by Orin Kenzie, Alberta Agriculture, Lethbridge, Alberta
Research has shown that water near the dugout surface, during the summer, contains from 50 to 75 percent less turbidity, colour and odour. A floating intake is recommended to remove the best quality water from near the dugout surface.During the winter, when ice forms over the dugout surface, convection currents mix the water and maintain a constant water quality. Prior to winter the float is lowered below the expected ice level by means of a nylon or polypropylene line and a 30 lb. anchor located on the bottom of the dugout.
A well is usually required beside the dugout to permit easy access to the pump. Water flows by gravity from the dugout through the intake into the well. The intake pipe is valved to allow maintenance and cleaning. The well is often eliminated if a shallow well jet pump is used. The suction line goes directly into the dugout as the floating intake.
It is recommended that consideration be made for dugout aeration, during new installation of floating intakes. This can be done by installing the dugout air line in the same deep trench as the intake line. This will protect the air line from freezing.
