Pila de Agua

Set along side a post of the boundary fence around a BLM Catchment built to catch rain & snow and funnel it into a reservoir. This is then piped into a stock tank outside the protective fence for use by livestock and wildlife. In our wanderings out in the bush we have run across several of them so decided to make a series highlighting where & what these are - Your government at work!

p.s. It would be VERY wise to note the helpful way-points shown or you may end up backtracking when you hit the "private road - no trespassing" sign - we did that once. 4x4 all but required

We first noticed these strange apparitions in satellite view while researching the best path to “ GCRTA9 Hidden in the Hunting Ground” and have since run across several more. It was obvious that they were for water storage but at first glance we could not figure out how they functioned as there was no apparent channeling of runoff ground water into them. We were thinking “VLSWS” (Very Large Solar Water Still) but could find no information like that so asked several “locals”. Most knew nothing about them and those that did gave differing opinions.

We finally located one (#4) that still had an OLD (’79) wooden sign attached (as well as a Survey Benchmark) with which we were able to track down more info.

Turns out that the differing opinions were ALL true, there are multiple methods of gathering and storing the water but the basic principle is all the same. Using rubberized materials (similar to what is used on modern day flat roofs – asphalt based in the early years), they cover a large expanse of ground and funnel that into a pond which is also lined with the same materials so it won’t soak into the ground. The catch is that much of the water evaporates before it is needed so some of them use huge bladders to store the water. We saw one that we “think” had a roof built over the pond to slow evaporation, but not sure.

The two we have taken the time to look at closely do not appear to be operational, at least on an automatic basis as originally intended. It looks like there needs to be a float valve in the stock tank. The bottom half of a union is there, the top (with float valve?) has been removed. Manually turning a valve on and off is currently required and with no livestock around and extremely primitive roads to all of the series, we doubt that is happening on behalf of the wildlife. The stock tank is always located well below the level of the reservoir and would drain it within hours with out a float valve or if just left ON. Some of them may be just that, ON, as there is not water in the pond and stock tank is dry, other ponds are full of water and OFF with no water in the stock tank and with a fence around the pond the wildlife do not have access to that either . . . . . .

Pila is a Spanish word that has multiple meanings, probably the most common and best all around meaning would be "reservoir/storage" with tank, pond, (small) swimming pool, baptistery, & sink being close alternates (depending on context) and is usually understood to be about WATER. One exception is that Pila is also the name used for (small electronics) batteries that “store” electricity. A more literal translation is “Pile or Heap” as in a “Pile/Heap of water, cloths, materials, etc. Take your pick of the meaning and feel free to add your opinion in your log! But in THIS context is means a Water Reservoir / Catchment Basin!

We would LOVE to have your input and opinion on the history and usage of these catchments.

Additional Waypoints

R163EXC - Way Point 1
N 38° 53.587 W 108° 23.976

R263EXC - Way Point 2
N 38° 53.257 W 108° 24.947

R363EXC - Private Rd - no tresspass
N 38° 54.588 W 108° 24.196