27
whifh not only impedes downward percolation from the land surface, but also confines the water within the aquifer and preserves its. lead. In low areas, water so confined has enough head to flow at the land surface when the confining blanket is punctured by a well. As indicated in figure 18, flowing wells may be obtained over roughly a third of the State.
Where the artesian water is confined, the aquifer cannot function efficiently as a reservoir, because it is already full and cannot store additional water in large quantity. An effort to conserve
.a .
FIGURE 18.-Areas of artesian flow. Flowing wells may be <obtained over roughly a third of Florida, commonly
with yields of several hundred gallons a minute. Such wells are a boon to farmers and citrus growers as they obviate an expense of pumping water for irrigation. Flowing,- wells used for irrigation number in the tens of thous.
ands. The area of flow is contracting locally because of the heavy draft of
water.
v. ... ......
:,:. . . ..i: . .
..., .. .. .
.... .. ..:ii>
. . . . . .. ... .
:'.. ':'::: i:: .. ..... ........
'::!:!::" ~ ~ ~ ...... ..., :!!!!!!!!!:'............!?i'?:
FIGURE 18.--Areas of artesian flow. Flowing wells may be btained over roughly a third of Florida, commonly
with yields of several hundred gallons a minute. Such wells are a boon to farmers and citrus growers as they obviate an expense of pumping water .for irrigation. Flowing- wells used for irrigation number in the tens of thousands. The area of flow is contracting locally because of the heavy draft of
..ater.