Guzzlers
Introduction
What is a Guzzler?
"Guzzlers are basically a man-made rain and snow collection system that provides supplementary water for wildlife. They’ve been around for years, in various forms, but the concept remains the same. Collect rainwater and store it in a reservoir to be consumed by animals during dry periods."
"A guzzler system usually consists of two parts: The collection lid and the storage tank below. When it rains, the water is collected by the lid and gravity feeds it down into the reservoir tank. Animals are able to access the water by walking down a ramp that is built into the lid. About 75% of the lid covers the water reservoir to reduce evaporation." - https://www.rainmakerwildlife.com/resources/guzzler-basics
Life Expectancy: 20 years. Fiberglass guzzlers can be incinerated by wild fires, and concrete skirts can crack due to environmental factors. Depending on the materials and design, these may last for decades or only a season in fire-prone areas.
Pro: These can provide water to wildlife at high altitudes, and are replenished by rain, meaning rangers, conservationists, or volunteers don't have truck water up into difficult terrain to keep animals alive.
Con: These are reliant on rainfall and can be damaged by fire as well as other extreme elements. These can be dangerous for animals who might fall in and drown, or hurt their legs. Water sources can lure prey and predators may learn to use them for ambushing.
Solution: To prevent drowning these are generally designed with a ramp for easy access and escape. A fence can be added to help reduce the chance of animals like wild horses from running right over a guzzler and potentially breaking a leg.
Materials: Materials like stone or concrete can be used. Many prefabricated guzzlers are fiberglass, but you can recycle found items like corrugated roofing, an old gutter, metal pieces for a frame, and crews to create the water catchment portion of the device. Some capture rain with a wide concrete skirt that feeds the basin portion. Some kind of roof is useful to reduce evaporation and this can double as part of the to catch water
Fuel Types: Water cycle + gravity
Resources & How-To Guides
Guzzler Basics This resource talks about what a guzzler is, water requirements for different species, plus other topics such as management and maintenance.
Water: Rainwater Harvesting for Wildlife (PDF) This resource includes photos of existing guzzlers, many diagrams for variations on rainwater capture, storage, and dispersal design, and other helpful information for designing your own.
Wildlife Drinker Basics: Plumbed & Equilibrium Systems "Drinkers can be installed either above-ground or in-the-ground. How you install your drinker will let you determine which animals have access to water. Since a drinker ranges between 16-26” tall, an above-ground placement will let larger animals drink but limit access to smaller animals and critters. Conversely, an in-ground install will give both large animals and small critters direct access to water at ground level." This resource includes photos and other topics about planning and installation.
Wildlife Watering Facilities - Guzzlers (PDF) "A wildlife watering facility may be a guzzler, spring development, pond, wetland, or other type of water supply. This Technical Note provides specifications for guzzlers."
Prefabricated Guzzlers & Accessories
Organizations
North America
USA
Water for Wildlife "is a conservation organization designed to benefit our nation’s wildlife. Our initial emphasis focused on plains game preservation and management through the development of supplemental water resources in selected areas where both the habitat and wildlife are being impaired by lack of water, a vital natural resource. We have now invested in over 500 water projects in twelve western states. These crucial water sources sustain both wild game and non-game animals including songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, fish, and many more. Our charitable goals are to create awareness of increased pressure on water resources necessary for the continued sustenance of wildlife and to increase the availability of water for all wildlife in remote and arid regions of our country. The Benefits Wildlife rely on their habitat for water, feed, and cover. As these resources become increasingly scarce, our projects support the continued viability of wildlife under these conditions. We work with state and federal wildlife and land management officials and other conservation organizations to identify the need for projects, located primarily on public land."
Grants & Funding
North America
USA
Water for Wildlife: Grant Application "The Water for Wildlife® Foundation is committed to playing a pivotal role in the conservation of wildlife through the development of supplemental water/habitat resources. WFWF helps bridge the gaps between agencies and other partners to implement projects. We provide grants each year for the construction of water/habitat developments for wildlife. Water for Wildlife® project applications should show at least a 1:1 cost share match for consideration. Water projects are ranked and prioritized for funding based on benefits to area wildlife, distances to perennial water sources, cost share funding and partners identified, cost effectiveness, public benefit, and completeness of application submitted. Funding levels vary from project to project, but typically range from $1,000 – $10,000. The Foundation is encouraging your agency or conservation organization to partner with us to support our efforts of making water/habitat as accessible to wildlife as possible."