N.Design Studio

   

A Guide to Modern Koi Pond Construction

Waterfall
   
There are not many waterfalls used on the ponds built in our area, but many gardeners consider that the sight and sound of running water is a necessity in any garden.
It is necessary to plan this early on so that you can incorporate this into the pond before the final rendering of the pond walls is carried out. To have an effective waterfall with a good flow of water then it is essential to have a flow of water at least 1,000 gals/hr and with a wider waterfall you need considerably more. The waterfall at the bottom of this page has over 3,500 gals/hr pumped over it. You must also consider the height of the drop of the water as this can be very noisy, and you will get complaints from neighbours especially when they have their bedroom windows open at night.
[Base for waterfall] In this case, with an in ground pond, the area has been lowered below the pond water surface so that pebbles can be laid there to give a beach area.
[Waterfall under construction] The waterfall itself is then laid out behind this and this part of it can be seen in the photo in the left middle of the page. The rocks have already been cemented in place and the surface has been coated with grey coloured fibreglass. More large rocks will later be placed in position in front of the step and then cemented in place so that the water flows over the top of them and so giving a natural effect as you would see in natural surroundings.
[Completed waterfall] This photo shows the same waterfall a few months later. The rocks have all been cemented in place, and it is now beginning to look more natural. The pebbles have now been placed in the beach area, and also over the base of the waterfall at each level.
It should be noted that the length of this waterfall is over eight foot, and operates well with very little noise as the fall is quite shallow, but is very effective.
[Waterfall five years later] The photograph above is the same waterfall as on the previous page and was taken about five years after the pond was completed. The acers were specimen trees when planted, but it can be seen how well this has blended in with the rocks which have also weathered and now gives a very natural effect which is what you should aim for when building any feature like this.
[Waterfall on raised pond] It is often thought that you cannot have a waterfall if your pond is raised up, but as you can see with the photo on the left, and the closeup above this can be done and still look quite effective as it blends in with the plants and rockery alongside.
[Close up of waterfall] This is a close up of the waterfall above.
You will note in this case the rockery has been put on top of the wall after the pond has been completed so it could be added to an existing pond.
[A large Waterfall] This waterfall has over 3,500 gals/hr pumped over it. You must also consider the height of the drop of the water as this can be very noisy, and you will get complaints from neighbours.

It is normal practise to use the waterfall during the summer, and shut it off during the winter as if it is left on during cold weather then it will lower the temperature of the water.
It is quite common to have water collecting in the waterfall when it is not in operation so it is a good idea to have a drain pipe so it will remain empty even when we have heavy rain. If water remains in the waterfall, and there is a collection of dead leaves then stagnant water will enter the pond.

NOTE. When you have used cement for the waterfall then it is very important that it is coated with something to seal in the lime. This can be "Poolglaze", G4, fibreglass, etc.