Wright County has probably more flowing wells than any other territory of its size in the country. The number runs into the hundreds. A flowing well is a water well from which water flows without pumping due to natural subterranean pressure. Pipes are used to allow this underground water to rise to the surface. The water is naturally filtered because it passes through porous rock as it seeps into the earth to reach the aquifer, the underground water source composed of a permeable material such as sand and gravel from which water flows and where it is stored. The water is confined between layers of impermeable rocks or clay keeping it under pressure.

In the early 1900’s, the west half of Wright County including Eagle Grove and Goldfield, was almost entirely supported with water from artesian wells. There are also some of these unusual wells in the eastern and northern sections of the county. The strip containing these wells is only a few miles wide and it is agreed they come into the county from the north. The average depth at which flows are found does not exceed 100 feet making them a cheap, lasting, and continuous supply of purest water. Two-thirds of the area of Wright County is included within this “flowing well” basin. Early settlers were surprised to find this source of ice cold water. They used it for drinking and some piped it into their basements, where it could be used for drinking or to keep food cold. For those raising stock, the wells were of great value because they ran day and night all year long – even in coldest winter.