Well depth in Delaware, Ottawa, Mayes and Craig counties
How Deep Is a Water Well in Northeast Oklahoma?
Most wells drilled into Oklahoma's bedrock aquifers are between 100 and 400 feet deep, according to the Oklahoma Geological Survey's aquifer map. That is the statewide picture. In Northeast Oklahoma, how deep your well needs to be depends on which aquifer it taps, and the deeper of the two main aquifers in the region is typically more than 400 feet down. This guide explains what is known, what depends on your exact spot and how to get a realistic idea before you spend money.
The short answer
- Statewide, bedrock aquifers: most wells are 100 to 400 feet deep. Depth to fresh water ranges from a few feet to more than 1,000 feet (Oklahoma Geological Survey, map GM-44).
- Oklahoma average: an average depth of 185 feet is listed for the state (welldrillingcosts.com).
- Northeast Oklahoma: the USGS describes two aquifers underlying parts of Delaware, Ottawa, Mayes, Craig and neighboring counties. The Boone is used mostly for domestic supply. The Roubidoux is typically more than 400 feet deep and supplies public water systems, commerce, industry and rural water districts.
Two aquifers, two depths
The USGS describes the Boone aquifer as part of the Springfield Plateau aquifer system and the Roubidoux as part of the Ozark Plateaus aquifer system. Between them sits a layer the USGS calls the Ozark confining unit. The Boone is the aquifer most often associated with domestic wells. The Roubidoux is deeper and is used mostly for larger water users.
For a homeowner, the practical takeaway is this: a typical household well in this region is more likely to be drawing on the shallower Boone than the deeper Roubidoux, but only a driller with local experience, and the records for wells near your lot, can tell you what to expect. We are not able to tell you your depth from a map.
What affects how deep your well needs to be
Where you are
Aquifers do not sit at the same depth everywhere. The OWRB owner's guide says to check its online well database and to ask neighbors about total depth, approximate yield and water quality. That is the best way to find out what wells near you actually look like.
How much water you need
A house and a few animals need less than a large barn operation or an irrigation system. If you need more water than shallow rock provides, a driller may recommend going deeper.
What the driller finds
A driller drills until the well produces enough water. Ask what depth the driller expects and how the price per foot works if they have to go deeper.
Casing and construction
The OWRB owner's guide describes casing as new or sanitary used steel, or new PVC, with water-tight joints and a surface seal that extends from the land surface to a sufficient depth. Construction standards also cover disinfection and approved materials. Depth is not the only factor in a sound well.
What depth means for cost
Depth is the biggest factor in price, because drilling is commonly priced per foot. Third-party 2026 estimates list these costs by depth:
| Depth | 4-inch PVC casing | 6-inch steel casing |
|---|---|---|
| 200 ft | $7,100 | $12,240 |
| 250 ft | $8,875 | $15,300 |
| 300 ft | $10,650 | $18,360 |
| 350 ft | $12,425 | $21,420 |
Those are third-party estimates, not quotes. welldrillingcosts.com lists Oklahoma rates of $25 to $55 per foot. A well that ends up 100 feet deeper than the estimate can add thousands of dollars, so ask for the depth assumption in writing. Full cost guide
Depth is not the same as a good well
Two wells of the same depth can produce very different amounts of water. Yield, water quality and reliability matter as much as depth. The OWRB recommends testing well water for coliform bacteria and nitrates at least once a year, and asking neighbors about their water quality before you drill.
Why depth questions are getting more important
The USGS reports that total water demand in Northeast Oklahoma is projected to increase by about 54 percent from 2010 to 2060, and that, as of its 2017 study, the maximum annual yield of the Boone and Roubidoux aquifers had not been determined. Nobody is predicting a specific problem for your well, but it is a reason to ask experienced local drillers about long-term yield and not just the cheapest price.
Steps to estimate your depth
- Look up nearby wells in the OWRB database.
- Ask neighbors about depth, yield and water quality.
- Get two or three estimates from licensed drillers and compare their depth assumptions.
- Verify licenses with the OWRB's Find a Licensed Driller or Pump Installer tool.
- Test the water after the well is finished, then yearly.
Get a free estimate from a licensed driller
Tell us your town and how you plan to use the water, and we match you with a licensed driller who works your area and knows what wells nearby look like. Water Well Drilling Grove is a referral service and does not drill wells itself. Requesting a free estimate costs nothing and does not obligate you to hire anyone. Water well drilling
Common questions
What is the average depth of a water well in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Geological Survey's aquifer map says wells in the state's bedrock aquifers are mostly 100 to 400 feet deep. welldrillingcosts.com lists an Oklahoma average of 185 feet.
Will my well hit the Roubidoux aquifer?
The USGS says the Roubidoux is typically more than 400 feet deep and is used mostly for public water systems, industry and rural water districts. Whether your well would reach it depends on your location and what a driller finds. Ask a local driller.
How do I know how deep my neighbor's well is?
Ask them, and check the OWRB's online well database, which the OWRB recommends as an early step.
Sources
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