A trick tank is a watering device/structure,
naturally fed by rainwater or snow melt for livestock or wildlife.
It collects precipitation, holds the water in a covered tank to
minimize evaporation and maintain adequate water quality, and
dispenses water on demand into a basin from which animals can
drink. Dispensing may be regulated by a mechanical float device
similar to a ballcock in the tank of a flush toilet. These tanks
should be located in grazing areas that have no access to water
sources such as rivers, streams, or springs. Not only do trick
tanks help in water containment and storage, but help alleviate
grazing activities on riparian environments.
By placing trick tanks in waterless
grazing areas wildlife and livestock are diverted away from
riparian areas thereby reducing degradation of riparian zones and
improving water quality in watersheds by reducing impacts to
streambank stabilization, turbidity, and bacteria.
The benefits are: 1) Less pressure of
grazing activities in riparian zones. 2) Diverting of wildlife and
livestock to unused forage areas, due to lack of water sources. 3)
Reduction of fire danger from piled dry grass.
The possibilities for trick tanks are
endless for grazing activities, and can be located virtually
anywhere in any range and grazing area. They can and may seem
expensive, but in the long run the benefits out weigh the
cost.