Minnesota

Photo

Description

In 1914 a farmer dug a well here, but it went dry during the drought of the 1930s. In 1938, a road crew nicked a pipe from the well. It started flowing again and has ever since. The bubbling spout of water was named after the local ghost town of Dickinson.

Article from Minnesota Public Radio about the well: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/12/17/drinkingwells/

Nearest Address

There’s a small roadside stop along Highway 55 west of the Twin Cities between the towns of Buffalo and Rockford.

Directions from Nearest Address

There’s a small roadside stop along Highway 55 west of the Twin Cities between the towns of Buffalo and Rockford.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

24/7/365

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Dickinson Spring Artesian Well Map

Submitted by: Eric Sunde

Photo

Description

This is not a true spring but a well that is 1,100 feet deep well taps into the Mount Simon-Hinckley aquifer to water that is purported to be over 30,000 years old. True fossil water! This well was drilled by the old Schmidt Brewery that is no longer in service but is now a St. Paul historical landmark.

The water has been available to the public on-and-off through the years and has recently been re-opened in early 2010. The water is brought up to a holding tank which is then dispensed to the public through a vending machine.

Note that there is a sign by the vending machine that claims that the water is UV treated. We are unsure how accurate this is at this time.

You can see a cross-section map of how far the well has been drilled into the aquifer here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/22857823/Schmidt-Brewery-Aquifer-Context

Here is a nice article from Minnesota Public Radio about the re-opening of the water to the public. Includes some nice history as well.

We’ve been using the water on-and-off since it’s re-opening. It tastes very clean and the TDS is a bit lower than Fredrick-Miller Spring, although not by much.

Nearest Address

Intersection of 7th St. West and Webster St. in St. Paul, right off the river.

Directions from Nearest Address

From highway 94, go south on 35E and exit on Randolph Avenue. Go East and then turn North on West 7th St. You will see it on the right-hand side up a few blocks.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

24/7/365

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Schmidt Brewery Well Map

Submitted by: Heidi & JS Ohlander

Description

A white building with two free flowing spickets on the exterior of the building.

Nearest Address

Midway Road & Old Hwy 61

Directions from Nearest Address

N/A

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

24/7/365

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Eldes Corner Spring Map

Submitted by: NICOLE KURTZ

Photos:

Description:

There are a few parking spaces for you to stop at and there’s a pipe sticking out of the ground that runs fresh drinking quality water year round.‭ ‬It is always clean and always cold.‭ ‬If you sit there and watch for awhile,‭ ‬you will see that every‭ ‬3-4‭ ‬minutes someone will stop,‭ ‬fill up a bunch of water bottles,‭ ‬and then get back in their car and drive off.‭ ‬I would guess about‭ ‬200‭ ‬people a day stop there.‭ ‬The Lion’s Tap restaurant nearby even has some water containers there because they know a lot of people come there before or after going to the spring.‭ ‬There is also a small nature park and a stream there.

Nearest Address

9995‭ ‬Spring Road Eden Prairie,‭ ‬MN‭ ‬55347

Directions from Nearest Address

The Fredrick-Miller Spring is located on the east side of Spring Road‭ (‬County Road‭ ‬4‭) ‬in Eden Prairie one-quarter mile north of Flying Cloud Dr.‭ ‬Once you see Lions Tap restaurant,‭ ‬just head north about‭ ‬1/4‭ ‬mile on the right-hand side.‭ ‬ You will see a parking area and there is usually people filling up there.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

24 hours.

GPS:

44.822547, -93.480263

Map Link: Fredrick-Miller Spring Map

Submitted by: Heidi & JS Ohlander