How to Build the Basics for a Waterfall or Fountain

Rocks are only one option for building a waterfall.

The concept behind building any fountain or waterfall is really quite straightforward. You can apply it to a simple table fountain, an elaborate water sculpture or a cascading waterfall in your yard. Here's what you need to know.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• A water pump
• Object/rock/sculpture
• Tubing
• Material for fastening
• A tub or similar receptacle
• Water

1. Rocks or boulders

   Decide on what kind of waterfall or fountain you want to build. You can use a simple half barrel, an urn, a piece of machinery, a ceramic or cement sculpture, a few big rocks or many other items. The only thing you need is to be sure water can be piped up behind or through the object and that there is an interesting route available to allow the water to fall back down into the receiving tub below. To illustrate the concept I will use a waterfall made from three big rocks. The rock fountain can be used at the top of a dry river bed as a pond-less waterfall, as a natural-looking outcrop or as the waterfall for a pond.

2. Place your tub or other receptacle where it can catch the falling water.

   Dig a space in the ground under where the water will be landing. This is where you will want to place the receptacle. Make sure the tub you choose is tough and flexible enough not to crack over time and that it is big enough to allow for at least a few inches of water above the top of the pump that will be resting on the bottom.

3. Water will go up the tube and spill out at the top.

   Place a submersible pump at the bottom of the tub and connect the plug end to an electrical outlet. (Always make sure any outdoor electrical outlet has a GFI switch for safety.) Attach flexible tubing to the other end of the pump where the water will be sent out.

4. You will get more splash and noise if the surface down which the water cascades is bumpy or has interruptions.

   Here's where you will need to be a little inventive. Depending on what you are using as a feature for your waterfall you will have to attach the flexible pipe so it is least noticeable. If you run it up the inside of a pot or urn, this will be easy. If you want to use the rock idea I'm illustrating, you can slip it up between two rocks where it will be the least visible, behind a rock that is facing a wall, or up the back of a rock where you will plant decorative grass or some other plant that will cover the tubing. If you have a hole in your feature you might want to take advantage of it to slip the tube through at that point. You will want to fix the tubing in place. Again, this will depend on the texture of the object you are working with. You can glue, tie, staple or cement it into place. When using boulders or large rocks I usually like to cement my line up the least noticeable part of the rock. The gray cement blends in with the color of the rock itself.

   Make sure the end of the water line comes out where you want your water to come out and is facing downward.

5. The grating will allow the pond water to stay clean but not be exposed to air, pests and other pond issues

   Optionally, if you do not want the open water of your tub/receptacle to show (making it a pond-less waterfall), put a grating over the top. I prefer a heavy plastic or a coated metal. Chicken wire or hardware cloth will rust and break over time. Make sure the mesh is small enough that the smallest gravel you will use to cover it will not fall through.

   It is a good idea to use at least one big flat stone that is easily removed and a way to lift the grate under it so you can access the pump for occasional maintenance without too much trouble.

6. Add a few plants to soften the edges and cover any contrivences and you have a lovely waterfall!

   Cover the grating with rock. stone and/or gravel so it looks like the water is splashing into the ground. A more natural look will be achieved by varying the sizes of stone. A more formal look can be used with using the same sizes. You can also use black river rock for an oriental appearance, tumbled glass for an icy or magical effect or colored rocks for other looks. Use your imagination and your waterfall can offer you anything from a dessert oasis to a formal tropical feature, a contemporary water sculpture to an old fishing bucket gurgling water.

7. Thanks to TJB Garden Products for this picture of their urn fountain

   Let your imagination play with the waterfall you want to build. Just make sure it fits in with the design of your home and landscape. Go formal, natural, contemporary, humorous, artsy or any way you want. And have fun building your waterfall/fountain!

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure all electrics are properly installed

• Regularly check your water level in the tub. Submersible pumps will burn out quickly if the water level goes too low.

Resources

• Gardening and landscaping information
• landscaping examples and designs