Noel Observation Well

Well Owner: Noel Water Company (Well #2)

Location: NE 1/4 NE 1/4 Sec. 22, T. 21 N., R. 33 W

McDonald County

Period of record: June 1962 to present

Land surface elevation: 830 feet (approximately)

Date installed: May 2, 1962

Date drilled: December 1931 (deepened)

Well log number: 3,451

Water level when drilled: Artesian, flowed 56 gpm

Total depth: 850 feet

Casing depth: 99 feet of 6-inch diameter steel casing, pressure grouted

Producing aquifer: Ozark Aquifer

Formations open to production: Cotter Dolomite, Jefferson City Dolomite, and Roubidoux Formation

The Noel observation well has been part of the groundwater-level observation well network since 1962. The well, which is 830 feet deep, is owned by the Noel Water Company. The well produces water from the Ozark aquifer. In southwestern Missouri the Ozark aquifer is a confined or artesian aquifer. When it was drilled in 1931 the water level was above land surface. Even with no pump the well flowed 56 gallons of water per minute.

By 1962, when it became part of the observation well network, the water level had dropped to about 40 feet below land surface. Currently, the water level is generally between 400 and 450 feet below land surface. The water level decline is primarily attributed to two factors. First, the Chattanooga Shale overlies the Ozark aquifer in this area and greatly limits recharge to the aquifer. Second, industrial and municipal water use in and near Noel is very high.