The Temple Institute: In-Depth Temple Study: The Area between the Ulam and the Mizbeach: The Parts of the Laver: The Muchni
 
The Area between the Ulam and the Mizbeach: The Parts of the Laver: The Muchni: Dimensions

In their description of the Muchni, the commentaries have differing opinions: According to Rashi there was a water cistern into which the laver water was drained. In this manner, the water in the laver was connected to the water in the cistern and so it was not deemed unfit because it had not stayed in the laver overnight. The sound of the pulley that would lift the laver into the cistern was heard as far away as Jericho. 
Contents:   Part I,    Part II,    Part III,    Part IV,    Part V,    Part VI,    Part VII