Jamesport finds water

In January 1949, Jamesport was in the midst of a critical water shortage. Several private wells had gone dry and the residents, as well as the school, were desperate to find a new water source. It was suggested, and accepted by the majority, to investigate all sources to find an answer.

In February, plans were made to vote on a levy to get the necessary funds to solve the problem. Bids were taken and a Kansas City engineering firm submitted a bid for the laying of mains, the construction of a pumping station and other essentials.

Although the total cost of obtaining a water system was nearly $80,000, a bond issue of only $57,000 was needed because the town had $20,000 in its treasury to pay on the project due to a recent sale of the municipal power plant to the Missouri Public Service Company.

Kenneth R. Adams of A.H. Bennet and Co. of Kansas City had agreed to purchase the bonds if they were voted and passed. It was estimated that a water system would save the Jamesport residents more than $1,000 a year in fire insurance premiums. In addition, it could possibly prevent a loss due to one bad fire that would more than offset the entire cost of the system.

When the election results were counted, they revealed that of the 401 votes cast, 78% of the people favored the proposal, which was more than the required two-thirds majority.

The engineering firm recommended drilling several test wells, 40 to 60 feet in depth, along the north or central part of the city park. If the wells weren’t found productive enough to supply the necessary quota, then several wells would be dug. The city’s water would come from first one well then the other.

Work was started in April by drilling two test wells in the city park, one behind city hall and one near the railroad. The one in the park showed about four and one-half foot of water-bearing sand and the other showed a similar amount of water.

The townsfolk were still optimistic about the project and the mayor had already purchased a lot for the site of the new water tower. If water was found, the school was to be the first water recipient.

By the end of April, may people were still optimistic; however, many more were becoming doubtful. Seven test wells had been dug and four of them had water and three were dry holes. City officials had been testing the "strong" holes, but the tests weren’t successful.

A geologist was called in and he along with the mayor, the consulting engineer, and the manager of Layne Western Company who had dug the wells, started checking all the water courses in the surrounding area, including springs, creeks, etc., but found none to be feasible.

The geologist recommended the city get its water from a basin about four miles southwest of Jamesport in a pre-glacial location of the Missouri River bed. The old river channel began at Nebraska City and joined what is now Grand River near Gallatin. The former river bed was approximately three miles across.

The geologist thought water could be found in abundance in the river bed at a depth of 175 to 200 feet. Still, brining the water into the city from such a distance would have been so expensive as to make it impractical and probably so costly it would stop the attempt to find water. The city officials thought it might be possible that some water pumping company could be found to do the job and sell the water to the city.

In November, the local papers revealed good news. Water could be found near the city. A well which would provide an ample water supply was found on the H.L. Courter property near the southwest edge of the business district.

The president of the city council said a purchase price of $1,800 for the tract had been agreed on with Courter before the test was made and that papers had been drawn up for the city to buy it.

At a depth of 140 feet, a flow of water at 15 gallons a minute was found. When the well was completed, it was expected a flow of 30 gallons per minute would be available which would be an ample amount for the city.