Floating Sheets of Foam Rubber for Reducing Stock Tank Evaporation

Abstract

Foam rubber sheet stock, 48 inches wide and 3/16 inch thick, was lap jointed, using a contact cement, to fabricate three floating covers. Their performance was evaluated on 24-and 30-foot diameter water-storage tanks. Generally, field performance was satisfactory. Minor problems observed included: pecking by birds, temporary clogging of bailing holes, and separation of the cover from an ice surface. None of these problems are expected to cause cover failure. The estimated cost of saving potentially evaporated water in a 4-foot per year evaporation zone ranges from $1.80 to $2.00 per 1,000 gallons. Such a cost may be justifiable when compared to costs of alternate means of producing or saving an equal amount of water.