Create Your Own Backyard Waterfall

Steps to Build Your Own Backyard Waterfall

By: BidsMagic.com Staff Writer

Choose Your Liner & Layout Waterfall Design:

·         Before you dig, first pick out the liner that you will be using and determine the width of the roll. Design your project accordingly allowing extra material along the edges. This will help make your creation more robust by minimizing the need to piece and overlay your liner. Try to find a high quality EPDM liner for its extended life. PVC or Polyethylene liners are also available if you have a limited budget for your project

·         Lay out the design of your waterfall preferably on a gently sloping hill. Search for design ideas on-line or in specialty books at home improvement stores or at the local library.

 

Digging the Levels of Your Waterfall :

·         Carve “steps” into the slope of the hill and begin shaping the form of your waterfall. Try to vary the depth of each step. Make sure to dig each step deep enough to allow for placement of stones. For a more natural look try to turn your steps slightly (avoid sharp turns) as the water flows downward.

·         Make each step large enough to allow small pools of water to accumulate on each level. This will enhance the cascading effect.

·         Make sure the bottom pond or reservoir is larger than the top. Many people will make the reservoir large enough for fish, pond lighting and aquatic plants. Small aquatic plants ideally grow in 4 to 6 inches of water. Water lilies prefer water depths of 3 to 4 feet. For more details on aquatic plants see the following link: http://www.pondprofessorplants.com/

 

 

Installing your Recirculation Pump & Tubing:

·         For tips on how to properly size your recirculation tubing and electric pump see the following link: http://www.pond-waterfalls.com/artkinkedpipes.htm

 

Putting Down the Liner & Positioning Spillstones:

·         When putting down the liner make sure to leave plenty of extra material around edges. Give yourself at least a foot of liner along the sides of your stream to help keep the water from splashing out or washing away your creation. This will give you room to overlap and make adjustments as necessary. Always test water flow out before making final cuts into the liner.

·         Remember that the waterfall effect will be created by water flowing over rocks (commonly called a spillstone)– not underneath them so after you lay your liner down go ahead and spread a line of expanding foam down on the liner then press your flagstone in place.

·         Make sure that the foundation of your flagstone is solidly positioned in place to ensure they do not shift or wash out over time.

·         Make sure to neck down the width of your stream just before the water spills over your flagstone to create a stronger current. Read the directions on the expanding foam tube; however, drying time is usually less than 45 minutes. The seal does not have to totally stop all the water flow as long as most of the water flows over the rock.

·         When setting the flagstone in place, try to make sure that the rock is fairly level yet slightly sloped downhill with an “overhang” otherwise the water will not flow evenly.

·         Before hiding the liner material with stones, go ahead and test the flow of water using a garden hose. Be prepared to make adjustments – initially water may not flow as you expect (too light or too heavy).

 

Positioning Remainder of Stones & Testing Water Flow:

·         Now that the water is properly directed over your spillstones, now focus on the sides of the stream. Use some more expanding foam along the liner and press some rocks along the side of the stream to properly capture and direct the flow of water.

·         Now you can start covering the remainder of the liner with stones. For a more natural look, vary the size of the rocks you use.

·         Fill your pond with water and turn on the recirculation pump. Adjust the flow of water to create a cascading effect by redirecting water using small stones as necessary.

 

Give Your Waterfall a Theme

·         To complete your creation add aquatic plants, fish, landscaping, and/or pond lighting depending on the theme you wish to create (ex. Rocky Mountain Stream, Oriental Waterfalls, Water Gardens, etc).

 

Links For Design Ideas:

Oriental Garden: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/tropicalvisions

Rocky Mountain Stream: http://rockymountainpondsandwaterfalls.com/

Water Gardens: http://www.buildawatergarden.com/watergarden/watergardensdesignofwaterfalls/