There are several different types of water features available for building in your back yard: large, small, deep and shallow ponds, streams, waterfalls and Pondless® Waterfalls. How do you know which one is right for you? In Part 1 of this series, we discussed large ponds, streams and waterfalls. In this article we will discuss more about waterfalls, and about pondless waterfalls.
Building a Beautiful Waterfall
There are many ways to build a waterfall for your pond. Sometimes the result is less than ideal, with a waterfall that leaks or looks like a chimney spewing water. The best way to build a waterfall is to use an ecologically balanced system that utilizes a biological filter and a pond skimmer. Biological filters are easy to hide, and provide a good base for building a leak-free, beautiful waterfall, with the additional benefit of filtration.
You may be anxious to get out and start building a waterscape with lots of flowing water and a serene pond filled with lilies and beautiful koi. Before you get your marking paint and shovel out, there’s one important factor to keep in mind.
Many people are so enthralled with the sound of water, that they decide on a huge waterfall and stream that fills their property with the incredible sounds of falling water. The only problem is, with a large waterfall and stream, if the water feature gets neglected, and/or forgotten about, it doesn’t work very well. A very large water feature will require regular maintenance to stay beautiful. So, let your creativity take over, but remember to keep everything in proportion. You'll be glad you did in the long run.
Pondless Waterfall
The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored type of water feature. If space is lacking in your yard or if you have safety concerns with a pond, go pondless! It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond.
It might be difficult to imagine a waterfall and stream without a pond. Where does the water go? A Pondless® Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole, deeper than a normal pond, is dug, then lined with rock and gravel, and filled with water. The water is then circulated from beneath the rocks and gravel by a pump that sits on the bottom. A pipe runs from there up to a filter and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir. Since the water level never pools above the level of the rock and gravel fill, it gives the appearance of a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond" is there but not visible.
So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? A Pondless® Waterfall can be a great alternative for someone who like the idea of a waterfall but doesn't feel a pond is right for their family.
Because there is no pool of water, a Pondless® Waterfall is a great option if you are concerned about safety issues associated with a traditional pond, such as with little children or pets.
Cost can be a big factor when considering the type of water feature you want to build. In most cases, the price of a Pondless® waterfall will be less than a pond, because there is less labor involved, as well as less rock and materials. Operating costs are also less. Because you’re not maintaining an established ecosystem, it’s not necessary to run the pump 24/7.
The small size of the Pondless® Waterfall means you can build and enjoy a beautiful waterfall anywhere in you yard. Taking care of it is easy. Filling the reservoir every few weeks to compensate for water loss because of evaporation is all that’s needed.
Perhaps the best part of the Pondless® Waterfall is the option to change or add on in the future. If you change your mind later, wishing you’d built a pond, that’s OK. As long as you leave enough room around the base of the waterfall, it’s easy to add a pond later on.
The Pondless® Waterfall has made many water-lovers very happy, who were previously unable to indulge in the sweet sounds of falling water. It’s a great alternative for those who are looking to fit a little bit of paradise into their own backyard.
There are several different types of water features out there: large, small, deep and shallow ponds, streams, waterfalls and Pondless® Waterfalls. But what are the primary differences? And how do you know which one is right for you? They are all aquatic ecosystems, and each is a beautiful sight to behold in your backyard. The main consideration is to pick which type of water feature is best for your lifestyle. In this series, we’ll talk about different aspects of owning large ponds, streams, waterfalls, and even Pondless® Waterfalls to help you make your decision. In this first article we'll discuss large ponds, streams and waterfalls.
Large Ponds
You might already have a pond and are looking to get a larger one, or perhaps you just like the idea of a large pond. When it comes to larger ponds, you’re probably going to want to hire a professional to build it so that it doesn’t take up the next three months of your time. Next, you need to know what goes into owning and maintaining a large pond.
Although it may seem surprising, larger ponds are actually much easier to maintain than smaller ponds. The larger volume of water in a large pond will create a sort of a buffer. In other words, it takes much more to affect the conditions in a large pond than in a smaller pond.
A great example of this phenomenon is the pH level. Having a fairly stable pH level is important for fish. Smaller ponds can experience very rapid pH swings due to such things as adding water, rain, and runoff. In a larger pond, it takes much more of an outside influence before the pond is affected. This is not to say that you should not consider smaller ponds. It is simply a reminder to always go with the largest pond that your space allows. Once set up it will easier to maintain in the long run.
Waterfalls and Streams
Waterfalls and streams really capture the imagination. Many people go on exhausting trips into the wilderness just to see a beautiful river, waterfall, or stream.
A man-made waterfall is simply water pumped from one body of water to an area above that body of water, and then allowed to flow back in. If you do it right, it’ll look good, sound good, and you won't lose any water in between.
You need to think about the effect you’re trying to achieve. Do you want a peaceful trickle or thundering rapids? Are you trying to drown out traffic noise from a nearby road or are you looking to mimic the sounds of nature with a pleasing gurgling water sound? Drowning out traffic will generally require greater water volume going through your stream or waterfall than just creating gurgling water sounds in a relatively quiet setting. These decisions will help determine the type of rock that you choose, the width of the waterfall, and the size pump that you need.
Creating An Interesting Stream
As you design and build the stream portion of your water garden, there are a few tips to keep in mind in order to create the most natural stream possible.
1. Water in a natural setting runs downhill as quickly as possible, and along the way it hits objects that are harder than the surrounding soil (large rocks and logs), and sometimes it goes through sharp elevation changes. The goal is to copy these phenomenon as much as possible in your man-made waterfall or stream.
2. Your stream should twist and turn as it makes its way toward your pond, which will increase the water sounds, and the number of viewing areas.
3. A large rock should be placed at each turn. At elevation changes, place additional larger stones, or a series of stones, to try to duplicate the look of the erosion process.
4. Your stream should get narrow in areas, then widen out and slow down in others. If your stream narrows in one place, open it back up downstream. Incorporate areas within your stream where the water can pool.
5. Always slope the streambed toward your pond.
6. Make sure you use a good mix of stone and gravel to create a natural look. Fill the streambed with aquatic plants.
7. Leave several inches of soil and liner above the water level in the stream.
8. Remember that high water flow rates need a wider stream and/or higher edges.
In Part 2 we'll talk more about waterfalls, including Pondless® Waterfalls.
Terry Morrill has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Family and Landscaping. Terry Morrill is the President of California Waterscapes (), a company that specializes in designing and installing ecologic. Terry Morrill's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.