The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-25
FLOWING WELLS IN ONO.
The Great source Of Water supply in the
NorthMest Part of the state.

Our Geological Survey has been studying the
water resources Of the United States for the past
ten years and great deal Of the information OBJ
ta.ned has been printed in a volume of over 300
pages in the last annual report Of the survey. Ono
81 the most interesting papers In the volume was
written by Prof. Edward orion on the deep wells OF
Ohio. which are found in the northwestern and
western part Of the State, lisa curious fact that
nearly all our knowledge Of the deep rock waters Of
Ohio was derived from wells that were drilled in
search Of oil and gas The drillers were not look.
ing for water and were not happy when they
coun'ercd it, for it mpedcd their search for gas and
OIL, but good deal Of this water is now utilized
and many wells have since been drilled for the
sole purpose of obtaining the water whose exist
cncc had been accidentally demonstrated.
The best known field Of flowing water in Ohio,
however was discovered before the era of drilling
for oil and gas opened II il in the extreme north
western part Of the State in the town of Bryan and
around it where in the early days the settlers Of
the village had much difficulty in obtaining water
for domestic use for the supply from shallow wells
contaminated by surface impurities and the
health Of tho people suffered. One day. over fifty
years ago, Dr. William Trevtt, who said that
new water supply was positive necessity, told
man named Wyatt he would give him one Of his
lots il he would find better water somewhere near
the public square Wyatt selected spot and went
10 digging and after much labor he reached
depth of forty three feet He quit work at this
depth one evening and when he returned next
morning he found the well full to the top and run
ming over. He had struck vein Of water that camo
from the depths. being forced up by artcsan pres
sure. The water problem was solved and Bryan
became prosperous village
This deep rock water Is now obtained in tho
surrounding country by sinking wells to depth
Of from so 10 l25 feet As the wells increased
in number the pressure diminished, and in many of
the wells the water does not rise TO the surface,
but comes so near II that the pumps do not have
much To do. The wells grow weaker their
number is multiplied. but tho point has not yet
been reached where the supply Inns failed in any
OF the nine counties Of north wcstcrn and western
Ohio which derive great deal Of their water from
these arteSian sources. II was found that the mill
well in the town Of Stryker caused the other wells
TO stop flowing when IL was worked hard. but
il is not drawn upon during the night the other
wells recover their head before morning and
sumo their flow.
The noblcst fountain Of Ohio is that Of Castalia
in the northwest corner of Eric county, where
the underground stream discharges at two out
lets the enormous quantity Of 30 900, 600 gallons
Of clear water n day. This outflow is spread
over thirteen acres of land. and though only a
few feet in depth, il never freezes. Trout pre-
serves have been established and the Cnstalia
Trout Club Co., which owns l0i acres, has led
the water through its grounds by tortuous channels
securing six miles of stream within its boundaries
This stream has been stocked with brook trout and
as pools. rapids and cascades abound, the stream
is cHcellcnty adapted to the habits Of this highly
priced ish.
Many towns in this part Of Ohio derive their
public water systems from these artesian sources
Of supply, and they often prove adequate for all
public needs. though sometimes il is necessary
TO supplement them by collecting the surface
waters.