THE ARTESIAN WELL SYSTEM IN BEAVER CROSSING NEBRASKA

THE ARTESIAN WELL SYSTEM IN BEAVER CROSSING NEBRASKA Its Development and Demise Mary P. Lanik May 2010

LOCATION OF SEWARD COUNTY IN NEBRASKA

LOCATION OF BEAVER CROSSING IN SEWARD COUNTY, NE

OVERVIEW - Aquifers/ Artesian systems High Plains Aquifer Artesian systems/ wells -Historical Background Beaver Crossing Settlement, Discovery of Flowing Wells Benefits to the Community from Wells Recreation, agriculture, aquiculture Demise of Artesian wells -Factors influencing water levels Recharge, discharge, precipitation Development of irrigation Groundwater levels, past and present

HIGH PLAINS AQUIFER

ARTESIAN SYSTEM WATER HELD UNDER PRESSURE BENEATH A CONFINING LAYER.

DISCOVERY OF ARTESIAN WATER IN BEAVER CROSSING 1894 Eager’s Store -- the well had gone bad Mr. Eager hires a well digger, Ray Virgin, to find a new source Mr. Virgin digs a 120 foot well in the cellar of the store, 100 feet deeper than the original one Water was reached and the flow reached 10 feet above the ground, filling the cellar in no time Soon many residents had wells dug on their property

FROM THE BEAVER CROSSING WEEKLY REVIEW SEPTEMBER 20, 1894 Resident T. J. Foster had a well dug next to his house, when water was reached it flooded his basement and yard instantly “He gained control of the well water now by sinking a wooden pump head encircling the main pipe, and into the wooden pump head he inserted the ends of four pipes, making in all five strong and constant streams of water. It is a grand well furnishing 100 gallons per minute which comes up with sufficient force to rise 20 feet above the top of the ground. ”

ONE OF THE FLOWING WELLS IN BEAVER CROSSING

EARLY PHOTO OF THE POOL - 1908

TURTLE ROOST IN THE CENTER OF THE POOL WITH BAND SHELL ON TOP

BOATING IN THE POOL AT ARTESIAN PARK

WEEKEND PICNIC IN THE PARK, EARLY 1920’S – 1000’S ATTEND

EARLY FISH POND AT SMILEY’S WATER GARDEN

CEMENT POND WITH WATER LILIES, FLOWING WELL IN BACK

SMILEY’S WATER GARDEN

OTHER BENEFITS FROM THE ARTESIAN SYSTEM IN BEAVER CROSSING Ice Harvest 1888 -1930’s Produce Canning Farming 1900 – 1920’s Factory 1930’s

DIMINISHED FLOW Dust Bowl years of the 1930’s, some wells began to exhibit diminished flow Concerned citizens set about to cap wells that were being allowed to flow freely After capping these ‘wild wells’ flow returned to some wells around town

DECLINE OF THE ARTESIAN SYSTEM Ice harvest was done by 1930’s Smiley’s Water Garden closed in 1938 Bath houses and Turtle Roost torn down in the 1940’s. Pool stocked for fishing in the 1950’s. Filled in and leveled in 1962 Produce farms and orchards decline in the 1940’s, canning factory closes in 1952

FACTORS INFLUENCING GROUNDWATER LEVELS Recharge to groundwater occurs from Precipitation Irrigation return flow Seepage from surface water sources Discharge occurs from Groundwater pumping for irrigation Base flow to streams and lakes Evapotranspiration When recharge and discharge remain in balance groundwater levels remain unchanged

DROUGHT OF THE 1930’S The middle and late 30’s saw one of the worst droughts in U. S. history In Nebraska every year between 1933 and 1940 recorded precipitation amounts 4 -6 inches below normal Seward County’s rainfall totals during this time were also 4 -6 inches below normal Groundwater levels began to decline, crops died, farmers and state officials began to get serious about developing groundwater for irrigation

IRRIGATION Ample precipitation in the area during the 1940’s would hold off widespread irrigation development for another decade. Another drought in the 1950’s, along with advanced technology brought about a surge in number irrigation wells installed in Seward County.

NUMBER OF IRRIGATION WELLS INSTALLED PER YEAR IN SEWARD COUNTY 1945 -1975

GROUNDWATER LEVELS The years before 1950 are considered predevelopment years because water table configuration showed no significant changes. After 1955 there began a significant decline in groundwater levels in Seward County By 1972 declines of 5 -10 feet were common in large parts of Seward County

HYDROGRAPH FROM SEWARD COUNTY IRRIGATION WELL 1945 - 1975

CURRENT INFORMATION Groundwater levels measured in Seward County in the spring of 2009 show a 5 feet decline from predevelopment years. A count of wells along the West Fork of the Big Blue River near Beaver Crossing in the fall of 2009 showed, of 32 wells checked, 15 wells still flowed above ground. No measurements of depth or flow were done.

CONCLUSION For years the residents of Beaver Crossing enjoyed a seemingly endless flow of artesian water. When the drought of the 1930’s occurred, flow in the wells began to diminish Heavy withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation beginning in the 1950’s lowered water levels in the area By 1940 Smiley’s water garden was closed and soon after that the pool at Artesian Park would close.

CONCLUSION The era of the Artesian Well was over Not one single factor brought this about Early attitude about unlimited use of water Several recorded droughts, 1930’s and 1950’s Heavy withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation

CONCLUSION In the years since the wells flowed freely up and down the valley near Beaver Crossing people have learned more about water resources If residents had known more about conservation, they may have done things differently Droughts could not have been prevented , but possibly alternative practices in management may have made a difference in the long term viability of the wells and everything they brought to the community

THANK YOU Committee Members Dr. Mark Burbach Marie Krausnick