HELP WITH PUMPING LAKE WATER

[old timer 77]

I want to pump water out of a lake that is about 75 yards from my house. I have a dock i want to put a pump on and hopefuly pump water to a tank at the house so i can water the dry grass and flowers, and a row of burning bushes. Need some advise about what i need to do the job. From the house to the dock is pretty steep. Thanks for any advise. old timer 77

 

[Tig]

If it's an AC powered pump I'd suggest keeping it well back from the water. AC power and water is simply dangerous. Around here it's common to have the pump near the house and a long feed line buried to the edge of the lake. A foot valve will keep the line primed.

 

[arsenix2001]

If it's an AC powered pump I'd suggest keeping it well back from the water. AC power and water is simply dangerous. Around here it's common to have the pump near the house and a long feed line buried to the edge of the lake. A foot valve will keep the line primed.

Uh if that were the case then you would never see a pond fountain. Ac is fine in ponds as long as you adhere to 2 rules, make sure it is plugged into a gfci outlet and make sure it is off if someone is in the lake. We have a kasco type 1/2 hp aerating boiler in our 1/3 acre pond. As far as pumps go, if your just pumping to a tank, any 1/2hp utility pump should do the trick, mount it on a chain and you can transfer it to your tank to do the watering. If its super steep, consider a gas trash pump, but that may be overkill.

 

[foggy1111]

If it's an AC powered pump I'd suggest keeping it well back from the water. AC power and water is simply dangerous. Around here it's common to have the pump near the house and a long feed line buried to the edge of the lake. A foot valve will keep the line primed.

I dont subscribe to this advice. Throughout Minnesota, there are thousands of lake cabins that pump water from the lake for irrigating purposes. Likely 90 percent of these have a pump a few feet from the waters edge.....and a poly pipe with a screen at the end for a pick-up tube out into the lake.

You can push water allot higher and easier than you can pull (lift) it (which is limited to about 25 feet).

 

[greasemonkeyok]

You need to calculate your total head pressure, then a pump supply store can tell you what works best. Head pressure is a function of the distance (from pump to house), rise in elevation (from the pond to the house), and other factors such as elbows. Sharp turns in the pipe affect head pressure.

This site has a calculator and explains it better, but it may not handle the size you need:
http://www.your-garden-ponds-center.com/head-pressure-calculator.html

If you measure the distance and elevation change, either someone here or a knowledgeable person in the pump supply store can tell you what size, design, and horsepower will be needed.

Another site with imponderable calculators out the wazoo is:
http://www.ajdesigner.com/index_fluid_mechanics.php

 

[boggen]

below are some recent threads that apply to what you are doing

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/197945-garden-irrigation-idea-comments-please.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/200171-irrigating-raised-bed-garden-pond.html

both of below links are active forums just like tractorbynet is. but deal primarly with ponds and lakes.
Koiphen.com and Pond Boss Magazine: Welcome

as far as tractorbynet you might find more threads. if you do a search for "lake pump" as search terms. to see what others have done

there are multi ways going about what you want to do. quick and easy and temporary, to permanent setups.

if ya wanting to buy locally most pool stores, pond stores, well stores (for drinking water) they all should have employees that are up to par in any math that is needed to figure out what would suit you best as far as pumps go and pipe / tube size to use. a local hardware store (menards, lowes, homedepot, etc..) may not have folks that know squat for what you are wanting to do. i would most likely stay away from "lawn and garden" and nurseries in your area. they know math to calculate sprinkler size and how many and placement. but pump size and drawn from lake. i would stay away from.

if buying over internet and want to be able to make a email or telephone call to. koiphen dealers i am fairly familiar with and are all pretty good and knowledgeable. and most likely have majority of stuff on hand or be able to get all the parts you need in a timely manor. though they might not have the parts listed on there website. not to familiar with tractorbynet dealers yet. so i can't speak yet for them.

==========================
some questions for you....

are you wanting temp setup? or permanent setup?

were are you located? city/state/country? this is more about trying to get rough idea of your climate (lowest temps and for how long, and highest temps and for how long) (for extra care for winterizing things or drought areas for less water use)

the bigger the pump. the less time it will take to do the same thing.
the smaller the pipe / tube you use can make a large difference. 1/2" pipe compared to a 1" pipe. and with that said. what are you talking about as far as total distance between lake and end of garden hose spigot? (get a tape measure out)

also what is the vertical distance between top of lake water at its normal lowest spot during the year. to highest point you need to pump water up to? ((i saw lowest. due to mud lakes can fluctuate how much water they have in them through out the year by a few feet)

=================
if you go with a permanent setup. if it were me. i would most likely set you up with an external well pump or pool pump. and install a pressure switch on it. so when pressure got to say 27 psi pump would kick on. and when it got to 36 psi the pump would shut off automatically. i would also have you install a "well tank" or rather a "bladder tank" this would allow you to turn on a garden spigot were ever on your property and have instant water any time of the day of the year. both pump and bladder tank. i would most likely build a small little shed over them or for them to go into. ((wait till one of them generic premade sheds go on sale. say during fall / winter)) setup a heat lamp or find smallest size possible heater and set thermostate on it to lowest setting. and stick in shed with some hardboard insulation. ((if you live in cold winters) to have water from lake year round.

---------------

if you are looking for quick easy temp setups. (see the original couple links i noted.)

 

[mmurphy]

You need to know the elevation difference between lake water and height of tank.
Is the tank going to be vented to atmosphere, or pressurized?
How many galons per minute?
Just a few thoughts before you can really get good answers.

 

[20 20]

What type of pump are you planing on using, gas, electric, wind, solar .....? I agree with "You can push water allot higher and easier than you can pull (lift) it" There are all types of pumps out there that will easily do the job. You could spend a small amount or you could spend thousands, all depends on your budget and preferences

 

[bp fick]

Agree. Push, don't pull.

 

[Tig]

Uh if that were the case then you would never see a pond fountain. Ac is fine in ponds as long as you adhere to 2 rules, make sure it is plugged into a gfci outlet and make sure it is off if someone is in the lake.

GFCIs fail. Pond pumps are certified to a much higher standard than the "lake pumps" I see around here, which are almost always shallow well pumps with DIY electrical service.

I dont subscribe to this advice. Throughout Minnesota, there are thousands of lake cabins that pump water from the lake for irrigating purposes. Likely 90 percent of these have a pump a few feet from the waters edge.....and a poly pipe with a screen at the end for a pick-up tube out into the lake.

OP said he was going to put the pump on the dock. A few feet from the water's edge may be an OK safety margin. Personally I wouldn't want anyone to be able to reach it while touching the water in any way.
When I put my pump in next year the most convenient place is for it to be housed and sheltered in a wood shed 10' from the shore so that's where it will be. I'll put it on a GFCI and if it fails someday the hazard will still be 10' from the water and in a dry area.
To the OP, I'd suggest you check local electrical code. Stay safe.