Home » Water Well Depth According to States in USA

Water Well Depth According to States in USA

Updated on August 14, 2022

This article will give you an idea about the estimated water well depth in the top 13 states. The reason we say “estimated” is because well water comes from underground. The exact depth you need to reach before you hit water varies from one area to another. The water is found in cracks and spaces in the soil. Your well driller will continue drilling until they hit an aquifer.

Water Well Depth According to States

We will cover the following 13 states in this article.

  1. Texas
  2. Colorado
  3. New Mexico
  4. Utah
  5. California
  6. Michigan
  7. Idaho
  8. Florida
  9. Washington State
  10. Virginia
  11. Georgia
  12. Wisconsin
  13. Massachusetts

Texas

The average depth of water wells in Texas is between 550 feet and 1300 feet. You may find water in some areas of Texas as soon as you hit 200 feet. However, it is preferable to go up to 600 feet to tap a large water reservoir with good quality water.

Colorado

The depth of wells in Colorado varies as per the topography of the region. Some wells may be very shallow, and some, on the other hand, thousands of feet below the ground surface. Water wells in mountainous areas of the Front Range typically have an average depth of 350 feet. In eastern Colorado, the wells range from 40 to 1000 feet deep.

New Mexico    

The depth of New Mexico water wells varies as per the area’s elevation. If you live in an area at a lower elevation in the state, you will find water at a depth of approximately 200 feet. At higher elevations, water is usually found below 1000 feet.

Utah

The average depth of a water well in Utah is between 100 feet and 300 feet. Aquifers in Utah are located nearer to the surface compared to other states.

California

The average depth of a well in California starts at 190 feet and goes up to 1000s of feet. The actual depth in your case may vary depending on the region’s topography and how deep the aquifers are located.

Michigan  

Michigan is also one of the few states where you can find a depth of 30 to 500 feet. Most residential wells have a depth of less than 200 feet. Because the water is found relatively near to the surface, Michigan allows the residents to drive a point well on their property. However, you need a permit to drill a well in Michigan.

Idaho  

The average depth of water wells in Idaho is between 50 feet to 400 feet. The actual depth will depend on the hydrology and geology of your property.

Florida

The depth of water wells in Florida depends on your area. A water well can be deep up to 1000 feet, but the average depth of water wells in Florida is 100 to 400 feet.

Washington State

The depth at which you will find water in Washington State varies from 100 to 300 feet in some areas. In some regions of the state, you would find water between 500 and 1000 feet.

Virginia

Most drinking water wells in Virginia are drilled 70 to 400 feet deep. This depth is enough to supply water to a single-family home. For industrial or municipal supply, wells are drilled much deeper to ensure a greater water flow.

Georgia

The depth of water wells in Georgia is between 100 to 400 feet. Some areas of Georgia have water at 30 feet in depth. Here people can build their wells after obtaining a water permit.

Wisconsin

The average depth of water wells in Georgia is around 100-500 feet.

Massachusetts

Almost all drilled wells in Massachusetts have a depth of 100–400 feet.

Why can’t anyone tell the exact depth of the well before drilling?

No one can tell the exact depth of the water well before drilling because no one knows how deep the water is under the ground. Well water drilling companies estimate based on previous drilling adventures, your neighbors’ wells, and data taken from relevant authorities.

The depth of the well is the determining factor in deciding the construction cost. The deeper you drill, the more costly your well becomes. The per-foot drilling cost, piping cost, well casing cost, and pump cost increase as you further down.

Since most contractors charge you by foot, the well depth becomes the critical factor in deciding the final cost of the well.

Types of Wells According to Depth

There are three types of private drinking wells.

Dug/Bored Wells

Dug/Bored wells are holes dug into the ground using a shovel or backhoe. These wells are lined with stones, bricks, tile, or other materials, to prevent collapse. Dug wells are large in diameter but have a shallow depth. The usual depth for these wells is 10-30 feet.

Driven Wells

These wells are constructed by driving pipe into the ground. These wells are cased continuously, and their depth is usually 30 to 50 feet. Although these wells are cased, they can be contaminated easily because they bring water from aquifers near the surface.

Drilled Wells

Drilled wells are dug by using heavy-duty machinery and rotary-drilling machines. Drilled wells’ depth ranges from 100 feet to 1000s of feet depending on the hydrology and geology of the well. These wells are cased throughout and have a lower risk of contamination due to a deep depth.

Final Words

The well depth estimates are only good for estimating the drilling cost. You must always consult experienced and reputed well drillers in your area, ask your neighbors and local authorities before drilling the well.

Author

  • Roy Jones

    Roy lives in Anderson, Texas, and has been a part of various certified well drilling firms. He has extensive 20 years of working experience in water wells maintenance, repair, and drinking quality. Roy has been guiding neighbors on well issues and writes to educate private well owners about various well water issues.

1 thought on “Water Well Depth According to States in USA”

  1. I live within 2 miles close to a very controversial Old mind in Palmetto Florida sure you have seen something of course it’s not a news report anymore just wondering if there is anything else about the draining of this big hole full of very bad *** and should I use my well

    Reply

Leave a Comment