Forest well
Off the path, crashing through the Gabriola woods, I sometimes come across well caps like this one. Are they locked so that the forest animals won’t install pipes and a dishwasher?
Filed in Gabriola Island, photos 3 Comments so far
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Vivian on 28 Dec 2009 at 11:00 am #
Oooh, good question! I’ve always wondered why there are wells in the middle of the forest. Who put them there? Why? And does anyone in charge actually know where they are located anymore?
Gabriolan on 29 Dec 2009 at 1:16 am #
The well I photographed is on the federal government lands between the Tunnel and Whalebone Beach. Is that where you’ve seen wells, too, Vivian?
Here’s my guess about the wells: they were drilled when a developer was trying to sub-divide the land and sell building lots 30 or so years ago. I hear that the plan fell through when planning permission was denied after a community vote. The land was subsequently logged, and later sold to the government.
(Perhaps some Gabriolans who’ve been on the island for ages can confirm this, or correct any inaccuracies in what I’ve written.)
I would assume that those in charge of the lands would have a map showing the well locations. Then again, it wouldn’t surprise me if somehow that map has been misplaced.
Vivian on 29 Dec 2009 at 10:46 am #
Yes, that is exactly where I have seen the wells. Your subdivision comment makes sense. We used to live in that area and walked our dogs through the forest regularly. Another mystery solved!