Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-10-26
State SURVEY OF
Water RESOURCES
JUST Completed

The North Dakota Geological Sur
vey mas just completed a field survey
of the underground water resources
of the state. This work has been car
ried on during the last three years
by Professor Howard Il. Simpson, the
assistant state geologist, who has
spent several weeks of each summer
in the field. The work during the first
season was confined to the Red River
valley; in the second summer the
survey was pushed further westward
to the Turtle mountains and the c.
teau country and the remaining West-
ern portion of the state was survey
ed during the summer just passed.
In this investigation the Geological
Survey has had the cooperation OF
the state public heal1h laboratory,
which has already rendered valuable
srevice in connection with the san
itation Of public water supplies. The
health laboratory has had charge O
the chemical and sanitary phases o
the study.
Purpose of Survey.
The purpose of this investigation
has been to determine to the fulles;
extent possible, with the time and
money at hand, the important facts
regarding the underground waters
next to the soil the greatest natural
resource Of the state. These facts
include a knowledge Of the forma
tons in which water occurs, the
depth Of these water bearing forma
lions, the quantity that may be OBJ
tanned from each, the mineral and
sanitary quality Of the waters and
their utility for boiler and -nanufac'
turing purposes, as we'll as for do
nestle use, the elevation to which the
waters will rise when tapped by the
drill, the difficulties encountered in
drilling to them and the best meth
DDS OF finishing the wells for their
recovery. The deeper waters are com
pared with the shalloWer, in cost,
purity, pernanence and general avail.
ability, and, all sources are studied in
order to obtain the best obtainable.
In this work the State Survey has
followed the general lines laid down
by the United States Geological Sur
with which Professor Simpson
has served several field seasons in
Iowa. OF the published report OF the
several biologists engaged in this
Iowa survey the official bulletin Of
the Federal Surrey says: 1T is based
on II of the most thorough investl-
cations of deep borings that have
ever been made for the purpose Of
locating water supplies and is an ex-
cellent example of the application OF
palnstaking scientific methods to the
solution Of problems that are wholly
practical" 1T is probably II Of.
the most complete publications of the
Kind ever issued by the government"
Find Well Supply.
The need Of such an Investigation
the ground waters of North Dakota
s obvious. The deep zones of flow
ie far below the sources that supply
lie common wells. The local we'll
lriller cannot be expected to know
'ither the quantity or quality Of the
'rtesian waters or the depth at which
hey are reached. In some parts OF
he state there are serious difficulties
u obtaining In adequate and salts
actory supply for the public water
works. The problems connected WITH
sources and recovery Of such sup
lies are numerous. They are mott
recisely the same for any two CONT
nunities and many serious mistakes
made.
City councils gather information
rom nearby towns. when considering
water proposition, and such infor-
lation, while generally valuable, is at
mes misleading and always incom.
lete. AS "a result some communi-
IS rely On very unsatisfactory sup
lies, though better may be had at
l We. depths. In other localities ex-
ennsiye drilllaAg. has been continued
below the laWsEt available. water
ORION and thousands Of dollars vast :
:. casseul sirterDsetattcn &C. data
on = vide AfAes.G hAewlsdgss AZ the
eolegac satructRfe .a md o. aequaint-
ICE with the d~istrihntion andi move
tents Of underground waters, are nec.
ssary for the best solution Of such
'oblems.
Y Is hoped that the presentation Of