Visiting any Earth Cache is more than just "Logging A Find". It is
an "Earth Science Lesson", and I hope you will enjoy mine.
Artesian basins and wells themselves are actually very simple in
"design". In areas where rainfall seeps underground between two
layers of impermeable rock or clay, an aquifer is formed. An
aquifer is a porous layer of rock filled with water up to the level
of the water table (the highest level of water saturation in the
ground). Where an aquifer slopes, the force of gravity on upper
levels of water presses on water lower down. Its impermeable
"walls" maintain this pressure. An artesian well pierces the walls
of the aquifer below the water table, and the pressure from the
weight of the water above this level forces the water out of the
well. The difference in elevation between the water table and the
point the well enters the aquifer determines the pressure of the
well. As water from this source flows indefinitely under its own
hydrostatic pressure, it is also known as a "flowing well."
Likewise, springs occur where the surface of the ground naturally
taps into the aquifer below the water table. In areas where a
sloping aquifer occurs fairly close to the surface, artesian wells
can be placed quickly and inexpensively, if the upper wall of the
aquifer is soft material such as clay. Just two men with a small
water pump and sections of pipe can tap such a well by hand in a
single day. The water pump is used to force water down the pipe,
washing away debris and soil as the pipe is worked into the ground.
Once the aquifer is reached, water flows by the force of gravity as
described above, and the end of the pipe is plugged with weighted
material to keep large debris from entering. The lowest section of
pipe has slit-like openings, or "windows", allowing water into the
pipe but keeping gravel and rock out.
To log this EarthCache: YOU WILL NEED A
CONTAINER OF KNOWN SIZE. Due to the output of this well and to
obtain an accurate result, I suggest a 5 gallon pail/bucket. Take a
picture of you at the Artesian well and log the picture and date
you were there. You will then need to calculate the flow-rate of
this well in gallons per minute. E-mail me your result.
Failure to send me your result AND post your picture will delete
your find without notice! Please do not post your result on the
cache page.
Gate to area may be closed at times during winter months. You might
consider parking along the road.
As of March 24 2009,
pre-posting a find on this cache will be deleted without notice.
Please post your find when you get your logs/pictures in order and
not before. While your here, consider finding GCM084 (if
you haven't found it already).