Floating covers: reducing evaporation by up to 96%

How do you reduce evaporation using a floating cover?

Understanding Pond Water Evaporation

Pond water evaporation is a natural process that significantly influences water levels, particularly during hot and dry periods. The rate of evaporation can vary based on several factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and the physical characteristics of the pond itself.

Factors Influencing Evaporation Rates

Temperature: Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of water molecules, making it easier for them to escape into the air. Consequently, ponds lose more water during warmer months compared to cooler seasons.
Wind: Wind plays a crucial role in evaporation by removing moisture-laden air from the pond’s surface. Stronger winds enhance evaporation rates as they allow more water vapor to escape.
Humidity: Low humidity levels accelerate evaporation since dry air can absorb more moisture. Conversely, high humidity slows down the process as the air is closer to saturation.
Surface Area: Larger ponds generally lose more water to evaporation due to their greater surface area, although they may do so at a slower rate per unit area compared to smaller ponds.
Sunlight Exposure: Direct sunlight increases water temperature and thus evaporation rates. Ponds located in sunny areas experience higher evaporation compared to those that are shaded.

The Role of Pond Characteristics

Depth: Deeper ponds tend to lose less water through evaporation because they have a smaller surface area relative to their volume. Shallow ponds heat up more quickly, leading to higher evaporation rates.
Water Features: Features such as fountains or waterfalls can increase evaporation by creating additional surface area for water to evaporate from.

How Covers Work to Reduce Evaporation

To mitigate evaporation from ponds, various types of covers can be employed effectively:

Suspended Dam Covers: These covers are made from durable materials and are supported by structures above the water surface. They block sunlight from reaching the water, which reduces thermal energy absorption and consequently lowers evaporation rates. Additionally, they help control wind exposure, further decreasing water loss.
Floating or Modular Dam Covers: These covers float on the water’s surface and provide a barrier against sunlight and wind. While they are easier to install than suspended covers, they may not be as effective in high-wind conditions since they can be displaced easily. Floating covers allow some vapor escape through gaps but still significantly reduce overall evaporation.

The Solution

Water evaporation control has been revolutionized by AWTT through their innovative floating modular pond covers, addressing a critical issue where operators face daily water losses of 1 to 4 inches during hot weather. These floating covers provide significant cost savings by dramatically reducing water evaporation, making them a particularly valuable investment for frac pits that will be operational for more than a year. Beyond water conservation, these covers serve multiple purposes by blocking light penetration into the water, thereby preventing the growth of algae and other unwanted vegetation.

AWTT has developed an efficient installation process that can be performed while ponds are at full capacity, utilizing their Hexprotect AQUA cover system which naturally floats and self-aligns on the water’s surface. This “wet” installation method is particularly advantageous as it eliminates the need for frac pit modifications. An additional benefit of these covers is their ability to replace traditional bird nets when used in produced water storage pits, offering a dual-purpose solution for water conservation and wildlife protection. Additionally, Hexprotect AQUA covers are wind resistant and do not stack in high winds conditions.

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