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Three water application rates were compared for a sprinkler and fan dairy cooling system in an open-sided feed barn in a hot, humid climate. The effects of cooling were monitored on 36 mid-lactation, Holstein dairy cows for water application rates of 313.4, 492.9, and 704.1 L/h per nozzle at 69 kPa (1.4, 2.2, and 3.1 gpm at 10 psi) per nozzle. No statistically significant differences were detected between water application rates for daily milk yield, daily 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, dry matter intake, fat yield, protein yield, percent protein, respiration rate, and rectal temperature. The percentage of milk fat was significantly affected by water application rate. These results indicate that sprinkler and fan cooling systems can provide effective heat stress relief at the lowest water application rate tested, thus, reducing the amount of water consumed and the amount of waste water that must be handled.