How to Construct a Pond Waterfall

Constructing a pond waterfall is a fun and easy task for the entire family. Once installed a pond waterfall is easy to maintain. Adding the soothing sound of moving water to your landscape is just one of the advantages of a waterfall. The sound of moving water will help attract birds and other wild animals to your backyard. A pond waterfall will insure many hours of enjoyment for your family.

Things You'll Need

• Power supply
• Conduit
• Stakes with string or spray paint
• Shovel
• Pond liner or pre-formed liner
• Rocks of various sizes and pebbles
• Pump

Instructions

1. Choose a location. A hill, slope or mound is the best choice for a natural looking pond waterfall. There will be a pump in the bottom of the pond, so consider where to locate your power supply and how you will gain easy access to it. One option is to run the power cord through a conduit, bury the conduit underground and make sure it is long enough to reach an electrical outlet.

2. Lay out a pleasing, natural looking design for the waterfall. Use stakes to outline the shape or spray paint the design on the ground. This will make the digging process easier and let you see the design before you begin. It is easier to make changes to the design before you dig than to wait until afterwards. Unless the waterfall is going to have quite a bit of height consider making it have some curves.

3. Dig the dirt out of the area where the waterfall will be. The depth of the hole will depend on the type of waterfall liner and style of waterfall. Set the dirt aside. This can be used to create the a slope if there is not one or used to fill in around the liner. The depth of the waterfall will depend on your specific design and the type of liner you will use. The sills of the waterfall must be the same width. Be sure to remove and tree roots, rocks or other sharp materials from the hole so they do not puncture the liner. After digging the area, lay down the flexible pond liner or install a pre-formed pond liner.

4. Place rocks of various sizes on the waterfall to create a pleasing effect. Don't forget to add some small pebbles to help cover the liner and create sound. Be sure to keep larger rocks from the edges of the waterfall unless they are being used as edging so the water does not splash out onto the ground. Allow rocks used as edging to hang over the edge of the waterfall one to two inches.

5. Position the pump at the opposite end of the waterfall to ensure proper water circulation. Hide all cords, hoses and equipment under or behind rocks. Add the water watching carefully to make sure the liner does not bunch up or wrinkle. Plug the pump in and make sure the water is not splashing out onto the ground. Waterfalls not constructed properly will lose water on a regular basis.