Help with water pump size I need

[juicegoose]

First post guys glad I found this forum. I recently cleared about a 1/2 acre of land for a garden. Right behind the land is a creek that I was planning on utilizing for watering. I know a semi-trash pump will be the way to go but my concern is the amount of water that will be produced. I don't have a huge garden this season and am afraid a 2" pump might be overkill. Are there any other options I could look at? I also thought maybe of building a manifold system for some 3/4" water hose feeds to sprinkler heads but am concerned over backpressure on the motor.

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[Carl_NH]

Welcome to TBN!

So you dont have electric I presume and need to use a gas pump setup? The trash pumps do generate a lot of water at low pressure - not enough to run a sprinkler I dont think - they need 20-30 PSI to work usually. A manifold distribution system would work with the trash pump but then you need to move pipe each spring to till or plow.

You could use a generator and small water pump to run a sprinkler setup - may be cheaper if you have a generator than building and maintaining a manifold distribution system.

 

[juicegoose]

Thanks for the advice. I do have electric available but would need to run around 200ft of extension cord to it. The voltage drop would probably pop the breaker. I'm also concerned about the dirty water capability of a sprinkler style pump.
I called the local rental yard and they recommended I try the echo brand 2 stroke pump.
It has a suction capability of 24ft and head of 90. I think that might fit the ticket and not being overkill. Anyone use these small 2 stroke pumps?

 

[Carl_NH]

That would work but $400 is a bit pricey.. Here's an electric one from Northern Tool and you would need 200' of 12-2 UF (underground #12 wire) about $100 to run it. The plus thing about electric is you can put it on a timer or just plug it in a the outlet.. Wel-Bilt Cast Iron Clear Water Pump 720 GPH, 1/2 HP, 1in. | Utility Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment

ALso you should devise a good filter / strainer for in the creek or sink or drive a well point in the creek bed so you dont pull up a lot of debris as that will plug up your pump and sprinkler heads.