The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-09-24

water is flowing. The successof vel
drilled so as TO tap an artesian slope
depends not only on the Quantl,.
and permanence OF the water supply
but on the degree OF resistance tn,
wafer meets with ii passing the per
meable stratum. The greater the re
sistance within certain limits, tn,
higher the water will rise il we'll:
leading to the surface.
Further, the practical question t
those considering the ACCESSIBILITY O
drilling for artesiau water relates t
the permanence Of the artesian supply
| Several features may be sighted as
controlling the flow. When the frs
wells are put down, the water in the
artesian basin is under considerable
pressure, which is naturally lessenet
as the stored supply of water is drawn
of. When new wells are drilled, fur
dergrOund supply Of water, and the
time must come, when only few, i
any, Of the wells will flow at all; al
least only such wells will continue tt
flow which are situated at the lowest
point, where the underground move
ment of the water is least restricted
The underground supply of water
must not be considered unlimited any
more than surface supply. The ar
| tesian basin is simply a basin or res
ervoir in which water is collected and
stored water, makes it possible to eX
haust the artesian resources, at
least for certain periods Of each sea
son. With the best construction, the
pressure in the artesian we'll is sure
to decrease until the total discharge
Of the wells of the area equals the
amount of water received by the ba-
sin. In order that a we'll may con-
tinue to flow with undiminished pres
sure, it is evident that the supply
must be renewed.
1t often happens that true artesian
wells develop into what are known as
pumping wells, in which the water
does not rise to the surface.
Of II wells drilled at Moscow. Ida
years ago, and the pressure has so
decreased that the water now stands
II to Is feet below the surface.
Four wells were drilled at Palouse,
Wash, for a city water supply; one
has ceased to flow at all and the
three others are flowing only about 10
gallons collectively
In the we'll supplying the town Of
Pullman, the water rises to 20 feet
above the surface. while the we'll sup
ply in the college building at Pullman
the water rises to within feet Of
the surface. The college well is on
ground about 80 feet higher than the
city we'll
The we'll on the Blalock farm IS
about AZ miles from the Thomas
ranch, and the ground not less than
800 feet lower. The chances are that
while the Blalock people are success
ful with their artesian well a We'll on
the Thomas site would be a failure
as a flowing we'll being on so much
higher ground.
In view Of the possibility OF not be-
ing followed with success, and fur
ther. in view Of the large cost Of
sinking wells sufficient for a munich
pal supply, l think there is no ques-
ton that the idea of a supply from
artesian wells is net a feasible one
in the case Of Walla Walla, at leas.
not if the wells are 10 be drilled OF
the Thomas ranch.
If the artesian supply is to come
from lower point, such as the Ba-
lock ranch, then the water works
plant resolves itself into a pumping
proposition. In such q case you would
be warranted in going many miles for
gravity supply, since there is none
better Or cheaper Of operation than
gravity system.
Mill Creek.
Mill creek is the master stream of
this immediate locality. At a point
about miles east of Walla Walla, the
Mill creek water appears to be clear.
bright and sparkling and reasonably
free from impurities. l know of no
analysis having been made Of the
water Of this creek, but having its
source in or near the foot hills of
the Blue Mountains, | think no anal
ysis is needed TO demonstrate that the
water is fit for city supply.
Mill creek at the time | visited it.
Sept. / and ). 1903, was discharging
15.S0o000 gallons. Measurements
were taken at the diverting dam
just below the gas company's tail
race outlet. Yellow Hawk creek was
at the same time discharging about
y soc, 600 gallons. | was informed
thai the creeks were then at low
wafer mark, and THAI at all seasons
Of the year the discharge is greater
than at present.
The Thomas Snrinr- or+oc;o, ,-o,,