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Well Drillers Near Hot Springs, South Dakota

A typical Hot Springs-area well penetrates thin unconsolidated material, then successive carbonate and sandstone aquifers, reaching productive Minnelusa sandstone below 300 ft.

Showing contractors within 60 miles of Hot Springs. 13 results found.

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A geological estimate for the Hot Springs area.

375 ft

Typical Well Depth

150 ft

Static Water Level

Rotary - Mud Circulation

Recommended Method

Detailed Summary

Based on multiple well completion and plugging reports sampled from Hot Springs and adjacent regions, the most common geologic sequence is a thin surficial cover (sand, silt, clay, or topsoil) followed by several distinctive consolidated sedimentary formations, starting with Spearfish, then Minnekahta limestone, Opeche shale, and reaching primary Minnelusa sandstones. The Minnekahta and Minnelusa units serve as main water-bearing zones. Average static water levels are reported between 100–300 ft, and wells for typical household supply (5–15 GPM) are usually drilled to depths of 360–380 ft, with higher yields possible below 380 ft.

Expected Geological Layers

Depth (Feet)Formation TypeDescriptionCharacteristics
0 – 5 ftUnconsolidated/topsoilTopsoil, sand and silt, possibly some brown clay.Color: Light brown
Hardness: Soft
5 – 30 ftRed shale / Gypsum / Clay / SandVariable: Alternating clay, red shale, some gypsum; locally includes sand and gravel lenses.Color: Red-brown to gray
Hardness: Soft to medium
30 – 40 ftSpearfish FormationRed beds, mostly shale and siltstone, minor gypsum layers.Color: Red to gray
Hardness: Soft-medium
40 – 75 ftMinnekahta LimestoneMassive limestone; solid carbonate aquitard or minor aquifer.Color: Light gray
Hardness: Hard
75 – 120 ftOpeche ShaleThick shale unit, may include thin siltstone or sandstone beds.Color: Red-gray
Hardness: Soft-medium
120 – 355 ftMinnelusa FormationSandstone (dominant), thin interbeds of shale, siltstone; includes multiple water-bearing sand layers. Major aquifer zone.Color: Pink, tan, gray
Hardness: Medium
355 – 390 ftMinnelusa Sandstone (main water zone)Coarser sandstone/very permeable aquifer; primary production zone for most wells.Color: Pink-tan
Hardness: Medium