**WHAT IS A GUZZLER?**

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.3055555555555554in"
height="2.484722222222222in"}

A "guzzler" is a permanent, self-filling wildlife watering facility
designed to capture and store precipitation and make it available to
wildlife (Fig. 1). They are built for wildlife to provide adequate
drinking water during critical periods of the year, to create or expand
suitable habitat, and to improve water quality and accessibility where
natural watering sources are insufficient.

Guzzlers generally consist of a rainwater collection apron that empties
into a storage tank. Wildlife access can be provided directly to the
storage tank or water can be piped to a separate watering basin that is
usually controlled by a float valve.

**Planning guzzlers**

Water is essential to all life, however, the need for supplemental water
on the landscape will depend heavily upon the requirements of the
targeted species and upon the existing availability and distribution of
other water sources. Wildlife can obtain water from a variety of sources
to meet their needs including perennial and intermittent streams,
springs, seeps, catchments, dew, and succulent vegetation. It is
important to keep in mind that many smaller wildlife species in arid and
semi-arid environments may not require additional free-standing water if
succulent vegetation is readily available. A thorough habitat assessment
must be conducted to determine if free-standing water is indeed a
limiting factor for the targeted wildlife species. If other habitat
elements such as food or cover are lacking, adding water to the
landscape may do little to benefit the targeted species.

It is necessary to have some understanding of the water requirements of
species in order to effectively plan wildlife guzzlers. Listed below are
estimated requirements for some common species:

**Estimated Wildlife Water Use**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Species**                         **Amount**

  Pronghorn                           1-2 gal/animal/day

  Mule Deer                           1-2 gal/animal/day

  Elk                                 5-8 gal/animal/day

  Chukar                              750 gal/covey/year

  Quail                               750 gal/covey/year

  Turkey                              7 gal./100 head/day

  Pheasant                            2-5 gal/flock/day

  Mourning Dove                       2-5 gal/flock/day

  Songbirds                           1-2 gal/flock/day
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Distance between available water sources is important to consider as
well. The habitat assessment should take into account the current
distribution of permanent and seasonal water sources on the landscape
and how far species will travel to obtain water. Here are some
approximate distances to consider when planning for wildlife:

**Estimated Distances Wildlife Travel to Water**

  ----------------------------- --------------------- --------------------
  **Species**                   **Optimum (miles)**   **Maximum (miles)**

  Pronghorn                     2                     3

  Mule Deer                     1                     3

  Elk                           1                     3

  Chukar                        0.5                   1

  Quail                         0.5                   1

  Turkey                        1                     2

  Pheasant                      0.5                   1

  Mourning Dove                 3                     5

  Songbirds                     0.25                  0.5
  ----------------------------- --------------------- --------------------

Guzzlers may be appropriate if food and cover are available but water
quantity, quality, or distribution are inadequate or not optimized. They
may be particularly valuable in areas where historic springs, streams,
and other water resources have been reduced or diverted for other
purposes or summer water availability is severely lacking. It is often
beneficial to combine guzzlers with other practices, such as, planting
of desirable grasses, forbs, and shrubs to increase their value for
wildlife.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="2.75in" height="1.875in"}However, adding
supplemental water to an area may concentrate animals and make them more
susceptible to predation, diseases, and hunting, so it is essential to
carefully consider these potential impacts to target and non-target
species in the area prior to recommending this practice (Fig. 2).

**Design Criteria**

1.  **Storage Tanks**

Water storage capacity shall be based upon the approximate water
requirements of the targeted species. Estimate the number of animals
expected to use the guzzler, their water requirements, and the number of
days water needs to be supplied. Remember that wildlife may only need to
use the guzzler for a portion of the year, but more storage capacity may
be needed to capture precipitation when it falls and make it available
during critical dry periods.

Consider the [minimum]{.underline} average, annual precipitation in the
area when designing storage capacity to prevent the guzzler from going
dry when wildlife need it most during drought years. The table below
provides some generic recommendations for minimum tank sizes based upon
precipitation:

  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------
  **Minimum Average Annual          **Minimum Tank Storage Capacity
  Precipitation**                   Required**

  5 -- 9 inches                     750 gallons

  [\>]{.underline}10 inches         500 gallons
  --------------------------------- -------------------------------------

Smaller storage tanks may be sufficient for guzzlers that are designed
only for seasonal use by low numbers of small wildlife, such as,
gallinaceous birds.

2.  **Water Collecting Aprons**

The size of the collection apron needed is determined by the minimum
average, annual precipitation and the storage tank capacity. The
following formula should be used to calculate the area (ft^2^) of the
collecting surface:

> [Storage Tank (gal) x 1.6]{.underline}

Area (ft^2^) = Min. Avg. Annual Precip (in)

[For example]{.underline}:

A 500-gal cistern tank planned for a site which receives a minimum of 10
inches of precipitation per year would need a collecting surface of
about 80 ft^2^ (Area = 500 x 1.6 ÷ 10 = 80).

The slope of the collecting apron should be no steeper than ¼ inch per
foot.

3.  **Wildlife Access**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="2.1354166666666665in"
height="2.1666666666666665in"}

4.  **Protection of Guzzler**

Wildlife guzzlers shall be protected from livestock damage and/or use.
Fencing may also be needed to keep big game animals from damaging
collection aprons or to keep them out of guzzlers designed for small
animals.

When planning big game guzzlers where livestock are present, consider
developing other more productive water sources instead in order to
provide sufficient water quantity for all animals.

Above ground facilities, especially aprons, should be camouflaged or
screened by vegetation to reduce damage from vandalism.

**Site selection**

Guzzlers are unlikely to be used by targeted species if they are not
located in areas that also provide adequate food and cover resources.
Behavioral constraints exist for many wildlife species which may make
them reluctant to use watering facilities. For example, gallinaceous
birds like chukars are more vulnerable to avian predators if they have
to cross large open areas with little shrub cover to access water and
therefore guzzlers situated in those areas may be avoided (Fig. 4).

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="3.307638888888889in"
height="2.4805555555555556in"}

**General Site Selection Criteria:**

-   Guzzlers shall be located in close proximity to adequate food and
    cover for the targeted species.

-   Consider the behavioral constraints of the targeted species and
    select sites that are most likely to be utilized.

-   Guzzlers shall not be located in a wash, gully, or other area of
    concentrated flow to avoid flood damage or siltation.

-   Do not place guzzlers in areas that are visible from a road.

-   Where feasible, tanks should be placed with openings facing away
    from the prevailing wind and facing in a northerly direction to
    minimize sunlight entering tank. Such placement will reduce water
    temperature, evaporation, and algae growth.

-   Placing guzzlers on south facing slopes will help with thawing water
    in the winter.

**OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE**

A properly operated and maintained wildlife guzzler can have a life span
of 20 years or more. This practice will require you to perform periodic
maintenance and may also require operational items to maintain
satisfactory performance. Here are some O&M recommendations:

-   Guzzler should be inspected at least once each year before the bulk
    of the precipitation is expected to ensure proper function.

-   Remove all debris from the tank.

-   Repair holes, cracks, or leaks in the collection apron, tank, and/or
    pipe as needed.

-   Vegetation around the opening of the tank should be cut back so that
    the opening is accessible. Maintain vegetation of sufficient height
    on 2 or 3 sides of the guzzler to continue to provide cover.

-   Fences around guzzlers should be checked annually and repaired as
    needed.

-   Guzzlers not designed to operate during freezing weather shall be
    winterized prior to winter conditions.

-   Avoid disturbing area around guzzler during the primary nesting
    season of March 1 -- July 15.

**REFERENCES**

*Brigham, W.R. and C. Stevenson. 1997, Revised 2003. Wildlife Water
Catchment Construction in Nevada. Technical Note 397. Bureau of Land
Management, Denver, Colorado. BLM/RS/ST-96/0091-6500/REV03. 97 pp.*

*Krausman, P. R., S. S. Rosenstock, J. W. Cain III. 2006. Developed
Waters for Wildlife: Science, Perception, Values, and Controversy.
Wildlife Society Bulletin. 34(3): 563-569.*

*Larsen, R. T., J. T. Flinders, D. L. Mitchell, E. R. Perkins, and D. G.
Whiting. 2007. Chukar Watering Patterns and Water Site Selection.
Rangeland Ecology and Management. 60(6): 559-565.*

*NRCS, Nevada. 1996. Wildlife Watering Facility (648) Practice
Specification. Nevada Field Office Technical Guide.*

*Yoakum, J., W. P. Dashmann, H. R. Sanderson, C. M. Nixon, and H. S.
Crawford. 1980. Habitat Improvement Techniques. Pages 329-403 in S. D.
Schemnitz, ed., Wildlife Management Techniques Manual, 4^th^ ed. The
Wildlife Society, Washington, D.C. 686 pp.*

  --------------- ---------------------------- ------------------ -------------------
  **Client:**                                  **Date:**          

  **Location:**                                **County/SWCD:**   

  **Contract #:**                              **Tract/Field:**   

  **Planner:**                                 **Acres:**         
  --------------- ---------------------------- ------------------ -------------------

***RESOURCE INVENTORY***

  ----------------- ------------------------------- ---------------- -----------
  **Targeted**                                      **Estimated No.  
  **Species:**                                      of Animals:**    

  **Describe                                        **Avg. Distance  
  Existing Water                                    between Existing 
  Sources:**                                        Water Sources    
                                                    (mi):**          

  **Estimate of                                     **Avg. Annual    
  Water Required                                    Minimum          
  and When                                          Precipitation    
  Needed:**                                         (in):**          

  **Food and Cover                                                   
  Availability:**                                                    
  ----------------- ------------------------------- ---------------- -----------

***GENERAL GUZZLER SPECIFICATIONS***

  -------------- ----------------------------- ---------------- ----------
  **No. and Type                               **Avg. Distance  
  of Guzzlers                                  between Water    
  Planned:**                                   Sources AFTER    
                                               Guzzler          
                                               Installation     
                                               (mi):**          

  **Storage Tank                               **Size of Apron  
  Size (gal):**                                (use formula):** 

  **Guzzler                                                     
  Protection                                                    
  Measures:**                                                   

  **NOTE: Refer                                                 
  to plan map                                                   
  and                                                           
  engineering                                                   
  drawings for                                                  
  specific                                                      
  guzzler                                                       
  locations and                                                 
  designs**                                                     
  -------------- ----------------------------- ---------------- ----------

DESIGN APPROVAL:

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<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Practice Code</strong></p>
<p><strong>NO.</strong></p></td>
<td rowspan="2"><h5 id="practice">PRACTICE</h5></td>
<td rowspan="2"><p><strong>LEAD</strong></p>
<h5 id="discipline">DISCIPLINE</h5></td>
<td rowspan="2"><h5 id="controlling">CONTROLLING</h5>
<h5 id="factor">FACTOR</h5></td>
<td colspan="2" rowspan="2"><strong>UNITS</strong></td>
<td colspan="9"><strong>JOB CLASS</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><strong>I</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>II</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>III</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>IV</strong></td>
<td><strong>V</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td>614</td>
<td><h4 id="watering-facility">Watering Facility</h4></td>
<td><h5 id="ced-de">CED-DE</h5></td>
<td>Volume</td>
<td colspan="2">gals</td>
<td colspan="2">500</td>
<td colspan="2">1,000</td>
<td colspan="2">2,000</td>
<td colspan="2">3,000</td>
<td>All</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="5"><strong>This practice is classified as Job Class (check
one):</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Design Approved by:/s/ [     ]{.underline}\_ Job Title/Design JAA:
[     ]{.underline} Date: [     ]{.underline}

**client's ACKNOWLEDGEMENT statement:**

The Client acknowledges that:

a\. They have received a copy of the designs and specification and
understand the contents and requirements.

b.  It shall be the responsibility of the client to obtain all necessary
    permits and/or rights, and to comply with all ordinances and laws
    pertaining to the application of this practice.

Accepted by:/s/ [     ]{.underline} Date:[     ]{.underline}

**Certification:** I have completed a review of the information provided
by the client and have conducted a site visit and certify this practice
has been applied according to NRCS standards and specifications.

Certification by:/s/[     ]{.underline} Date:[     ]{.underline}

Job Title: [     ]{.underline} Construction JAA: [     ]{.underline}