A water guard system is used in a gravel loadout structure wherein wet bulk material is stored in a bin (12) and released through a gate (14). Runoff water from the bulk material tends to leak through the gate (14) and drip on an underlying scale (22) as well as on trucks which enter the structure (10) for loading. A trough (28) is supported on rails (80, 104) and is driven by an air cylinder (30). The gate (14) is open and closed by operation of an air cylinder (108). In an extended position the trough (28) is positioned beneath the gate (14) to collect runoff water and pass this water into a sump (38) which delivers it through a drain line (40). The trough (28) is retracted by operation of the air cylinder (30) to permit the gate (14) to be opened and load a truck positioned beneath the gate. When the gate (14) is closed the trough (28) is returned to the extended position by operation of the cylinder (30). A control circuit (114) operates a plurality of solenoid valves which serve to position the trough (28) and open and close the gate (14).
