The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-08-06
ARTESIAN WELLS.
4 Discussion Of the circumstances Under
Which They May be Bored with Hopes

Which They May b. Bored with Hopes
of Success.
Almost every summer we receive in
in regard to boring artesian
wells. Very frequently a correspondent
will ask if we think he would be sue
,essful in boring such a well on his
arm, q question that we certainly could
answer without knowing something
Of the geological formation of the sur
rounding region of country; for even
when the formation is favorable there is
a risk to be run in sinking such |
wells, as the veins of water may be at
so great a depth that they can not be
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
wells are not generally under
stood, and that many persons suppose
that the flow is caused by some force
near the center of the earth
exerts a pressure upon bodies or
veins of water located near the surface.
it true we could as readily find that
force acting upon veins in very lofty
of country as upon those at
w IONOlS VI Ill Vdl1CyS.
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 a little lower level and
become the fountain head of streams.
Sometimes they are situated over a deep
deposit of soil, OF yer rock that is
porous or full of assures, and the 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 depressions of the
impenetrable 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 accumu-
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 artesian
wells. The name comes from
the province of Artois (%ancient
name Artesium), in France, where the
first 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 it
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 a depth of 1,138 feet, and of Kis-
singer of 1873 feet, producing 100
cubic feet of water a minute. Grenelle,
a suburb of Paris, has an artesian well
1902 feet deep, giving $500 0 gallons
daily, and rising 120 feet above the sur
face of the earth, and at Passy a well OF
1913 feet yields 8 1875, 900 gallons daily.
In the United States there are wells al
St. Louis 1927 feet, throwing water Z:
feet above the surface; and in Chicago
n 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 a hundred feet deep.
In boring for artesian wells it is MOI
uncommon to pass through severa
water-bearing strata before finding ont
that has sufficient force to flow to the
surface. When this is the case the
water so found can be utilized anG
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 othel
impurities that render it unfit for do
nestle purposes. Sometimes, like thai
in the well at St. Louis, it is quits
strongly impregnated, having q minera
and salty taste, and smelling strongly
of sulphur. One in Louisville, 1,00t
feet deep, is unfit for drinking, havin,
qualities similar to several medicina
springs in Kentucky. The celebrated
Kissingen well is salt with carbonic acit
gas. Many of the oil-producing we'll
are from 1000 to 1000 feet deep, an
those in which the oil flows to the SUI
face may be considered as true artesia
wells, though in some instances it j
thought that the oil is forced to tn
surface by the pressure of gas, and nc
in consequence of a reservoir of oil lc
Gated at some higher point.
Many attempts to make artesian well
are unsuccessful. One was made nea
St. Louis, where a depth of more tina
5000 feet was reached, and at Colum
bus, Ohio. more than 200 feet wer
bored without obtaining a flow of water
Quite recently a very deep well wa
sunk at Paterson, N. j., with the hop
of finding a supply of pure water, but
vein of very salt and brackish waite
was struck and the well abandoned.
Government has made many a
tempts, at great expense, to procul
water by means of artesian wells
the arid districts east of the Rock
Mountains, but without sufficient SUI
cess to give much encouragement. Still
we believe there are extensive region
especially in the valleys of Colorad,
New Mexico and Arizona, whel
artesian wells will at some future ds
be put down and give water enough fc
domestic purposes, if for nothing NOR
There are now vast tracts of exceller
grazing lands that a not be utilize
from the want of water for the use
stock, and in such localities artesis
wells, if a success, would be of immen!
value. In some places there is plent
of surface water well adapted for irr
eating purposes, but none that Gait
will or can drink without danger to the
health, and it is not at all improbab
that there are sub~terranean streams
pure water that might be brought to tt
surface through artesian wells. The.
, wells have proved a great success
California, and we are informed tn,