How To Build A Waterfall
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.
About The Author
Visit Our Site for Interactive Landscaping Solutions.
Plan and Visualize Your New Landscape Online.
You're an Essential Part of the Design Team!
http://clearwaterlandscapes.com
support@clearwaterlandscapes.com
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:51:44 GMT Bashir Visits Darfur, Pledges Sudan Will Protect Relief Workers - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Paul Tighe July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Sudan's President Umar al-Bashir, indicted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in the Darfur conflict, visited the region yesterday and pledged to provide security for international relief ... Bashir returns to Darfur How Sudan Was Brought to Court Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:39:29 GMT Powerful quake injures 92 in Japan - CNN
CNN - (CNN) -- A strong earthquake injured 92 people and destroyed 31 buildings in northern Japan on Thursday, authorities said. People at an auto dealership in Karumai, Japan, clean up glass shards after a strong earthquake Thursday. Japan's North Hit by Magnitude-6.8 Quake; 95 Injured (Update3) Powerful earthquake hits Japan, dozens injured Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:51:37 GMT Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Cell Phone Risks - ABC News
ABC News - By JENNIFER C. YATES and SETH BORENSTEIN AP Writers AP The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. Red alert! The cellphone warning has been issued Pittsburgh cancer center warns of cell phone risks Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:01:03 GMT Oklahoma determined to have a strong finish - Fort Worth Star Telegram
Fort Worth Star Telegram - By MIKE JONES "Our whole mentality now is WTLG [win the last game]," Harris said Wednesday. "Come out and finish. It’s national championship or bust. Sooner, the better Players put success on Stoops Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:03:29 GMT Obama lavished with airtime -- and criticism - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - As the media moves to correct itself for glowing coverage of the Democrat, it's entering a period of shallow analysis. By ON THE MEDIA, JAMES RAINEY It seems like just about everybody has spent the last week beating up on the media for showering too ... Veterans group hits McCain on troop pullout 'Generation Gap' Widens in the 2008 Electorate Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:43:11 GMT "X-Files" movie both satisfies and disappoints - Seattle Times Seattle Times - Mulder and Scully are together again in "X-Files: I Want to Believe." The story may be silly, but the agents' romance is compelling as ever. The X-Files: I Want to Believe AU Review Scully have I loved Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:01:06 GMT Dynamo top United at soggy RFK - MLS - Major League Soccer
MLS - Major League Soccer - By Charles Boehm / MLSnet.com Staff WASHINGTON -- After two aborted tries on previous dates, DCUnited and the Houston Dynamo finally completed the first of their two league meetings on Wednesday night -- and some of Thursday morning, ... Mullan, Ching power Dynamo over DC United 2-0 Dynamo outlasts United despite lengthy delay Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:07:00 GMT RSS Parser |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at... Read More When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More A Garden Pond in your Landscape - Want Water in... Read More If you're not familiar with push reel mowers or if... Read More Some people have referred to daylilies as the poor man's... Read More The task of selecting outdoor furniture for your natural spaces... Read More A garden a serves a man's every day need for... Read More In years past, serious rosarians would never consider having a... Read More "I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of... Read More Why Compost?Recent studies show that an average family throws away... Read More We all know one disadvantage of flowers is that they... Read More Newsletter Name Change?After several of you made suggestions to me... Read More When most people hear the words, "park bench", they envision... Read More Bamboo is a mysterious and elusive plant that baffles taxonomists... Read More Over watering ranks first in causes of houseplant demise because... Read More You might be tempted to let Mother Nature, tend to... Read More It's early in May a beautiful fairly warm day so... Read More Do you love spending time outdoors in your garden creating... Read More Mole control is one of the most complicated problems that... Read More The garden should be near the house and away from... Read More If you are a gardener you probably already do a... Read More A pond filter is one of the most important components... Read More Known as "joy of the mountain," Origanum vulgare is commonly... Read More Landscaping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many. It provides... Read More Hydroponics gardening is a great idea for anyone who wants... Read More
Adsense
websites
Buying a Lawn Mower
You Cant Beat Perennials For Glorious Color All Season Long
A Garden Pond in Your Landscape - Want Water in Your Yard?
Using Push Reel Mowers
The Incredible Daylily
Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space
Beauty With Indigenous Species
Planting Roses in Pots
Can Your Sundial Really Tell The Time?
Composting and Composters: A Basic Introduction
Flowers Wilting? Tips for Making Your Flowers Last Longer
Orchids Plus More Newsletter - December, 2004
Park Benches - Making the Right Choice
How to Grow Bamboo
How to Water Your Houseplants Wisely
Keeping the Balance of Nature: Pond Water Maintenance
Hummingbirds ? Attracting Those Little Flying Powerhouses
Potting Benches: Beautiful and Practical
Mole Traps: Can You Use Them?
The Home Garden
Water Conservation in the Garden - Use a Rain Barrel to Harvest Rainwater
Pond Filter
Oregano: Joy of the Mountain
Landscape Design
Want a Garden but Not Enough Room or Soil? Then Hydroponics Gardening could be for You
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Selling Your House? Trim Your Shrubs!
Shrubbery and other greenery that has an unkempt appearance can... Read More
Simple Lawnmower Maintenance
Do you have trouble starting your lawnmower up in the... Read More
The Benefits of Using Landscape Software
If you enjoy making your yard as beautiful as it... Read More
5 Pieces of Equipment Gardeners Cant Live Without
Gardening is fun and rewarding and may be considered a... Read More
How to Grow Snow Peas
Snow peas may have been named because in bright sunlight... Read More
History of the Adirondack Chair
If you were to travel to Blue Mountain Lake, New... Read More
The Rich History of Wild Roses
Wild roses, of the genus Rosa, are those naturally... Read More
Selecting Outdoor Benches
Outdoor benches are an excellent way to enhance a garden,... Read More
Growing Palms
Palms Everybody recognises palm trees, they are the... Read More
Composting and Composters: A Basic Introduction
Why Compost?Recent studies show that an average family throws away... Read More
The Basics Of Pruning
The technique of pruning varies with the type of rose... Read More
A Teak Table - Accent Your Outdoor Decor With One
It's been time consuming, and there have been a lot... Read More
Poly Tarps: More Than Meets The Eye
To many people, "tarp" conjures an image of a crumpled... Read More
A Teak Chair - Create a Livable Outdoor Space with One
When creating a comfortable, usable outdoor space, nothing could me... Read More
Learn All About Feng Shui Money Trees
A feng shui money tree is an indoor plant used... Read More
Patio Design and Patio Furniture - The Use of Focal Points
A focal point is an important design element; it is... Read More
Garden Sheds: Wood Finishing and Weatherproofing Tips
To keep wood garden sheds, arbors, or trellises looking their... Read More
Tips for Choosing a Chiminea for Your Backyard or Patio
Imagine that you want to stay warm in your backyard... Read More
Funniest Pond Stories-Part 1, May 2004
Get ready for some gut-wrenching, laugh out loud hilarious pond... Read More
Lawn Care Information
Recent lawn care information reports that a lot of us... Read More
5 Most Popular Flowers for Your Garden
When planting a garden there are many questions which you... Read More
Furniture Benches Are Perfect For Every Outdoor Space
The task of selecting outdoor furniture for your natural spaces... Read More
Gardeners: Contain Yourselves!
Whether you live in a tiny city apartment or on... Read More
Create a Hummingbird Garden Habitat
It's not difficult to create a garden that will attract... Read More
Easter Lilies, and the Number One Gardening Question Right Now
Everybody asks about Easter lilies! Can they go outside; can... Read More
Landscaping & Gardening |