The Best Stones for Your Pond or Waterfall



Pond with Stones and Landscaping

Stones are an essential part of any pond or waterfall design, and care should be given to their selection and placement. Working with your designer, you can choose the right stones to bring out the natural beauty of your pond or waterfall and complete your dream water garden.

To help you make the best decisions and get the most out of working with your designer, let’s take a look at the different types of stones used in waterfalls and ponds:

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Third Pond Tour of 2013

Pond and a benchJoin us for our 3rd Pond Tour of 2013, Saturday, March 16th from 9 AM to 4 PM. Witness some of the most breath taking designs in ponds and outdoor living, including three of our owners’ personal ponds. The tour will be featured in Glendale, Shadow Hills, and La Crescenta. 
 

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Pond Design – Pond Construction

Natural Waterfall

Pond Design

It is important to work out your pond design before beginning any construction. Overlooking any essential factor can become very costly in terms of having to redo work already completed.

Pond Construction

One essential ingredient to consider in your pond construction is the depth of the pond.

Determining Pond Depth

There are many factors to consider when choosing a pond depth. These include climate zone, fish number, size and type, sunlight conditions, winterizing options, pond size, and shape.

 

As a rule of thumb, California Waterscapes has experienced that a two foot deep pond can support fish and plants year round in the extreme winter and summer temperatures. With proper precautions, a two-foot deep pond can be made to support aquatic life virtually anywhere.

Of course, another consideration is the building and safety requirements. Most city municipal codes have regulations that state that once a pond is over 2 feet it must be treated as a pool and must follow the same rules and regulations of pool safety such as fences and locked gates. In some cities, this is 18 inches. So keep that fact in mind in your pond design.

Our design consultants will help you determine the appropriate depth for your pond so that it will work with your location and your other pond elements. Contact us today for your Design Consultation and receive a design consultation with one of our expert water garden professionals.

Constructing Eco-system Pond

Choosing The Best Pond Location

Natural Backyard Pond

Pond location and pond size are the two most important and, unfortunately, misunderstood aspects of pond design. So many people think the far corner of their property is the best location. People also believe low points in their yard that gather run-off when it rains are naturally suited to building a pond.

These are two of the worst locations to build a pond, yet people automatically assume they are the best.

 

 

 

The water feature needs to be brought up close and personal to the home. Low spots should be avoided because run-off water can pollute a pond and construction is often complicated because wet muddy soil is hard to work in. Excessive ground water levels can shift stone and cause bubbles in the liner.

Positioning a pond.

Place your water feature where people can enjoy it. Even outdoor-loving people spend 90% of their time inside the house. You should try to face the waterfalls toward the house. That way the waterfall is not only visible from the living area, but the sound it creates will echo through the home. When a pond can be seen and heard from the home, its enjoyment is increased dramatically.

Another location you might not have considered is a front yard water feature. Adding a water feature to your front yard adds true curb appeal.

One of our expert design consultants will help you find the perfect location for your pond. Contact us today for your Design Consultation.