Abstract: A cooler employing air, as the cooling media, and a streaming liquid is of the type comprising a peripheral liquid receiving pan resting on piles which are independent and evenly spaced apart below the pan, a distribution system for a liquid to be cooled, a liquid-gas contacting unit extending under the distribution system and liquid receiving devices for the liquid including channels, disposed under the contacting unit, characterized in that the pan of the cooler rests on the piles through a wide peripheral lintel which supports an inner flange and an outer flange thereby defining a u-shaped member into which the cooled liquid collected in the channels is discharged by gravity.