artesian well

artesian well
a well in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum overlaid by impermeable rock.
[1855-60]

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      a man-made spring from which water flows under natural pressure without pumping. It is dug or drilled wherever a gently dipping, permeable rock layer (such as sandstone) receives water along its outcrop at a level higher than the level of the surface of the ground at the well site. At the outcrop the water moves down into the aquifer (water-bearing layer) but is prevented from leaving it by impermeable rock layers (such as shale) above and below it. Pressure from the water's weight (hydrostatic pressure) forces water to the surface of a well drilled down into the aquifer; the pressure for the steady upflow is maintained by the continuing penetration of water into the aquifer at the intake area.

      In places where the overlying impermeable rocks are broken by joints or faults, water may escape through them to rise to the surface as artesian springs. In some areas, artesian wells and springs are a major source of water, especially in arid plains adjacent to mountain ranges that receive precipitation. The rapid development of new wells through overdrilling, however, has tended to reduce head pressures in many artesian systems. As a result, most artesian wells are now outfitted with pumps.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Artesian well — Well Well, n. [OE. welle, AS. wella, wylla, from weallan to well up, surge, boil; akin to D. wel a spring or fountain. ????. See {Well}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. [1913 Webster] Begin, then,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • artesian well — see ARTESIAN (Cf. artesian) …   Etymology dictionary

  • artesian well — [är tē′zhən] n. [Fr artésien, lit., of ARTOIS (OFr Arteis), where such wells were bored] a well drilled deep enough to reach water that is draining down from higher surrounding ground above the well so that the pressure will force a flow of water …   English World dictionary

  • artesian well — UK [ɑː(r)ˌtiːzɪən ˈwel] / US [ɑrˌtɪʒɪən ˈwel] noun [countable] Word forms artesian well : singular artesian well plural artesian wells a place where natural pressure under the ground forces water to the earth s surface …   English dictionary

  • artesian well —    A well deriving its water from a confined aquifer in which the water level stands above the ground surface [6].    Synonym: flowing artesian well …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • artesian well — noun a) An aquifer in which water rises to the surface under its own hydrostatic pressure. b) A bore hole in an artesian basin …   Wiktionary

  • artesian well — noun Etymology: French artésien, literally, of Artois, from Old French, from Arteis Artois, France Date: 1835 1. a well in which water is under pressure; especially one in which the water flows to the surface naturally 2. a deep well …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • artesian well — ar|te|si|an well [a:ˌti:ziən ˈwel US a:rˌti:ʒən ] n [Date: 1800 1900; : French; Origin: artésien of Artois, area of northern France where such wells were first made ] a ↑well from which the water is forced up out of the ground by natural pressure …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • artesian well — ar·te·si·an well || ɑː tiːzjÉ™n well made by boring deeply into the ground and water flows up due to internal pressure …   English contemporary dictionary

  • artesian well — ar•te′sian well′ [[t]ɑrˈti ʒən[/t]] n. gel a well in which water rises under pressure from a permeable stratum overlaid by impermeable rock • Etymology: < F artésien pertaining to Artois, where wells of this kind are found …   From formal English to slang

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