Oh, well!

Walked a couple miles and back for the parts needed to complete the well pump. Took the dog with me. She seems happier but still sitting and staring at me.

Got back, put the pump together. Dropped it in the well up to the T fitting which will keep it from being lost into the aquifer. Inserted the inner pipe. All fit perfectly. Tried pumping.. Nothing happened. Hmm. Pulled the whole thing back out. Bottom was completely dry. ?!

Looked down into the well. Water level has dropped by several feet. Not sure why but guessing I checked the water level before the aqueducts were running. Not long ago, they opened the gates and let all the aqueducts start flowing. I didn't know that would affect the underground water level. All depends on where water enters the aquifer. May not affect actual aquifer level but it does affect pressure.

Level may come back up with upstream spring thaw and rains. Can't count on it, though. Level could drop, too. No measurable rainfall in over 150 days.

So at this point I have to either redesign the pump or buy a pump. Can still use the external piping for an internal coarse filter in the well casing, if nothing else. Not much good to extend the current design beyond a certain depth. Becomes too inefficient and work intensive.