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14. Watering facility
A trough or tank installed to provide livestock water from a spring, pond, well, or other source.
| How it works |
Selectively placed watering troughs can make pasture management easier. By having water available in several locations, farmers can control grazing more efficiently, prevent erosion, and keep livestock from polluting streams.
| How it helps |
Provides a clean, reliable, easily accessible water supply for animals away from streams.
Can reduce mastitis problems caused by muddy stream banks or springheads. Can help reduce erosion from messy or muddy areas caused by cattle access to springheads or streams.
| Planning ahead |
Will the system have adequate capacity to meet the water requirements of the livestock?
How will the spring development impact downstream flows or aquifers? How will wetlands or other water dependent wildlife habitats be affected?
| Tech notes |
Select a site for the watering trough that is well drained.
Overflow from a watering trough should be handled using a pipeline. The pipeline should be protected from clogging.
The watering trough should be constructed of reinforced concrete or an equally durable material.
| Maintenance |
-Reseed and fertilize, as needed around the watering trough to maintain vegetative cover.
-Inspect the water source, pipelines, and outlets regularly.