The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-09
IOwA,S WONDER.
An ArtcsiaG Wen That SpOuts 100000 Gallons
DAY.

An ArtesiaR Wei That SpOuis 100000 Gallons
DAY.
Iowa comes TO the trent with a remarkable
freak of nature. AT Belle Plain an artesian
well four inches in diameter burst when the
depth Of $50 feet had been reached in boring,
and instantly volume OF water was forced into
the air 10 the distance of several hundred feet.
This gradually increased in size until a stream
Of water fully 10 inches in diameter was form
ed, and the upward force Of this stream
equal to the power Of powder or dynamite. The
water in huge volume spoute1 high in the air,
and the supply seemed inexhaustible. Two
gigantic rivers were formed by this phenomenal
water burst, which ran through the town at
the rate Of IL miles an hour carrying every
thing before them. Houses aud lives were
threatened, and the citizens were appalled, at
their impending danger. Finding il impossi-
BILE TO divert the damaging flood an attempt
was made 10 insert l6-inch boiler iron nbes
into the well, but these were instantly blown
out and forced high in the air. Finding this
plan useless the terrified people attempted TO
I'll up the aperture through which this terrible
geyser was spouting its deluge Fifteen cart
loads Of stone were emptied into the well, but
these were forced upward as though propelled
by the force OF giant powder. Bags of sand
were then hastily constructed and cast into the
well, but these, too, were hurled into the air.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad was
called upon for assistance and instantly sent a
large gang of men . the rescue. The bridge
gang Of the Count .~ss also called upon, but
up 10 last reports no abatement in the flow Of
water was perceptible and the rushing rivers
formed by il were washing the channel il had
made deeper and wider, while the basin formed
by this immense volume Of water was spread
ing over the low lands in the vicinity.
The outburst is exciting general interest
study Of Iowa geology will furnish an explans-
ton of the phenomenon. Belle Plain town is
situated in the valley Of the Iowa River, 20 TO
80 miles south of the line OF outcrop of the
Hamilton group Of rocks. The impervious
Limestone stratum dips southwark az an aver
age of 10 feet 10 the mile. At Belle Plain these
rocks lie at q considerable depth, covered with
shale, blue clay, surface drift, gravel aud soil.
The water trickles through the sand at the far
northward, flowing down through assures un-
al IL is confined between the limestone beds
and the superintendent mass OF impervious
bueclay. The pressure from the distant foun-
tain head is very great. The Belle Plain well
was sunk through the clay and friable material
10 the depth Of about l55 feet and the force of
the upward stream was sufficient 10 enlarge the
aperture, breaking through the shale and blue
clay and throwing out vast quantities of clay,
sand and gravel. The other seven wells in
Belle Plain ceased their flow when the great
geyser" was struck. This indicates that
there is a connection Of assures and common
fountain at the north, and il may be expected
that there will in time be some decrease in the
volume Of the water.