Bucklaw Artesian, Bucklaw, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

## Overview Bucklaw Artesian is a free-flowing artesian well-type spring located just off the shoulder of Highway 81 in the small community of Bucklaw, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This roadside spring has been used by locals and travelers as a water collection point, offering a steady flow of naturally pressurized groundwater year-round. The spring is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Artesian springs like this one occur when an underground aquifer is confined between layers of impermeable rock, creating enough natural pressure to push water to the surface without the need for a pump. Cape Breton's geology — shaped by ancient tectonic activity and glacial processes — provides ideal conditions for these types of springs, and roadside artesian wells have long been a tradition in rural Nova Scotia communities. Visitors have historically collected water from this spring, and it has been regarded locally as a source of clean-tasting water, though water quality can vary over time and no formal testing data is currently available. ## Directions 1. The spring is located along **Highway 81** in the Bucklaw area of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. 2. From **Highway 105** (the Trans-Canada Highway), take the exit or turn onto **Highway 81** heading toward Bucklaw. 3. Watch for the spring just off the road shoulder — it is a roadside artesian well with a pipe from which water flows freely. 4. The nearest address for navigation purposes is **1 Macleods Point Rd, Bucklaw, NS B0E 1T0**. The listed GPS coordinates (46.007915, -60.991566) may also help guide you to the general area. 5. Look for a pipe or spout at the roadside where water can be collected. There is no formal signage, so keep a close eye on the shoulder as you drive along Highway 81. ## What to Expect Bucklaw Artesian is a simple, no-frills roadside spring — the kind of hidden gem that Cape Breton locals have relied on for generations. The water flows freely from a pipe, making it easy to fill bottles, jugs, or other containers. Because it is an artesian source, the flow is continuous and does not require pumping. The spring sits right along the shoulder of Highway 81, so access is straightforward — simply pull over safely onto the shoulder. There are no facilities, parking lots, or marked trails; this is a rural roadside stop. Be mindful of passing traffic when pulling over and collecting water. The spring flows year-round, including through Nova Scotia's cold winters, though ice buildup around the pipe may occur during freezing temperatures. Spring and summer visits are the most comfortable, and the surrounding Cape Breton countryside offers beautiful scenery, especially during the fall foliage season. If you're touring Cape Breton — perhaps driving the famous Cabot Trail or exploring the island's many communities — Bucklaw Artesian makes for a worthwhile stop to top off your water supply along the way.