94 PROGRESS REPORT, HYDROGRAPHY, 1893 AND 1894. [bull. 131. 
concerning which definite information was obtained. They may be 
regarded as typical, and the information concerning them so complete 
that the addition of facts relating to others would be of little value. 
There is no longer doubt as to the feasibility of irrigating from 1 to 
10 acres by water pumped from such wells, and the cost of so doing 
becomes a serious matter only when the wells approach or exceed 200 
feet in depth. In this relation wells under 50 or 60 feet deep may be 
considered shallow wells, those up to 125 feet may be regarded as of 
moderate depth, and only those exceeding 180 feet need be considered 
as deep wells. The cost of well sinking and of pumping machinery is 
much less than it was when the earlier wells here enumerated were put 
down, and with improved methods and greater knowledge of conditions 
this is constantly decreasing, being least at the present time. The vol- 
ume of underground water is best illustrated by considering the wells 
grouped together, as at the towns of Goodland, Cheyenne Wells, Sharon 
Springs, Kanorado, Haigler, St. Francis, Benkelman, Imperial, Lamar, 
Big Springs, Julesburg, Ogallala, Grant, etc. In general it may be 
said that the source of the water is from the local rainfall, a portion of 
this being absorbed by the previous strata, especially that designated 
in Professor Hay's paper as Tertiary grit. Artesian Hows, or those in 
which the water rises and overflows the surface, have not been found; 
or at least not in sufficient quantity for the necessities of the plains; 
but, on the other hand, wells of the character of those here enumerated, 
especially those penetrating the Tertiary grit, hold a supply sufficiently 
great to bring under cultivation considerable areas, if suitable pump- 
ing machinery is employed. The intelligent, well-directed efforts of the 
settlers are being rewarded by success, and the results achieved within 
this area should serve as a stimulus to the undertaking of similar work 
in other parts of the country. 
