105 



ecological and geographical conditions would maintain the water level in 

 certain small areas irrespective of the changes in soil cover, however 

 important these might become. Many cases were cited by residents of 

 wells which have failed. Many old wells have been dug deeper in order 

 to keep up the flow of water. In many localities well diggers reported 

 as having to go deei>er for water than they formerly diil. The weight 

 of evidence shows that the falling of the water level is general in the 

 wells all over the county. 



i^icdDips. — Many places in the cnnuty have been wet and swampy. 

 Natural ponds of greater or less extent were numerous, some of these 

 being ten acres in area. The water level was very near the surface in 

 these places. The region around Whitesville was especially very wet, 

 water even running into shallow post holes. Such places have now all 

 been drained and the ground water level much lowered. 



Drainage. — A great amoimt of drainage has been done in the county. 

 The county surveyor reports about 200 county ditches, open and large 

 tile, with a probable average of t\vo miles in length, which makes a total 

 of 400 miles. The county is also well underdrained bj' many thousand 

 rods of private tile ditches under farm lands. Swamps, ponds, wet 

 fields, etc., have been drained and much of the water that sinks into the 

 soil is quickly carried by ditches to the nearest stream. 



Wuter-lcrtl. — That the water level of the county his lowered certainly 

 needs no additional proof. Observant and intelligent men in all parts 

 of it have given their opinion that this is undoubtedly so. The lowering 

 has been greater in some places than in others. As reported by wells, the 

 lowering lias been 2-9 feet. 



Causes of the Change. 

 Deforestation. — That deforestation has been a great factor in causing 

 a lowering of the water level can not be doubted. The cutting off of the 

 timber has increased evaixiration and surface run-off to such an extent 

 as to affect the water table. One man gives the following experience : A 

 well was dug on the farm and in ten years it went dry. During that 

 time, a large tract of timber was removed from the farm. Another well 

 was then dug with the same result in a few years, deforestation also 

 having proceeded during the time. The same occurrence also happened 

 again. Of course, it can not be asserted that deforestation was the 

 sole cause of the lowering. 



