I don't see a lot of discussion here about our Drought situation and wondered what people are thinking. I remember early this month there was talk in the papers about tapping the underground water reserves. Where exactly is the Kirkwood-Cohansey acquifer? I know there is something like 18 trillon gallons? What are the DEP's policies on that? I know they said it took a long time to get us into this drought situation and will be a long time getting is out. So exactly how much rain do you think we need to get? Genie
Our Drought Situation
- Thread starter pineygirl
- Start date
I really don't know how much of a drought we are REALLY in. But I do know that the swamps and bogs that I've seen in the Pine Barrens are not nearly as wet as they were years ago (mid 80s to early 90s). Also a lot of the sand and dirt roads used to have many, many big puddles (which I've gotten stuck in). Those puddles were everywhere. Now I'd be hard pressed to find ANY puddles on the roads out there. On the Martha Furnace Road there is only one puddle of any consequence, and it is right by the furnace site. I've been told it was impassable years ago because of all the deep puddles.
The Kirkwood-Conhansey Aquifer, to my knowledge, underlies the entire Pine Barrens. As far as I know, every well in the Pine Barrens taps into it. There are more and more golf courses being built, which use HUGE amounts of water for their irrigation. Of course there are also the housing developments on the fringes of the Pines and near the towns and built-up areas.
Barry
The Kirkwood-Conhansey Aquifer, to my knowledge, underlies the entire Pine Barrens. As far as I know, every well in the Pine Barrens taps into it. There are more and more golf courses being built, which use HUGE amounts of water for their irrigation. Of course there are also the housing developments on the fringes of the Pines and near the towns and built-up areas.
Barry
It seems to me that the artisian well at Harrisville is not putting out as much water as it used to. I assume it is due to the drought. Has anyone else noticed it or is it just my imagination? Also, regarding Harrisville, have you seen the job that was done by the state removing trees at the factory ruins. If you want to get better pictures than you have been able to get in years, now is your chance!
Yes. I noticed the artesian well at Harrisville is down to an ocasional drip. I think I remember it flowing a lot more than that. The cutting of trees and brush was done between two weekends when I was there. I think it was in March. I've never seen the ruins like that.
I noticed the last time I was there that there is a problem somewhere. Either the well is damaged, or the water table is really low.
Below is a photo of the water coming out of the well in January of 1974. This was probably my second or third visit there. The picture is not that great and I had to play with it to make it clearer. Sorry about the quality.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/HarrisvilleWell1-74.jpg
Here are Harrisville photo's from the 70's. I believe some I have not posted before.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville1.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville2.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville3.jpg
Guy
Below is a photo of the water coming out of the well in January of 1974. This was probably my second or third visit there. The picture is not that great and I had to play with it to make it clearer. Sorry about the quality.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/HarrisvilleWell1-74.jpg
Here are Harrisville photo's from the 70's. I believe some I have not posted before.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville1.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville2.JPG
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/teegate/Harrisville3.jpg
Guy