Profitable Pastures

Water Sources

Ponds
Wells
Springs
Rural water
Creeks

A guide to grass, grazing, and good management

Developing, Storing and Using Good Water

Access to clean, reliable water is a necessary part of any grazing system. Key considerations when developing a livestock watering system include meeting livestock needs, protecting water quality, minimizing lanes and livestock movement, and cost effectiveness. When providing water to livestock, you’ll need a source and a way to distribute it to pastures.

Water sources

Water sources may include ponds, streams, rivers, wells, rural water, tile lines, springs and seeps. High quality water is critical for a successful grazing system. Keeping animals from entering your water source will maintain higher water quality which minimizes bacteria and disease.

Distributing Water

When paddock placement and rotations isolate livestock from traditional water sources listed on the previous page, there are several methods to distribute water to the paddocks. It is preferable to have water available in each paddock with walking distances no greater than 600 to 800 feet.

When choosing a distribution system, you should consider available water sources, herd size, time and costs.

By running a gravity fed or siphon line from the source, water can be distributed to a series of tanks throughout the grazing system.

Animal powered nose pumps may be used to draw water from ponds, streams or shallow wells.

Ram type pumps can be used to transfer water to higher elevations for distribution throughout the system. These pumps only require falling water to work.

Portable transfer pumps can be used to fill portable or stationary tanks with water from ponds, streams or wells. This may be a viable alternative if a pump and labor are readily available.

Through the use of a pressure system, water can be distributed to paddocks from a well, pond or rural water. Temporary systems, which use above ground plastic pipe and movable tanks, may help reduce costs and add flexibility. In large scale permanent grazing systems, underground piping may be more appropriate for distributing water to individual paddocks. Size and type of pipe will depend on distance, pressure in the system and number of livestock.

Moving livestock to water

If it is not possible to install water in each paddock, it will be necessary to bring livestock to the watering site. Water is usually accessed through lanes which connect paddocks to the water source.

Lanes should not be too wide, 16 to 24 feet is adequate, as they are not used for vehicle travel and can lead to erosion problems. Frequently used lanes should be installed on the contour as much as possible.

Gateways into lanes should be placed in the corner of the paddock to which livestock would naturally flow. Setting up paddocks and lanes to fit normal animal movement reduces fence maintenance and enhances system performance.

<Back to Profitable Pastures                                                                                                                                                                                      Fertility>