SOME .FEATURES OF IOWA GROUND WATERS. 
BY W. S. HENDRIXSON. 
About ten years ago the Iowa Geological Survey published an 
elaborate Report on Iowa Artesian Wells by Professor William H. 
Norton of Mt. Vernon. In this Report, which occupies most of 
Vol. VI of the Survey, are published the analyses of about fifty 
deep well waters. The geology of these wells and other deep bor- 
ings was fully discussed, and illustrated. 
About two years ago the United States Geological Survey ex- 
tended its hydrographic work to this state. The Chief of the De- 
partment of Hydro-Economics, Mr. Marshall 0. Leighton, visited 
the state and while here arranged with the writer for the further 
chemical examination of Iowa well waters, principally with regard 
to their fitness for economic uses. A year later a plan was made 
providing for the co-operation of the U. S. and Iowa Geological 
Surveys with a view to the preparation and publication of a more 
comprehensive statement of the geology and hydrography. The 
local work on the geology was to be in charge of Professor Norton 
and the chemistry of the water in charge of the writer. Last 
spring the scheme was still farther developed, and was extended 
to the important shallower wells, so as to make a more nearly 
complete statement of Iowa water resources. Professor Simpson 
of Colby College and three assistants were sent into the field to 
search out and investigate unrecorded or little known wells. Dur- 
ing the summer they covered most of the state and collected a large 
amount of material, which will be used in the state and county 
reports. 
The work in the state was taken up by the Department of 
Hydro-Economics and the object was primarily practical and eco- 
nomic. Later a combination in the work was effected with the 
Department of Geology with a view of covering the whole ground 
of the Iowa deep wells from both the practical and the scientific 
standpoint. 
It is not the purpose of this paper to discuss the value of the work 
save at one point. Iowa is a state with a scanty supply of surface 
water, when compared with other states, especially our northern 
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