Garden Pond Waterfalls 101

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Garden pond waterfalls are often viewed as the pinnacle design feature of a pond project, and rightly so! A properly built pond waterfall has a way of transforming a lifeless body of water into a vibrant stream, full of life and activity. Not only are garden pond waterfalls pleasing to look at, but the sound of falling water has also long been associated with relaxation and a way to ease the mind. If you live in the city, a water garden waterfall can be an excellent way to help cut out some of the background noise of your neighborhood.

Benefits of Garden Pond Waterfalls

Apart from the obvious visual and audible benefits of garden pond waterfalls, another advantage is the water aeration a waterfall provides. As the water falls through the air and into the pond below, air, and therefore oxygen, is forced into the water. High oxygen levels are beneficial for numerous reasons. The first reason is that algae have a harder time growing in water that is high in oxygen. A second reason is that fish and other animals thrive in water that is high in oxygen.

If you are already going to the work of adding pond pumps to pump your water through various filtration devices, then why not take the extra step and pump the water up a few feet to create a beautiful flowing waterfall?

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Designing your Waterfall

Garden pond waterfalls tend to look best when designed to appear as natural as possible while complementing the size and design of your pond. This means constructing your waterfall so that it blends seamlessly with your landscape, not looking like something added as an afterthought. A properly built waterfall should appear as though it has been there for a thousand years! The easiest way to achieve this is by constructing your waterfall pedestal out of natural rock, using similar rocks to integrate the water feature with the rest of the pond environment. Another tip is to frame your waterfall with at least one rock that is as tall as the waterfall itself, as you will rarely see a waterfall in nature that is just a pile of smaller stones.

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Pond Waterfall Supplies

When building garden ponds, waterfalls must be given special consideration in terms of material selection. For instance, the larger the pond waterfall, the more powerful the pump needs to be to deliver the required amount of water. For more information on how to choose an appropriate pump, please read our guide on Pond Pumps. Another important aspect is the waterfall catch basin, which is the area in the pond where the falling water is caught. A catch basin serves two main purposes. The first is to provide a deeper area of water to minimize splash. If water splashes onto the surrounding rocks and soil, it is essentially lost due to evaporation or soil absorption. The second purpose of a catch basin is to enhance the sound of the falling water. If your water garden waterfall falls into shallow water or onto rocks, the resulting sound will be quite muted. To achieve the full-bodied sound of a healthy pond waterfall, a catch basin helps amplify the sound, creating a deeper resonance. For more information on building a catch basin or other pond features, please see our ebook entitled 'How to Build an Ecosystem Pond'