Kiddie Pool Water Hole

[Rockon]

Here is a small 5 ft kiddie pool I buried in last summer with some pics of the results. It took me a couple of hours to dig into the slope with my shovel. It was a little bit of a workout but it beats going to the gym and builds character. The 5ft pools will hold about 100 gallons. After it was in the ground I hauled in about 50 gallons of water with 5 gallon buckets. I could get my truck within 100 yards so the haul in wasn't too bad either. It filled up the rest of the way a few days later with a good rain. It stayed full all fall.

 

[Rockon]

A few days later a few visitors.

 

[Rockon]

Some buck pics.

 

[Rockon]

 

[Rockon]

 

[Rockon]

Look at the size difference in these two bucks. My daughter ended up harvesting the larger buck during the gun season. It was her first buck.

 

[Rockon]

And finally another visitor. This guy stopped by a few times a week for a swim.

 

[wiscwhip]

Nice! Looks like a great addition. Congrats to your daughter! Thanks for sharing!

 

[bueller]

Cool pics and nice "pond"

 

[phil@thesidehill]

Nice waterhole! Love the pics too! Congrats to your daughter on a fine first buck!

 

[PackerBacker]

Have you seen how it held up over winter? Curious if it will last a few years or will need to be constantly replaced.

 

[Jim Timber]

I've had our kiddie pool out for 2 winters before this one. The ice pops up and out when they freeze. The sides are angled for mold extraction in manufacturing (also helps them nest for shipping), and that keeps them from having the ice break the sides.

 

[j-bird]

I have plans for one or two of these myself - I'm lazy and intend on using my FEL if I can.

The one thing I have always wondered is how long they will last as I am not sure how they will stand up to the UV light for extended periods of time.

 

[Rockon]

Im not sure how it will hold up over winter. In another month or two I'll post the results. I have a bunch of old rubber roofing that I plan to use as a backup plan if this thing breaks.

 

[Bluecollaroutdoors]

Mine has been out for about 5 Years and is still holding water. It is cracked a little but mostly because every winter my nephews jump up and down on it while its frozen. For the $15 bucks I spend on it money well spent.

For looks I spray painted it a bit to dull down that obnoxious blue. First two years I had it above ground and then pushed dirt up against it. Third year I took the time to fully bury it. Didnt seem to be any difference in use.


I will go with the rubber cattle style tubs from fleet farm from now on. I don't think you need 50 gallons of water to make it a habitat bonus. Location is key. Also think about how most deer would approach and where you could get a shot. Standing head on at your bucket will make for a tricky situation.

 

[habitat]

I use the tubs also as in the simplest waterholes thread a couple below this one.Looks like you found a hot spot for sure

 

[Rockon]

It took awhile to get the camera setup and get a decent pic of the over winter results. It seems to have held up just fine over our Wisconsin winter. It is still holding water just fine. I have quite a few critters that are visiting often. Here is a recent pic of a spring time buck.

 

[scoot52]

nice, water holes inside woods are deer magnets on my property.

 

[Belo]

I know this post is 8 years old, but how did the kiddie pool hold up? I have one we don't use and even new ones are far cheaper than a stock tank you'd get at Tractor supply. Obviously they're not nearly as durable, but just curious if it even makes it a few years that would make it a better bet for a trial and error project.