Some questions on lake pump for irrigation (please). I'm an engineer and pretty handy with anything electrical and most mechanical, but have a few questions from those who have done this before. Some of the "professional" jobs in the area have been terrible and they charge about $1200 to install a $400 pump without the electrical connection (which I will handle). They then charge $550 per zone. With more zones required because of the pump, this can come to $5000 - $7000. Don't mind someone making a very decent profit, but ...

- What brand of pump is recommended. I see a lot of aermotor 2HP's, but I've seen a Berkeley stainless steel model (although expensive). Would run 220V. About a 5' lift from lake to pump, about 120' to farest head.

- Best method of putting pipe into lake. I assume some sort of el on the end to get the intake out of the mud. Maybe some strainer before it goes into pump.

- Might like to install a lower pressure pump for soakers, etc. Can multiple pumps share one intake (assuming only one runs at a time, of course)

Any advise or thoughts would be appreciated.