How to Build Ponds, Waterfalls & Water Fountains

A pond provides a focal point in the garden.

Learning how to build ponds, waterfalls and water fountains can grow into a hobby that brings beauty, interest and tranquility to a garden, along with savings on professional installations. A pond with moving water offers soothing sounds and can provide a place to grow a water garden and watch fish gracefully swim among the plants. A pond also provides a place to observe wildlife, including birds, which are attracted to moving water.

Things You'll Need

• Preformed liner
• Spray paint
• Shovel
• Sand
• Spirit level
• Garden hose
• Natural rocks
• Mortar
• Fountain-submersible pump kit or fountain-waterfall-submersible pump kit
• T connector (for fountain-only kit)
• Pump hose
• Stainless steel hose clamp (fountain-only kit)
• Brick
• Ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (GFCI)

Instructions

Build the Pond

1. Check local building ordinances and the location of underground lines before you dig.

2. Select a location, considering factors such as how you'll best enjoy the pond, the amount of sunlight, proximity to a GFCI outlet, garden hose reach and rain runoff.

3. Plan the waterfall's size and shape, sketching configurations until you have a design you are pleased with.

4. Place the liner upside down and outline a shape for your pond with spray paint.

5. Dig a hole slightly larger than the shape on your liner.

6. Cover the bottom of the hole with about 2 inches of sand.

7. Set the liner in the hole, pressing gently.

8. Place a spirit level across the pond or on the bottom to ensure that the pond is level.

9. Fill the pond with water.

Build the Waterfall and Fountain

1. Stack rocks next to the pond to form a waterfall, testing for stability and applying mortar where necessary to secure the rocks.

2. Following fountain and waterfall kit directions, attach the fountain head and waterfall hose to the pump. If using a fountain-only kit, skip to Step 3.

3. If the kit doesn't have connectors for both fountain and hose, press a T connector into the pump's vertical fitting, so that one end of the T is facing upward and the other end horizontal. Press the fountain head onto the vertical end of the T, and push the hose into the horizontal part of the T, securing with a clamp.

4. Set the pump on the bottom of the pond (or on bricks, according to kit directions). Secure the pump with rocks, taking care not to cover the water intake vents and filter.

5. Run the pump hose along the back of the waterfall to the top, securing between rocks.

6. Plug the pump's electrical cord into the GFCI outlet.

7. Adjust pump settings to achieve the desired effect.

Tips & Warnings

• The pump must be large enough for the pond's water volume (liner specs provide this number) and the waterfall's height and width, figuring that water should circulate every 30 minutes to 1 hour. Also factor in the fountain if you are planning to run it simultaneously with the waterfall. Use kit specs to help find the correct size.

• Select hose diameter based on gallons per hour (GPH) of water pumped. The smallest size pump you are likely to use for backyard ponds is 120 GPH, requiring 1/2-inch-diameter hose, and the largest size you're likely to use is 3,000 GPH, requiring 1 1/2-inch hose.

• Check depth guidelines for specific fish and plants.

• Install the pond where sun shines at least 5 to 6 hours, enough for most plants to flourish but not algae.

• Add mosquito fish or pellets.

• Create drama with lights.

• Add thematic ornaments, such as whimsical frogs and turtles or Japanese lanterns and deer.

• Tuck plants among waterfall rocks and around pond's edge.

• Don't let children near ponds unsupervised.

• Follow electrical warnings.

• Use dechlorinator before adding fish.

• Provide hiding places or net enclosure to protect fish from predators.

References

• National Wildlife Federation: Build a Backyard Pond
• Backyard Gardener: How to Select a Water Pond Pump
• Oregon State University Extension Service: Create a Garden Pond for Wildlife

Resources

• National Gardening Association: Water Gardens: A Therapeutic Investment
• Sunset: Create a Waterfall Garden in 6 Steps
• Sunset: Big Splash on a Small Budget