Water intake systems are recommended for all farm dugouts.

Research has shown that water in the top 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) of a dugout is of higher quality than water at the bottom and edges of the dugout. It has also shown that many farm dugouts become depleted of dissolved oxygen resulting in black smelly water. For these reasons, floating, water intake systems are recommended for all farm dugouts.

Use floating intake systems in order to make use of the higher quality water in the top area of the dugout. Floating intake systems - For the past 20 years, floating, water intake systems have been used in dugouts. The floating intake draws the better quality water from near the dugout water surface. These systems are usually installed with a wet well beside the dugout which contains a submersible pump. However with jet pumps, the intake assembly hooks directly to the suction line, and a check-valve is installed next to the pump. This eliminates the need for a wet well. Whatever the chosen system, it is recommended that intakes be planned and installed at the time of dugout construction. Floating intake systems include the components.