dbd-76.nd
March 1994
Ground Water Youth Guide
North Dakota State University Extension Service
Fargo, ND
WELLS
Wells are holes in the ground that end below the water table. Pumps in
wells bring water to the surface so we can use it.To make a well, a
hole is drilled into the ground.A pipe must be put down at about the
same time that the well is being dug to keep the soil and rock from
plugging the hole. This pipe is called a Well Casing. Well casing
material is often steel, plastic, concrete, wood or iron.Some casings
are screened, or have small holes or slots at the bottom to allow
water to flow into the well.
How many different ways can a well be created?
Dug Wells:
These are usually large in diameter, more than three feet. Most dug
wells are dug by hand and are not too deep.
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Figure 1.
Bored Wells:
They also are large in diameter, but dug using a machine that augers
or bores into the earth. Most bored wells are not very deep, but
generally deeper than hand-dug wells.
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Figure 2.
Drilled Wells:
Drilled wells are the most common in North Dakota.They are of a small
diameter (under 12 inches) and can be several hundred feet deep.
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Figure 3.
Sand Points:
Sand point wells are shallow (usually less than 20 feet deep).The
casings are two to three inches in diameter. Usually the casing is
pounded or driven into the ground. The casing has a pointed tip that
is screened.They are often called "driven wells."
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Figure 4.
How do you get the water out of the well?
A pump is used to lift water out of the well. Some pumps are submersed
below the water table and others operate above.
Often, groundwater pumped from a single large well will serve a whole
town. However in rural areas groundwater is pumped from much smaller
wells to serve individual farm and ranch families. Once the water is
pumped to the surface, it flows through pipes to our homes and
buildings for use. Rural areas or communities may have a hard time
finding good groundwater so they will create Water Systems. This means
that many small communities or farms develop a system of water lines
that are served by just one or a few large wells with good quality
water.
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Figure 5.
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Figure 6.
One unusual type of well is called a Flowing Well. The water is under
pressure, so it is pushed to the surface without the use of a pump.
If flowing wells are allowed to flow all the time, they waste our
groundwater and may create other problems such as salty soil.
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Figure 7.
TXTEND
Funding for this publication was provided by the U.S.Department of
Agriculture Extension Service, under project numbr 89-EWQI-1-9006 and
the Nort Dakota State University Extension Service.
NDSU Extension service. North Dakota State University of Agriculture
and Applied science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Robert J. Christman, Interim Director, Fargo. North
Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8
and June 30, 1914. We offer our programs and facilities to all persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, handicap,
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