Fountain of Youth
The Fountain of Youth Spring Fed Water System 
 

Located 240' up the side of the mountain, on the east part of the property, this spring supplies Valhalla Tree Farm with loads of  fresh, clear, spring water. The "Fountain" was discovered by Earl Ingebright in 1958 as he explored the new property. The Ingebright's then built and maintained a trail to the large boulder in the woods where fresh spring water bubbled from it's base. The water tested to 000.00 purity! They took people there during hiking tours. An old tin cup was hidden under a clump of moss and visitors were offered a "taste". In 1994 the Ingebright's decided to run a pipeline from the spring to the main house. A major engineering endeavor, it made for a fun father and son project. The actual pipeline consists of about 1/2 mile of 1 1/4" Poly pipe buried under the service road. Average pressure is 45PSI. ...And no pump! A small bypass pipe feeding a large European fountain in the yard keeps water to the house fresh and clean.

 

Burying the pipeline 
Major engineering project

Lots of pressure at the bottom of the hill at Popcorn Pond
Earl finishing the manifold

Fountain next to house, runs off the spring
Gives visual indication that "all is well" up at the spring. Makes sure that fresh water is always running through the pipeline and keeps the system from freezing during cold weather.
Dave tightening the feeder to the picnic shed

Drinking fountain in the picnic pavilion area. This replicates the classic state park design pioneered by the CCC in the 1930's.
Damage from the 1998 windstorm. Several trees blown down very close to the barrels and piping system


 Spring Fed water system Statistics

Length of pipeline: .5 Mile
Diameter of pipeline: 1.25" poly
Total drop: approx 260 Ft
Storage capacity at spring: 150Gallons
Filter: Screen weir at pickup, progressive through three barrels, line strainer at house
Pressure at house: 45 psi

Fast Forward to 2008


Popcorn Pond Manifold Upgrade
Some periodic maintenance on a pretty simple system. The manifold at the bottom of the hill needed repairs. Here's a shot of the updated "popcorn pond" manifold before installation in the valve box. Shutoff and isolation valves along with a hose bib and pressure gage.
Scout Camp Pipeline Upgrade 
 Another lesson learned by the Valhalla water Dept. When stubbing off the main line, run a continuous piece of pipe to the shutoff! Here's a shot of the scout camp stub which we found leaking after 10 yrs. Evidently trucks running over the splice caused a preload on the pipe. 

Scout Camp Pipeline Upgrade
Here's Dave digging out the scout camp shutoff stub. We added afire hydrant, tee for a future drinking foountain, 1 1/4" Tee and valve box

 

6-23-08