I want to make a water-level out of garden hose for levelling the yard(approx 200' to 300'). I want to make one with a reservoir so as tominimize the effect of the level jumping up and down as the hose ismoved and distorted.Most instructions for a 'reservoir level' have you destroying a bucketby putting a hole in it. Can anybody see a problem with simply lettingone end of the hose hang into the top of the bucket or a barrel? Ofcourse, all air must be out of the system, as is the case with anywater level. This would be no different than hauling a portion of thehose over a fence etc, in which case I believe the water level stillworks. Thanks.

Thanks for the reply.In answer to your question. You would leave the bucket or barrel inplace, and note the level of the water from the gound (for example).Let's say 3 feet. You then walk around the yard with the other end ofthe hose and take measurements between the water level in the end ofthe hose, and the ground. Let's say we have 3'5". We then know thatwe are at a spot on the ground that is 5" lower than then ground at thebarrel.A couple of notes...You're right, you don't want to spill water as you are moving. Thetypical kit that attaches to a garden hose has a clear tube with astopper that can be used when moving.A while ago, I did some work in the basement and used a water levelwithout a reservoir. Again, I had the clear tubes from the kit on theend of the hose. The bad thing was that the level at BOTH ends of thehose would change as you walked around and distorted the hose. It wasa bit of a pain, as I would move the hose, then I would have to measureboth ends from the...

How to Make a Water Level?

Sep 14, 2005 23 Replies

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Doug Warner 20 years ago

This sounds like a good idea, plus it eliminates problems when the hose heats up in the sun and expands, increasing it's volume. With a good-sized bucket, volume changes in the hose would have little effect on the height at the ends due to the large volume of water in the bucket relative to what's in the hose. If you don't want to cue up the bucket (and install fittings), I'd use the siphon method. You could also use a local, short siphon hose, (over bucket edge, down, below water level, then back up to the top edge.) This one, secured to the side of the bucket, would serve as a sight glass. The larger the bucket, the more accurate it will be.

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Doug Warner 20 years ago

Or, the cheapest method: Fix the top of the reference end the reference point. When you get to a measurement point, slowly pour some water into the open end, until it overflows at the reference (slow) Alternately, if you have running water at an outdoor site, fix a supply hose above the reference end, with a slow trickle of water dribbling into it. Position the measurement end, wait for the level to rise to it's highest point, and make your mark..

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Harry K 20 years ago

Now that is just plain brilliant! Thanks, never thought of that.

Harry K

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Chris Lewis 20 years ago

According to :

I had the same trouble, when I was not using a reservoir.

This has to be the simplest way, and will be dead accurate:

- fill bucket (water and a bit of liquid detergent)

- afix one end of hose in bucket with tape.

- siphon the hose until it fills.

- hold the other hose end up, and put tape on the hose to mark where the water level is.

- stroll around, when you want to strike a level, raise or lower the hose end until the water level meets the tape mark. There's your level mark.

As long as the hose doesn't get kinked, or you lose too much water, it'll be dead on.

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