Developing Springs:
Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Been busy lately haven't had time to keep up with the discussions.
The information that WR provided was interesting. Developing springs is simply a case of increasing the surface area of the medium through, which flow occurs. If the right conditions exist (upward gradient) then exposing more of the sand aquifer or fractures (if a bedrock aquifer) will generally equal more flow until the gradient (or head) is neutralized. A well does the same thing by exposing the aquifer along a vertical cylinder.
Have you ever wondered why water doesn't always flow out of the ground when artesian conditions exist? Vertical permeability is generally 1/10 the horizontal permeability even in a uniform sand aquifer and substantially less if less permeable materials like clay (>10,0000x) exist above the sand or bedrock aquifer. The permeablility contrast in the sand is usually enough to prevent surface discharge and preserve the upward gradient until a relief point is reached. That relief point may be a hole in the clay, the side of a hill, a vertical fracture zone or a well.
You can maximize spring flow by exposing the largest area of the aquifer but the head and permeability will remain limiting factors. The more flow you achieve, the more you risk decreasing the head, so it depends on how large of a reservoir you are drawing from. It could be infinite or relatively small, which could have consequences if it drys up.
