The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-22
ARTESiAN WELLS.
A Discussion Of the Circumstances Under
Which They May be Bored with Hopes
OF Success.

A Discussion Of the Circumstances Under
Which They May be Bored with Hopes
OF Success.
Almost every summer we receive in
quiries in regard to boring artesian
wells. Very frequently correspondent
will ask If we think he would be sue
cessful in boring such a well on his
farm, question that we certainly could
not answer without knowing something
of the geological formation of the sur
rounding region of country; for even
when the formation is favorable there is
always risk to be run in sinking such
wells, as the veins of water may be at
80 great depth that they can not be
reached except at an enormous cost
1t would seem from the many questions
asked us upon this subject that the
principles which control the flowing or
artesian wells are not generally under
stood, and that many persons suppose
that the flow is caused by some force
originating near the center of the earth
which exerts pressure upon bodies or
veins of water located near the surface
But this Is an erroneous idea, for were
it true we could as readily find that
force acting upon veins in very lofty
regions of country as upon those at
lower levels or in valleys.
Water that finds its way into the
ground often gathers in large quantities
in certain places and forms what are
called springs. Sometimes these springs
find an outlet at little lower level and
become the fountain head of streams.
Sometimes they are situated over deep
deposit OF soil, or over rock that is
porous or full of assures, and tho water
is gradually distributed over a large
area; while at other times the water is
discharged between strata of impervi-
Gus rock or clay, along which it finds
its way to the lowest Impressions of the
barrier, where it fills such
space as may be found and sustains the
pressure of all water that is higher.
Evidently if an opening from above
to the water so enclosed and under
pressure should be made, it will rise
through this channel to the level of the
surface of the earth; or, if the spring,
or fountain head, be higher than the
surface OF the earth over this accuinu-
lation, the water will be emitted with
considerable force, and if pipes be
provided as conductors it will rise
through them to the level of the spring
Or fountain head. When openings from
the surface to the water are made, as
above stated, they are called artesan
wells. The name comes from
the province of Artois (ancient
name Artesium), in France, where the
hrst wells of this kind in Europe were
made; but it is believed they were known
in Asia, especially in China and Egypt,
long before any were made in Europe.
The term "artesian" is properly applied
only to wells in which the water rises to
or above the surface of the earth with
out the aid of any mechanical appli-
ance. If the water in the earth is CON
fined between two impervious strata of
earth or rock, it may be conveyed a
long distance from the region where 1t
passed into the soil from rains and
melting SHOWS; consequently artesian
wells in level countries may be supplied
with water from very remote but always
more elevated regions.
Among the most noted artesian wells
in Europe are those of Calais, which
has depth of 1,138 feet, and of ks
singer of 1873 feet, producing 100
cubic feet of water minute. Grenelle.
a suburb of Paris, has an artesian well
1,S02 feet deep, giving $50, 900 gallons
daily, and rising 100 feet above the sur
face of the earth, and at Passy well of
1913 feet yields 1885, 900 gallons daily
In the United States there are wells at
st. Louis 1927 feet, throwing water rs
feet above the surface; and in Chicago
one 700 feet, supplying water at 125
feet above the surface. There are hun
dreds OF other wells in this country that
supply water for domestic and manu-
featuring purposes, many of which are
less than hundred feet deep.
In boring for artesian wells it is not
uncommon to pass through several
water-bearing strata before finding one
that has sufficient force to flow to the
surface. When this is the case the
water so found can be utilized and
brought up with that from the lower
depths if desired. In passing through
rock and earth the water often becomes
loaded with mineral matters and other
impurities that render it unfit for do
nestle purposes. Sometimes, like that
n the well at st. Louis, it is qute
strongly impregnated, having mineral
and salty taste. and smelling strongly
)f sulphur. One in Louisville, 1000
'eet deep, is unfit for drinking, having
qualities similar to several medicinal
springs in Kentucky. The celebrated
Aissingen we'll is salt with carbonc acid
gas. Many of the oil-producing wells
ire from 1000 to 1000 feet deep, and
hose in which the oil flows to the sur
ace may be considered as true artesan
wells, though in some instances it is
thought that the oil is forced to the
surface by the pressure of gas, and not
n consequence of reservoir of oil To-
,ated at some higher point.
Many attempts to make artesian wells
Ire unsuccessful. One was made near
St. Louis, where depth of more than
!, 1000 feet was reached, and at Column
)us, Ohio. more than 200 feet were
bored without obtaining flow of water.
Quite recently very deep well was
sunk at Paterson, N. j., with the hope
If finding a supply Of pure water, but
vein of very salt and brackish water
was struck and the well abandoned
Government has made many at
;empts, at great expense, to procure
water by means of artesian wells in
The arid districts east of the Rocky
but without sufficient sue
less to give much encouragement. Still,
We believe there are extensive regions,
in the valleys of Colorado,
New Mexico and Arizona, where |
lrtesian wells will at some future day
De put down and give water enough for
purposes, if for nothing more.
There are now vast tracts of excellent |
grazing lands that can not be utilized |
rom the want of water for the use of |
stock, and in such localities artesian
wells, if success, would be of immense |
7alue.
As might be expected, the temper
,ture Of the water from artesian wells |
7aries considerably. That from one of |
hem at Paris is 81 Fab, while that of |
he Brine well at Kissingen, in Bavaria,
s GO Fab. The temperature of the !
water from several wells bored in the |
sahara desert is less by several degrees |
han that of the Brine well at Kissing
IN. The water from the artesian well |
It Chicago is remarkably cold for a
leep well, having temperature of $40
Fab. Many different forms of tools and |
of drilling or boring have been
lsed, but, so far, nothing seems to be
,etter than what is known as the ordi-
lary chuck drill. which is merely a