Our Homestead Seepage Well

in #homesteading6 years ago

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The well house is the only out-building that I did not build, but someday I will tear it down and build a proper shed for the well. However, I did build the cover for the well. It formerly had only a sheet of plywood covering the hole.

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The well was dug by hand in the late 1800’s and to me, it is an engineering marvel. I complain if I need to dig a post hole because of the rocks, but this well is 20 feet deep and lined with rocks. It is what is called a seepage well, which is unusual on a mountain, but it has never gone dry. I feel having this well gives us a connection with the early pioneers who worked so hard to have water on their homestead. Like them we have also put considerable effort in to securing water for our homestead.

FYI: A seepage well is filled by water run-off that seeps into the well, and the water level will rise and fall depending on the water table, as opposed to a well that is spring-fed.

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When we first moved onto our homestead, this well was our only source of water, but as time went by we installed rain water catchment, had a 160 foot well dug, and installed a hand pump. Consequently, the seepage well is not used during most of the year, but during the winter it is truly a blessing when all of our other sources of water are frozen.

We have a second seepage well at the bottom of the mountain that we have never used. We were told that it was a stopping place for early homesteaders to stop and water their horses. Today people driving by would never know it was there because it is overgrown with brush, but someday I would like to restore this well.

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Have a great day and thanks for your up-vote, Tim and Joann

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Good to know how well it works for you

I can only imagine how long it took to dig that well. A lot of work was put into that. Even more amazing is the fact it is still in good working order.

The more water sources the better!

How cool!
You can tell this is not a building you made, since it does not look nearly as nice all all your other constructions.
That would be very neat to restore the well at the bottom of the mountain, especially if you did it in the style of a watering-hole for passersby.
Nice post!

Wow! How cool to have that history on your property! And that you were able to get access to water in so many different ways. You must not live in the Western US... here you can barely get access to water on your land. Most places it's illegal to dig a well, use the water from a creek running through your property, or even catch rain water... we're not even allowed to do that!
Gorgeous well, glad you're keeping it alive ( :

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