The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-03-21
Flowing Artvsian Wells.
WHERE LIKELY TO BE
OBTAINED.

OBTAINED.
It has been my intention for some
time to give to the public what in
forma,ion | have of the geology of
Sumter county relative to artesian
we'll prospects. but have delayed in
che hope of obtaining data from few
communities where was uncertain
of the exact conditions. In writing
this report | purpose to furnish every
landowner With Information from
which he can draw a conclusion of
his chaoces for an ar:esian well, as
there are many who do not know if
they can get them In so doing l
am fully aware of the fact that many
who are very anxious for wells will
ind certain evidence OF their inabi!-
:ty to get them
In order to make this report com
prehensive, we must frs. consider
the general geological conditions of
South Carolina The whole State
from mountain to seaboard is upder
said by a solid rock bed. This rock
bed is very near the surface in the
upper portion of the State and con
tinues 80 to line extending from
Augusta. Ga, to Cheraw, S c 1t
then deepens toward the sea coast,
varying in depth there from 600 to
$500 feet
In Aiken, Lexington, Richland.
Kershaw and Chesterfield counties.
and the northwest parts of Orange
burg Sumter, Darlington end MarI
boro. we have what is known as the
sandhills This stratum consists Of
gray sands and clays, and covers the
whole region from there to the sea,
lying directly on the rock bed and
varying in thickness from y to l 600
feet; but usually about 400 feet.
This stratum lies deeper and deeper
from the surface toward tbs sea coast.
varying in depth there from 1000 to
1000 feet. This stratum is known as
the Potomac sands
Next on the sur.ace we have nar-
row ridge of red clay hills, extending
on line f:cm the city of 0rapgeburg
to Society Hill in Darlington county
These clay hills extend from the sur
face TO the Potomac sands, but are
only Gaping and do not submerge
or appear anywhere below the sur
face where they are not visible at the
surface. This stratum is known as
the Columbia clay Gaping
The whole country from the foot of
these bills to the sea is covered with
red and yellow clays, sands and
.osms, except occasionally in creeks,
swamps aud bottoms This stratum
varies in depth from few feet to so
or 80 feet but is usually of less
depth nearer the sea This is known
as the Lafayette stratum
The space between the Lafayette
and Potomac s.ratas is, therefore,
from 0 feet at the foot of the Colum
oia bills and widening toward the
sea until it is irons l 900 to 1000 feet
at the sea coast This space is filled
with blue clays and sands etc, ma
Yine cretaceous formations and lime,
shell. mari, etc eocene formations
These ioc!ode the principal forma
sions Of South Carolina with their
relative position aud general depths.
l will not undertake to give here
an account Of the water conditions
aud possibilities throughout the State,
but will do so for Sumter and relative
adjoining communities
In the northwest corner of Sumter
county we have the Potomac sands
cropping out on the surface and un-
derlying the whole county Iu coasid-
cradle depth Borings in different
places penetrated these sands for 400
to 500 feet without finding the bed
.ock. From Wedge6eId to Bishop.
vile we have the Columbia clay cap
ping. varying in thickness from to
so feet, aud lying on the Potomac
sands. At the foot of these hills We
have the Lafayette stratum, covering
the remainder of the country coast.
wards, aud where the Lafayette ssla:.
um begins. begins the marine creta
eeous which increases liz thickness
toward the coast, being sbout 25o
feet thick at the southeast corner
Lying directly on the marine creta-
ceous, n some places we fod she'll
mari (eocene) varying in thickness
from a trace to Is feet thick
To obtain an ar,esian flow OF
water we mus, fud continuing bed
Of porus sand, walled on every side
by impervious matter, except where
It is connected to water supply OF
greater elevation thar the point at
which the we'll is bored These con