The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-30
ARTES|AN WATER FOR
FIRE PROTECTION
NOWADAYS
Some North Dakota Cities
Have Connections With
These Wells.
SIMPSON MAKES
IMPORTANT TRIP
Visits Various Sections in In
terests of the State Geo.
logical Survey.
SIMPSON MAKES
TRIP

For the purpose of securing infor-
nation that will aid each locality in
the state to secure the best available
water supply, Prof. Howard l.. Simp-
son of the university has been making
a study of the ground water
IN the Dakota artesian basin in North
dakota. He has been working for the
North Dakota geological survey, and
mas covered all of his territory, gath
ering valuable data.
While nothing can be forecasted as
yet this study may in all probability
result In protection for the artesian
wells of the state. Mr.. Simpson said
that in the region of Aberdeen, S. d..
where many wells had been sunk, the
indications are that the pressure and
flow Is being materially reduced,
Stop the Waste.
Steps ought to be taken. he said, to
stop the waste of water in the North
Dakota wells. In some places they
are tapped too freely and are left rum
ming at their full force during the en-
tire time. when the flow could he cur
down to a quarter of an inch and in
creased as needed
The work in the Red river valley
was done last year. The Dakota ar
tesian basin does, not underly the Red
river valley except in the south. near
Wheatland. Sheldon and across the
southern eEd to Wahpeton. The
artesian wells in the valley are chiefly
shallow. drift artesians, with the ex-
ceptton Of those in The southern end.
During the past six weeks. Profess
sor Simpson has been working be-
tween the western margin of the vail
ley and h western edge of the artesi-
an basin, which is a line not far from
Rolla. Leeds. Harvey. Jamestown.
Edgeley and Glendale.
In speaking today OF his study, Pro-
lessor Simpson said:
In Four Counties.
Most Of the important wells are in
four counties-Ransom. Sargent, La
Moure and Dickey. All the towns in
these counties and many of the farm
ers have good, flowing wells. To the
north the wells are found chiefly in
the Immediate valleys of the James
and Cheyenne rivers. Outside of these
two valleys. the wells are few in num-
Der and quite deep. They are found
at Devils Lake. Leeds, Harvey and a
few other places.
1.-The purpose of the study is to de-
termine the depth to which it is nee
essary to go to secure water the char
acter of the beds and formations in
which the water is found, the quantity
available and the quality for city wa
ter supply and domestic. fire. stock and
boiler purpose. The survey is aiming
to secure information. which will aid
each locality in getting the best avail
able water for hat particular locality.
.Artesian Fire Protection.
lit is IN interesting fact that man
towns in the southern part of the To-
tality. where the wells are strong. con-
meet directly with the city water mains
and use natural pressure for fire pro-
lection. 1t makes fine fire protection,
for the pressure is always there.
Zone Of the chief advantages in the
report. which will be published dur
ing the winter. will be forecasts. indi-
eating the depth to which wells will
have to be sunk in a locality to reach
flows. The survey aims to aid the peo-
pie Of the state by advising them
q against the drilling for artesian wells
where 1t Gems reasonably certain ar
tesian water nay not be Obtained
Mr.. Simpson also went to Aberdeen
and Redfeld. $. D.. where he secured
some valuable data from important
we'll drilling firms in those cities.