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Well Drillers Near Sturgis, South Dakota

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.

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A geological estimate for the Sturgis area.

280 ft

Typical Well Depth

120 ft

Static Water Level

Rotary - Mud Circulation

Recommended Method

Detailed Summary

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.

Expected Geological Layers

Depth (Feet)Formation TypeDescriptionCharacteristics
0 – 2 ftFill/Asphalt/Base CourseArtificial fill, pavement, or road base materialColor: Gray/Black/Other
Hardness: Hard
2 – 6 ftLean ClayStiff, plastic clay, sometimes with gravelColor: Brown/Gray
Hardness: Soft to Firm
6 – 30 ftClayey/Silty Gravel with Sand and CobblesWell-graded gravel with sand, cobbles, and some boulders; locally water-bearing alluviumColor: Brown, wet
Hardness: Loose to Medium Dense
30 – 314 ftShale, Gypsum & SandstoneThick sequence of shale interbedded with gypsum and occasional sandstone lensesColor: Gray, soft white (gypsum zones)
Hardness: Soft to Medium
314 – 353 ftLimestone (Minnekahta or Basal Limestone)Light-colored, water-bearing limestoneColor: Light
Hardness: Hard
353 – 532 ftShale & GypsumGray shale with beds/lenses of soft white gypsumColor: Gray/White
Hardness: Soft to Medium
532 – 703 ftSandstoneMassive, water-bearing sandstoneColor: Light gray/tan
Hardness: Medium Hard
703 – 729 ftShaleShale, sometimes calcareousColor: Gray
Hardness: Soft to Medium
729 – 975 ftLimestone (Madison Group)Hard, bedded, water-bearing limestone; principal regional aquiferColor: Buff to white
Hardness: Hard
975 – 1023 ftDeadwood Formation (Sandstone/Shale)Alternating beds of sandstone and shale, locally fossiliferousColor: Gray/tan
Hardness: Medium