Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-07-19

LII mas ROG TO tHaG point Wlere every
one comedies that Alexandra must have
water for FIRE purposes. An artesinn
we'll seems to be the only solution ofthe
problem. Wells have been struck as
far south in this county as 103, at
depth l45 feet. The Mitchell well is
less than 600 feet deep. The we'll at the
court house is 160 and water comes up
within 30 feet of the top. After an investi-
CATION extending over a period of six
months it is our Judgment that a strong
flowing well could be struck here at the
depth of about 400 feet.-Aleraaatl7iG
Herald.
1t has been demonstrated that ar ar
tesian basin underlies thNhole of the
southeastern quarter of Dakota. This
supply of pure water is available to the
inhabitants Of all sections where the
Sioux Falls quartzite does not interfere
with the operations of the drill. There
is a deposit Tor an upheaval) of this
quartzite near to Ale1andria, but its ex-
tent is undetermined. The chances
are that anywhere outside the
area of the quartizite formation arteslan
water can be procured and
possibly 1t can be procured in the Jim
river valley by going through the
quartzite. Nature has made ample pro-
VISION for the wants OF the settlers of
this portion OF the west in sand wiching
between the geological strata an unfail-
ing reservoir of water. A hole IN the
crust releases it and neighbour Gods find
themselves under the dispensation of an
unend1ng blessing. 1t is their duty to
themselves and to posterity TO assist
nature to this extent.
In the construction of art esian wells
the experience of the pioneers is of
value to those who have yet to solve the
problem. The true arteslan vein is q
white sand rock, which lies at Yankton
six hundred feet below the surface.
Northward from this point the depth OF
this rock increases and in the Alexandria
neIghborhoodi it probably lies not less
than seven hundred feet down. To
reach the artesian basin it is necessary
to pass the drill through chalk, shale
stiff clay, iron pyrites, quicksand apd
various conglomerates, most Of the
formations being difficult tc
| overcome and requiring pa
tience. skill and experience on the
part of the well maker. Every foot Of
the distance between the surface anG
the water bearing rock should be tightly
cased, and it will be found that heavy
salt water casing is she most economical
in the end, though it is more expensive
than the lighter grades. Perfect casing
is the most important part of the work
| If any portion of the bore is neglected
the artesian water when reached sends {
considerable portion of its volume of
through the loose overlying formation
| and defect is created which
constantly increases in magnitude; Ii
searching for the true artesian veir
numerous minor veins are general,
encountered which produce flowing
wells. The discharge from these weir
is much less than from the lower veil
and an inferior quality of water is give
forth. So it is best to resist the temp
tation to stop when tolerable flow j
encountered and to go down te tn
srtesian sand rock, which has never ye
failed to give q spouting well. In tn
city of Yankton and in it's suburbs ther
are now twelve flowing wells. These var
in depth from $50 to 609 feet. In onl
the deepest of these was the white san
rock vein reached and that one is yield
ing water OF the best quality at the rat
of 1900 gallons per ainute. The other
have How Ok from thirty to ane-hur
, dred gallons per minute. Most ~ th
, Esmalier wells were made for private us
, and answer the purpose for which the
, were constructed. But fer public uss
J HE The deepest well is the only one of tb
| dozen which gives 8 satisfactory flow.
|, We give these directions as the resu
d OF Yankton's experiences, for the benef
3 ! 70 communities like Alexandra whic