Sweet setup Jim. thanks for the pics. 

What I described was the more "poorman's" version. The only advantage? is the setup I described could handle 7-8 full size cows at the same time. I had it setup with a underground water supply and float system to automatically refill the waterer.

You are absolutely correct about having a good supply of warm water for cows during the winter. The amount of water a cow consumes directly effects their digestive system, and being thirsty and having to drink ice cold water which cools down their insides doesn't help.   I equate it to myself, "if I were standing outside in the cold all the time,, and everytime I drank freezing cold water, would I drink all I should?"   Course cows aren't logical,, but their bodies still react the same when they drink a bunch of ice cold water.

Year's ago I read where a test was done on cold/frozen water vs: warm water for animals in the winter time. Feed conversion rates, weight gain/retention etc.. were lightyears apart between ice cold and luke warm water.