San Joaquin County CA Archives History - Books .....Underground Springs 1923
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Kellie Crnkovich markkell95@aol.com December 16, 2005, 2:08 pm

Book Title: History Of San Joaquin County, California

The water flowing over the land was not the only supply of Nature. Through the 
earth there runs thousands of streams of clear water from mountain to sea; 
these streams are fed by the springs, lakes and acres of melting snow that 
percolates through the soil. Here in San Joaquin, water for domestic purposes 
may be found at a depth of twenty feet. The best drinking water, clear and cool 
is found at a depth of from fifty to eighty feet. The nearer the mountains 
naturally the deeper must be the well, and in the extreme eastern part of the 
county wells were dug to a depth of sixty or more feet, and walled up with 
brick or rock. Then in early days the old-fashioned windlass was used, and "the 
old oaken bucket that hung by the well" has been replaced by turbine wheels 
which are set in the bottom of the well and the water lifted to the surface. 
The Italian gardeners, and many persons in Stockton set up windmills for 
household purŽpose and irrigation. In 1858, before establishŽing the city water 
works, 256 windmills were counted in the city. Now the farmers and gardeners 
use gasoline engines, and extensive irrigation is carried on by this means.

Some idea of the depth of the soil, with which Nature filled this valley, and 
the depth of water is best given by illustration. In 1854 an artesian well was 
bored in Stockton on the west side of the Court House Square, but they 
discontinued work at a depth of 200 feet for lack of money, although water was 
found the entire distance. The following year work was not continued, because 
someone had dropped a large stone into the well and it could not be dislodged. 
A new well, twenty feet distant from the first well, was bored to a depth of 
1,000 feet, at a cost of $10,000. Now by the use of improved machinery they 
cost 50 per cent less than by the hand labor of early day. Through the entire 
distance the auger brought up only fine gravel, clay and sand, which in the 
classification of the geologist inŽdicates a late formation of the soil, five 
thouŽsand years or more ago. At a depth of 340 feet the auger bored through a 
redwood stump. During 1919 an artesian well was bored at the Pacific tannery, 
located on what was formally the bank of a water channel. The well was sunk 280 
feet and at a depth of 170 feet, the auger passed through the limb of a tree. 
In the courthouse well, from a depth of 340 feet, the water was forced to 
within three feet of the surface; at a depth of 560 feet the water arose three 
feet above the earth, and at 910 feet a body of water was forced up seven feet 
in height The temperature of the water averŽaged 77 degrees F. in summer and 
winter. Down 500 feet a strong smell of gas was noŽticeable, and upon the 
completion of the well this gas was confined and found to be a fair quality of 
illuminating gas. There are now several hundred artesian wells in the county; 
included in the number are twenty-seven arŽtesian wells from which. Stockton 
receives its water supply, for domestic, manufacturing and fire purposes. These 
wells vary in diameter from twelve to twenty inches, and in depth from 250 to 
800 feet. By means of their large pumps the corporation can furnish 17,000,000 
gallons of water a day, water, save for a little sulphur in the winter season,, 
the purest and healthiest in the state. Salt water is found at a depth of 1,000 
feet, this positively showing that the mountain greets the sea. There are in 
Stockton several gas wells, the gas being used for illuminating, heating and 
cooking purposes. The pioneer gas well was bored by Cutler Salmon at his ranch 
home two miles east of French Camp. The well was bored for the purpose of 
obtaining a good supply of water, but sufficient gas was found to furnish him a 
supply for lighting and cooking purposes.



Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY 
By George H. Tinkham 

Chapter I

HISTORIC RECORD CO
LOS ANGELES, CA
1923



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