Home water garden: The spacious backyard had a custom-built deck, intending for a pond and waterfall to be situated in the inside corner of that ‘L’ shaped deck. The property ran at a ten percent grade, which meant half the sunken pond will be flush with the ground, and half will be slightly above grade. Most ponds with waterfalls and fish perform best at two feet depth, and with a perimeter drain system. The foundation is concrete blocks reinforced with rebar and concrete within. With a rubber liner, water/pump lines, careful stone application and practical plant selection; they now have a melodic, boisterous, lovely and LIVING investment. Well worth all the hard work.
Design
DOUG DANFORTH
WATER GARDENS
AND PONDS
PORTFOLIO:
Humane society pond, right side: Planning, digging, and yet more heavy lifting, and this formerly very ugly and dysfunctional pond system has been given another chance. Formed pond liners are usually just fine, but if allowed to lose too much weight (mostly water-loss due to low-attention), and then having that condition followed by too much ground moisture, the entire structure can ‘pop’ right out of the ground like a boat! The pond now has a ‘jungle’ of life surrounding it, and fish inhabitants that really are grateful, they’ve told me
Humane society pond, left side: Planning a water course, preparing for water direction control, and water flow force is primary in the success of any waterfall feature. Both ponds were created as opposites: One is bubbling noisily and has multiple water falling areas, the other more sedate and a calmer singular waterfall structure. Both are installed with concrete foundations and support systems. Both have become very big attractions in this garden spot at the SPCA.
Pond-less water features: There may be multiple reasons for not being able to install a water feature involving water depth: Young children, pets, pond care (albeit minimal), or water consumption expenses represent very rational numbers. There are alternatives, however, and having a water feature need not be an imposing commitment in your yard or life. This example is called a ‘pondless’ water feature; and involves installing an underground cistern that houses, keeps clean (insect and dirt), and recycles the water back to the water source. In this case that source being a gorgeous heavily-glazed cobalt blue ginger jar. The water circulates at ten gallons per minute, and runs over the brim of the jar creating a most refreshing sound, then seeps through the decorative rocks back to the subterranean containment and pump.
Water garden payoffs: Just a sampling of the lovelies that are to be found along with water garden features. Not too shabby!
Site Photo Credits: Danny Warner, Carlos Flannery, Andrea Heitke, Doug Danforth.