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Separately form and pour a concrete lid. Place rebar handles in the forms before pouring. • Place rebar or wire mesh in the walls and lid. • When the concrete has set, remove the forms. • Remove the clay dam formed earlier around the supply (diverting) pipe. Place a 90-degree elbow onto the end of the supply pipe; into the elbow, place a capped riser pipe with several holes drilled in it. • Dig a trench to the watering tank and install the supply pipe. • Place the concrete lid, constructed earlier, onto the spring box to keep dirt and leaves out, and to protect the spring from livestock and surface water flow.
Culvert Collector Boxes
A concrete or plastic culvert can also be used to capture spring water. Use this method if the water flow is 5 to 15 feet wide. Select a concrete or plastic culvert with a diameter of 2-6 feet and few perforations. The necessary culvert size depends on spring flow and planned usage. Concrete culverts not suitable for their originally intended use because of fabrication flaws often can be purchased at a discount from pre-cast concrete companies. Here’s how to install culvert collector boxes: • Dig out the spring area to create a pool; dig
Watering Systems for Serious Graziers
down to gray clay or bedrock, if possible. This will be the collection pit for the system. • Extend the supply pipeline into the center of the pool. This pipe will run from the collection culvert to the watering tank. • The supply pipe should be at least 1¼-inch diameter. It will be installed below the bottom edge of the culvert. Glue a 90-degree elbow to the end of this pipeline where it will be inside the culvert. • Build a standpipe by capping one end, and drilling a series of holes up and down the
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