"We need water in Breathitt County," Deputy Judge Executive Frank Noble told the Kentucky River Authority earlier in May. His words were heard, and the authority voted to provide funds for another year to assist local governments find high-yield, groundwater sources in eastern Kentucky.

With previous and current funding from the river authority, the KGS has been developing a method to improve the potential to drill high-yield wells. The KGS chose the well site at Oakdale after a review of computerized satellite images, geologic maps and other exploration technology.

At the end of drilling last Wednesday, the driller estimated that the test well produced more than 50 gallons of water per minute. Based on that test, the Breathitt County government funded drilling of a production well. Robert Andrews, the geologist on the project, selected a spot for the second well, and it was drilled the next day. An early estimate for the second well is 100 gallons per minute, and tests show that the water quality is high, with the amount of minerals in the water fairly low.

An estimated 50 gallons per minute over the long term is enough water for 150 homes in the Oakdale area.

The test hole was drilled in order to find the best location for the final drilling. As work began on the final hole and the drill bit reached 38 feet in depth, it started moving down faster. There were openings in the rock. A few seconds later a gush of water burst up to the drilling rig and onto people nearby. The flow did not stop.

Noble was at the drilling site on both days and said he was happy with the results.

"It’s a goal of the county to get good water to all of the houses. We’re glad to get started."

Jim Dinger and Robert Andrews of KGS also are pleased with the wells.

"This is the result we were working for," Andrews said.