[Carpenter] Spring Development

[Grant Phillips]

Kevin, 

There is not currently cost-share available in our county for spring 
development.  I am personally no expert on spring development.  I have 
never participated in the construction of one.  So you will have to take 
what I am trying to convey with a grain of salt. 

My first recommendation is to look at the current outlet, and see if there 
is any way of restoring it.  I have heard of springs being plugged up with 
moss and debris, this can sometime  be solved by simply applying an air 
pressure hose to the outlet of the spring, so as to blow all of the debris 
off of the inlet manifold.  You will just have to try and assess the 
situation to see if repairing the old system is an option.
 
If restoring the existing outlet, is not an option, we have several 
drawings describing how to go about developing your spring.  Instead of me 
trying to e-mail you all of the pdfs, I will just give you the following 
web address.  This NRCS website contains all of the standard drawings for 
the different practices NRCS assists with applying. 

http://www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cad/caddrwgs_list.asp

After going to the above mentioned website, you can scroll down through 
the options and pick all of the practices that apply to you.  In this case 
you will be looking for the Key words: Spring Development.  I have listed 
some of the codes these drawings fall under to assist you with finding 
them.

29-L-52, 29-L-67, 29-L-68, 29-L-69, 29-L70, 29-N-77

As you can see from these drawings, there are many options for developing 
a spring, all of which can be rearranged and revised to meet your specific 
 needs.  The basic concepts behind developing a spring  however are all 
very similar.  Ultimately, the goal is to retain the spring water for 
collection.  This can be done above or below ground with the aide of 
earthen berms or a mixture of rock, sand, and perforated tile.  After the 
collection point is developed , it then is necessary to pipe the water 
from that point to  a point of use.  For this you will want to pick a site 
that meets your intended needs for the water (accessible, flat, dry, 
etc.).  At this point you will need to decide on how you want the water 
delivered.  This can be in the form of a water tank, tire tank, straight 
outlet pipe, or anything else you think might work.  Hopefully this will 
aide you in thinking through your options.  If you decide what route you 
would like to take, and need further assistance, let me know, and I will 
try to hook you up with someone who has had a little more experience in 
this area.

Hope this helps,

Grant Phillips
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