Minutes of the 1941 Annual Convention

Minutes of the 1941 Conventions Nebraska Well Drillers Association:
Thursday, March 6

The meeting was called to order by President Horn and a Welcome was extended by Dr. Condra. Director of the Short Course. An informal get acquainted period was held.

Mr. Brown reported on the 1941 Convention of the American Association of Water Well Contractors. He stated in regard to the National Association that there has been considerable loss of interest and that largely may the eastern states only were represented during the last two years. Most of the officers are from the east. The constitution was revised. The cooperation of more drillers will be necessary for the organization to be successful.

The following committees were appointed by President Horn: Auditing Committee, C. F. Dimery, Herbert Brown, and Milton Lafollette; Condolence Committee: Andrew Olson and J. 0. Bailey; and the legislative committee was carried over as previously reported.

A discussion of licensing of drillers was held and the regulations of other states were discussed.

No official photograph was taken due to the absence of proper facilities. The organization marched in a body to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce where luncheon was held.

After visiting the exhibits the meeting convened for a technical session. Dr. Condra, in speaking on Groundwater Terminology, said that the time had come to call things by their right names. He explained the hydrologic cycle, and discussed the forms of water and its occurrence. He explained discharge, recharge and rainfall and discussed the surface reservoirs in the North Platte Valley.

Doctor Buehler, State Geologist of Missouri, spoke on Assistance to Well Drillers in Missouri. He said that they believe a well is more than a hole in the ground and that the well driller has a duty to the public second only to the Doctor. The matter of contaminated wells in Missouri is acute because of the manner of occurrence. His department was drawn into this problem 16 years ago by the engineer of the State Department of Health. Now very few wells are drilled for public or semi - public use where they do not receive complete records and samples and approved water signs are issued only on the recommendation of the State Geologist. Samples are examined to determine the proper depth of casing and they are now casing to two, three, and four hundred feet to eliminate surface water. There are three groundwater provinces in the state. The Ozark Region is typified by dolomites or limestones with some sandstones which have been lifted about a mile and extend for a distance of about 200 miles. The region near St. Louis is most important and difficult because of variations from salt to fresh water. In the glaciated area fresh water is secured in the glacial drift and salt water in the underlying Pennsylvanian. Southeast Missouri is a northern extension of the Mississippi Embryment. There are many springs in the Ozarks which have large underground drainage areas. Contamination can only be told by taking a bacterial count of the water. It is the policy in making wells in these formations to drill below the last openings which can have surface connection. They study the cuttings of some 600 wells per year and prepare a strip log for the driller and the landowner and run elevations on the wells. This procedure makes the driller realize that the Survey can be of help. They have a very high voluntary cooperation and the number of contaminated wells is practically eliminated. There are 50 springs in the south half of the Ozarks that flow from 50 to 400 million gallons per day.

The Water Facilities Program was discussed by Mr. H. E. Engstrom of the Soil Conservation Service. An excellent Dutch Lunch was enjoyed in the evening through the courtesy of the Manufactures and Jobbers and about 200 were in attendance. Mr. Peterson, Secretary to the Governor, gave a message for Governor Griswold and special degrees were conferred.

Friday, March 7.

The meeting convened at 9:15 a.m. and Mr. Ivan D. Wood, Irrigation Engineer for the Farm Security Administration spoke on recent developments in Irrigation. He stated that he is in charge of investigations in 17 different states; that irrigation started with diversion from streams and irrigation districts were organized; that the new thought is now to find some good land and develop water for it with better chance for success; in the past men have worked as long as 25 years to get land ready to irrigate at a cost of $55 to $60 per acre, using horses, while large - scale machinery will do the work quickly for from $6.00 to $15.00 per acre; the old method was to lay the land out square but subdivision should be made to fit the land; he reported that Mirage Flats could not be developed economically under normal conditions but by using C.C.C. and W.P.A. labor can be constructed at no cost to the district; the land within a district is purchased by the government, it is subdivided and redistributed by sale to the irrigation farmer, each receiving a plat; there are 50 to 60 projects of around 1200 acres each in this region which can be developed; this development will bring into cultivation some land not now in production and will turn many dry land farms back to range; there are a tremendous number of dry land farms where it is not possible for the owner to make a living; the procedure followed is (1) make a careful examination of the soils, (2) balance cuts and fills with 14 yard laternos followed by a towner to smooth out smaller places and then the area is gone over with a large drag; in the past it has been necessary for the irrigation farmers to pay an operation and maintenance charge which was arbitrarily set and usually too small to pay off the bonds; it is necessary to anticipate the hidden costs; the Yellowstone River Project is 25 miles long, water is lifted with a 1450 horsepower vertical centrifugal pump with 110 second feet capacity, the overall pump efficiency is 71%, 3 acre feet of water is pumped from the river, there is no standby charge and the cost of the current is a little over 4 mills per kilowatt, operation and maintenance charges are $3.75 per acre per year with provision to pay for the land in 30 to 35 years.

A technical staff composed of Professors Frankforter and Brackett, Mr. T. A. Filipi, and Mr. R. O. Pierce and Doctor Condra answered questions which were deposited in the question box.

Senator Harry Gantz was unable to be present to present his paper on Groundwater Allocations so Doctor Condra reviewed the efforts to secure a law and the feeling expressed in various sections of the state in regard to the matter.

After adjourning for lunch President Horn called the Business Session to order. The minutes of the last meeting and the reports of the treasurer, secretary, and committees were read and approved. Mr. Webb moved to extend thanks to the retiring president and the motion was seconded and carried. A motion to pay all outstanding bills was passed. Election of officers followed. Mr. Webb nominated Mr. Salmon for President and Mr. Marx nominated Mr. Jensen for the same office. Without further nominations Mr. Jansen was elected. Mr. Salmon moved that the rules be suspended and Mr. Clifford Marx be elected as Vice-President unanimously. This motion was seconded and carried, Mr. Cole moved similarly that Andrew Olson be unanimously reelected as President. In similar fashion Mr. O. J. Scherer was elected as Secretary. The meeting was adjourned.