System Design Sanity Check - High Head Waterfall

[mikeysp]

I am trying to bring an old trout well/waterfall back to life.

Leftover from the previous property owner is a concrete trout run next to the house. It is 30 feet of vertical head above the creek and there is a 100 feet of 1" black poly pipe in place from creek to trout run. Once water leaves trout run, it travels by gravity to a cliff and falls into the creek again. There is also 120v and 240v power down to the creek for powering the pump. The exit point on the trout run is about 14.75" wide; however, that is not the real fall, as it flows down the wall of the trout run and into a concrete gutter on the ground and from this into a rocky area and back down into a creek. The creek is about 1 ft deep and 2-4ft wide. Flow I don't know, but much more than I am needing.

My desire:

1. 10 or 20 gallons per minute. This is more arbitrary as the old system was not much more than a trickle to keep the trout caught alive for dinner. I would like a little more waterfall noise.
2. Reliable.
3. Freeze proof when pump is off.
4. Low maintenance.

My thinking:

1. Use a small .5 to 1Hp inground pool pump
2. Change the 1" poly line for a 1.5" poly line
3. Housing for pump: Make a simple treated wood framed box with metal sides and roof. Lift top roof. Lined with a sound deadening material to quiet pump, with air gaps at edges to allow heat to escape. Creek water is cold.
4. Line from pump to trout run/fall will empty when pump is off.
5. Electric heat tape and foam insulation on exposed pipe from next to creek to pump house.
6. Suction end debris filter, inside a submerged 1/4"mesh box to mitigate debris clogs.

Not sure about pump make/model. trying to find a budget solution.
I have also considered a submersible pump, but I am unsure about debris in the shallow creek; although, this would make overheat concerns and noise concerns disappear.

I am very new to this and have been reading for a day or two and welcome some wise counsel. I do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a mistake.

Thank you.

-Mike

 

[mikeysp]

One more note: Whatever pump the old property owner used is no longer here.

 

[GBBUDD]

to start 10 to 20 gallons per hour is very small and will not provide for a stream or at bet a trickle Falls google 5 pump display on you tube

 

[mikeysp]

to start 10 to 20 gallons per hour is very small and will not provide for a stream or at bet a trickle Falls google 5 pump display on you tube

Agreed. I want 10-20 Gallons Per Minute

 

[Lisak1]

I have literally never seen anything like this, but what a cool idea! Do you plan to use it for the original purpose?

I'm not help with pump size - too much math for me! However there are ways to protect a submersible pump from debris. There are devices you can purchase (like bags or foam) but some people go as simple as a bucket and lid with holes drilled for the water to flow in and the plumbing to go out. You have the added advantage of a handle to pull the pump in and out of the water.

 

[mikeysp]

Thank you for your comment.

My current plan is to put a 1-1/2" foot-valve inside a 2ft section of 4" PVC pipe with a bunch of small holes in it, and I may also put a metal cage around that.

We are bringing it back to life for the waterfall sound and not for the original purpose.

Harbor freight does have a 1 HP sprinkler pump that can lift the water no problem. I can even keep the 1" poly tubing that is in place. However, it says it is not for continuous purposes. However, I can see someone using it as a sprinkler pump several hours a day; so, I am thinking about giving it a try for $111 ($139-20% coupon). However, I am leaning toward an inground pool pump that will meet my needs. It will mean changing the poly tubing to 1-1/2" to ease the friction. I am exploring pumps now.

 

[j.w]

@mikeysp
Wow what feat you are entering into and will be fun to watch you accomplish it!

 

[GBBUDD]

Agreed. I want 10-20 Gallons Per Minute

whoops I mentioned per minute that's only 600 or 1200 gallons per hr that's barely over a trickle

 

[GBBUDD]

got to love smart phones putting in text it feels is correct........... you won't get to much waterfall sound from a sheeting water sliding down a smooth ramp.

 

[Phaewryn]

I agree with GBBUDD, at that height, 1200GPH will probably be a trickle at best, likely all lost to evaporation and the porous nature of concrete. Here's my 1200GPH pump at 3' of rise, for reference:
video showing 1200GPH pump and falls

Here's a link to give you the basics of choosing a waterfall pump: https://pondinformer.com/pond-pump-size-guide/

You're going to need a massive pump (like https://aquacontrol.com/catalog/waterfall-pump-systems/yosemite-series/) to make that run.

 

[sissy]

have you checked to see if it is water tight .