Is There Water?

Hello.
I have a well that quit working many years ago during a severe drought. I suspect it should be operational again, but I haven't been successful with the simple prime it and run it approach. It is a submerged jet deep well. You can click this link for an imediate view of it http://www.black-hole.com/users/ericpaulsen/pump and to see the way it is hooked up.
Before I go any further, I would like to determine that there is water available. If I take the assembly on the top of the casing pipe apart can I drop a line with a weight on it down to check, or how do I go about it? I hope I don't have to go through all the set up and work of pulling the jet assembly/foot valve just to check if water is there at all.
Thanks!
Eric Paulsen

It's a 2" well with a lot of galvanized pipe which is probably full of rust blocking things up.

Yeah you'll have to remove the fitting on top to check the water level.

If you do have water you are going to want to pull that old galvy up and replace it along with taking the jet apart and cleaning the rust and crap out of it. If the pump has been sitting for a long time it may be a lost cause also.