102 



Muiitgoniory County is located in tlie middle wosteni part of tli-' 

 State and contains 504 square miles, or 322,500 acres. The surface is 

 somewhat diversified. The western and central part near the principal 

 Ktreams is hilly and broken; in the north central it is gently undulating, 

 Jind at the east and southeast flat and level. The northern part of the 

 county is, in general, a prairie region, level or gently rolling. The dip 

 (-f the underlying rocks gives direction to the drainage, which is gener- 

 nlly a little west of southwest. The main stream is Itock River or 

 Sugar Creek, which enters south of the norlhcast corner and traversiim' 

 the central area, passes out six miles north of the west corner of tlu' 

 county. Its tributaries from the north are r.lnck and Lye creeks; from 

 the south, Ofheld. Walnut and Indian creeks. The southern and south- 

 eastern parts are drained by Big and Little Raccoon creeks and at the 

 southwest by Coal Creek, which flows directly into Rock River. Glaciers 

 liave left the bed rock of the county covered with a drift whiclj reaches 

 in some places to a depth of 200 feet. In only a few places, mainly along 

 streams, does the bed rock outcrop. The average depth of the drift, 

 however, is very nuich less than the figure given above. 



Collection of Data. 

 In order to discuss this question intelligently, it is evident that one 

 must be familiar with not only the past and present history of the 

 water level of the county, but also the past and present forest, swamp 

 and drainage conditions. To obtain data, trips were made personally ti» 

 the principal towns in the county. Old residents were inti-rvicwed as 

 to the past condition, and well-drillers and diiigers were asked concern- 

 ing their observations as to the water h'vel. Stress was laid particularly 

 en the history oi' old dug wells, because in these any fluctuations of 

 the water level of the region would be evident. Owners of old wells 

 were asked concerning the water level. l''i'oni men well .•ic(|n;iinted in the 

 difi'erent conunnnities visited, were ohlniiied names of farmers wiio 

 liad or who would be most rndile to have old dug wells on their farms. 

 Letters of explanation and lists of (lueslions wei-(> thtMi scMit to these 

 men. These (juesli(nis covered jioiuts coiiccniiiiL; water level as exhibited 

 by wells, and forest and drainage c(Miditions, both past and iin'scnt. They 

 were asked to return answci-s on blanks furnished. One hundred and 

 thirty-six letters were s^nt out and ;'orty-two answers were receivetl. 

 eiLdit of which contributed iiolbinu; to the sojiilioii of llie i.i'i>blem. 



