Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-06-17

The letter below is published to give
the people an idea from an author
itative source of the general feasibility
of finding and securing water by az
tesian boring.
The geological formation described
by Mr.. Beach as most favorable to
bearing conditions is almost
exactly that which holds here. varying
only in inclinal directions.
If Frostburg had the we'll which Mr.
Beach developed fol Prairie du Chen
there would be above existing supply
POO gallons a day for every man,
woman and child in the place, and
this without variation the year round,
drouth or no drouth. A 45-feet spouter
would obyiate all the contingencies
and expenses of an uncertain and
costly series Of pump proyisos:
PRAIRIE DU CHEN, WIS, June 8, 1893.
G. G. TOWNSEND, Esq,
Dear Sir-Your communication of the 9Th
inst, asking information about the artesian
well at this place. was handed to me to an
swer, for the reason that have had good
deal of experience in boring and locating
points at which artesian water has been OBJ
tanned.
My first experience was at this place. The
location proved successful. l was in 1881
sent west by the U. S. Government to study
the water question on the western plains.
In 1882 l was appointed commissioner to
choose the sites and let the contracts for two
experimental wells in Colorado. Discovered
the Denver basin, in which many wells have
been obtained and in 1890 was appointed
special artesian well expert by the Govern
ment for North and South Dakota.
In answer to your queries would say our
artesian wells here 1--WE have 10 wells) are all
bored in the Potsdam sandstone, which is
composed of alternate strata of soft sandstone
Tin which the water is found and indurated
clay, or shale, which is impervious to water
The rock strata here all dip to the south west
and edges of the formation, in which the
water is, come to the surface at the north and
northeast, at which places the loose sand
stone strata which are underlaid and overlaid
by impervious strata. The rocks all dipping
southwest, grayitation forces the water dorm
the incline under the oyerlying and Ooer tn.
underlying rocks. In this case, bore, made
through the the everything impervious stratC
into the soft sandstone, the water wW rise Al
high as its source.
have been thus particular so that you may
see under what conditions the water may be
obtained. 1t is forced to the surface anC
ADORE it by hydrostatic pressure.
The foregoing description is of when watel
is obtained from simple inclined stratum, bu
the most desirable condition. perhaps, is in
synchlinal fold like this -, but good well
have been found in both conditions of tn,
rocks.
Now as to our well here-the Pioneer Well
which furnishes water for the city, is 6-incf
bore, piped only into the rock ia feet, thu
rock forming balance of water conductor. |
is $50 feet deep, cost about $500, flow
868, $40 gallons each "a hours, and raises tn
,cater as feet ADORE the surface. We have thre,
artesian wells here which furnish power t
run a grist mill.
Now, would say artesian wells are fount
in almost every formation except granite
The famous wells at Greville and Passy, il
France, are bored in the cretaceous also TIN
famous wells Of Dakota. The wells in TIN
Denver basin, Colorado, are bored in tn
tertiary; at Sheboygan and Milwaukee in tn
St. Peter sandstone; at Watertown, Wis, il
stratified drift. So you will see that the.
may be found in almost any rock formation
provided the rocks are of pervous strata an,
are on an incline or synchlInal fold, and tina
there is proper water supply to furnish tn
water at their sources.
Any further questions will be cheerful
answered. Yours truly,
HORACE BEACH.