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How to Build a Waterfall
by Dan Eskelson
Description: Tips for designing and building a waterfall for your yard.
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The number one, most asked question that I receive about water features
is "How do I build a waterfall?"
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 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.
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.
If you are working on a slope, you have the option of placing the
biological filter (waterfall source) uphill from the pond and creating a
series of cascading waterfalls. This is how I built my falls, described in
the photo essay here: http://clearwaterlandscapes.com/pondphotos.htm.
It was definitely an exercise in visualization to determine exactly how
the water would flow down the falls. I made a slight underestimation of
the total flow and could have widened the falls somewhat, but the
effect is very acceptable.
Even on a level site, it's a good design strategy to place the falls
six to eight feet from the pond. This will create a short stream to the
pond.
Be sure to use a wide EPDM rubber liner under the falls and/or
stream...this will allow for twists and turns in the course of the water and
also contain splashing. A ten foot wide stream liner is recommended.
Underlayment under the falls and stream liners is usually not required.
When your excavation is complete for the falls, and liner is in place,
add your stone. Don't be in a hurry - try several (or many)
combinations and visualize how the water will flow.
When satisfied with your arrangement, use black waterfall foam to
direct the water over the stone instead of under it. That is, stone that is
directly in contact with the liner should sit on a bed of foam so the
water goes around or over the stone instead of underneath it. Caution -
the foam expands greatly...don't use too much!
Though it requires some creativity and patience, building a waterfall
is extremely satisfying. Though you should give some time to preliminary
research, you'll learn most by actually building your water feature -
just do it! You'll find that your water garden is the most relaxing and
enjoyable part of your yard.
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