BaseCamp WNC

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC ! In this video, we're diving into something incredibly useful for anyone managing a rainwater harvesting system , spring-fed water system , or off-grid water storage setup — a wireless long-range water tank level indicator . If you've ever wondered how much water you have in your storage tank without climbing up or opening the lid, this solution is for you. 📡 Wireless Water Level Monitoring System Setup This remote water level sensor setup allows you to monitor your tank’s water level from inside your home or cabin , using a long-range wireless transceiver. Here’s a breakdown of the components and how we installed it: The transmitting sensor unit is powered by four AA batteries (included) and is mounted at the top of the tank. A durable PVC pipe with a weighted concrete base keeps the sensor stable, even when high volumes of water are pumped in — such as when filling with a 4,500-gallon water truck . The sensor works by measuring...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC , where today we’re exploring a rare and clever off-grid water setup deep in the North Carolina mountains. This mountain property features a dual water system —one drawing from a natural spring water source , and the other from two drilled wells , all integrated into a backup-ready flow system. Let’s take a closer look at how this works and what lessons you can take if you're setting up or buying rural property with alternative water sources . 🌿 Spring Water Source with Gravity-Fed System This property is connected to a gravity-fed spring water system sourced from a neighbor’s land through a spring box and a 1,000-gallon underground concrete reservoir tank. The overflow from the spring flows downhill and is collected into a secondary 1,500-gallon storage tank, protected within a large retaining wall made of railroad ties. The overflow from the spring measures approximately 2.34 gallons per minute , enough to supply daily needs. The tan...

Welcome back to Base Camp WNC —today, we’re back in the beautiful mountains of Burnsville, North Carolina , on a fourth-generation family homestead. It's been nearly 7 years since I last set foot on this land, and now, my good friend’s son is preparing to move into the family home. Step One: Restoring the Spring Water Source The first priority: getting fresh spring water flowing again . Years ago, a spring system was installed, but while water is visibly bubbling out of the mountain, the pipe is bone dry. We’ve started digging into the hillside to trace the issue—and sure enough, water has found a path underneath the dam wall rather than through the pipe. This setup features a shallow 12-inch-deep Carolina water system. Over time, the water carved its own path beneath the dam, bypassing the intended flow. We'll need to rebuild the dam wall using hydraulic cement , seal it to the rock face, and redirect the flow properly. As we excavate, we’ve discovered that the or...

Welcome Back to Base Camp WNC – Starting a 4th Generation Family Homestead We’re excited to bring you along on a brand-new chapter here at Base Camp WNC as we begin building a fourth-generation family homestead in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This project is especially close to home—one of my closest friends has a son who’s moving onto the family property, and we’re getting started with some essential infrastructure work. In the next video, we’ll be focusing on installing a fresh spring water system to supply clean running water to the house. What’s Coming Up: Spring Water Installation – We’ll show you how we tap into a clean mountain spring and run water directly into the home. Low Head, High Volume Hydro Power – Learn about our plans for a hydro system that generates sustainable energy with a low elevation drop. Rebuilding an Original Spring House – On the property sits a 60+ year-old stone springhouse built by Joe’s grandfather. This structure ...

Got a new post on the Carolinahomesteadplanner.com site called Rebuilding the spring and gravity water system on the homestead . Read the full post by heading on over here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bNuJYxDKC8

Got a new post on the Carolinahomesteadplanner.com site called Starting work on a fourth generation homestead . Read the full post by heading on over here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOEu_RZr0s0