386 Geology of Artesian Basin in South Dakota. 



of 120 pounds per square inch. Woonsocket has three wells, two 

 within 1,800 feet of each other, each flowing 2,370 gallons per 

 minute. A new one, three inches in diameter, one mile away 

 flows 1,000 gallons per minute under a pressure of 120 pounds per 

 square inch. These are a few examples where no less than 150 

 might be cited. More likely there are over 200 now flowing. 



Third, the character of the water is notable. All the wells, 

 with one or two exceptions, yield a clear and bright water. The 

 exceptions are where there are some defects in the piping or 

 where the water comes in contact with the shale at the bottom. In 

 Groton such a condition ruined the well. A new and clear well 

 is now flowing at that place. The water of the wells at Aberdeen 

 has a slightly milky appearance at times, owing probably to a 

 local sediment in the sandstone. Usually the flow is bright and 

 sparkling. The temperature of the water varies from 68° to 70° 

 Fahr., though at Miller and Harold it is 91° and 90°, respectively. 

 In some of the wells the water is soft — as at Iroquois. Every- 

 where it is palatable and pleasant. Experience has proved it, 

 with only a few exceptions, very healthful. The Jamestown well 

 is an example of one yielding a brackish and saline water. But 

 every well in South Dakota, so far as I am informed, furnishes 

 water that can be used by man and beast. 



This opens the question of utility. Its domestic use is already 

 before us and has been sufficiently noted. Its mechanical use is 

 also already established. In many towns and cities it affords the 

 cheapest and best possible fire protection. The problem every- 

 where is to get hose that will withstand the pressure. Huron 

 uses about 80 pounds pressure per square inch. For power it has 

 been used in a practical way in driving printing presses — no less 

 than three printing houses in Huron are using motors driven by 

 one artesian well. 



At Hitchcock a flour mill has been running for two years, 

 driven by a three and one-half inch well — grinding 48 barrels of 

 flour every day. "The natural pressure is so steady and regular 

 that there was absolutely not the variation of a single revolution 

 in 24 hours." 



The new six-inch well at Woonsocket is driving a still larger 

 mill by this time. The machinery having been put in place three 

 or four weeks ago. 



