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Garden Waterfall: 4 Critical Techniques To Construct A Delightful Garden Waterfall!

By Amy C.

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 27Oct2009
Word count: 944
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A well designed natural garden waterfall looks and sounds wonderful. Designing a garden water fall is easy to get wrong. If you follow the specific principles to build your garden waterfall, it is easy to create functional and aesthetic garden waterfalls.

In this article, you will learn some of the most important design elements for creating marvelous waterfalls. But first and foremost, lets look at the things you would need to create your wonderful garden waterfall.

You will need the following materials:
1.) River worn stones, rocks of different sizes and shapes
2.) Rigid pond liners
3.) Tubing to run from pump to the top of the waterfall
4.) Level used by carpenters to determine the correct level of construction
5.) Submersible pump
6.) Garden hose
7.) Large plastic flower pot or any similar container to house the tubing and hide it from view
8.) Shovel
9.) Sand

Consider two main structures in constructing a garden waterfall. These are the pool or pond where the water will fall and the slope where the cascading water will actually run from the fall on its way to the pool. The slope must be a higher structure behind the pool. Pre-cast forms are available that will allow you to construct an artificial slope if there isn?t any natural slope in your yard.

Here are the four most important techniques to construct your garden waterfall!

Rock formation Area: Preparing the area with well-placed rocks makes all the difference when it comes to designing a well-build fountain. Rocks will have to be placed in such a way that they are both above and below the water source. Water will flow over the rocks towards the pool below, or from one rock to another running over the surface before flowing into the pool. If you want the water to run under the rocks, the area around the waterfall structure must be in a slope towards the pool and all the surrounding area covered with liner. This prevents the water from finding its way outside the structure; that will drain the pool. Liner used under the pool does not necessarily need to be same as that used under the waterfall. What matters here is that it will prevent water from running under it.

Selecting Rocks and Stones: There are rocks with irregular edge that will serve as a natural passage for flowing water. They provide good effects to flowing water but only few are convinced to use them. River stones that are flat are already water worn and best for man-made waterfalls. But not all river flats are applicable. A good one must have a slightly concave upper surface that slopes downward to the front and downward slanting face at an angle and a little convex bottom surface near the front edge. Water performs best on this stone as it reaches the edge, it runs down the face shortly and falls directly into the pool instead of going backward, sideward, or under it. This happens with any type of rock especially when the water flows lightly. It is best to select the right shapes and sizes for your garden waterfalls from a reputable stone yard. Natural effect of the waterfall is derived by using stones that are weathered.

Arranging of Stones: It is best to look at and observe existing natural falls or well-built man-made waterfalls in botanical gardens or photos. Position the stones taking a look at the effect after each stone is placed, putting the stones from the bottom to the top of the waterfall. The stones must appear at a level with a series of flat slabs stepping down one beneath the other, the stone beneath protruding out further than the one on the top. This is the best way to do it. It is not good to see a waterfall that seems to be leaning forward because of too much slope to the rocks to ensure a good flow into the pond. Larger boulders added to the sides of the waterfall serve as support and help control spillways of the water. Smaller rocks are always a part of a natural waterfall; arrange smaller round rocks of different sizes at the sides of the larger boulders to cover the spaces and your construction is complete.

Managing Size and Flow: The size of both the waterfall and the pond must be in proportion with each other. The amount of water that flows out into the pool should be in proportion with the size of the pool. If a lot of water is flowing into a small pool, it would look disproportionate. However, a large pond with a small stream of water is acceptable. By nature ponds are formed by small streams of water continuously flowing over a long period.

In home-made ponds the full volume of water must circulate at least once every two hours. The pump used determines the volume of water, the distance and height where the water is pumped, and the diameter of the hose through which the water flows. The pump comes with a feature where you can regulate the outflow of water. Use the pump properly to prolong its life.

To learn more about creating your water features, look into the reference book "Water Features For Small Gardens: From Concept To Construction" by a celebrated designer Keith Davitt. This article references a lot of material from of this awesome book by Mr. Davitt.

Planning to construct a garden waterfall is interesting and it will add beauty to an existing garden. To get the most out of it intense and thorough study is necessary so that it will work well and provide satisfying effects . . . pleasing to the eyes and soothing to the ears.

Amy loves garden waterfalls and garden fountains. She invites you to browse her personal favorite collections of beautiful garden fountains and a unique bamboo fountain kit collection at her bamboo water fountain store.

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