84 Sioux City Academy of Science and Letters. 



of the state. We believe that it would be of practical 

 value to have the waters carefully examined with 

 reference to the following points: 



1. As to the sanitary condition. 



2. As to their suitability for boiler uses or for 

 manufacturing purposes. 



3. As to their medicinal properties. 



This examination would be conducted along the 

 lines of the leading classes of waters of the state, as (1) 

 streams, (2) springs, (3) alkali springs and wells, (4) 

 shallow wells, (5) deep wells, (6) mineral waters, etc. 



There is another problem involved in the water of 

 South Dakota doubtless of more value to the people than 

 the topics mentioned above. This is a question of the 

 supply and flow of the artesian wells. In many places 

 throughout the artesian well area the bore of the wells 

 is large and the flow far in excess of the actual water 

 consumption. If the artesian water supply is inex- 

 haustible, no matter how many wells are put down, then 

 it will make no difference as to the size of the bore or 

 the amount of water allowed to flow. Such a hypothe- 

 sis, however, one can scarcely entertain. The question 

 of the flow of these wells should be studied through a 

 long enough period of time to determine whether the 

 wells will keep a uniform pressure and output under the 

 same general conditions. Also to ascertain the influence 

 upon existing wells when new ones are bored in the same 

 immediate locality. The whole problem is one that 

 should receive immediate attention. The state can ill 

 afford to waste its valuable water supply. South 

 Dakota is rich in her economic resources both in her 

 ores and the non-metalliferous deposits. She has a 

 great variety of Fauna and Flora. No state can surpass 

 her in the extent and interest of her Fossil beds, where 

 the skeletons of many species of large extinct mammals 

 may be found. To bring a practical knowledge of all 

 these to the people of the state is the aim of the South 

 Dakota State Survey. 



