In this Issue
Vol. 2 No. 2
Fall 1992

  • Aerating Dugouts Naturally


  • Alternative Pasture Water Systems


  • Water Water Everywhere But How Do I Find It?


  • Dugouts


  • Air Lift Pumping


  • Purple Loosestrife


  • Shock Chlorination


  • A Different Kind of Fish

    • SPRINGS
    An Often Untapped
    Resource
    by Craig Wright, PFRA, Red Deer, Alberta

    When farmers are considering a water supply, they often overlook developing springs. They can provide an excellent and plentiful source of clean water for the farm.

    Compared to water wells or dugouts, spring development costs are relatively inexpensive. Pumps and electricity are not required unless you have to pump uphill. Excavation is at a minimum, and landscaping is inexpensive.

    Materials required to develop springs are usually on the farmsite. Well cribbing, some PVC pipe, concrete mix, local rock and gravel, and an old tractor tire, along with the availability of a small backhoe are all that's needed for spring development in most cases.

    Development
    It is important to monitor the flow of the spring to determine the flow rate, the length of time the spring flows (annually, seasonally) and to note any problems that might arise during the year. Measure the flow rate during the period of intended use. Determine if the flow rate will meet daily requirements and provide for peak use periods.

    Local PFRA offices provide technical advice about spring development, and possible financial assistance. However, to qualify for financial assistance you must apply for it before beginning your spring development.

    The simplest form of spring development is to put a fence around the spring, and pipe the water to a nearby water trough. This keeps livestock away and reduces contamination of the spring water. It also stops cattle from trampling the soil around the water source.

    A more complex development, such as a concrete, galvanized steel or fibreglass enclosure, should be used to prevent contamination of water for household use

    A low area spring is best developed as a seepage well, with a buildup of impervious earth around the cribbing to prevent the inflow of surface water. This buildup also helps 'frost proof' this type of very shallow well.

    In a hillside spring, seepage flow may be intercepted by trenching along the contour at the outlet level. Taking the seepage flow to a storage reservoir with weeping tile will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation and plant growth.

    Managing Spring Resources
    The amount of water in a spring is determined by nature, but it is possible to increase available water by managing the resource. Over thousands of years, nature has found ways to spill all the water flow available and so development at a spring site will not increase the total water flow available. However, useable spring flows can be increased by reducing water used in other discharge areas such as nearby cattails, bull rushes, trees and shrubs.

    Small flows can be effectively developed. For example, a seep of one litre every minute will water 21 beef cattle if storage is used.

    When properly developed, a spring can have a long life - (reliable) with low maintenance, and become a valuable asset to any farming operation.






    Prairie Water News is published semi-annually. It is co-sponsored by the following:
    [Front Page] [Aerating Dugouts Naturally] [Alternative Pasture Water Systems] [Water Water Everywhere But How Do I Find It?] [Dugouts] [Air Lift Pumping] [Purple Loosestrife] [Shock Chlorination] [A Different Kind of Fish] [More Info] [How to use this online publication]