I recently bought some property that features a historic cabin over 100 years old. After talking to neighbors and doing a bit of research, I've learned there's likely a well hidden somewhere on the property. The cabin doesn't have indoor plumbing, just an outhouse that's about 150 feet away. I'm leaning towards thinking the well might be in the opposite direction, but that's purely speculation.
Since the outhouse is still there, it doesn't give me any clear direction towards the well, especially since I've come across tons of random metal scraps in the ground from old roofing and farm tools, which makes using a metal detector quite tricky. It's also possible that the well was hand dug and doesn't have a metal casing since I haven't spotted any signs of a well house, cement cover, or anything like that.
In my region of Tennessee, state regulations didn't require wells to be registered prior to the 1980s, so information on older wells isn't available according to the local water agency I talked to. Given that this cabin has been vacant for around 50 years, I'm hoping to get some insight on where to start my search. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
A good starting point is to look for any depressions in the ground, especially if they're lower than the cabin. Those could indicate the location of the well.
Make sure to check if the outhouse has any relation to a septic system. Wells need to be a certain distance from them. Sometimes, septic as-builts can give you a rough idea of where the well might be located. It might also help to check for any permits the county or city has related to the property.
Have you considered using ground penetrating radar? It’s the most reliable method for locating wells. Just search for a service in your area, though keep in mind that prices can vary significantly.