Water Sources
Overview
Spring developments collect and use water from a flow at or near the ground surface. Compared to a pond or well, a spring development can be an inexpensive source of livestock water.
Advantages
- Improved water quality for livestock.
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Small flows can be developed into a valuable water supply.
- Spring water is warmer during the winter than surface water, reducing the need to break ice for livestock drinking.
- Can often use gravity flow to move water into a tank.
- May be possible to develop with on-farm supplies and equipment.
Limitations
- Springs occur naturally and only in some areas.
- A small spring may require a storage tank to maintain a reliable, adequate supply of water.
- Supplemental power is required if water is to be pumped uphill.
- Fencing may be needed to protect the spring from livestock trampling and manure deposits.
- Site-specific design, planning, and construction are required.
- Spring flow may decline or stop during drought.
Design Considerations
At a minimum, a spring should have a year-round flow rate of at least 1 gallon a minute. With proper storage, this minimum flow can water nearly 100 cattle. Before investing in development, a spring should be monitored to make sure adequate flow is maintained throughout the year. Neighbors or previous owners can be consulted about a spring’s dependability as a water source.
The flow rate of a spring can be tested by digging a 5-gallon bucket into the slope below the spring and allowing the water to flow into the bucket. Determine the flow rate by timing how long it takes the water to fill the bucket.
While year-round springs are preferred, wet-weather springs may be an adequate water source if the pasture is only grazed from May to early July. Wet-weather springs may not be an adequate source during typically hot, dry weather in July and August when livestock demand and evaporation rates are high. Wet-weather springs may be adequate for winter grazing.
Spring water quality and quantity can be protected and enhanced by good management around the site. While total water flow cannot be increased, removing cattails, shrubs, and trees will direct more of the spring flow into the livestock watering system. Fencing livestock away from the seepage area or installing underground collection tile will help protect the quality of spring water. Surface runoff should be diverted around the spring by shaping the ground.
If an underground collection trench is used, a backhoe can be used to dig out the collection trench. A plastic membrane can be used to funnel underground seepage into perforated drainage pipe, usually 3-inch or larger diameter. This pipe should be surrounded by a fabric filter and washed rock. The collection trench should be covered with clay and mounded to divert runoff and prevent surface water infiltration.
If the spring development is on a slope or ridge, water can be piped downhill to a storage tank or livestock watering tanks, possibly serving multiple pastures.
Contact your local NRCS for technical assistance in designing a spring development to ensure a low-maintenance and dependable watering system.
This practice may require permits. Please read the Permits in Kansas chapter of this handbook.
