How to Build a Simple Water Clock
Creating a water clock requires a steady water flow rate to measure time. Water clocks were among the first timekeepers that didn't depend on observing celestial bodies, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Greeks named water clocks clepsydras, "water thieves." The tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep I contained one of the earliest water clocks. Water clocks work on the same principle as an hourglass. The measured flow of water from one container to another tracks the passage of time. A homemade water clock offers a garden feature with the tranquil flow of water and echoes of ancient cultures. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Two- or three-tier plant stand (optional)
- 2 large watertight containers, at least 1 gallon each
- Plumber's putty
- Nails
- Clock or watch with a second hand
- Waterproof marker or chisel
Instructions
-
-
1
Select two containers, such as two pots or a pot and a large jar. Using a clear container has the advantage of allowing you to read the time from a greater distance, but it will show garden soil and algae. For opaque containers, check that they will fit on a plant stand, so you'll be able to see the water level of the lower container to read the time. To use a jar, check that it's strong enough to support the pot full of water.
-
2
Fill the drainage hole in the pot that will serve as the top of the water clock with plumber's putty. Carefully poke a nail through the putty.
-
-
3
Set the other pot or jar for the water clock on the lower tier of the plant stand.
-
4
Fill the top pot with water. Observe the water dripping from the bottom. It needs to drip at a steady rate, advises Harvard University. A slow drip allows the clock to run longer than a steady stream. If the flow is unsteady, the timekeeping won't be accurate. Empty the pot and adjust the hole, if necessary. Use a larger nail to enlarge the hole if the drip wasn't steady. Add more putty and use a smaller nail if the pot leaked a stream of water.
-
5
Fill the pot with water and cover the hole carefully with your finger. Put the pot on the top tier of the plant stand or directly on a jar. Watch your clock or wristwatch as you move your finger and the water starts dripping into the lower container.
-
6
Mark the water level on the lower container at regular intervals of time, such as half-hour or one-hour intervals. Use a waterproof marker to mark the outside of a jar in the front, or mark the inside of a pot in the back. Alternatively, create a more rustic or ancient-looking water clock by scratching time lines into the back of the pot with a chisel.
-
7
Refer to the water clock to measure how long you've been weeding, playing with the kids or reading in the yard.
-
8
Reset the clock by emptying the lower container and refilling the top container.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
It isn't necessary to mark numbers on the water clock. The timekeeping starts from when you fill the clock. If you want to know the specific time, fill it at the same time each day. For example, if you start it at 7 a.m. to do two hours of yard work, you'll know it's 9 a.m. when the water reaches the second line.
This makes a good project for kids.
Place the water clock near a thirsty plant and use the water clock water to water it.
Hardware stores carry plumber's putty.
Add 1 tbsp. of white vinegar to the water in warm weather to reduce the risk of algae growth.
Locate the water clock in the shade to reduce water loss from evaporation.
If you use a glass jar, place it in a protected area to reduce the risk of breaking the glass.
Don't leave standing water in your yard. Turn the pots upside down when you're not using the water clock to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Nick M Do/Photodisc/Getty Images
