Paula's Artesian Well EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

South Lyon Trekkers: Since I posted this EarthCache I have found that about three of every four cachers who attempt it just chock it up as another number. Measuring the flow rate of this artesian well with a water bottle or McDonalds cup is a joke and says a lot about people's integrity. I have been told that the flow rate has been as low as 1.5 gallons a minute. Common sense should indicate that there is half that much water visible between the spout and the ground. I am fed up and frustrated and I am therefore archiving this one. I have more respect for EarthCaching than many of the cachers who found this one and I am no longer going to allow cachers to just log this as another find. This has been a long time coming. And, by the way, the flow rate on this artesian well is about 15 gallons per minute. I will delete all Found logs that are posted to this cache after today. -SLT

More
Hidden : 2/28/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Please be prepared to complete all the tasks. All tasks must be completed to log this geocache.

Location

This EarthCache is located right off the parking lot of Paula’s Café in Indian River. The terrain is flat, the parking area is packed dirt, and the Artesian well is located just into the grass.

About This Artesian Well

This Artesian well is a water well that brings fresh, clean water to the surface. We have been told it is safe to drink and that many locals come here with bottles to get the water. We have also been told that the well was recently tested. Drink it at your own risk. It is quite cold and can be very refreshing. Paula herself has given permission for this EarthCache.

Artesian Well Definition

In its simplest terms, an Artesian well is an opening in the ground in which water flows up and out, freely, due to pressure built-up below the surface. The term Artesian comes from the word “Artois” which was a province in France. Monks in the 1100s drilled many wells to access water. This 900 year-old process was also conducted in Syria and Egypt around the same time. Origins of the technique are not known.

For an Artesian well to form, an aquifer is needed. An aquifer is a layer of porous rock underground where water collects. This water can be supplied by a number of methods, often rain or snowmelt. Usually above the aquifer is another layer of rock. This layer is nonporous; it does not allow water to easily pass through it. When this layer of rock is present we refer to the aquifer as confined. The nonporous layer compacts the aquifer creating pressure. When a hole or crack, natural or man-made, is created in the nonporous layer, the pressure is relieved as the water pushes upward toward the surface. When this water can be seen at the surface we call it an Artesian well.

This Artesian well is located in the northern lower peninsula of Michigan and is part of the Silurian-Devonian aquifers. The confining or nonporous layer of rock is comprised of Ellsworth and Antrim shales. The porous layer of rock is carbonate rock, primarily dolomite or limestone. The average depth of the aquifer itself is about 300’ to 400’. This is not the depth in which the aquifer begins, but rather the depth from the top of the aquifer to the bottom of the aquifer.

What To Do To Log This EarthCache

If a cacher is not prepared to complete each task appropriately and thoroughly, then please do not log this EarthCache. Each task is required to complete this EarthCache.

Do not post answers to any tasks in the posted log. Logs will be deleted if posted with answers.

Task 1
This Artesian well continually flows throughout the day, week, month, and year. Measure the flow rate of the water coming up from the well. This can be done by taking a container of known volume, a gallon-sized or larger, with a large opening, and filling it up. (All the water must enter the container when checking the flow rate. Due to the high flow rate, a container with a smaller diameter opening than the water pipe will not give an accurate flow rate nor will a container that is smaller than a gallon. McDonald's has no container that will help in measuring!) While filling the container, time how long it takes. If the gallon container fills up in 30 seconds, it would take a minute to fill two gallons. The flow rate is 2gpm. Send an e-mail through our profile indicating how many gallons per minute (rounded to the nearest gallon) the well is producing.

Task 2
Estimate the temperature of the water coming out of the pipe. An actual reading is not required.

Task 3
Take a picture of you and/or your team at the well with the flowing water in the background. The flowing water, your and/or team's face(s), and your GPSr need to be in the picture and identifiable.

Other Information

Don't forget Cache In Trash Out.

The FTF prize is the glory and fame associated with being the first to find. It was earned by Team Kalsin on February 28, 2008. Congratulations!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Oevat n ynetr pbagnvare

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all bookmark lists...