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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Pineview Reservoir’s Receding Waters Uncover Historic Wells
In Ogden Valley, Utah, extremely low water levels at Pineview Reservoir are providing a rare glimpse into local history. As Ogden City undertakes work to replace a decades-old drinking water pipeline, the receding reservoir has revealed century-old artesian wells previously hidden beneath the surface for decades.
Rare Glimpse Into Ogden’s Past
Sarah Langsdon, curator of special collections at Weber State University, has found the discovery especially fascinating. “I've always wondered, I was like, what's hiding underneath?” Langsdon remarked. With the reservoir’s waterline at exceptionally low levels, several concrete circles and artesian wellheads have emerged. Some wells appear to be still spilling water because they were never fully capped, visibly flowing now that they are above the water line.
The Origins of the Pineview Water System
Tonya Gonzales, deputy city recorder for Ogden City, noted that old municipal records detail the creation of both the Pineview dam and its associated water delivery infrastructure. The drilling of the artesian wells began in 1914 as workers sought new water sources. The project, initiated more than a century ago, continued into the 1930s and involved constructing wells that would feed water into intake systems and pipelines for delivery to local homes.
Historic Infrastructure Built During the Great Depression
According to Langsdon, the Pineview project provided essential jobs to local men during the Great Depression. Historical records found in the Ogden municipal building basement reveal the engineering methods, cost details, contractor bids, and steps taken in laying pipes beneath what is now the Pineview Reservoir.
Preserving the Legacy of Pineview Dam
As the community looks forward to a time when Pineview Reservoir will again be full, residents and historians reflect on the foresight and effort of those who built the region's historic water system—and those who have preserved its records. "This was brilliant to get water down to us," Gonzales added, underscoring the ingenuity of the early projects that continue to impact the region today.
Listening to History
Even now, visitors to the reservoir can still hear water flowing from the artesian wells. The exposed structures serve as reminders of an era when the area that is now submerged was once a gathering place, featuring parks where water once bubbled up through concrete features.
Source: fox13now.com.
