Relocation and Evaluation of Abandoned Wells, Buffalo National River, Marion, Newton, and Searcy Counties, Arkansas

In 2009, the Buffalo National River requested the services of the Midwest Archeological Center to
relocate and evaluate 26 abandoned wells in the park. The wells present a safety hazard for park visitors and wildlife and the park plans to mitigate the hazard by sealing or otherwise eliminating the wells. The crew was able to relocate and document 23 wells, some of which were not on the original list of 26. Each well was documented by recording the location with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, photographing details and surroundings with digital photography, and completing archeological site condition assessment forms and/or state site forms. Ten of the wells relocated have been determined to be historic and another three non-historic wells are located coincident with prehistoric sites. Three more nonhistoric wells are located on historic sites. The seven remaining wells are non-historic or of unknown age. Recommendations regarding appropriate methods for safely securing the wells without resulting in damage to the historic wells or associated historic or prehistoric properties are provided in the report.