Over a year ago, I designed a fountain controller. It controlled
water level in the fountain, decided when to turn it off and on,
even turned off it the wind was blowing. It worked fine. But
I had to turn it off, and my wife turned it into a big planter.

Here's why:

I live in the south edge of Green Valley, AZ, near Madera
Canyon. Not far from my house, civilization ends and the
desert becomes serious almost all the way to Mexico, or at least
to the mountain. Once I got the fountain working in my front
yard, my dogs would frequently growl in the middle of the night.

I was rarely bothered, as I'd always assumed that the disturbance
was simply illegal aliens walking to Tucson after crossing the border,
and getting water from my water hose, which I always leave available
for that purpose just in case.

But one night I actually heard a disturbance, and walked outside, to
see what I thought was a large dog, but on closer inspection, saw it
was a wild hog (javelina) that looked to weigh about 250 lbs. There
were several smaller hogs near the fountain as well.

Later that week, my neighbor said that he was awakened one night
and shined his flashlight on no less than 15 javelina drinking, bathing,
and cavorting in my fountain.

My fountain had become a public nuisance, because  javelina  are
known to fearlessly attack people (they have bad eyesight). 

So as soon as I could, I moved it into the backyard, which had a
fence and gate. After a few nights or peace, I heard a crashing sound
from the back gate. The wild hogs were trying to breakdown the back
fence so that they could drink, etc. I had to brace the back gate after
that, and to stop them from attacking the gate again, I  stopped the
operation of the gate entirely.

My wife filled it with dirt and spring wildflowers  now grow in my
fountain. The javelinas don't come around anymore, and my gate is
safe. But still broken...

And I now know why- in all of Green Valley- nobody thought to
install a fountain but me.

--Bob A
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