Which type of well is commonly used near the shore of a lake or near a river to obtain a large amount of relatively good-quality water from adjacent sand or gravel beds?

• A. Artisan well
• B. Radial well
• C. Shallow well
• D. Deep well

Answer: (B)

The type of well commonly used near the shore of a lake or river to efficiently extract large quantities of good-quality water from surrounding sand or gravel beds is the radial well. This well design features multiple horizontal pipes stemming from a central shaft, allowing water to be drawn from a wider area. The placement in proximity to bodies of water enables radial wells to take advantage of the natural hydraulic gradients created by the adjacent lakes or rivers, which can help facilitate the flow of water into the well.

The ability to access water from a larger area makes radial wells particularly effective in situations where high yield and quality are essential. Sand and gravel beds typically provide good filtration characteristics, resulting in cleaner water, and the radial well's configuration optimizes the extraction of this resource. This is key in areas where surface water sources are utilized for groundwater recharge or in managing water quality.

Other types of wells, such as artisan, shallow, and deep wells, do not share the same design or operational efficiency as radial wells for this specific application of harvesting adjacent groundwater. Artisan wells are often characterized by their reliance on natural pressure rather than the surrounding topography. Shallow wells might not yield sufficient water volumes in locations where deeper water sources might be preferable. Deep wells, while capable of accessing groundwater