The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-08-21
ARTESIAN

AS Kimball is about to commence
work on an artesian well any infor-
nation ID regard to artesian wells
will be of interest to her citizens.
For the information here given the
GRAPHIC is largely indebted TO its
exchanges, which have from time to
time contained facts pertaining to
these wells; and to H. E. Gates, who
has been in correspondence with par
ties living in the towns where the
wells are located.
The artesian wells at Aberdeen,
Ashton, Groton, Andover and Hitch
cock were each sgs,k to a depth Of
about 1000 feet with but little varia-
ton of the five wells, although sepa-
rated by a distance of 100 miles.
The well at Ipswich is 1887 feet
deep and flows 100000 gallons per
day. The cost Of the well was $1,000.
The well at Groton is 1000 feet deep,
has a pressure of 1877 lbs. to the
square inch, and cost $4,000. The
one at Aberdeen is 9i5 feet deep, has
a pressure of lGO lbs. and cost $4,000.
The well at Hitchcock which has
just been completed by the Gray
Bros, who have tie contract for bor-
ing the we'll in Kimball, is a little
over 900 feet deep. The pressure is
200 lbs, and the we'll flows 700 gal
Ions per minute. Some idea may be
obtained Of the wonderful resources
of these wells from the fact, that to
obtain $50 pounds pressure in the
Holly system Of water works would
require an outlay of 100000 for
buildings and machinery, providing
an abundant supply of water was to
be had.
BY looking upon a map Of Dakota
it will be seen that all of the above
wells lie within the Jim River valley.
This valley varies in width from SO
to 100 miles. The plateaux on either
side rises from a height Of from 500
to 600 feet, on the top of which exist
various lakes Of considerable size and
capacity. 1t may be possible that the
water from these art>sian wells finds
it's head in these lakes but it is not
probable. The quality of the water
lead those who have investigated the
subject to believe the water does not
come from the lakes. The charac-
ter of the water, however, is not in
itself sufficient to establish this theo-
ry, as it could go through many
changes in parcolating to such a great
depth. When the history of the ar
tesian wells in Europe and Africa is
studied it will be reasonable to con-
clude that the waters from these arte-
sian wells in Dakota finds its foun-
tain head in the Black Hills or other
upheavels west of us. If such really
be the case then there can be no
question but what successful efforts
will reward any town in south Yea
Dakota that bores FOR an artesian
we'll. In the Jim River valley a
sand-rock formation seems to underlie
the valley and wherever this has been
pierced water of the same character
!, combined with enormous pressure
t has been obtained. How far this
, sand-rock formation extends outside
of the valley is only a matter Of con
: lecture. Kimball lies just over the
extreme western edge of the valley
F. and elevated $40 feet above the leve'
t of Mitchell. She is also at a consid
i cradle higher level than any of the
, above named towns that have artesiaI
e wells. 1t is, therefore, very probable
that the well at this place will hay.
9 to be sunk to a depth of about l,aot
e feet before the required pressure ca,
' be obtained.
At Aberdeen the various STRAIT;
t passed through are as follows: