Hi OG,

Well water is better than municipality water that is chlorinated. If your water is not clear just pump into a barrel or tub and let the turbidity clear before using on the plants. If you are not worried about your house water, this well is coming from the same ground water source as your house, then the irrigation well water would be fine. You can have the water tested for harmful, chemicals and bacteria by a lab to find out what is in it if you want. Check with your local extension service. They might have info already concerning the local ground water. Aloha

I'm really interested in how you dug your well. You said an improvised auger. Did you drive a sandpoint into it?
I think the water you get from shallow wells is more likely to be non-potable, probably would be more alkaline in Wyoming and possibly contain some contaminates, but should be fine for stock and for irrigating. I want to dig a well for my garden.

Shallow wells are more susceptible to surface contamination from things on the surface due to their shallow depth, but that doesn't mean your well has a problem. Get the water tested, but unless you live just below a toxic waste dump, the water will be just fine for a garden. It may even be good for drinking if there is no bacterial contamination. Just test the water and see. Many drinking water wells are this shallow with no problems.