One beauty of Jack's place is that it has a free-flowing well on it. This translates into running stock water all year round, especially great in the winter. However, the water flow had slowed to a trickle. Such a scenario would freeze up without much effort. Dad learned of the issue, so he came over this afternoon to take a gander.
Jack drilled a well on this place 20+ years ago. Being a good well, it flows about a two gallons a minute on its own. Coming up the casing, they just ran a line down to a stock tank.
I was surprised to see how slow it had gotten. Last year in ran water even at -20.
At the well-head we discovered the problem. There is an overflow hole that was running, despite the line to the tank being plumbed in. This was good news. Because if it was a well issue, we were sunk.
It had an interesting plumbing concoction, a garden hose feeding a ploy line.
When we unhooked the garden hose, the water flowed freely out of that port. Again, good news.
We decided to start with the hose. They had really shoved that thing down in there.
Bingo. The end of it was really plugged up. Ground water around here is pretty high with iron. Exposed to oxygen and it will cause rust, which was the case here.
Having another chunk of hose around, we just changed it out.
Giddy up! That's a good head of water. The rust look was just a good flushing of the system.
This is more like it. Two gallons a minute or so, will keep the tank full. But more importantly, it will keep the line and tank from freezing.
Water and winter are a bad combination. If you want to keep water winning, you better beat winter to the punch. Don't wait until it's cold to mess with water in Wyoming, it'll each your lunch. Catch it while it's still warm and everyone will be happy. Super glad Dad came to lend a hand. If there is anyone who knows how to keep water flowing in the wintertime, it's my old man. Bring it, winter!
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