In DNR records, the median private well is 179 feet deep in Dane County, 227 feet in Iowa County, 176 feet in Green County and 140 feet in Sauk County. Ridge-top towns like Dodgeville (292 feet) run deep. River-valley towns like Spring Green (66 feet) are shallow. Your own well can differ a lot.
Updated October 2026
Median well depth by town
| Town | Wells on record | Median depth (ft) | Middle half (ft) | Water level (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mounds (Dane) | 245 | 242 | 200–278 | 132 |
| Perry (Dane) | 184 | 241 | 180–272 | 120 |
| Primrose (Dane) | 157 | 202 | 149–252 | 75 |
| Springdale (Dane) | 515 | 205 | 162–251 | 86 |
| Vermont (Dane) | 201 | 242 | 142–302 | 117 |
| Verona (Dane) | 483 | 220 | 176–262 | 85 |
| Cross Plains (Dane) | 340 | 220 | 162–302 | 90 |
| Berry (Dane) | 257 | 262 | 176–305 | 135 |
| Black Earth (Dane) | 142 | 178 | 138–246 | 71 |
| Mazomanie (Dane) | 284 | 100 | 58–164 | 23 |
| Oregon (Dane) | 518 | 198 | 157–241 | 76 |
| Dodgeville (Iowa) | 436 | 292 | 219–330 | 176 |
| Mineral Point (Iowa) | 212 | 226 | 200–260 | 121 |
| Arena (Iowa) | 368 | 92 | 32–163 | 20 |
| Brigham (Iowa) | 269 | 264 | 214–315 | 145 |
| Ridgeway (Iowa) | 152 | 262 | 183–338 | 150 |
| New Glarus (Green) | 433 | 220 | 159–252 | 125 |
| York (Green) | 332 | 228 | 200–254 | 130 |
| Exeter (Green) | 583 | 150 | 126–192 | 35 |
| Spring Green (Sauk) | 507 | 66 | 32–121 | 12 |
| Troy (Sauk) | 213 | 142 | 106–185 | 39 |
| Prairie du Sac (Sauk) | 226 | 140 | 105–202 | 44 |
| Honey Creek (Sauk) | 152 | 148 | 118–204 | 30 |
Data: a summary of DNR Well Inventory records for private drinking-water wells, pulled September 30, 2026. These are medians for the town (township), not the village or city. “Middle half” means half of wells fall in that range. Water level is the median static level below ground.
Ridges and valleys
- Glaciers never reached most of this area, so the bedrock sits close to the surface.
- Dolomite caps the ridges and sandstone lies under the valleys. Most home wells draw from this upper bedrock.
- Ridge towns have deep wells and deep water: Dodgeville, Brigham, Ridgeway, Blue Mounds and Berry.
- Valley towns have shallow wells with water near the surface: Spring Green, Arena, Mazomanie and Exeter.
- State geologists rate the Driftless area highly susceptible to contamination because of thin soils and cracked rock.
Why depth affects pump cost
- When the water sits deep, the pump sits lower. That means more pipe and wire, and usually more horsepower.
- Pulling a deep pump usually takes a pump hoist truck.
- The median depth of new wells drilled since 2010 in 22 local townships is 220 feet.
- No published source ties cost to depth. Ask a licensed pro for a written estimate for your well.
To find your own well’s depth, see how to find your well construction report.
When you need a licensed professional
- Replacing or pulling a pump, especially in a deep ridge-top well.
- Deepening a well or drilling a new one: a DNR-licensed well driller.
- Wisconsin rules require a DNR-licensed pump installer for pump and pressure-tank work on a drinking-water well; check with DNR if you’re unsure.
Related
- Find your well construction report
- What well work costs in Wisconsin
- How long well pumps and tanks last
- Getting a new well for a new home
Sources
