Water Feature Design and Maintenance
Ponds and waterfalls provide a relaxing outdoor environment, which is why many homeowners incorporate a water feature design into their landscaping. Careful design and proper maintenance are required, however, to ensure your water feature is an enhancement rather than an annoyance.
Design Considerations
Ideally, your water feature should appear to be a natural pond or waterfall; in other words, visitors to your home should think that it has always been there. Using the right materials such as natural building stone will help to achieve this effect. A water feature made from the same materials used in your home’s construction will complement the architectural style of your home.
The video below shows how a pondless waterfall can provide a natural dynamic accent to your yard.
The size of your intended space for your water feature matters. Large boulders and towering waterfalls are not suitable for small spaces; however, you can create an outcropping effect by grouping 1-2 large boulders dug into the ground with 3-4 small boulders. Using bogs and springs is a natural way to emphasize very flat spaces.
Use your existing landscape as the foundation of your new water feature. The topography of your yard will help you determine design elements such as appearance, drainage, and waterfall height.
To get the most enjoyment from your water feature, you need to pick the proper location. You’ll want to choose a site that you can view from your home all year round. Consider how it will be viewed from inside your home and from different angles. External noise can be drowned out by rushing or gurgling water. Having a bubbling fountain near an open window can create a relaxing environment.
While rainwater collection stirs up images of rain barrels or large tanks for most people, you should realize that a water feature can serve the same purpose. This method of rainwater harvesting is eco-friendly, and the water feature itself can serve as a water collection tank, so you don’t have to worry about local restrictions on water usage. Since rainwater picks up trace amounts of contaminants, you will want to incorporate fine filtration that onlly allows pollen and minute sediments to enter the storage tank. What comes through will form a biofilm on the tank bottom that will help keep the water oxygenated and clean.
To save yourself money, time and frustration, it’s best to consult an professional in waterscape and pond design to ensure that your water feature is designed properly for your landscape and fits the style of your yard and neighborhood.
Maintenance Requirements
Water features are not maintenance-free, but some require more care than others. Maintaining your water feature, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, will help keep it enjoyable.
Ponds have special requirements. You should develop your own miniature eco-system with plants and fish. Aquatic plants remove organic materials safely and produce beautiful flowers. Fish such as goldfish and koi feed on aquatic plants, algae, insects – and each other – until a natural balance is reached. When selecting fish, make sure they are healthy and disease-free before purchasing them.
Man-made components such as proper pipe size, pump selection and the right filtration system will make maintenance easier.You can expect to spend about 15-30 minutes per week to keep your water feature attractive and well maintained.
For more possibilities for your yard, go to HGTV for more water feature design ideas.
