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Designing a Portable Lake Water Irrigation System with a Gas Pump

A homeowner on a Corps of Engineers lake needs a portable irrigation system for a 400' x 300' yard (approx. 2.75 acres) with a 25-foot elevation rise and a maximum 20-foot suction lift. Electric power is not available at the water's edge.

System Design Approach

Select the pump first. Choose a quality gas-engine centrifugal pump (1.5–2 HP) that runs several hours per tank. Ensure it is truly portable.
Match sprinklers to pump output. For large-area coverage with easy mobility, consider high-volume impact or gear-drive sprinklers on tripods or sleds. Summit Supply offers suitable portable sprinkler and hose kits.
Size the hose/pipe. Use 1.5" or 2" layflat or PVC hose to minimize friction loss over 400+ feet.

Because the system is portable, a single pump can be moved to supply different zones sequentially. Plan for adequate flow (30+ GPM) to cover the area efficiently.

Irrigation: Irrigation System Causing Hot Water Shortage: Causes and Solutions; Automating a Manual Ditch-Fed Irrigation System with Pump and Drums; Irrigation Pump Loses Prime: Suction Line Air Leak Detection; New Home Irrigation System: No Water After Valve Replacement; Designing a Pressurized Irrigation Pump System with Safety Shutoff; Should You Install a Filter on a Lake-Fed Sprinkler System?; Flotec Pump Cycles On/Off in Auto: Electrical or Relay Fault; How to Winterize a Lake-Fed Irrigation System; Low Pressure on Hose-Fed Sprinkler System: Pump vs. Design Fix; Sta-Rite Pump Surges on 3-4 Zones: Too Many Valves Open or Well Issue

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