Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-01-25
ELECTRIC LIGHT POWER.
Furnished by the Artesian
Wells in the James River
Valley.
Flectrical Plants Economical
" Run.-The Supply In
exhauStible.

The idea OF using artesian wells as
means OF developing power for manufac-
turing purposes, secuted at as visionary
but recently, has been demonstrated to be
not only practicable but profitable. The
artesian we'll basin in the Dakotas which
has been tapped by many wells proves
that valuable and reliable water power
can be obtained, and from all indications
will continue go for years to come. In
South Dakota, at Redfeld and Cham
berlain, power from artesan wells is used
TO run electric light plants and flour
mills as we'll as affordlng ample fire pro-
lection. The Chicago Street Railway
Review, speaking OF the utilization OF
the power from artesian wells for the
running of electrical plants, states that
there are good reasons for thinking that
the supply is practically inexnaustlble.
These reasons are based both on the
theories advanced by the United States
government geologists and on observed
facts in connection with the sinking OF
wells The government theory is founded
on the fact that the same stratum IN
which the water is found outcrops in the
bed of the upper Missouri and Yellow
stone rivers, and at the base OF
the Rocky mountains. The water.
sinking in this porous stratum OF
rock. follows it for hundreds OF miles,
until tapped by the South Dakota wells.
1t has long been believed that there is
more water IN the Missouri river above
the Great Falls than there is thirty miles
below. For twenty five or thirty miles
below the falls the river bed is composed
OF the same sand formation III which the
South Dakota wells get their water. If
this theory is correct, as it probably is,
the supply OF water to these wells may
be looked upon as observation-disclosures at least
as much so as the sources of our Rocky
mountain streams. Another fact that
would point strongly to the truth OF this
theory ls that during the June rise in the
upper Missouri river the pressure in the
wells rises. No diminution in pressure
has been noticed in any OF the wells IN
the district. The city we'll at Redtield
has been down seven years. Its pressure
has been constant, although numerous
other wells have since been sunk at no
great distances from it. This we'll fur
nishes direct pressure system of water
works, supplying all the domestic needs
of the city. The closed pressure Of this
we'll is III pounds.
About mile and half distant from
Redfield is another we'll, used for run
nirg an electric light plaLt and for irri-
cation. A description OF this we'll will
suffice to give a fair idea of all. 1t IS
1000 feet deep, and 6 inches in diameter
from top to bottom. When closed, the
pressure IS 165 pounds. When allowed
to flow freely through the 6 inch pipe 1t
yields 2,l27 gallons per minute and rises
to height Of sixteen feet in the air.
When the water is escaping through 2
inch pipe the we'll pressure is l28 pounds
and with 2sl inch opening, 95. From
this il is estimated that with foot
Pelton wheel 50 horse power would be
developed with 9 inch opening, and
100 horse power with pa inch. With
the plain undershot wheel at present in
place, so horse power is developed, and
it is calculated that about Is more is
available with it. The flow is absolutely
steady. This we'll cost about $1,000.
At Chamberlain $50. barrel flour mill
and light plant, formerly run by steam,
is now using "well power" These two
plants were started IN September, 1893.
At Huron we'll is about to be sunk by
the city for electric lighting purposes.
The first electric light plant in South
Dakota run from a we'll is at Melette,
town Of 400 inhabitants. 1t is safe to
say that very few plants in the world are
doing paying business in 80 small o
place. This plant is thriving, however,
and has connected ten 4-ampere arcs and
lao l6-candle power incandescents. The
we'll is only 4 e inches 10 diameter from
top to bottom, but it operates besides
the electric light plant tlonr mill, which
grinds $50 barrels Of -four day and fifty
bushels Of feed per hour. This work
would require an engine OF 40 horse
power. The we'll is 80 feet deep. Its
pressure when closed is 178 pounds. The
How is 600 gallons per minute
1t does not require vivid imagination
to see the possibilities OF the James
river valley. Electric railways are al
ready being considered, to connect farms
and small villages with larger fAilroad
towns. AZ regards the economy Of this
power over steam there is no question.
Considering that the water Is used for
irrigation it is probably the cheapest