Various What Is a Manure Lagoon?
By Various
Last reviewed: December 2025
Lagoon systems are large earthen or lined basins that store liquid dairy manure and wastewater, providing treatment through natural biological processes...
Lagoon systems have been the traditional large-volume storage solution for dairy operations, particularly those using flush cleaning systems that produce high liquid volumes. While newer technologies offer alternatives, lagoons remain common due to lower capital costs per gallon stored.
Design considerations include total storage volume (typically 6-12 months of manure production plus rainfall), depth, liner requirements, and freeboard for storm events. Engineering must account for soil conditions, water tables, and regulatory requirements.
Lagoon types range from single-stage storage basins to multi-cell systems providing staged treatment. Single-stage lagoons store waste with minimal treatment. Two-stage systems use an initial cell for treatment before a second storage cell. Anaerobic lagoons rely on oxygen-free bacterial digestion.
Treatment benefits depend on retention time and management. Properly designed lagoons reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), pathogens, and odors. Nutrient content changes through storage—nitrogen particularly may be lost to atmosphere. This affects land application planning.
Regulatory requirements vary significantly by state and operation size. Large operations (CAFOs) face federal EPA regulations requiring permits, nutrient management plans, and specific design standards. Smaller operations follow state-specific rules.
Environmental concerns include groundwater protection (requiring liners in many areas), odor generation (especially during agitation and application), and greenhouse gas emissions. Covered lagoons, which capture biogas, address some concerns while potentially providing energy value.
Key Features
- High-Volume Storage: Stores 6-12 months of manure production
- Biological Treatment: Natural processes reduce BOD and pathogens
- Lower Cost per Gallon: Earthen construction costs less than tanks
- Flexible Application: Enables land application timing based on crop needs
- Rainfall Capture: Handles barnyard runoff and precipitation
Advanced Features
- Covered Lagoons: Capture biogas, reduce odors, and enable energy recovery
- Multi-Cell Systems: Staged treatment improving effluent quality
- Liner Systems: Synthetic or clay liners for groundwater protection
Ideal For
Farm Types: Flush-cleaned dairies, Operations needing extended storage
Competitive Advantages
What sets What Is a Manure Lagoon? apart from alternatives:
- Lower capital cost per gallon stored than tanks
- Handles high dilution from flush systems
- Provides treatment reducing BOD and pathogens
- Long history of successful use on dairies
- Can accommodate future expansion
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
Unlined earthen lagoons: $0.05-$0.15 per gallon capacity; lined lagoons: $0.15-$0.40 per gallon; covers add 50-100%
Pricing Model: Capital construction project; size and liner requirements drive cost
Permitting, engineering, and site work add significant costs
ROI & Value Proposition
Understanding the return on investment for What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
Key Benefits:
- Reduces annual manure management costs by $18,000-35,000 for 500-cow operations
- Generates 200-400 kWh daily through biogas capture systems on covered lagoons
- Provides 180-day storage capacity ensuring compliance during weather restrictions
- Creates liquid fertilizer worth $12,000-20,000 annually in commercial nitrogen equivalent
- Eliminates daily manure hauling costs averaging $0.85-1.20 per cow per day
- Reduces farm odor complaints by 70-85% with proper aeration and management
- Enables carbon credit revenue of $3,000-8,000 annually per 1,000 cows
- Provides pathogen reduction of 99%+ for Salmonella and E. coli through extended retention
Implementation & Setup
How to implement What Is a Manure Lagoon? on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Design and permitting: months; construction: weeks to months
Training & Support
Training and support options available for What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
Support Channels:
Buying Considerations
Important factors to consider when evaluating What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
- Site Geology and Hydrology: Soil permeability, groundwater depth, and drainage patterns determine liner requirements and construction costs. Clay soils may allow unlined systems while sandy soils require HDPE liners adding $2-4 per square foot.
- Regulatory Requirements: State and local regulations dictate minimum setbacks (typically 100-300 feet from wells), liner specifications, and monitoring requirements. Some states mandate covers or advanced treatment systems.
- Lagoon Sizing and Configuration: Proper sizing requires 1.5-2.5 cubic feet per pound of cow weight with 180-day minimum retention. Multi-cell systems provide better treatment but increase costs by 25-40% over single cells.
- Climate and Weather Patterns: Precipitation, evaporation rates, and freezing conditions affect lagoon performance and sizing. Northern climates may require deeper systems or supplemental heating for optimal function.
- Nutrient Management Integration: Lagoon design must align with crop nutrient needs and application windows. Consider irrigation equipment costs of $15,000-50,000 and adequate land base for application.
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
- What storage capacity do regulations and management require?
- What liner requirements apply in our area?
- How does lagoon storage compare to tank or other alternatives?
- What permitting and regulatory requirements must we meet?
- Is covered storage/biogas recovery worth the additional investment?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes when implementing What Is a Manure Lagoon?:
- Undersizing lagoon capacity for herd growth
- Inadequate solids management planning
- Poor site selection near neighbors or water sources
- Neglecting liner installation quality control
Market Overview
Market Size: $850 million globally in 2024 for dairy lagoon systems and equipment
Industry Trends: Increased adoption of covered lagoons for odor control and biogas capture,Integration of IoT sensors for real-time monitoring of pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature,Growing regulatory pressure driving upgrades from traditional to advanced treatment systems,Rising demand for nutrient recovery and phosphorus management technologies,Shift toward modular lagoon designs for easier expansion and maintenance,Enhanced focus on greenhouse gas emission reduction through methane capture