Cimarron Drilling
Sturgis, SD57785
Typical Sturgis-area geology: surficial clay and gravel layers overlying thick shale, sandstone, and major carbonate aquifer units, with Madison Limestone as a key water-producing zone.
Showing contractors within 60 miles of Sturgis. 15 results found.
A geological estimate for the Sturgis area.
Typical Well Depth
Static Water Level
Recommended Method
The representative geological profile for Sturgis, SD, consists of a thin surfical sequence of clays, silty and clayey gravels, and sand, usually extending from land surface to approximately 25-30 feet. This is typically underlain by substantial sequences of shale, interbedded limestone and gypsum, with thick sandstone units at depth. The most reliable and productive aquifers are the Minnekahta and Madison limestones, frequently encountered between 240 to 960 feet. Deeper wells may pass into the Deadwood Formation (sandstone and shale), particularly for high-capacity or municipal supply. Shallower residential wells typically target the upper limestone or sandstone units and are commonly completed between 150 and 350 feet below surface. Static water levels in residential wells are typically 40-150 feet, while deep municipal wells can have static levels near 400-500 feet.
Depth (Feet) | Formation Type | Description | Characteristics |
---|---|---|---|
0 – 2 ft | Fill/Asphalt/Base Course | Artificial fill, pavement, or road base material | Color: Gray/Black/Other Hardness: Hard |
2 – 6 ft | Lean Clay | Stiff, plastic clay, sometimes with gravel | Color: Brown/Gray Hardness: Soft to Firm |
6 – 30 ft | Clayey/Silty Gravel with Sand and Cobbles | Well-graded gravel with sand, cobbles, and some boulders; locally water-bearing alluvium | Color: Brown, wet Hardness: Loose to Medium Dense |
30 – 314 ft | Shale, Gypsum & Sandstone | Thick sequence of shale interbedded with gypsum and occasional sandstone lenses | Color: Gray, soft white (gypsum zones) Hardness: Soft to Medium |
314 – 353 ft | Limestone (Minnekahta or Basal Limestone) | Light-colored, water-bearing limestone | Color: Light Hardness: Hard |
353 – 532 ft | Shale & Gypsum | Gray shale with beds/lenses of soft white gypsum | Color: Gray/White Hardness: Soft to Medium |
532 – 703 ft | Sandstone | Massive, water-bearing sandstone | Color: Light gray/tan Hardness: Medium Hard |
703 – 729 ft | Shale | Shale, sometimes calcareous | Color: Gray Hardness: Soft to Medium |
729 – 975 ft | Limestone (Madison Group) | Hard, bedded, water-bearing limestone; principal regional aquifer | Color: Buff to white Hardness: Hard |
975 – 1023 ft | Deadwood Formation (Sandstone/Shale) | Alternating beds of sandstone and shale, locally fossiliferous | Color: Gray/tan Hardness: Medium |