv, 5 pis. (incl. maps), 1918.
72 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

White1 has given five readings in this well accredited to Dr. Hallock:

Temperatures at different depths in hole near McDonald, Pa.

525 feet... 

2,252 feet. 

2,397 feet.

57

64

78

5,010 feet......................... 120

5,380 feet......................... 127

The rate indicated by the temperature at 5,380 feet is 1° in 

feet, calculated from the mean annual air temperature at Pittsburgh, 

52.7°; the difference from 525 to 5,380 feet is 1° in about 69 feet.

Mr. C. E. Van Orstrand 2 found that the temperature was 142° at a 

depth of 6,100 feet. With a temperature of about 55° at 100 feet 

the rate of increase is 1 ° in about 70 feet.

PITTSBURGH.

An 1,826-foot hole at the American Iron & Steel Works in the 

24th ward in Pittsburgh found a strong flow of water at 1,535 to 

1,606 feet with a temperature of 68°, 3 which indicates a rate of 1° in 

about 100 feet. The water was somewhat gassy.

HOMEWOOD.

In the Dillworth well at Homewood a series of six tests was made 

with the following results: 4

Temperatures in Dillworth well, Homewood, Pa.

Depth

(feet).

3,600

3,710

3,920

4,002

4,215

4,295

Temperature (°F.).

96

89

102 '

108

111

114

Depth per 

degree of 

increase

in temperature

(feet).

83

79J

m72

70

The tests were of only five to ten minutes duration, but exclusive 

of the reading at 3,710 feet, where the temperature was probably 

lowered by gas, the rate appears to be reasonable. The increasing 

rate downward is a peculiar feature.

1 White, I. C., Petroleum and natural gas, etc.: West Virginia GeoK Survey Repts., vol. 1A, pp. 104-107, 

1904.

a U. S. Geol. Survey Press Bull. 420, August, 1919. 

s Pennsylvania Geol. Survey Ann. Rept. for 1886, pt. 2, pp. 733-736,1887. 

4 British Assoc. Adv. Sci. Rept. 59th meeting, 1889, pp. 39-40.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 73 

SOUTH CAROLINA.

TEMPEKATTJEES.

Among the few records of temperatures of flows from deep wells in 

South Carolina the following appear to be reliable:

Temperatures in wells in South Carolina.

Charleston County:

Charleston:

No.l. ...............

No. 2. ...............

No.3....... .........

No.4................

Electric Co e, ........

Old well e...........

Fort Moultrie /..........

Do...................

Colleton County:

Hampton County: Peoples. . .

Depth 

(feet).

1.970

1,950

1,945

2,050

2,001

1,250

1,308

1,920

500

503

420

850

Flow

per minute).

105

167

695

452

425

10

150

11

1

4

100

Temperature CF.).

o99.5

99

99

99

99.75

87

89

098

70

70

72

76

Mean 

annual

temperature

(

OTJl \

665.6

65.6

65.6

65.6

65.6

65.6

65.6

65.6

65 6

<64.5

64.5

64.5

Depth

per 

degree ofincrease in temperature

(feet).

58

58

58

61

<*57£

58£

56

h <>r.

114

91£

56

74

Do.

Do.

Do.

Cased to 1,869 feet.

Cased to 1,820 feet. Flow 1,820

to 1,900 feet.

Source of flow not given.

Do.

Do.

Do.

o South Carolina resources, etc., State Board of Agriculture, p. 674, 1883. 

ft Average for 46 years.

c Stephenson, L. W., A deep well at Charleston, S. C.: U. S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 90, p. 70, 1914. 

Temperature by I. N. Knapp, engineer. 

d Calculated to 1,971 feet. 

e Am. Jour. Sci., 2d ser., vol. 47, p. 357, 1869. 

/ U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 114, p. 151,1905. 

a U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 298, p. 265,1906. 

ft Calculated to 1,820 feet. 

* Yemassee average for 23 years.

SUMMARY.

As the Charleston wells are cased to or nearly to the bottom, presumably the others are also. The temperatures are probably reliable, especially those of the Charleston wells. The new well at the 

electric-light plant is cased to a depth of 1,869 feet, and the flow 

comes from-a bed extending from 1,971 to 1,999 feet. The results 

of the Charleston and Fort Moultrie wells are fairly accordant and 

give an average rate of 1° in about 60 feet. It is possible that the 

lower rates indicated by the wells at Greenpond and Johns Island are 

due to ingress of water above the bottoms of the borings.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

These wells all penetrate clays, sands, and gravels of the thick 

we'dge of Tertiary and Cretaceous strata constituting the Coastal 

Plain. These strata dip very gently eastward and lie on an eastward 

sloping floor of old crystalline rocks. The Charleston wells reach the 

basal beds of the Black Creek formation, which is low in the Upper 

Cretaceous; the other holes in the list reach sands of Eocene age.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

SOUTH DAKOTA.

TEMPERATURES.

In the course of detailed investigations of the geology and water 

resources of parts of South Dakota I and my associates have observed 

many underground temperatures, mainly of the flow of artesian 

wells. Some carefully determined temperatures of representative 

wells have been recorded by Sheppard, 1 and several tests were made 

by Nettleton.2 Records of wells at Belle Fourche, Cheyenne Agency, 

and Edgemont were obtained from correspondents. A large number 

of data were obtained by J. E. Todd 3 in field work for geologic folios 

and reports on the artesian area in Beadle, Brown, Edmunds, Faulk, 

Hand, and Spink counties, in the eastern part of the State. His 

observations were made with instruments that had been verified in 

Washington. No flow was tested unless-it was believed to be of 

sufficient volume to give a closely approximate indication of the temperature at the bottom.

Temperatures in wells in South Dakota.

Location.

0

Aurora County:

White Lake... ...............................

Beadle County:

Do........................................

Wolsey . ......................................

SE. tsec. 8, T. 113, R. 65. ....................

. SE. J sec. 11, T. 113, R. 65 ....................

NE. Jsec. 1, T. 113, R. 65.....................

S W. J sec. 14. T. 113, R. 65. ...................

SW. Jsec. 30, T. 113, R. 64.. ..................

SW. 1 sec. 28, T. 113, R. 64. ...................

NE. Jsec. 11, T. 113, R. 64....................

NE. 1 sec. 21, T. 113, R. 63.. ..................

T. 113, R. 63......... ..........................

NE. J sec. 23, T. 113, R. 63. ...................

SW . J sec. 31, T. 113, R. 62. ...................

NE. i sec. 19, T. 113, E.. 81. ...................

SE. 1 sec. 5, T. 113, R. 61 .....................

SW. * sec. 9, T. 113, R. 60. ....................

T. 112, R. 65. .................................

NE. J sec. 14, T. 112, R. 63. ...................

N W. i sec. 7, T. 112, R. 62. ...................

Depth 

of main 

flow 

(feet).

740

850

960

836

858-878

950

971

950

955

980

880

925+

800

988

860-888

815

148

766

810

1,005

600

793

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

225

1 ^ft

2.250 }fin

330

20

9flfi

sn

120

50

25

40

Temperature 

(°F.).

a 62

a64

70

65

a 76

<J70.6

d 71. 5

(J71.5

(J72.5

 J71.5

d75

d71.5

<J66

<J67.5

d 67. 7

<J48

<J62.5

<*63.3

e«77.2

<*5S.3

<*66.7

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

C F.).

& 45. 5

645.5

M3.3

43.3

43.3

e 43.

43.3

43.3

<W 3

40 <y

43.3

43 }

43.3

43.3

 43 3

<13 *

43.3

43.3

43.3

43.3

43.3

43.3

Depth 

per 

degree 

of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

44.8

AC. Q

1% 0

on e

26.2

34.4

34 1

oq Q'

On .J

34.4

97 tl

32 5

34 ft

40 3

O4 Q

OQ I

on c

39.3

40

29.6

40

33

a Nettleton, observer. ' . 

o.Mitchell average for 23 years.

. c Average from 1882 to 1908. It is 42.1° from 1882 to 1915 or 0.4° colder than Redfleld, 35 miles farther 

south.

d 3. E. Todd, observer.

e Redfleld average plus 0.1°.

» Sheppard, J. H., South Dakota Agr. College Bull. 41, 35 pp., 1894.

2 Nettleton, E. S., Artesian and underflow investigations: 52d Cong.,lst sess., S. Ex. Doc. 41, pt.4, 1893.

3 U. S. Geol. Survey Geol. Atlas, folios 96, 97, 99,113,114,156, 165; Geology and water resources of part 

of the lower James River valley: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 90, 47 pp., 23 pis., 1904.
SOUTH DAKOTA.

Temperatures in wells in South Dakota Continued.

75

Location.

Beadle County Continued. 

S W. i sec. 2, T. 112, R. 62. ....................

SW. isec. 7, T. 112, R. 61.... ..................

NE. i sec. 8, T. 112, R. 61.. ...................

Do........................................

Bonhomme County:

Do.......................................

Sec. 19, T. 94. R. 58..... ......................

Sec. 34, T. 95, R. 69...........................

Sec. 31, T. 94, R. 58. ..........................

Sec. 5, T. 93, R. 58. ...........................

Sec. l.T. 93, R. 59............................

Brown County: 

Frederick"

Do.......................................

NE. i sec. 10, T. 123 R. 65 ....................

SE. Jsec. 10, T. 123 R. 65.....................

SE. Jscc. 12, T. 123 R. 65.....................

S J sec. 30, T. 123 R. 65 .......................

N T? 1. oor» OO T 19Q R fi*i

N W. i sec. 15. T. 123 R. 64. ...................

SE. Jsec. 27. T. 123 R.60. ....................

ftnr» ft T1 193 T? fiO

SW. i sec. 11, T. 122 R. 65. ...................

South center of sec. 22, T. 122, R. 65 ..........

N W. i sec. 19, T. 122, R. 64. ..................

SE.isec. 21, T. 122, R. 63........... .........

SE. i sec. 30, T. 121 , R. 64 ....................

SE. £ sec. 17, T. 121, R. 64 ....................

NE. i sec. 2, T. 122, R. 61. ....................

SW. i see. 32, T. 122, R. 60.. ..................

NE. isec. 27, T. 121. R. 61.. ..................

"MW A. cn/> 97 T 1O1 "R fil

SW. i sec. 33. T. 121, R. 61. ...................

NW.isec.34, T. 121, R. 61. ..................

Brule County:

Do.......................................

Kimball.. ....................................

NW.isec.80, T. 101, R.68.... ...............

Buffalo County: 

Crow Greet

Butte Countv:

Do.......................................

Oman... ....................................

Depth 

of main 

flow 

(feet).

774 

825 

704 

764 

950 

953

815 

815 

530-592 

578 

734 

645 

665 

646

1. 045-1, 139 

1,000

927-964 

840-942 

1,077-1,100 

1,004,918

1,000 

1,000

980 

1,000+

1,020

800 

875-920 

977 

1,075 

1,070 

931 

900-1,000 

945 

300-340 

915 

940 

894 

920 

.900 

910

585-600 

785 

988-1,068 

851-937 

800, 900

760-780

515 

323 

1.417

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

40

35

1,260

700 

700 

3,290

135

940 

150 

400

120

25

105 

105

37 

50 

o34

70 

76 

14 

43

4,000 

530 

185 

1,000 

80

Many.

100 

Many. 

600

Temperature 

(°F.).

o65 

o66.7 

Q63.8 

o62.8 

671.5 

70.1

662.6 

<*62 

o"65 

d60 

<*61 

d62 

<*62 

<*62

<J69 

666.2 

«J63 

<*63 

666.9 

466 

065 

o64 

065 

o65 

065.5 

o60 

o63 

<J62 

666 

665 

664 

J67 

'75 

052 

o64 

o67 

o67 

o67 

o66.5 

o69+

671.6 

74 

666.9 

670 

80

72

«54 

048 

P94

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(°F.).

43.3 

43.3 

43.3 

43.3 

 43.3 

43.3

C47.3 

M7.3 

47

/41 

041.5 

A 41. 6 

<42 

J41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

41.9 

* 41. 9 

42 

42 

42 

42 

42 

»»42.1 

42.1 

42.1 

42.1 

42.1 

42.1 

42.1 

42.1

45 

45 

44 

"45.5 

45.5

45

44 

45.5 

45.5

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

35.6 

35.2 

34.3 

39.1 

33.6 

31.8

53.3

55.4 

29.4

37.3

40.5 

43.3 

40.0 

43.1 

 44.7 

43.3 

45.2 

42.'4 

43.3 

42.2 

44, 2 

41.4 

48.6 

44.8 

46.5 

42.3 

36 

28.7 

30 

41.4 

42.9 

40.7 

42 

36.9 

33.8

22 

27 

43.2 

34.7 

23.2

28.1

51.5 

80.6 

28 3

o J. E. Todd, observer.

6 J. H. Sheppard, observer.

c Average for 20 years.

d E. S. Nettleton, observer.

e Yankton average plus 0.5°.

/ Aberdeen average for 27 years minus 0.9*.

e Aberdeen average minus 0.4°.

R Aberdeen average minus 0.3°.

* Aberdeen average plus 0.1°. 

S Mean for 27 years.

* Aberdeen average plus 0.1°.

> Doubtful.

«n Aberdeen average plus 0?2".

» Approximated.

o P. A. Durst, observer.

p U. S. Qeol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 227, p. 77, 1909.
76 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in South Dakota Continued.

I ocation.

Depth

of main

flow

(feet).

Flow 

(gallons

per 

minute).

Temperature

Mean 

annual 

temper- 

 ature

Depth

per 

degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

Charles Mix Count}7 : Greenwood................................... 651 3.000

LakeAndes.................................. 725-773 1,500

Do....................................... 802 Many.

Sec. 17, T. 08, R. 66........................... 860 Manv.

Sec. 33, T. 99; R. 66........................... 840 20

Custer County:

Buffalo Giap.................................. 725 No flow.

Davison County:

Mitchell...................................... 530 600

Sec. 3, T. 101, R. 62........................... 565 60

Sec. 35, T. 104. R. 60.......................... 507 40

Day County: Andover............................ 1,070 300

Dewey County: Cheyenne Agency................ 1,337 500

Douglas County:

Armour...................................... 696-757 1,500

Armour, 3 miles south of...................... 703-736

Edmunds County:

Ipswich...................................... 1 265

SE. 1 sec. 22, T. 123, R. 68.................... 1,195

SE. i sec. 23, T. 123, R. 68.................... 1,125

SE. i sec. 8, T. 123, R. 67..................... 1,140

NW. i sec. 10, T. 123, R. 67................... 1,185

SW. i sec. 10, T. 123, R. 67.................... 1,115

SW. i sec. 11, T. 123, R. 67.................... 1,135

NW. i sec. 20, T. 123, R. 67.................... 1,140-1,160

SW. i sec. 23, T. 123, R. 67.................... 1,140

NE. isec. 33, T. 123, R. 67.................... 1,078

Center of sec. 8. T. 123, R. 66.................. 1,100

SE. isec. 20, T. 123, R. 66.................... 1,050-1,100

NW. i sec. 16, T. 122. R. 67................... 1,140

SE. i sec. 26, T. 122, R. 67.................... 1,000-1.060

SE. isec. 4..T. 122, R. 66..................... 1,080

SW. i sec. 10, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,025-1,070

NE. i sec. 19, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,038

NE. i sec. 29, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,007-1,045

 SE. isec. 30, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,050

SE. i sec. 32, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,060

SE. i sec. 33, T. 122, R. 66.................... 1,030

SE. i sec. 8, T. 121, R. 67...................... 1,050+

NW. i sec. 32, T. 121. R. 67................... 1,125

SE. i sec. 26, T. 121, R. 67..................... 1,155

SW. isec. 10, T. 121, R. 66.................... 1,000

SE. isec. 29, T. 121, R. 66.................... 1,000

NE.Jsec.32, T.I 21, R. 66................... 967

Fall River County: Edgemont.................... 2,920-2,965 350

Faulk County:

SE. isec. 13. T. 120, R. 68.................... 1,125 25

NE. isec. 19, T. 120, R. 67.................... 1,140 Many.

SE. i sec. 21, T. 120, R. 67.................... 1,040± Many.

SW. i sec. 1, T. 120, R. 67.................... 1,085-1,120

SE. isec. 26, T. 120, R. 67.................... 1,050 Many.

NW. isec. 24, T. 120, R. 67................... 1,038 35

NW. isec. 6, T. 120, R. 66.................... 1,066 100

SW. isec. 2, T. 120, R. 66.....'................ 1,001 65

NE. isec. 26, T-. 120, R. 66.................... 965 Many.

a Approximated.

6 N. a.. Darton, observer, with deep-well thermometer.

c Oelrichs average for 25 years minus 0.2°.

d E. S,, Nettleton, observer.

« Average for 23 years.

/ J. E. Todd, observer.

a Mitehell average plus 0.2°.

ft J. H. Sheppard, observer.

i Pierre average for 26 years minus 1.7°.

i Average for 22 years.

* Bowdfe average for 14 years minus 0.2".

* Flow from 1,195 feet.

m Bowdle average.

« Bowdle average minus 0.2°

o Taken by engineer with Darton thermometer; varied from 121

p Oelrichs average, minus 0.2°.

9 Faulkton average for 22 years minus 0.2°.

/56

56 

ft 71. 6

79 '

ft 68.3 

65

ft 71. 6

73

/70.5 

/63 

/69 

/69 

/68 

/69.5 

/67 

/67 

/66 

/69.5 

/65.5 

/65 

/65.5 

/65.5 

/66.5

765

f65.5

/67.5

/66

/64

/66

/65

/65

/64.5

/64

o 122

766

768

/67

/66

/69.5

/67+

/67.5

/66.3

765.5

48.9

46 

<»45

«45.5 

045.5 

«45. 5 

042 

< 43. 8

i 46.1 

46.4

*42 

42

TO 42.2 

TO 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

ra 42. 2 

m 42.2 

n» 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

m 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

TO 42. 2 

»42 

»42 

"42 

7i42 

»42 

«42 

P46

842.7 

?42. 7 

942.7 

942.7 

942.7 

742.7 

942.7 

942.7 

942.7

30.9

30.2

33.4

34.4

33.6

37

50.5

54.8

48.3

39.3

35.1

31.8

37.8

'42.7 

38.6 

39.8 

54.8 

44.2 

41.6 

44. 

41.8 

46. 

43.5 

46.2 

38.5 

48.9 

43.fr 

46.8 

45. 

44.5 

43.7 

45.1 

41.9 

42.9 

47.8 

46.8 

50.2 

43.5 

44.4 

44. 

39

48.2

45

42.8

46.5

39.1

42.7

42.9

42.4

42.3

to 122°
SOUTH DAKOTA.

Temperatures in wells in South Dakota Continued.

77

Location.

Faulk County Continued. 

SW. isec. 1, T. 119, R. 67.... ................

SW. * sec. 9, T. 119, R. 67 .....................

8W. i sec. 18. T. 119. R. 67. ...................

SW. -}aec. 17, T. 119, R. 67.. ..................

SW. i sec. 21, T. 119, R. 67.. ..................

SW. i sec. 24, T. 119, R. 67. ...............:...

SE. i sec. 25, T. 119, R. 67 ....................

SW. isec. 25, T. 119..R. 67........ ............

NW.Jsec.30,T.119R. 67.. ...................

NE. i sec. 31. T. 119, R. 67. ....................

NE. i sec. 34, T. 119, R. 67....................

SE.iscc.9, T. 119, R. 66. ....................

NW. i sec. 15, T. 119, R. 66. ..................

N W . i sec. 20, T. 1 19, R . 66 ...................

SE. i sec. 23, T. 119, R. 66 ....................

SE. i sec. 24, T. 118, R. 68 ....................

SE. i sec. 18, T. 118, R. 67 ....................

NW. i sec. 20, T. 118, R. 67. ..................

NW. i sec. 28, T. 118, R. 67 ...................

SW. i sec. 13, T. 118, R. 67. ...................

SW. i sec. 34. T. 118, R . 67. ...................

NW. i sec. 15, T. 118, R. 66 ...................

NW. i sec. 25, T. 118, R. 66. ..................

SW. i sec. 31, T. 117, T. 68.... ................

Center of sec. 31, T. 117, R. 67. ................

SW. isec. 6, T. 117. R. 67.. ...................

NE. | sec. 31, T. 117, R. 66. ...................

SE. i sec. 11, T. 117, R. 66 ....................

Hand County: 

MiHer.........................................

Do......................................

Do......................................

NE. i sec. 10, T. 116, R. 66. ...................

NE. i sec. 7, T. 115. R. 68. ....................

SE. isec. 22, T. 115, R. 68.. ..................

SE. J sec. 12, T. 115, R. 67....................

NE. J sec. 22, T. 114, R. 66. ...................

NE. J sec. 12. T. 113. R. 68. ...................

SE. i sec. 3, T. 113, R. 67.. ...................

SE. i sec. 18, T. 113, R. 66 ....................

SE. £ sec. 25, T. 113, R. 67 ....................

NW. i sec. 22, T. 113, R. 66. ..................

NW. i sec. 31. T. 113, R. 67. ..................

SE. i sec. 3, T. 112, R. 68 .....................

NW. isec. 5, T. 112, R. 67....... .............

SE. J sec. 4. T. 112. R. 67 .....................

NE.isecJ, T. 112, R. 66....... ..............

Hughes County: 

Piorrc 

Depth 

of main 

flow 

(feet).

980

1,050

1,060

1,257

1,120

1,050

1,162

1,031

1,035

1,000

910

950

988

1,010

1,002

1,020

1,032±

1,050+

1,067

1,020

1,029

1.010

1,002

980

1,029

972

1,095

1,095

1,010

1,095

1,030

1,010

913

1,085

1,215

576

1, 115-1, 139

1,105

1,100

1,100

951

1,150

1,065

955

880

1,040

1,008

1,105

1, 100-1, 129

967

1,099-1,133

1,100

1,165

1,165

 892

1 1,215-

1,245 

1,150-

1,170 

1, 435-

1,451

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

mirute).

Many.

20

50±

50

50

50

100

80

75

75

70

60

Many.

90

Many.

Many.

Many.

45

90

600

360

200

Many.

42

Many

60

40

400

110

14

50

40

} 200

1 900

} 84

Temperature 

(°F.).

o69

o69.5

068

»71

o69

o65

o69+

o69

068

o70

o70

o67

066

066

o67

o64

C74.5

o69

a 71

066.5

o69

o69

<»69

o67.8

o68.5

o67.3

068.8

068.3

o69.6

068.8

o69.6

o69.6

o66.7

o65.6

o75

/80

C79.8-/78 o?6

o78.9

»78.5 o73

o74

o74.5

a 71

068.6

078.9

o71.5

o76.5

078.5

o73.5

o78.5

o78.9

o76

o76.6

o75.7

o89

C91.8

- CQ4.9

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(° F.).

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8

642.8^

642.8

642.8

642.8

642

(J42.9

d42.9

(J42.9

d42.9

(J42.9

<J42.9

0-42.9

(Z42.9

d42.9

d42.9

«43

«43

«43

e43

«43

«43

«43

«43

<43

47

(744.0

044.0

94-1.0

044.0

"43.1

ft 43.1

ft 43.1

h 43.1

<43.3

M3.5

M3.8

/43.8

J43.8

J43.8

*43.8

*43.8

ft44

ft 44.0

ft 44.0

m45.5

45.5

45

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

37.4

39.3

42.1

AA C

42.7

47.3

44.3

39.3

41

W\ 7

33.4

3Q 9

42.6

43.5

41.4

48.1

32.6

40.2

38

42.2

39.4

38.7

38.4

39.3

40.1

39.8

42.4

43.3

38

42.4

38.7

38

38.5

48

38

17.5

31.2

34.6 si 5

31.9

31.8

37.2

33.9

34.2

34.4

29.4

36.4

33.8

31.7

32.6

31.7

31.6

36.3

33.1

28.4

27.9

24.8

28.7

o J. E. Todd, observer.

6 Faulkton average for 22 years minus 0.1°.

c J. H. Sheppard, observer.

d Average for 22 years.

« Faulkton average plus 0.1°.

/E. S. Nettleton, observer.

o Highmore average for 26 years minus 0.6°.

A Howell average for 15 years.

< Howell average plus 0.2'.

/ Howell average plus 0.4°.

* Howell average plus 0.7°.

' Other flows 1,140 and 1,185 feet; much gas.

m Average for 26 years.
78 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in wells in Soutti Dakota Continued.

Location.

Sanborn County:

SE.Jsec. 33, T. 105, R. 60....... ..............

Spink County:

NE. i sec. 7, T. 120, K. 64. ....................

North center of sec. 29, T. 120, R. 64 ..........

S W. i sec. 30, T. 120, R. 63. ...................

SW . J sec. 32, T. 120, R. 63. ....................

NW. 1 sec. 33, T. 120, R. 63. ..................

NW. i sec. 27, T. 120, R. 63. ..................

NW.Jsec. 3, T. 120, R. 63....................

SE . 1 sec. 1, T. 120, R. 63 .....................

SW. i sec. 13, T. 120, R. 63. ...................

Sec. 13, T. 120, R. 63. .........................

SW. i sec. 14, T. 120, R. 62. ...................

SE. J sec. 14, T. 120, R. 62. ...................

SW. 1 sec. 13, T. 120, R. 62. ...................

NE . J sec. 9, T. 120, R. 61. ....................

 SW. 1 sec. 21, T. 120, R. 61. ...................

NE. \ sec. 23, T. 120, R. 61. ...................

NE. 1 sec. 34, T. 120, R. 61. ...................

NW. i sec. 28, T. 120, R. 60. ..................

NW. i sec. 2, T. 119, R. 62. ...................

SW. i sec. 25, T. 119, R. 62. ...................

NE. i sec. 15, T. 119, R. 63. ...................

SE. i sec. 28, T. 119, R. 63 ....................

N W. i sec. 32. T. 119. R. 64. ..................

SE. i sec. 3, T. 119, R. 60. ....................

Mellette ......................................

leaker well

NE. i sec. 31, T. 119, R. 61. ...................

SE. 1 sec. 29, T. 119, R. 61 ....................

SE. J sec. 3, T. 119, R. 60. ....................

SW . i sec. 30, T. 118, R. 65. ...................

S W. i sec. 18, T. 118, R. 65. ...................

SW. J sec. 3, T. 118, R. 63. ....................

SW. £ sec. 10, T. 118, R. 65. ...................

NE. i sec. 32, T. 118, R. 64. ...................

SW. i sec. 10, T. 118, R. 63. ...................

SE.isec. 11, T. 118, R. 65...... ..............

NE. 1 sec. 20, T. 118, R. 63. ...................

SW. i sec. 24, T. 118, R. 63. ...................

NE. | sec. 30, T. 118, R. 63.. ..................

Center of sec. 2, T. 118, R. 62. .................

NW. i sec. 15, T. 118, R. 60. ..................

 NW. j sec. 10, T. 118, R. 60. ..................

NE. i sec. 26, T. 118, R. 60. ...................

SW. i sec. 35, T. 117, R. 65.... ................

SW. i sec. 20, T. 117, R. 64. ..................'.

NE. * sec. 29. T. 117. R. 64. ...................

Depth 

of main 

flow 

(feet).

824 

f 1,537- 

\ 1, 552 

749.785 

855 

1.301 

f 967- 

\ 1,000

577 !684- 

725 689- 

742 

425

990 

948 

912 

908 

920 

960 

 913 

904 

842 

920 

900 

925 

914 

914 

900 

880 

884 

980 

900 

1,000 

912 

907 

948 

925 

842 

1,000 

920 

925 

920 

915 

930 

964 

896 

1,000

939 

940 

927 

1,032 

960 

895 

930 

893 

980 

954 

976 

920 

850 

943 

986 

985 

967 

955 

951

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

700

} »

500 

1,000 

50

} 600

'80 

^ 1,150

.........

165

278 

100 

84

180

40

Many. 

40

45

Many. 

1,320

60

80

160

1,900

200 

25 

1,300 

25 

35

65

Temperature 

(°F.).

63 

72

75.0 

<*e71.4 

96± 

ft 64

ft 58 

<»61.5

ft 65 

58

'65.5 

'65.7 

'64.5 

"70 

"65.5 

"67 

"66 

"64 

"65 

"67 

"64 

"67.5 

"68 

"68 

"68.2 

"66.5 "66 

"68 

"65 

"69 

"66 

"66 

"67.5 

"65 

"64 

"68 

e65 

«65 

<65 

665 

665 

"67.5 

"68.0 

"68.5 

»64.0 

"67.5 

"63.0 

"67 

"64.4 

"62.5 

«65.0 

"62 

(J66.1 

"64 

"69 

"67 

"67 

"68 

"64.5 

"68.5 

"67.7 

"66.7 

"66.7

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(°F.).

o46 

644.6

c42.3 

/42.1 

(745.5 

<41.4

*44.6 

*44.4

44.4 

J44.6

TO 43. 4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

o43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4 

43.4

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

48.5 

56

22.9 

29.2 

25.8 

43.2

43.1 

40

34.3 

31.7

44.8 

42.5 

43.2 

34.1 

41.6 

40.7 

40.4 

43.9 

39 

38.9 

43.7 

38.4 

37.1 

37.1 

36.3 

38.1 

39.1 

39.8 

41.6 

39 

40.3 

40.1 

39.3 

42.8 

46 

40.6 

42.6 

42.8 

42.6 

42.3 

43 

40 

36.4 

40 

45.6 

39 

47.2 

43.7 

45.7 

46.8 

43 

48 

43.1 

46.3 

38.1 

39 

36 

38.3 

46.7 

39.2 

39.8 

41 

40.8

a Menno average for 26 years minus 0.5°

b Average for 26 years; flow small.

c Huron average plus 0.2°.

d J. H. Sheppard, observer.

« E. S. Nettleton gives 72.0°.

/ Huron average.

g Average for 16 years.

ft £. S. Nettleton, observer.

< Aberdeen average minus 0.5°.

i Forestburg average plus 0.2°.

* Forestburg average for 25 years.

J Other flows 1,140 and 1,185 feet; much gas.

m Mellette average for 22 years.

» J. E. Todd, observer.

o Average for 22 years.
SOUTH DAKOTA.

Temperatures in wells in South Dakota Continued.

79

Location.

SW. 1 sec.°31, T. 117, R. 63 ...................

East center ofsec. 7, T. 117, B. 63. ............

NW. J sec. 32, T. 117, R. 62. ..................

SE. i sec. 27, T. 117, R. 61 ....................

Doland. ...:..................................

NW. J sec. 33, T. 116, R. 65. ..................

SE. i sec. 13, T. 116, R. 65.. ..................

Redfield...................... ................

Redfleld. .....................................

NE. i sec/35. T. 116, R. 64 ...................

NW. isec. 31, T. 116. R. 64...................

SE. i sec. 9, T. 116, R. 63.....................

East center of sec. 35, T. 116, R. 63. ...........

East center of sec. 25, T. 116, R. 63. ...........

SW. i sec. 4, T. 116, R. 62 ....................

SE. i sec. 13, T. 115, R. 64 ....................

NW. i sec. 9, T. 115, R. 64 ....................

SW. i sec. 10, T. 115, R. 64 ...................

SW. isec. 33, T. 115, R. 63..... ..............

SE. i sec. 1, T. 115, R. 63 .....................

NW. i sec. 29, T. 115 ,R. 62. ..................

NE. i sec. 22, T. 115, R. 61 ...................

NE. 1 sec. 23, T. 115, R. 61 ...................

NW. isec. 27, T. 115, R. 61.......... .........

SW. 1 sec. 9, T. 115, R. 60 ....................

SE. 4- sec. 3, T. 115, R. 60 .....................

Glidden, sec. 32, T. 114, R. 63. ................

NE. isec. 29, T. 114, R. 65. ..................

NE. isec. 30, T. 114, R. 62...................

SW. i sec. 5, T. 114, R. 62 ....................

SW. i sec. 7, T. 114, R. 61 ....................

NW. i sec. 19, T. 114, R. 61 ...................

SW. i sec. 27, T. 114, R. 61 ...................

NE. | sec. 23, T. 114, R. 61 ...................

West center of sec. 28, T. 114, R. 61 ...........

>Jw ior>f> 11 T lid p Rn

SE. isec. 18, T. 114, R. 60. ...................

SE. | sec. 17. T. 114, R. 60 ....................

NE. isec. 23, T. 114, R. 60...... ..............

SW. isec. 27, T. 114, R. 60..... ..............

Todd County: Rosebud Agency, 18 miles northYankton County: ft

Do.......................................

Do.......................................

Sec. 12, T. 93, R. 56. ..........................

Sec. 11, T. 93, R. 56. ..........................

Sec. 19, T. 93, R. 56. ..........................

Depth 

of main 

flow 

(feet).

866

972-1,020

810

900

895

900

890

964

920

044

949

912

851

900

880

875

915

942

930

935

867

988

936

885

885

450

940

886

900

1,973

1,029

840

835

770

800

744

790

735

884

860

848

835

850

2,500

489-595

432-455

610-615

600-672

450-500

375

380

400

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

45

300

110

370

120

1,260

150

50

75

75

20

550

35

200

25

30

No.

1,450

330

880

165

1,300

8

12

25

Temperature 

(° F.).

o66.7

068.7

o64.4

o62.2

«69

067.2

066.7

«70.1

o70.1

071.7

064.4

066.7

062.2

o64.2

Q62.2

o64.5

062.5

a 64. 4

06.5.2

065.4

065.4

062.2

Q64.5

062.5

065.3

056.2

066.7

067.7

067.0

070;1

071.5

o67.0

o64.5

062.2

066.7

064.4

o65.4

065.3

069.6

o63.7

o67

a67.5

o62.2

153J

<62

»60

<62

<64

<64

o 60

o60

o 60

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(° F.).

642.9

42..9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

<*43

«42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

42.9

046.9

/46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

46.5

Depth 

per 

degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).

36.4

37.3

37.7

46.6

34.2

37

37.4

35.4

33.8

32.8

44.1

38.3

44.1

42.3

45.6

40.5

46.7

45

41.7

41.5

38.5

51.2

43.3

45.2

39.6

33.8

39.5

35.7

37.3

35.7

36

34.8

38.6

40.2

 33.6

34.6

35.1

32.8

33.1

33.3

35.2

33.9

44

23.5

31.5

32

39.3

34.3

24.3

27.8

28.2

29.6

o J. E. Todd, observer. 

6 Redileld average for 19 years.

c J. H. Sheppard, observer. Nettleton gives 64° for flows from both wells. 

<J Redfleld average'plus 0.1°. 

« Redfleld average.

/ Darton thermometer sunk to bottom. 

o Average at Cutmeat for 23 years. ft 51st Cong., 1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 222, p. 115, 1890; Artesian and underflow investigation: 52d Cong., 

1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 41, pt. 2, p. 65,1892. 

i E. 8. Nettleton, observer. 

/Average for 27 years.
80 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

SUMMARY.

Of the 281 wells given in the above list all but 8 are in the region 

east of the Missouri. A large proportion of these are in Beadle, 

Brown, Faulk, Edmunds, Hand, and Spink counties, where many 

are close together. Records from representative wells in Aurora, 

Bon Homme, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Davison, Day, Douglas, Gregory, 

Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Marshall, -Sanborn, 

and Yankton counties indicate the geothermal gradient in an area of 

wide extent. The deep artesian wells at Cheyenne Agency, with a 

rate of increase of 1° in about 35 feet; at the head of Oak Creek,, 

northeast of Rosebud, with a rate of 1° in 23£ feet; and at Kennebec, with a rate of 1° in nearly 26 feet, extend the area. The flow 

from the Highmore well is too small to give a reliable indication of , 

the temperature of the water at the source of the flow. In Plate I 

are shown the principal data for the eastern part of the State. The 

figures indicate feet to the degree of increase in representative wells. 

The lines connect wells of the same rates for 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 

and 50 feet to the degree and delimit the zones of intermediate rates. 

They are not isogeotherms, but if the well temperatures were calculated to some uniform depth, such as 500 to 1,000 *feet, and these 

connected by isogeothermal lines, these lines would be parallel to 

the rate lines on the map.

In general, it will be seen from Plate I that the rate is nearly 

uniform in groups of wells, but it varies from place to place with 

most remarkable regularity. In the James River valley from Ashton to Aberdeen it is 1° in 40 to 45 feet. To the west and to the 

south through Redfield and in the east-central part of Beadle County 

it is 1° in less than 35 to 40 feet. At Wolsey and Alpena it is 1° in 

about 23 feet, and at Pierre, Crow Creek, and Chamberlain it is 1° in 

less than 30 feet. This zone of high rates extends down the Missouri 

Valley through Springfield and Yankton counties, S. Dak., and the 

northern part of Boyd, Knox, Cedar, and Dixon counties, Nebr. At 

Fort Randall the rate reaches a maximum of 1° in 17^ feet. The 

rate decreases rapidly to the north and east, as shown 'by scattered 

wells in Brule, Aurora, Davison, Douglas, Hutchinson, Sanborn, and 

Bon Homme counties. The rapid change from Springfield to Tyndall 

and the regular but less rapid diminution from. Alpena to Mitchell 

are notable features in the "cooler" area.

The records in the western part of the State-are diverse. The 

flow from a 515-foot well near Belle Fourche had a temperature of 

54°, indicating a rate of 1° in 51 £ feet, but a flow at 323 feet gave a 

less rate. The flow from the Orman well, 1,417 feet deep, with a 

temperature of 94°, indicated a rate of 1° in 28.3 feet, and the large 

flow from the 2,985-foot well at Edgemont indicated a rate of 1° in
U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BULLETIN 701 PLATE I

k u / !>'*.> 'r'-'.- i X J~' iULiJj^avai^ j^a. Jt aihftiouii

MAP OF EASTERN SOUTH DAKOTA AND SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA

Showing relation of configuration of bedrock floor under the artesian basin 

to rates of increase of underground temperature in deep wells.

EXPLANATION

Underground cot)tours 

( L'nder artesian ftajtn)

Contour interval 100ft., 

bruken line approximate

.*?-- ;

.3t ,.'

Temperature curves 

Figure* show itrpth in/ret 

per degree q/' mcreuic in 

temperature ax indicated by 

flows of refjreienlative deeii 

wells.
00

N.

:-:-DaKof3:-:-:r:ss^r>c/st:one.

Sha/e Sha/e

rtzff

Horizontal scale 

25 SO 75 Miles

Ve

O 

FlGUEE

bJO-2 

i-3 

^CJ ^

W £ 

® ~

r^l JO 

-U I t

g

-u fe

« 

o 

<s

ft

-g 

W 

0

g

03

rt

rS 

03

^

^ 

o

e

O

«3

0

-s

3. Sections across

sandstone, the many 

wells given on thelist 

draw from theDakota andssociated sand- stones. Inthewestrn

part of theState thes

eastern

sandstones overlie

South

o3

nd 

«3 

fl

&

o

' d 

pq

<x> 

^

thick succession of

Paleozoic 

Dakota.

limestones and sandstones, but

o 

2 

1, Section from west to east; 

is.fi'sisii

fa.ll:i.;i

4!1|ll

Qj^ftOoP^Sfl
GEOTHEEMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

representation of it and the data used in constructing the map are 

set forth in my report on the geology of South Dakota.1

TENNESSEE.

Only two well temperatures that appear to throw light on the 

geothermal gradient have been reported from Tennessee. One is 

at Covington, where, according to Glenn,2 the railroad well, 533 

feet deep, has water within 31 feet of the surface, with a temperature 

of 66°. As the mean annual air temperature at this place is 60.1°, 

a rate of increase of 1° in 90 feet is indicated. The water is in coarse 

sand under clay in the young deposits of the Mississippi embayment.

TEXAS. 

TEMPERATURES.

No special determinations of underground temperature have 

been made in deep holes in Texas, but there are numerous records 

of the temperature of waters from artesian wells. Some of these 

records are reliable, and a few of them indicate the depth from 

which the flow is derived. The data are given in the following 

list. They are derived partly from published reports and partly 

from replies to circulars. Some late observations have been made 

by Mr. C. E. Van Orstrand, but the results are not yet published.

Temperatures in deep wells in Texas.

.Location.

Bell County: Temple, 1

mile west of.o

Bexar County: San Antonio, 2 miles south of.c

Bosque County: Clifton, 3

miles north of.e

BrazoriaCountv: Surf side/.

Depth of 

main flow 

(feet).

1,850

1,900

662

m 

Volume 

of flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

Many.

500

220

Temperature

91

106

84

0104

Mean 

annual 

temperature

665.8

<*68.0

67.1

Depth

per degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet).

73J

50

39

Remarks.

"Water from bottom."

Sulphur water. Small

flows at intervals below

1,535 feet, possibly not

cased off.

Water also at 182 and 610

feet, probably cased off.

a Hill, R.T., Geography and geology of the Black and Grand prairies, Tex.: U. S. Geol. Survey Twentyfirst Ann. Kept., pt. 7, pp. 529-530, 1901.

6 Average for 27 years.

c Hill, R. T., and Vaughan, T. W., Geology of the Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plain adjacent to 

Austin and San Antonio, Tex.: IT. S. Geol. Survey Eighteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 22, pp. 294-297, 1897.

d Average for 32 years plus 0.1°.

« Hill, R. T., pp. cit., p. 490. 

/ Fennen 

49, 56, 1906.

., op. 

/ Fenneman, N. M., 'Oil fields of Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coastal Plain: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 282, pp.

a Idem, p. 87.

» Darton, N. H., U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 227, pi. 10, pp. 33-40,. 1909. 

* Glenn, L. C., Underground waters of Tennessee and Kentucky west of Tennessee River and of adjacent 

area in Illinois: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 164, p. 117,1906.
TEXAS. 83

Temperatures in deep wells in Texas Continued.

Location.

Burleson County:

Bryan, 12 miles from. . . 

Do.................

Whittaker, 3J miles 

southeast of. 6

El Paso County: Fort Bliss. 

Falls County:

Many other wells in 

county. 

Galveston County: 

Alta Loma, 30 wells. . . .

High Island t. .........

Hitchcock, 1J miles 

northwest of.

Galveston, 28th and 

Church streets.*

Church streets.* 

Galveston, 10 miles 

southwest of.* 

Do.................

Hardin County:

Batson, Higgins No. 4..

of. P

Harris County:

Cedar Bayou, 3 miles 

northwest of.

of. 

Houston, Commerce 

and Fannin streets. 

Houston, Y.M.C. A...

Depth of 

main flow 

(feet).

860

835 

f 635

\ 550 

850

550

403 

3,330

1,750-1,850

875-950 

575

142-203

726

710

768

810 

1,365

827 

797

830

1,200

1,159 

958

880+

' 985

727

410 

548

640

900 

500

Volume 

of flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

30

35 

22

20 

50

Many. 

150

150-300

310 

50

,70

100

45

125 

243

37

Many.

5

30 

14

25 

200

Temperature 

(°F.).

90

85 

76

76

77

72

76 

147

103

75-78 

78.5

100+

77

77 

78

83 

at

80 

83

80

125

101 

inn 4-

100 '

101

76

76 

73

72

«82

75

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(°F.)

o67.9

o67.9 

o67.9

o67.9 

o67.9

64.4

d62.9 

/67.2

67.2

(769.4 

69.4

69.4

69.4 

69.4

69.4

70± 

69.4

m 68.1

069.1

69.1 

69.1

69.1

fid i

r68.9

68.9

ftS O

68.9

68.9 

68.9

Depth 

per degree of 

increase in temperature 

. (feet).

38

49

78

63 

88

70

31

«i

50

101 

63

89

93 

89

60

83

58

70

21J

34 

30

O7JL

qi

101

86

19Q

69 

82

Eemarks.

Gas escapes also.

Water rises within 130 feet 

of surface.

Water sand at 3,310 to 3,330

feet. 

Water from 740 to 868 feet.

Water sand from 678 to 726

feet. 

16 pounds; water from 710 

feet.

Water from 810 feet; 

brackish.

and 1,365 feet. 

Two wells; water from 827 

feet.

probably cased off.

1,200 feet. 

Water 970-985 feet. Salt 

water from sands 1,080 to 

1,130 feet.

Flow from 850 to 880 feet

in a well drilling for oil.

a well drilling for oil.

"Wfltcr &t 525 foot* £ilso fit

320 feet.

Water also at about 480 

feet. Pumped. 

Water about 500 feet. 

Pumped.

o Average at College Station for 27 years.

6 Taylor, T. U., Underground waters of Coastal Plain of Texas: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 

190, p. 60,1907.

c Fifty-first Cong., 1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 222, p. 264, 1890.

<J El Paso average for 29 years.

e Hill, R. T., op. cit., p. 645.

/ Mean annual temperature of Waco for 28 years plus 0.1°.

g Galveston average for 46 years.

ft Texas Geol. Survey Fourth Kept., p. 101,1892.

< Deussen, Alexander, Geology and underground waters of the southeastern part of the Texas Coastal 

Plain: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 335, pp. 139-141,1914.

i See Singley. J. A., Report on artesian wells of Gulf coastal slope, p. 102, Austin, June, 1893.

* Deussen, Alexander, op. cit., pp. 157,160,164.

i Fifty-first Cong., 1st sess., S, Ex. Doc. 222, p. 341,1890.

m College Station average plus 0.2°.

nFenneman, N. M., Oilfields of Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coastal Plata: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 282, 

pp.49, 56, 1906.

o Beaumont average for 16 years.

p Hayes, C. W., and Kennedy, William, Oil fields of Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coastal Plain: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Bull. 212, pp. 59-60,1903. Also in Fenneinan, N. M., op. cit., p. 47.

? Average for 16 years.

r Houston average for 27 years.

» U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 335, p. 230,1914.
84 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Temperatures in deep wells in Texas Continued.

Location.

Hays County: San Marcos .

Jefferson County: 

Beaumont. 1 mile west 

of.

La Salle County: Cotulla c.

Matagorda County: Big 

Hill. 

McLennan County:

China Springs, 12 miles 

northwest of Waco.

Hermosa, near Waco. - .

Waco:

Moore's well ft .....

11 wells of Water 

Co.<

Nacogdoches County: Nacogdoches. 

Navarro County:

Corsicana No. 2........

Tarrant County: 

Fort Worth............

Marine, £ mile northeast 

Travis County: 

Austin Natatorium r. . .

Waller County: Hempstead 

Williamson County: 

Roundrock. 

Zavalla County: Carrizo 

Springs, 22 miles north.

Depth of 

main flow 

(feet).

1,490

1,034 

1,400±

1,008 

722

1,565

1,380

1,730 

1 030

991

1,470 1,852' 

1,828-1,860

1,607 

1,812 

1,820 

1,860

1,776 

1,866

500 

2,483

2,515

2,500

3,250

1,200

1,875

2,560

1,131 

1,400

910

Volume 

of flow 

(gallons 

per minute).

100 

8

Many. 

Many.

150

Many. 

150

350

350

Many. 

Many.

Many. 

Many. 

Many. 

Many.

Many. 

Many.

500 

200

200

200

545 

300

700

100 

Many.

Several.

Temperature 

(°F.).

73

o4 

o80

86 

99.6

95

102

103

82 1

82

90

103 

103

97 

100 

102J 

103

103 

103J

ft 74 

126

126

126

ol26

78 

100

93

80 

95

J/90

Mean 

annual 

temperature 

(°F.).

67.5

669.1 

69.1

(*71 

«70

/67.1

67.1

67.1 

67.1

67.1

67.1

 7.1 

67.1

67.1 

67.1 

67.1 

67.1

67.1 

67.1

J65.4

66

66

P65

65 

«67.4

67.4

to 68. 6 

a; 67. 4

z72

Depth 

per degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).

271

204 

128±

67 

23J

56

' 37

48 

69

66£

64

51i 

51

53J 

55 

51 

52

49J 

51

39J 

41

40

«i

18i

74 

*51

»48i

97i 

51

40

Remarks.

Small flow at 1,345 feet, 

probably cased off.

Flow from 1,000 feet; 

higher flows may mingle.

Source not known. 

Flow supposed to be from 

1,008 feet. 

Flow from 700-730 feet.

cased off. 

Flows at 500, 600, 800, and 

1,100 feet, probably cased 

off. 

Flows at 670 and 1,400 feet. 

(Hill.)

(Hill.)

Caused to 735 feet.

First water at 1,000 feet. 

(Hill.) 

Flows at 700-800 and 1,100 

feet also. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Flow from 1.800 to 1,815 

feet. (Hill.)

Sandstone, 1,760-1,861 feet. 

(Hill.) 1 

Flow from 340-500 feet.

Water sand, 2,400 to 2,460

feet. 

feet. 

Water from 960-1,000 feet.?

Cased to 1,100 feet. Small 

flow at 1,215 feet; not 

cased oft. Mainflow 1,875 

feet from sandstone (1,675 

to 1,875 feet). 

Water-bearing rock 1,250 to

1,400 feet. 

Flow from 1,110 feet. 

Pumped.

Cased 720 feet to main flow.

a U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 335, 

p. 265,1914.

t> Average for 16 years.

c Rept. Special Comm. on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands, U.S. Senate, vol. 4, p. 62,1890.

d Eagle Pass average for 40 years.

e Galveston average plus 0.6°.

/ Waco average for 28 years.

g Rossler, A. R., Report on preliminary investigation to determine proper location of artesian wells 

within the area of the 97th meridian and east of the 

foothills of the Rocky Mountains: 51st Cong., S. Ex. 

Doc. 222, p. 257,1890.

ft 51st Cong., 1st sess., S. Ex. Doc. 222, p. 340,1890.

< Hill, R. T.. op. cit., p. 108.

/ Idem, p. 542.

* Average for 28 years.

l Average for 18 years.

m Hill, R. T., op. Cit., p. 311.

« Hill, R. T., op. cit., p. 641.

o Idem, p. 576.

V Average for 22 years.

q Hill, R. T., op. cit., p. 577.

r U. S. Geol. Survey Eighteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 

2, p. 284.

* Average for 61 years.

< Calculated to 1,675 feet.

« U. S. Geol. Survey Eighteenth Ann. Rept., pt. 

2, pp. 284-286,1898; Twenty-first Ann. Rept., pt. 7, 

pp. 511-514. 1901; Water-Supply Paper 335, p. 355, 

1914.

» Calculated to 1,250 feet.

to Houston average minus 0.3°.

z Austin average.

v Eagle Pass average plus 0.1°.

2 U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 298, p. 286,1906.
C TEXAS. 85 

SUMMARY.

It is difficult to judge the relative values of the Texas temperature 

records. Some may not be correct, and others may not represent 

the temperature at the depth stated owing to the mingling of flows. 

The flow from the deep well at Marlin is supposed to come from a 

depth of 3,350'feet, and if so it indicates a rate of 1° in 42 feet. The 

several wells at Waco, not far southeast of Marlin, give rates of 1° 

in 49$ to 53 feet. Other wells in the same county (McLennan) 

indicate 1° in 48, 64, 66$, 69, and 56 feet, but the apparent lower 

rate is possibly due to the ingress of higher waters. The warm flow 

from a depth of 1,380 feet at China Springs, 12 miles northwest of 

Waco, indicates the exceptionally high rate of 1° in nearly 37 feet. 

A similar rate is indicated by the Clifton well in Bosque County, 

about 25 miles northwest of China Springs. The three deep wells 

at Corsicana, still farther north, give a rate of 1° in 40 to 41$ feet. 

Fort Worth has a rate of 1° in 18$ feet if all the flow is derived from 

a depth of 1,127 feet, as stated. The rate at Nacogdoches may be 

as high as 1° in 39$ feet if the flow comes from a depth of 340 feet. 

The Austin wells indicate rates of 1° in 48$ and 51 feet, but the true 

rate here may be considerably less if the flow is from a deeper source' 

than the depth used in the calculations. The Round Rock figure is 

uncertain, but the rates for Hempstead and Navasota appear to be 

valid. The data for Harris County, Port Arthur, and Beaumont are 

not satisfactory,, and the wells 2 miles south of San Antonio and at 

Cotulla and Temple may not give reliable data. The temperature 

given for the San Marcos well is doubtless unreliable. The five wells 

in Hardin County appear to have rates of 1° in 21$, 27$, 30, 31, and 

34 feet, without likelihood of much error. The Big Hill 722-foot 

well has a similar rate, and the High Island well evidently indicates 

a steep rate. The rate indicated by the Galveston County wells 

varies, but the figures 60 and 63 feet to the degree appear the most 

accurate, there being uncertainty as to the source of the water in 

the others. As the water at Fort Bliss is pumped the temperature 

given may not be as high as that in the bottom of the well, but the 

figure given (76°) indicates that the rate is 1° in at least 31 feet.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The wells in the above list penetrate a great variety of formations, 

which are mostly, however, of Cretaceous and Tertiary age. In 

most parts of the area the shales are tilted at low angles and in 

places traversed by faults. No igneous rocks are reported near any 

of the wells listed, and the granites or other old bedrocks are far 

beneath the surface. The wells in the southeastern part of the 

State and along the coast draw from sands of Tertiary age. In the 

oil fields of Hardin County there are sharp local uplifts or domes. 

The Nacogdoches well draws from lower beds in the Eocene.
86 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

The group of wells extending from north N to south across the center 

of the State draw their waters from sands in the Trinity group, which 

is low in the Cretaceous. The deep boring at Fort Worth passed 

through the base of these sands and penetrated the Paleozoic rocks 

for more than 2,000 feet. At Marlin, hi Falls County, where the 

lowest sand lies deep, it was necessary to sink 3,330 feet to reach it. 

The Corsicana wells draw from the Woodbine sand, in the Upper 

Cretaceous, considerably above the highest beds of the Trinity. 

The 1,900-foot well 2 miles south of San Antonio is believed to have 

not quite reached the base of the Edwards limestone.1 The San 

Marcos and San Antonio wells are situated near a great fault. The 

Fort Bliss well draws from the Quaternary valley fill.

UTAH.

A few well temperatures in the Milford-Beaver region, in southwestern Utah, have been reported by Lee.2

Temperatures in wells in Utah.

Location.

Milford...... ..................

Do.........................

Do........................

Do........................

Sec. 28. T. 29 S.. R. 7 W. . . . . . .

Sec. 36. T. 29 S.. R. 8 W. . . . . . .

Sec. 28, T. 29S..R. 8W.......

Sec. 5, T. 28 S., R. 10 W. ......

Greenville School .............

Depth 

(feet).

425

750

381

280

310

213

314

385

286

244

1,998

Flow 

(gallons 

per 

minute).

25

37

13

7

30

7

8

11

Temperature 

( P.).

72

80

65

68

71

54

74

53

71

68

Hot.

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in temperature 

(feet).o

18

24

23

14

14

36?

12

. 77?

12

12

Remarks.

Flows also at 180 feet.

Reached granite.

a Calculated from Milford mean for 1916, 48.2°. Water in wells 60 to 66 feet deep is stated to have a temperature of 51° to 55°.

The waters are decidedly thermal considering the slight depths 

of the wells. The cause of the heat is not apparent. Probably the 

two wells in the list showing temperatures of 53° and 54° are cooled 

by pumping or by the ingress of shallow water.

All these wells are in the Quaternary clay, sand, and gravel deposits 

of the Lake Bonneville basin. The boring at Neels reached granite.

1 Hill, R. T., and Vaughan, T. W., Geology of the Edwards Plateau and Rio Grande Plain: U. S. Geol. 

Survey Eighteenth Ann. Kept., pt. 2, p. 295,1898.

s Lee, W. T., Water resources of Beaver Valley, Utah: U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 217, 

pp. 24-33,1908.
GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 87

VIRGINIA.

RICHMOND COAL FIELD.

In 1836 to 1842 Rogers l determined temperatures in the coal 

mines in the Newark group west of Richmond, Va., the results of 

which he discussed ^at considerable length. The coal measures 

consist mostly of sandstone lying in a basin underlain by granitic 

rocks; the coal is in the basal beds. The strata have steep dips 

and are greatly broken, and owing to this condition a large amount 

of water penetrates into the mines. The following results were 

obtained:

Temperatures in coal mines near Midlothian, Va.

Location.

Do...............................

Do...............................

Wills & Michael's pit.... . ............

Black Heth pit... . ...................

Midlothian 1842 shaft.... . ............

Do...............................

Midlothian 1839 shaft.. ...............

Depth 

(feet).

100 

318 

375 

420 

412

386 

570 

380

330 

600

780

Temperature 

(°F.).

58.0 

59.5 

61.0 

63.0 

63.0

62.0 

65.5 

61.5

61.75 

66.25

68.75

Depth 

per degree of increase in 

temperature 

(feet).a

125

84 

83

96 

76

88 

74

72

Remarks.

In pool of water in bottom. 

In large flow o f water from galleries. 

Do. 

Do. 

Pool of water in gallery not working, also in floor. 

Poolin bottom main shaft. 

Pool in lowest level. 

Crevice in rock in bottom cooled 

by drippings from above. 

Spring in waD. 

Small streams at bottom some 

distance above coal. 

Water mixed with some drippings 

from higher up.

a Calculated from mean annual air temperature at Richmond, 58.5° (37-year average to 1916) minus 

0.5° for difference in the altitude and latitude. Rogers used 56.75°.

The first observation was made in a mine in operation and the 

last four in shafts just completed or in progress. Exclusive of the 

three first and one in the new Black Heth shaft, the average rate 

indicated by the others is 1° in 82 feet.

The figures indicate a less rate in the old workings than in the 

new shafts, a difference which may be due to the cooling by seepage 

and ventilation. Rogers made the following comments on the 

results:

Comparing the three last observations, the two former of which were made in the 

same shaft and the last in one only a few hundred feet removed, there is ground 

for inferring that the rate at which the temperature increases grows less as the depth 

augments. In descending from 330 feet to 600 that is, through 270 feet the rise 

of temperature is 4.5°; while in descending from 600 to 780, or through 280 feet, the 

riseisonly 2.5°. This difference would, I think, have been less could I have obtained 

the temperature at 780 feet free from the cooling influence of the copious drippings 

from above. Yet even with the most liberal allowance, there would still remain 

evidence of a diminishing rate of increase with the depth.

» Rogers, W. B., Observations of subterranean temperature in the coal mines of eastern Virginia: Assoc. 

An. Geologists and Naturalists Trans., 1840-1842, pp. 532-538, 1843; Reprint of annual reports and other 

papers on the geology of the Virginias, pp. 567-574, New York, 1884.
88 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Rogers considered the observations at 330 and 600 feet in the 

Midlothian shaft the most reliable, and these give a rate of 1° in 88 

and 74 feet, respectively; the difference between them is 1° in 60 

feet. The rate for the 780-foot reading (1° in 72 feet) is accordant, 

although, as suggested by Rogers, the water may be cooled slightly 

by drippings from above.

FORT MONROE.

In 1902 a 2,130-foot boring was made at Fort Monroe, and Capt. 

C. P. Townsley kindly lowered a Darton thermometer in it. After 

two hours the instrument recorded 92.5°. As the mean annual air 

temperature at Newport News is about 59.4°, a rate of 1° in 64 feet 

is indicated. The boring passed through Tertiary and Cretaceous 

formations of the Coastal Plain to the basement of pre-Cambrian 

granite. The hole was full of salty water.

REEDVILLE.

At Reedville, in Northumberland County, the 85-gallon flow 

from a 680-foot well is reported to have a temperature of 78°. As 

calculated from the mean annual air temperature at Warsaw, 56.4°, 

a rate of 1° in 31£ feet is indicated.

WASHINGTON.

YAKIMA ARTESIAN BASIN.

There are numerous flowing wells in the vicinity of Yakima which 

afford data as to underground temperature. In most of them, 

however, several flows are intermixed, so that the observations 

do not indicate the temperature at any definite depth. There 

are three wells which reach the upper flow only and three others 

in which the casing is so set that only one flow can enter. They 

are in an area about 1J miles long.and within 120 feet elevation. 

The data for these six wells, as given by Geo. Otis Smith,1 are as 

follows:

Temperature at different depths in six wells in Yakima artesian basin, Wash

Depth of 

flow (feet).

515 

637 

835 

625 

752 

820

Flow (galIons per 

minute).

Many. 

120 

60 

Many. 

300 

360

Temperature (° F.).

70.7 

72.2 

73.2 

73.2 

72.2 

72.7

Depth per 

degree of 

increase in 

temperature (feet).o

25.0 

28.0 

36.1 

27.0 

34.0 

36.2

<j Calculated on basis of mean annual air temperature of 50.1°, mean of 17 years given by United States 

Weather Bureau.

1 Smith, G. O., Geology and water resources of a portion of Yakima County, Wash.: U. S. Geol. Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 55, pp. 49-62,1901.
WEST VIRGINIA. 89

It was noted by Smith that the rate of increase is highest in the 

shallower wells.

Waring 1 has reported that a large flow from a well on the Yakima 

Indian Reservation, in sec. 34, T. 11 N., R. 18 E., has a temperature 

of 68°. The main flow is from a depth of 507-512 feet, possibly with 

a small admixture of water from 492 feet. The rate indicated by 

this observation is 1° in about 28 feet.

Russell'2 has given temperatures of flows from several wells in the 

Yakima Valley, but the flows are small and the source of the water 

is not definitely located. One of these wells, in sec. 31, T. 13 N., 

R. 20 E., has a 2-gallon flow with a temperature of 73° from a depth 

of 886 feet; another, in sec. 3, T. 12 N., R. 20 E., only 314 feet deep, 

has a flow with a temperature of 75°.

WALLA WALLA.

In 1909 I noted the temperature of the large flows from several 

wells on the Blalock ranch west of Walla Walla. The flow from 

one well, 611 feet deep, had a temperature of 66.5°; that from another 

of similar depth, 67.25°; and that from a 563-foot well, 67°. It is 

stated that the casings extend to a depth of 540 feet to a 20-foot sheet 

of basalt under which is the water-bearing sand. As the mean 

annual air temperature of Walla Walla is 53.4° (23-year average) 

a rate of 1° in 41.4 feet is indicated, if the flow comes from a depth 

of 563 feet.

WHITMAN COUNTY.

It is reported that the flow from a 110-foot well at Pullman has a 

temperature of 60°, and that from a 176-foot well at Tekoa a temperature of 76°, but these figures may not be reliable. As the mean 

annual air temperature at Colfax is 47.8° and at Rosalia 46.5°, they 

indicate a very high rate. Doubtless heat from old lava flows is 

the cause.

WEST VIRGINIA.

There are many deep borings in West Virginia, and temperatures 

in a number of them have been determined by the late William Hallock,3 by Johnson and Adams/ and by Van Orstrand.5

1 U. S. Geol. Survey Water-Supply Paper 316, p. 31-32,1913.

« U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 108, pp. 56-59,1893.

8 Hallock, William, U. S. Geol. Survey Thirteenth Ann. Kept., pt. 1, pp. 95-96,1892; U. S. Geol. Survey 

Fourteenth Ann. Kept., pt. 1, pp. 159-160, 1893; Preliminary report of observations at the deep well, 

Wheeling, W. Va.: Am. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., vol. 43, pp. 234-236,1892; Notes on further observations of temperatures in the deep well at Wheeling, W. Va.: Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci. Proc., vol. 40, p. 258,1891; Subterranean temperatures at Wheeling, W. Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa.: School of Mines Quart., vol. 18, pp. 

148-153,1897; British Assoc. Adv. Sci., Kept., 62d meeting, pp. 129-131,1910.

< Johnson, John, and Adams, L-. H., On the measurement of temperatures in bore holes: Econ. Geology, 

vol. 11, pp. 741-762, 1916.

& U. S. Geol. Survey Press Bulletin 420,1919. White, I. C., Discussion of the records of some very deep 

wells In the Appalachian oil fields of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, with temperature measurements 

by C. E. Van Orstrand [Morgantown, W. Ya., 1918J
90 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

WHEELING.

The well tested by Hallock was on Boggs Run, 4 miles southeast 

of Wheeling. It was 4,771 feet deep, and although water was found 

at moderate depths it was cased off by 1,570 feet of 4£-inch casing, 

so that the hole was dry when finished. The strata penetrated are 

nearly horizontal and begin high in the Carboniferous coal measures. 

Ordinary United States Signal Service self-registering thermometers were used. The folio whig figures were obtained. Observations 

made two years later in water gave very closely accordant results. 

(See below.)

Temperatures at different depths in deep boring near Wheeling, W. Va.

1,350 feet......... 68.75

1,592 feet......... 70.25

1,745 feet......... 71.70

1,835 feet......... 72.80

2,125 feet......... 76.25

2,236 feet......... 77.40

2,375 feet......... 79.20

2,486 feet. ........ 80.50

2,625 feet......... 82.20

2,740 feet......... 83.65

2,875 feet......... 85.45

2,990 feet......... 86.60

3,125 feet......... 88.40

3,232 feet......... 89.75

3,375 feet......... 92.10

3,482 feet......... 93.60

3,625 feet......... 96.10

3,730 feet......... 97.55

3,875 feet......... 100.05

3,980 feet......... 101.75

4,125 feet......... 104.10

4,200 feet......... 105.55

4,375 feet......... 108.40

4,462 feet......... 110.15

According to the Weather Bureau observations for 39 years the 

mean annual air temperature at Wheeling is 56.3°, but Hallock used 

51.3°, the temperature found at a depth of 110 feet in a near-by coal 

mine. I believe 51.3° is too low, for temperatures taken in mine galleries are misleading. Two years later water at a depth of 103 feet 

in the deep well was found to have a temperature of 52.5°. The 

rate calculated to a depth of 4,462 feet from a mean annual air temperature of 56° is close to 1° in 83 feet; the rate from 1,350 to 4,462 

feet is 1° in 75.2 feet; from 2,990 to 4,462 feet, 1° in 62.5 feet.

After taking temperatures in the deep hole near Wheeling when 

it was dry, Hallock l had opportunity to make an additional series 

two years later, when water stood within 40 feet of the top.

Comparison of temperatures in air and in water in deep well near Wheeling, W. Va.

Depth 

(feet).

1,586

1.921

2; 055

2, 276

2,396

2,539

2,669

2,793

2,937

3,057

3,196

Temperature in 

water, 

1893 (°F.).

Y0.12

73.95

75.28

78.13

79.54

81.21

o83.39

84.56

86.12

87.42

89.27

Temperature in 

air, 1891, 

interpolated 

(°F.).

70.12

73.82

75.42

77.93

79.45

81.15

82.75

84.41

86.07

87.50

89.30

Water temperature 

minus air 

temperature (°P.).

-0.03

+ .13

- .14

+ .20

+ .09

+ .06

+ .64

+ .15

+ .05

- .08

- .03

Doubtful.

1 Hallock, William, Subterranean temperatures at Wheeling, W. Va., and Pittsburgh, Pa.: School of 

Mines Quart., vol. 18, pp. 148-153,1897.
WEST VIRGINIA. 91

These determinations show that there is no important difference 

between the air and water temperatures in a hole.

Hallock made a few observations at a deep boring at Radsford, 

W. Va., but as the hole was wet he did not complete .the determinations.

CHELYAN.

Johnson and Adams made many tests in the lower part of the 5,236- 

foot hole at Chelyan, near Charleston. The results appear to indicate a temperature of about 129° in the bottom. With a mean annual 

of 57.6°, average of 14 years at Charleston, this indicates a rate of 

1° in 73.3 feet. O

MANNINGTON.

The temperature determinations in the Hibbs No. 4 hole near Mannington were made with an electric resistance thermometer by Johnson and Adams and later with a mercury thermometer by Van Orstrand. The results were as follows, with rates of increase calculated 

from the 250-foot reading subtracted from those at lower depths, all 

as indicated by the electric measurement.

Temperatures in Hibbs No. 4 hole near Mannington, W. Va.

Depth 

(feet).

inn AuU

250

500

750

1,000

1.250

1,500

1,750

2,000

2.250

2,500

Electric 

thermometer (°F.).

56.0

M o . u

57.5

60.7

63.9

66.5

68.6

70.7

73.1

75.6

78.9

Mercury 

thermometer (°F.).

CO R oo. o

54.1

56.7

60.1

63.5

66.2

68.5

70.7

73.2

75.4

78.8

Depth per

degree of 

increase in 

temperature (feet).

96

86

83

86

91

95

96

97

94

If calculated from the mean annual air temperature the temperature of 78.9° in the bottom of the well 

indicates a gradient of 1° in 93 feet.
92 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

Observations by Mr. Van Orstrand in a group of wells of tbe South 

Penn Oil Co. gave the following results:

Temperature measurements in borings of South Penn Oil Co., near Mannington, W. Fa.

O

Depths 

(feet).

100

250

500

750

1,000

1,250

1.500

1,750

1,980

2,000

2,250

2,500

2,650

2,750

2,888

3,000

3,134

3,225

Well 14, 

mean of 

3 tests 

("P.).

60.1

62.4

67.5

72.0

75.4

677.9

81.1

"J86.4

Well 6, 

mean of 

3 tests 

( P.).

55.4

56.7

60.1

63.5

66.6

69.3

71.6

73.4

71.6

Well 2 

("P.).

53.8

55.2

58.8

62.4

65.8

68.0

70.0

72.9

75.2

78.3

80.6

82.6

Well 4 

( P.).

53.6

54.1

56.7

60.1

63.5

66.2

68.5

70.7

73.2

o75.4

78.8

81.9

681.3

85.3

88.3

Well 7 

( P.).

54.18

57.72

64.62

70.23

75.00

80.13

81.18

c83.19

Well 9 

<°F.).

52.23

57.31*

63.82

70.30

75.22

77.95

a Some gas. 1

6 Gas at 2,560 feet.

c Some gas at 2,875-2,888 feet.

d Gas at 2,940 feet.

The rates of increase indicated by these observations are as follows: 

Well 14, 250 to 3,000 feet, 1° in 104 feet; well 6, 100 to 1,980 feet, 

1° in 116 feet; well 2, 100 to 2,650 feet, 1° in 90 feet; well 4, 100 to 

3,225 feet, 1° in 90 feet; well 7, 100 to 2,888 feet; 1° in 96 feet; well 9, 

100 to 2,500 feet, 1° in 93 feet.

SPENCER.

The 3,403-foot hole bored by the Hope Gas Co. 22 miles east of 

Spencer, Clark County, was tested at 100-foot intervals to 3,250 feet 

by Mr. Van Orstrand with the following results:

Temperature measurements in well 22 miles east of Spencer, W. Va.

100 feet.............. 54.1

200 feet.............. 55.0

300 feet.............. 56.3

400feet.............. 57.8

500 feet.............. 59.4

600 feet.............. 60.7

700feet.............. 61.7

800 feet.............. 62.7

900 feet.............. 3.66

1,000 feet............ 65.1

1,100 feet............ 66.0

1,200 feet............ 67.0

1,300 feet............ 68.5

1,400 feet............ 69.9

1,500 feet....."....... 70.9

1,600 feet............ 72.6

1,700 feet............ 73.5

1,800 feet............ 5.47

1,900 feet............ 74.9

2,000 feet............ 76.2

2,100 feet............ 77.5

2,200 feet............ 79.0

2,200 feet............ 80.3

2,400 feet............ 81.4

2,500 feet............ 82.6

2,600 feet............ 83.4

3,250 feet............ 91.9

The rates of increase indicated by these observations are as follows: 

100 to 3,250 feet, 1° in 83.3 feet; 1,000 to 3,250 feet, 1° in 84 feet.
WEST VIRGINIA. 93

VOLCANO JUNCTION.

The 4,527-foot well at Sandhill, 4 miles north of Volcano Junction, 

Wood County, W. Va., was tested at different depths by Mr. Van 

Orstrand with a mercury thermometer for some tests and electrical 

resistance coil for others. The results were as follows:

Temperature measurements in well 4 miles north of Volcano Junction, W. Va.

100 feet.............. 1 54.2

500 feet.............. 57.2

700 feet.............. 58.6

800 feet.............. 59.6

900feet.............. 61.1

1,000 feet............ 62.8

1,250 feet............ 65.2

1,500 feet............ 68.0

1,750 feet............'TO. 9

2,000 feet............ 74.8

2,250 feet............^G.l

2,500 feet............ 82.7

2,750 feet............'86. 2

3.000 feet............ 91.1

3.250 feet............J 95.0

3,500 feet............J 99.0

3,750 feet...........UOS. 7

4,000 feet........... 1 108. 8

4,100 feet........... 1 110. 7

4,250 feet...........UlS.l

The rates of increase indicated by these observations are as follows: 

100 to 4,250 feet, 1° in 70£ feet; 1,000 to 4,250 feet, 1° in 64.6 feet.

GEANT VILLE.

A 4,610-foot hole on the Poling farm, 5 miles southeast of Grantsville, W. Va., was tested by Mr. Van Orstrand with the following 

results: v '- J

Temperature measurements in well 5 miles southeast of Grantsville, W. Va.

100 feel............55. 3

200 feet.............55. 8

300 feet.............56. 8

400 feet.............57. 9

500 feet.............59. 2

600 feet.............60.4

700 feet.............61. 6

800 feet.............62. 9

900 feet.............64.1

1,000 feet.............65. 2

1,100 feet..............65. 9

1,200 feet.............67. 2

1,300 feet.............68. 3

1,400 feet.............69. 5

1,500 feet.............70. 3

1,600 feet.............71. 7

1,700 feet..........:..72. 5

1,800 feet.............73. 2

2, 000 feet.............75. 4

2,100 feet.......'......76. 9

2, 200 feet.............78.1

2, 300 feet.............79. 4

2,400 feet.............80. 5

2, 500 feet.............81. 8

2, 600 feet....'.........82. 9

2, 700 feet.............84. 2

2, 800 feet.............85. 4

2, 900 feet.............86. 8

3,000 feet.............88.1

3, 500 feet.............95. 2

4,000 feet............101. 8

4, 500 feet............110. 8

? Some of the rates of increase indicated by these figures are as follows: 100-4,500 feet, 1° in 80 feet; 100-2,800 feet, 1° in 90 feet; 

1,000-4,500 feet, 1° in 76.7 feet; 2,000-4,500 feet, 1° in 70.3 feet; 

3,000-4,500 feet, 1° in 66 feet.

1 Taken with mercury thermometer.
94 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES.

SHINNSTON.

The 4,920-foot hole bored by the Hope Gas Co. on the farm of 

E. Robinson- at Wyatt, 5 miles northwest of Shinnston, was tested 

at every hundred feet to a depth of 2,000 feet by Mr. Van Orstrarid 

with the following results:

Temperature measurements in a 4,290-foot hole at Wyatt, W. Va.

100 feet...............54. 5

200 feet...............55. 5

300 feet. ............56.3

400 feet...............57. 5

500 feet........... -....58. 9

600 feet..............59.9

700 feet..............61.0

800 feet..............62.0

900 feet..............62.9

1,000 feet............64. 2

1,100 feet............65.0

1,200 feet............65. 6

1,300 feet............66. 5

1,400 feet............67.7

1,500 feet.. ........... 68. 4

1,600 feet. ........... ^S.O

1,700 feet.. ........... 70. 7

1,800 feet. ........... 71. 9

1,900 feet.. ........... 72. 9

2, 000 feet.. ...........74.1

The rate of increase indicated by the difference, in temperature 

between 100 and 2,000 feet is close to 1° in 96 feet; from 1,000 to 

2,000 feet the rate is 1° in 101 feet.

LAKE WELL.

This well reached a depth of 7,579 feet when drilling ceased in 1919. 

It is about 8 miles south of Fairmont, W. Va. Van Orstrand found 

.the temperature at 7,500 feet to be 168.6°, indicating an average rate 

of temperature increase of 1° in 66 feet.

Mr. Van Orstrand has also given a series of measurements from 

100 to 5,400 feet as follows:

 Temperature measurements in well on Lake Farm, 4 miles northeast of Valley Falls, W. Va.

100 feet...............53.7

200 feet...............55.8

300 feet...............57.5

400 feet...............58.8

500 feet...............59.9

600 feet...............61.0

700 feet...............62.2

800 feet...^...........62.8

900 feet..............'.64.4

1,000 feet............65. 6

1,100 feet............66. 8

1,200 feet............68.1

1,300 feet............69.2

1,400 feet............70. 6

1,500 feet............. 71. 8

1,600 feet............73.1

1,700 feet............74. 3

1,800 feet............75. 3

1,900 feet............76.7

2,000 feet.............78.4

2,250 feet............82. 4

2,500 feet............86.0

2,750 feet............89. 2

3,000 feet............90.5

3,250 feet............93.6

3,500 feet............95.4

3,750 feet...........100. 9

4,000 feet...........104. 5

4,250 feet...........106.0

4,500 feet...........111. 4

4,750 feet...........116. 2

5,000 feet...........120.7

5,250 feet...........126.1

5,400 feet...........129.2

The rate of increase from 100 to 5,400 feet is 1° in 70 feet.

GOFF WELL.

The well on the Goff farm is about 8 miles northeast of Clarksburg 

in the northern part of West Virginia. Its depth is 7,386 feet.

 A small discharge of gas occurs ot 1,610 feet.
WISCONSIN-. 95

Tests were made by Mr. Van Orstrand at various depths in the 

well with the following results:

Temperature measurements in Goff well 4 miles northeast of Bridgeport, W. Va.

100 feet...............55.6

200 feet...............56.3

300 feet...............57.5

400 feet...............58.8

500 feet....'...........60.2

600 feet...............61.6

700 feet...............62.5

800 feet...............63.5

900 feet................64. 5

1,000 feet............65. 3

1,100 feet............65.8

1,200 feet............65. 5

1,300 feet............66. 5

1,400 feet............67. 2

1,500 feet............67.8

1,600 feet............68.0

1,700 feet............67. 8

1,800 feet............70.8

1,900 feet............73. 6

2,000 feet............74.9

2,100 feet............76.1

2,200 feet............77. 3

2,300 feet............78. 3

2,400 feet............79.3

2,500 feet............81.0

3,000 feet............87. 6

3,500 feet............93.8

4,000 feet........... 100.0

4,500 feet...........107.2

5,000 feet...........114. 2

5,500 feet...........122.3

6,000 feet...........132.1

6,500 feet...........143.2

7,000 feet...........153. 2

7,250 feet...........157.7

7,310 feet........... 1 158.3

Some of the rates of increase indicated by these figures are as 

follows: 100 to 7,310 feet, 1° in 70.2 feet; 100 to 7,000 feet, 1° in 

70.7 feet; 100 to 5,000 feet, 1° in 83.6 feet; 1,000 to 7,310 feet, 1° 

in 67.8 feet; 2,000 to 7,310 feet, 1° in 63.7 feet; 4,000 to 7,250 feet, 

1° in 56.3 feet.

WISCONSIN.

TEMPERATURES.

Temperatures of flows of certain Wisconsin wells are given in the 

reports of the State Survey 2 and water-supply papers of the United 

States Geological Survey, but for the most part the depth from which 

the flows are derived is not given, and some of the wells are pumped. 

The following selected list may afford a few data of value:

1 Eegarded as about 0.5° F. too low.

2 Weidman, Samuel, and Schultz, A. E., The underground and surface water supplies of Wisconsin: 

Wisconsin Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 35,664 pp., 5 pis., 1915.
96 GEOTHERMAL DATA OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Temperatures in wells in Wisconsin.

o

Location.

Crawford County:

Prairie duChieno. ....

 Do.................

Green Lake County: Berlin.

Marinette County: Marinette.

O conto County : 0 conto ....

Pepin County: Durand/...

Richland County: Rich- 

 land Center.

Sheboygan County: Sheboygan./

Vernon County:

Genoa. ................

DeSoto................

Walworth County: Elkhorn.

Depth 

(feet).

350-375

960-1.004

425

*

716

400

200

748

1,475

450

446

1,050

Flow

(gallons 

per minute).

200

540

Many.

450

Many..

2,400

225

200

126

Many.

Temperature

(°F.).

54

57

52

49

50

51

53

<59.1

52

52

58

Mean

annual

temperature

(°F.).

47.5

47.5

645.2

(J43.3

«44.1

(744.2

» 45. 3

H5.7

*46.7

U6.7

46

Depth

per

degree

of increase 

in

temperature

(feet).

54

63

71

68

30

96

100

87

84

88

Remarks.

Flow from below 324 feet.c

Cased to 333 feet; water at

405-410 feet; not any below

415 feet.

Cased to 225 feet; source of

flow unknown.

Pumped 11 feet; water probably from considerably above

bottom.

Pumped 104 feet; main supply probably from 1,340 feet.

Pumped 30 feet.

Flow.

Air lift, pumped 155 feet.

a Calculated to depth of 1,340 feet.

6 Oshkosh average for 28 years.

c Wisconsin Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 35, p. 364,1914.

<J Average at Menominee, Mich., for 18 years.

« Average for 26 years.

/ Wisconsin Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey Bull. 35, p. 502,1914.

g Idem, p. 284.

ft Viroqua average for 27 years plus 0.5°.

< Wisconsin Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey, p. 569,1914.

i Average for 18 years.

* Mean of La Crosse and Prairie du Chien.

i Delavan average for 24 years.

SUMMARY.

Exclusive of Sheboygan, Elkhorn, and Richland wells, of which 

the true underground temperatures are uncertain, there is a fair 

degree of accordance in the rates indicated by the Prairie du Chien, 

Berlin, Marinette, Genoa, De Soto, and Oconto wells. Owing, however, to some uncertainty as to the precise source of water, the 

figures can be regarded only as approximations. The temperature 

of the flow from relatively shallow wells at Durand indicates a high 

rate.

GEOLOGIC RELATIONS.

The wells in the above list are all in-the Paleozoic rocks on the 

slope of the low structural dome whose summit is in the broad area 

of crystalline rocks that occupies the northern part of the State. 

There are no local disturbances of any note. All the wells draw 

from sandstone, either the St. Peter sandstone, as at Oconto and 

Sheboygan, or the Upper Cambrian, some distance below the St. 

Peter horizon. At Marinette the granite "bedrock'' is reached at 

a depth of 712 feet, and at Richland at 665 feet. At Durand it is
WYOMING. 97

not far below the bottom of the 200-foot well. At Sheboygan a 

hole 1,782 feet deep did not reach the bedrock. There is no apparent relation between the gradients and geologic conditions-.

WYOMING.

The deep-well temperatures in Wyoming given in the following 

table were carefully determined with Darton thermometers sunk to 

the bottom of the holes by my assistants or myself.

Temperatures in wells in Wyoming.

Big Horn County:

SW. JSE. Jsec. 27, T. 102 

R. 48, 10 miles south west

of Meteetse.

Cambria...................

Newcastle, 2 miles west.. . .

Depth 

(feet).

1,400

1,475

374

Temperature 

< 8F.).

66

59

63

Mean

annual 

air temperature

(°F.).

a 40

645.2

45.2

Depth

per

degree of 

increase 

in temperature

(feet).

54

107

21

Remarks.

Dry hole; thermometer sunk 

by C. A. Fisher.

Thermometer sunk by O. B.

Richardson, 1899.

Thermometer sunk by N. H.

Darton, 1900.

a Mean annual air temperature at Four Bear, 10 miles west, plus 0.3° for lower altitude. 

6 Newcastle average.

All theso figures are correct, and no vitiating conditions are indicated. The Cambria and Newcastle wells were full of water. The 

steep gradient of the Newcastle well, is inexplicable. 

137163° 20 Bull. 701 7

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