Efficient Rainwater Collection System for Barns and Livestock: Gravity-Fed Setup at Basecamp WNC

Welcome to Basecamp Western North Carolina, where sustainable homesteading meets smart water management. In this video, we walk you through an efficient rainwater catchment system we installed on a custom-built goat barn—a practical and eco-friendly way to supply fresh water to livestock using nothing but rainfall and gravity.

🐐 Overview of the Custom Goat Barn
This multi-functional livestock barn was designed for a client and includes:

• Five goat kidding stalls at the front,
• A hay storage stall and general supply area in the rear,
• A horse stall and loafing area below.

More construction photos and design plans are available on our website.

🌧️ Rainwater Catchment System: How It Works
The highlight of this project is the rainwater harvesting system designed to eliminate mud issues and provide a consistent water supply for animals.

• A seamless gutter runs the full length of the 6-foot-wide barn roof.
• Rainwater is funneled through PVC piping, collecting runoff from both the upper and lower gutters.
• Water flows into a 275-gallon IBC tote positioned at the lower end of the barn.
• Thanks to the nearly 1,000-square-foot metal roof, just 0.5 inches of rain can fill the tote.

With Western North Carolina’s high annual rainfall, this system often exceeds capacity. Overflow is directed away from the barn using a controlled drainage system, keeping the area dry and safe for animals.

🚰 Gravity-Fed Water Distribution System
This gravity-fed water system supplies:

• Five animal water bowls in the upper goat stalls,
• A gravity-fed trough in the horse stall,
• A water bowl in the outside livestock pen,
• A secondary bucket system for free-range animals.

The black polyethylene pipe (also known as "funny pipe") runs from the tank base and distributes water throughout the barn and surrounding pens—no pump or electricity required.
As a backup, the tote can be manually filled using well water if rainfall is low, ensuring water availability year-round.

🌿 Off-Grid and Sustainable Livestock Watering
This system is a great example of low-maintenance, off-grid water collection for livestock, ideal for:

• Homesteads
• Goat farms
• Equestrian barns
• Small-scale sustainable agriculture

By using natural rainfall and gravity, this system reduces labor and reliance on utility water from spring to fall, making your barn operation more self-sufficient and eco-friendly.

🧰 Want to Build One?
If you're looking to build a rainwater collection system for your barn, or integrate off-grid water solutions for animals, we’d be happy to help. Visit our website for plans, services, and guidance tailored for Western North Carolina and beyond.
💬 Have questions?
Drop them in the comments.
As always, like, share, and subscribe for more practical tutorials on homesteading, livestock care, and off-grid living at Basecamp WNC.

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