How To Build A Waterfall - Preparation

Author: B. Goulart

2008-09-05 Word Count: 398 Category: Landscaping

So you want to build a waterfall in your backyard, but you aren't sure where to start? Careful consulting can improve not only the finished water feature, but it will make the installation process go much smoother. The location of the waterfalls should be your first consideration. The best place usually will be the corner of the yard, facing the cascades towards the most viewed direction. It is very important to plant heavy behind the waterfall in order to give the impression that there is a hill behind the waterfalls, which makes for a natural source for the waterfall.
Another consideration is what type of rock to use. You will want to look at your existing home and materials used in the garden. If you have earth tones, stick with Tan Moss rock, or maybe a more interesting stone such as Travertine. Or, if your backyard features concrete or greys,Or if you have a lot of concrete or greys, then stick with a Grey Water washed rock, or maybe a blue toned Kryptonite or Great Falls Boulders.
A few more items need to be addressed before you can get started with the construction. Do you want a pond to house koi or goldfish. If so you will need to create a pond 2-3 feet deep for goldfish, or a 3-6 feet deep pond for koi. The edges of the pond should have planting shelves with a 1-2 foot run. You will need a skimmer for your pond, it will help to skim leaf and debris from the pond, and will contain the auto fill refill valve. You will want to plan ahead on where to place this skimmer, as you will need to tend to it every few months.
You might also consider a pondless waterfall if you want the sights and sounds of a water feature with less maintenance. This setup is just like it sounds and offers an excellent alternative. The waterfalls will cascade into a hidden reservoir. This system can be turned off with no standing water for mosquitoes, and doesn’t have deep water for those with small children. The maintenance of these systems require only a once a year cleaning.
Once you figure out which direction to aim the feature, which type of system you want, and the type of rock, you’re ready to get rolling.

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