The elegant cascade of a backyard pond waterfall creates a soothing, zen-like ambiance while also aerating and filtering the water. You can easily add this stunning water feature to your landscape with a DIY installation Building it yourself costs a fraction of hiring a professional, and the satisfaction of creating it is incredibly rewarding Follow this step-by-step guide to construct a beautiful, customized waterfall that will make your pond the focal point of your garden.
Plan the Design
The first step is deciding on the type of waterfall you’d like to build. Small ponds look great with a single waterfall spilling into the pond. Larger ponds can incorporate multiple cascades on tiered rock formations flowing into each other. If building near a slope, take advantage of the elevation change to create a natural looking streambed cascade.
Sketch your waterfall design to visualize the layout. This helps you determine dimensions elevation drops and material needs. Visit pond supply stores for inspirational photos and ideas. Leverage the natural contours and landscape of your yard. An uneven, assymterical design looks best.
Consider the sound of running water Narrow streams make pleasant trickling noises while wide falls create roarings splashes. The pump flow rate also impacts sound volume. Ask at pond stores for recommendations on selecting the appropriately powered pump for your desired effect
Dig and Shape Areas
Use a shovel to dig out and shape the areas for your waterfall components. This includes:
- The pond reservoir to hold the water. Dig it 1-2 feet deep with gradually sloped sides.
- The waterfall spillway where water flows down from. Mound up a raised, elongated shape.
- The biological waterfall filter containing filter media. Make this area 2-3 feet wide.
- Trench shapes and contours to form the streambed or tiered cascades for the waterfall to follow.
Pile excavated dirt around pond edges to create a berm for capturing the liner. Slope and smooth out areas to prep for the liner. Use a tamper to compact soil firmly. Ensure shapes align with your original design sketches.
Add Underlayment and Pond Liner
Line the shaped areas with pond underlayment, a protective padding material that cushions and safeguards the liner. Specialized underlayment for ponds can be purchased, but regular outdoor carpet also works well.
Cover the underlayment with the rubber pond liner, draping it over all of the shaped areas. Allow ample overhang for adjusting and securing edges later. Press the liner firmly into contours, smoothing out any wrinkles. Trim off excess liner with a sharp utility knife, leaving at least 12” of overhang.
Weigh down the liner edge overhang temporarily using rocks and bricks. This prevents shifting while you work. Ensure there are no sharp objects underneath that could puncture the liner.
Build Up Filter and Spillway Areas
Establish the biological waterfall filter area first. Place a selected filter media like lava rocks inside the liner on top of the underlayment. Build it up 4-6 inches above the liner bottom for sufficient flow.
Next, construct the cascading waterfall spillway using stacked rocks and gravel. Create the tiered or streambed design from your plans using assorted rocks. Apply waterfall foam sealant to secure rocks and prevent leakage between them.
At the top, build up a sturdy, level rock edge to serve as the waterfall starting point. This needs to be leak-proof to contain water behind it as the reservoir. Check levels with a spirit level often to ensure proper tier elevations and flat spillway tops.
Install Pump and Plumbing
Based on your waterfall size, purchase a suitable submersible pond pump sized for the required flow rate capacity. Place the pump in the pond reservoir. Run flexible tubing from the pump outlet up to the top of the waterfall spillway.
Conceal the tubing by burying it under rocks along the streambed or cascades. Use plastic ties to attach it securely. Camouflaging the tubing preserves the natural waterfall look. Ensure there are no kinks and the runs are downhill for proper water flow.
Add pipe adapters and valves (e.g. ball valve) if needed to connect the pump outlet to tubing and regulate flow volume. Test the assembled plumbing to ensure smooth water movement before proceeding to the next steps. Consider installing a pre-filter cage around the pump inlet to prevent clogging.
Finish Edges and Add Finishing Touches
Remove the temporary weights around the pond edges. Fold the liner overhang down and secure using decorative rocks and gravel. Hide the liner to finish off the pond perimeter. Backfill behind edges if needed to create a gentle slope down to the liner.
Add decorative rock around the waterfall spillway and biological filter to blend with surroundings. Place large accent rocks and mix with pebbles and gravel. Arrange them aesthetically while also fully hiding the liner.
Introduce aquatic plants throughout pond and waterfall areas. Submerge them in pots lined with gravel, decoratively arranging them among rocks. Plants enhance beauty while also filtering the water.
Finally, fill the pond and waterfall system with fresh water. Turn on the pump and observe the waterfall flow down the cascades you created. Adjust rocks and make tweaks for optimal water movement. Your custom backyard waterfall is now complete for all to enjoy!
Maintaining a Healthy Backyard Waterfall
Like any water feature, waterfalls require some periodic maintenance to sustain their beauty and keep water garden ecosystems thriving. Follow these tips:
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Run the pump and waterfall daily to maintain water quality. Stagnant water allows algae/bacteria to flourish.
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Remove fallen leaves, debris and other organic matter frequently. Excess debris pollutes water.
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Clean pump filters regularly as per manufacturer instructions to remove trapped gunk and mineral deposits.
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Prune back overgrown plants to keep waterways flowing freely. Discard excess plant litter if accumulating.
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Use algaecides cautiously to control green hair/spot algae by treating affected areas only.
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Ensure proper aeration. Add air stones if needed to prevent hypoxic, stagnant conditions.
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Test and adjust water chemistry using pH and water clarifying products as required.
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Wash down waterfall rocks with algaecide solution or natural vinegar to remove algae growth and mineral deposits.
With regular care and maintenance, your hand-built waterfall can provide joy, beauty and serenity for many years to come. The meditative sounds of cascading water as you sit nearby make all the effort of creating it worthwhile. With a passion for ponds and some diligent work, you can construct a stunning, custom waterfall yourself that becomes the highlight of your landscape.
How to Make a Pond: Build in ‘easy-care’ features
A. Leave work space all around the pond. It’s easier to take care of plants and the pond itself if you can get to all of its parts. To take care of the part of the pond that is next to a fence, wall, hedge, or building, you’ll have to get in the water. Instead, leave a workspace at least 2 ft. wide all around the pond.
B. Give plants a place to stay over the winter. One way to keep plants alive during the harsh winter months is to keep them in buckets inside. A more convenient method is to create a deep area in your pond. Water plants should be kept in pots or root sacks. In the fall, you can move them to deep water. The necessary water depth depends on your climate and plants. Placed in 3 ft. of water, hardy plants will survive in even the coldest climates.
C. Extend the liner to keep plants from taking over. Some plants that normally grow on dry land love water and want to grow into the water near the edge of the pond. To prevent an invasion as you determine how to build a pond, run the liner 12 in. or more beyond the pond’s edging stones and cover it with mulch or gravel. The rubber liner will block water-seeking roots.
D. Make a mow-over border where the garden meets the grass. Flat stones set at ground level make the area between your pond and lawn easy to mow. You don’t have to cut the grass where it meets the plants or boulders that surround the pond. Instead, you can just run the lawn mower right over the stone border.
E. Make it easy to empty your pond. Most pond owners pump out the water every so often to get it ready for winter or to clean it. To make your pond easy to pump dry, slope the floor gradually toward a sump hole. That way, you can set a pump in a single spot to discharge all the water. Make the sump hole dish-shaped and no more than 3 in. deep so the liner can conform to it.
F. Put the skimmer somewhere that is easy to get to. Skimmers, filters, and waterfall tanks collect debris (mostly leaves and other plant parts) and need to be cleaned every so often. If you want to use one, don’t put it somewhere you have to climb over rocks or step on plants to get to. The stuff you take out of a skimmer is great fertilizer for plants. Plant a patch of hostas or other leafy cover next to the skimmer. You don’t have to go to the trashcan because the big leaves hide the trash while it breaks down and feeds the plants.
G. Make steps in the ground to make it easy to get in and out of your pond. This is helpful whether you need to clean it, take care of plants, or just cool off on a hot day. Steps also act as shelves for pots, providing different water depths for different plants. If it will hold plants, the top step should be covered by at least 6 in. of water. Steps that fall 12 in. or more below the water line should be at least 20 in. wide to accommodate large pots. If your pond is too small for steps, make an entrance where the side of the pond is straight up. Sloped sides make getting in and out difficult.
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Drain Runoff Away from Pond
Runoff from your yard can carry silt, grass clippings and other debris that lead to murky water. It also contains lawn chemicals that can support algae growth or harm plants or fish. As you start to learn how to build a pond, make a small ridge around it to keep water from running off into it. It doesn’t have to be very high; 3 in. is usually plenty. If the pond is on a slope, you can direct water to a garden or flowerbed by making a shallow channel with a slight slope.
Build a Pond with a Waterfall
FAQ
Can you add a waterfall to an existing pond?
Do you need a pond liner for a waterfall?
How much does it cost to build a small waterfall pond?
How to build a waterfall pond?
Pick a sunny spot in your backyard for the waterfall pond. Look for a place that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. This helps the aquatic plants grow well. Keep in mind that the amount of sunlight required can vary based on the types of plants you plan to include in your pond.
How to make a waterfall in a backyard?
Digging the pond is a big step in creating your backyard waterfall. This task requires careful planning and execution to ensure success, and may be challenging for beginners. Pick the spot for your pond where it will look natural and fit well with your yard. Clear away any grass, plants, or rocks from the area where you will dig.
How do I choose a pond & waterfall?
The location for your pond and waterfall should factor in such concerns as size, maintenance, and slope. You may also wish to consider how difficult it will be to bring in the larger materials necessary and make a plan for moving large rocks or concrete steps. For built ponds, make certain you have a water source close to fill and top up the pond.
How do you drain a pond from a waterfall?
Slope the vertical walls of the hole slightly, about 1 to 2 in. per vertical foot. Don’t make the bottom of the hole perfectly level. Instead, slope it slightly toward the end of the pond farthest from the waterfall (about 1 in. of drop per horizontal ft.). That provides a low spot where you can place the pump and make it easier to drain the pond.