Is there a complete guide to building pond waterfalls? May be you’re thinking of the Ortho’s All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds And Streams book? There are plenty of books on the market that detail how to build your own pond and waterfall. There are also waterfall and pond kits that you can buy, which include all of the needed supplies and equipment along with a short instruction manual on how to start and finish your water project.

How To Get Started
Building your pond requires some advance planning and measurements, and a great deal of digging. Larger ponds are recommended since they are easier to clean and can support aquatic plant or fish life. Besides, it’s better to have a larger than necessary pond than something too small that you will eventually have to reconstruct. Be sure and contact your local utility company and inspections department to let them know your building plans. There could be local laws on land and water security that will concern you later on. Read more…

Building a backyard waterfall and pond is certainly a task. You have a lot of digging to do, a lot of installation, and you might even have to contact a few professionals, such as an electrician and the local utility company. However, after you complete the project then it all goes down stream from there. Maintaining a waterfall and pond takes some attention, but it’s easy to do and not very complicated work. The end result is a clean and healthy pond and waterfall that will delight your neighborhood.

Maintaining The Pond And Waterfall
First of all, you will have to maintain the cleanliness of a pond by removing dead or dying leaves from the aquatic plants. You may choose to insert fertilizer tablets also to ensure plant productivity. Any foreign material from above or even beneath should be removed. Organic material and dead leaves often gather towards the bottom of the pond and would need to be physically removed. The filter will have to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

There may be times when you will have to add fresh water to the pond to maintain the proper water level. Finally, you may have to dispense with aphids, which are soft bodied insects that develop on plant leaves. No need to spray any contaminants, just spray the bugs with a hose and let them fall into the water. The fish will eat the bugs and so as Mufasa would say, the circle of life continues.

Algae Solutions
One other concern in keeping up backyard waterfall and pond is the appearance of algae. In the spring time, or just after fresh water is added to the pond, you could experience an algae bloom. What should you do? As long as you have a lot of oxygenating plants and and floating plants to absorb the extra developing nutrients, then the inside of the pool is taken care of. From there, algae will be consumed by fish or even scavengers.

Building a backyard waterfall and pond is the hard part. Maintaining your paradise is a breeze.

What better way to enjoy the sound of rushing water than relaxing in the comfort of your own home? It beats going all the way to Niagara Falls for a glimpse of glory, when you can bring the waterfall experience not only to your backyard or pond, but even inside your home or office.

What Is A Wall Mounted Water Fountain?
A wall mounted water fountain is an operating water fountain that hangs on the wall. This is very convenient, as it does not require a lot of assembly, yard work or a great deal of maintenance. The fountains themselves can be made of practically any substance from copper to brass to even slate stone. The designs of these fountains can be ornamental and very detailed, or more traditional in design. Some incorporate very exquisitely crafted artwork into the design, whether in laser etchings or in background drawings. Many of these fountains not only provide artistic design but even give added visual stimulation with their lighting effects. These fountains come with a recirculating pump, eliminating the need for extra shopping or installation. It’s less responsibility than keeping up an exterior pond with the same benefits. Read more…

What better way to enjoy the sound of rushing water than inside your own home on a tabletop? Now you don’t have to travel a hundred miles to go to the nearest ocean. Now the effervescent sounds of rushing water can be heard at the dinner table at all hours of the day!

What Is A Table Top Water Fountain?
A table top water fountain is a functional water fountain that is small enough to comfortably fit on any dining room table or coffee table. They do not require a lot of heavy installation, such as a waterfall and pond would require. They come with their own pumps and lights, eliminating extra expense. A tabletop water fountain is a great way to add a touch of entertainment to your living room, bedroom or dining room. Read more…

by Dan Eskelson

The first advice I give is to visit natural waterfalls or at least look at photos. Don’t try to memorize just how they look…just get a general idea how the water flows around and over the rocks.
The number one, most asked question that I receive about water features is “How do I build a waterfall?”

On a level site, with an “average” size pond of 11′ x 16′, the amount of soil needed to surround the biological filter and create the berm is just about equal to the amount of soil excavated from the pond…it works out quite well. To further enhance or enlarge the berm, you may want to import a little more soil, large boulders or other features.

The design of your falls will depend on topography, pump and pipe size, length of water flow from pump to falls, pond size and possibly other site-specific factors. If your pond is just 4′ x 6′, you certainly don’t want a large, three foot wide falls - keep the elements of your water feature in scale. Read more…

The width of the waterfall should be in proportion to the size of your pond. The important point is to make sure that the scale of your construction fits in with the surrounding features and does not spoil the balance of your overall garden design. When building a waterfall, as with any garden project, you must first consider the design and make a plan. The biggest mistake that people make when planning a pond waterfall is to err on the large side. For a pond measuring 12 ft x 14 ft you should think in terms of a fall of 18-24 inches.

Building a waterfall is easier than you think and will add a new dimension to your pool.

The next question that has to be answered is the type of construction you wish to use. There are two basic choices. You can either use a liner and place rocks to form the fall or you can save yourself the trouble and buy a fibreglass unit. Either way you will still have to use your shovel to form the site of the waterfall.

The other requirement is a pump which will be sited in the pool to transport the water to the top of your waterfall. The size of pump that you will need depends on the height and width of the waterfall and also the length of pipe from the pump to the top of the fall. Once you have finalised your plans, consult your dealer and he will be able to supply you with the correct pump.

To maintain a healthy pond environment with crystal clear water usually involves installing a biological filter. Again your dealer will be able to advise you as to the correct type and size. The filter should be placed at the top of the waterfall so that the water is cleaned before issuing out on to the fall.

Once you have assembled all the equipment it is time to get out your shovel. If your site is level and the soil from excavation of your pond is nearby this can be used as the mound on which to place the waterfall. If you are using a liner you first dig out the channel and then fit the liner. Next place the rocks so that the water can flow over them. It is helpful if you observe a natural waterfall to give you some ideas as to how the rocks can be placed for the greatest effect. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, use black waterfall foam to seal the rocks to ensure that the water flows over and around them and not underneath. If you have chosen to use a fibreglass preformed model, you will avoid the problem of placing the rocks and will just have to dig out sufficient soil to allow you to fit the unit.

To complete the installation fit the pump, filter and hose and connect to the electricity supply. Providing all is working to your satisfaction, now is the time to relax and enjoy your handiwork.

If you have read this far and are wondering whether it would be just too much like hard work, then consider this. Water soothes and relaxes, inspires reflection, and is a source of beauty. A cascading, bubbling stream adds interest and serenity to the garden, while a waterfall can create a dramatic centerpiece. Building a pond waterfall really is worth the effort.

Hugh Harris-Evans is the owner of The Garden Supplies Advisor where you will find further articles, gardening tips and product reviews.
By Hugh Harris-Evans

If yo interest with wataer fall in your backyard, number one, most asked question that I receive about water features is “How do I build a waterfall?”

The design of your falls will depend on topography, pump and pipe size, length of water flow from pump to falls, pond size and possibly other site-specific factors. If your pond is just 4′ x 6′, you certainly don’t want a large, three foot wide falls - keep the elements of your water feature in scale.

One of the most common mistakes results from the desire for a tall waterfall at a level building site…large amounts of soil are imported to build the falls up to a three or four foot height. Yes, you will achieve a dramatic waterfall, but the total effect will look more like an out of place volcano. A falls of just two feet will produce a very satisfactory effect both visually and audibly.

The first advice I give is to visit natural waterfalls or at least look at photos. Don’t try to memorize just how they look…just get a general idea how the water flows around and over the rocks. Read more…