How do I Make a Stream/Waterfall for a Backyard Fish Pond?

A stream or waterfall adds interest to your backyard.

Adding a waterfall/stream feature to your backyard fishpond furnishes beauty and enjoyment that will more than compensate for the effort involved. Not only are the sounds and movement of running water magnetic and restful, such a feature will aerate the water, supplying a healthy environment for fish and water plants. With a bit of planning, some readily available supplies and moderate labor, you can transform a basic pond into a backyard paradise.

Things You'll Need

• Damp sand or fine soil
• Measuring tape
• Long, straight 2x4
• Line-marking material
• Shovel
• Tamping tool
• Carpenter's level
• Bricks/concrete blocks/rocks
• Pump, tubing and connecting features
• Grounded electrical outlet
• Preformed or flexible liner
• Scissors
• Underlayment
• Edging material
• Landscaping materials

Instructions

1. Draw around the area for the stream/waterfall with a spade, or outline it with a garden hose, flour or rope. Drop a line from the edge to know where to dig if you're using a preformed shell.

2. Remove soil from inside the line to prepare the area for the liner. Excavate enough to allow the addition of a 2- to 3-inch layer of moist sand or fine soil as support and to protect the liner from sharp stones that may work their way up to the surface.

3. Tamp the sides and bottom of the hole to stabilize the base once you have obtained the proper shape. (Periodic fitting of the preformed shell will indicate when you have completed excavation). Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of damp sand or fine soil. Install an additional cushioning layer if you're using a flexible liner. Choices range from purchased underlayment to carpet pad, carpet or layers of newspaper.

4. Position the liner on top of the underlayment, making sure the edges of the basin(s) are level to prevent leakage over a low spot. (Use a carpenter's level to fine-tune, placing a 2x4 under the level to span larger areas).

5. Mold a flexible liner to the contours of the stream/waterfall excavation, and support edges of the stream/waterfall from underneath with rock or brick to prevent settling, or in the case of a preformed shell, breakage because of a lack of support.

6. Install the pump. Position the tubing alongside the waterfall/stream, securing it at the upper end of the liner. Observe the flow of water down the waterfall/streambed and correct any overflowing areas.

7. Position the stone(s) used for the lip, or spill stone(s), starting with the edge of the pool and progressing up the stream to each successive basin. Situate the surface of a spill stone slightly below the water level of the stream or basin above to prevent water from overflowing the liner.

8. Add landscaping. Install rocks and plants to hide the edges of the waterfall/streambed liner. Vary the size of rocks and overhanging plants to lend a natural appearance to the water feature. Build edging slightly above ground level and slope it away from the perimeter to prevent soil from washing into the watercourse.

Tips & Warnings

• Use stone from your area for a natural-looking waterfall/stream .

• Sink the liner deep enough into the ground that a couple of inches of water will remain in the basin/streambed when the water is not running.

• Place rock(s) vertically beneath the spill stone(s) to conceal the liner.

References

• "Complete Guide to Water Gardens"; Kathleen Fisher; 2000
• "Designing Your Gardens and Landscapes"; Janet Macunovich; 2001
• Permaculture-Ponds.com: How To Build a Backyard Waterfall