Pump Won't Draw Water

I have a new 1.5 hp sprinkler pump to draw from a lake. The pump is next to the lake, with 12 feet of 2" hose between the pump and water, with a checkvalve at the end of the pipe. The vertical distance is 3 feet. Then I have 70 feet of 1 1/4 inch pvc going to the sprinklers.

I had it working once, and it easily primed by turning on the city water (which is still cut into the sprinklers via a valve with backflow) and letting the city water fill the discharge pipe and pump. The water will also flow into the intake pipe in this way.

I dont' have a T pipe at the pump. I know this would work too, but filling the outflow pipe IS filling the pump. I looked at the checkvalve and it's facing the correct way. Even without it wouldn't draw.

What am I doing wrong?

thanks
Doug

 

It is the intake pipe that needs to be filled for the pump be primed. With the city water on go to the check valve and open it up. When you see the city water come out shut the check valve and start the pump.