Asked By: Ethan of Kailua-Kona, HI
A: Waterfall envy. We've all experienced it. It's that awesome feeling when viewing a stunning synchronized fountain show at the Bellagio®. It’s also that tinge of jealousy when you spot over-the-top displays during your local pond and garden tour or your pal's jaw-dropping backyard waterfall. You think, “I should have something like that in my yard!”
Let's turn that jealousy into motivation.
With some planning, equipment, and a few days of hard work, you can build a waterfall that will be the talk of the town. Here's how:
Create a Budge
Before you begin, consider how much money you want to spend and develop a project budget. Larger waterfalls are typically more expensive, but top-of-the-line accessories for small waterfalls can also cost a pretty penny.
Other impressive features that can add up include serene backyard streams, colorful waterfall lighting, and multi-level cascading pools. If you need help, call a local pond-building professional who can assess your needs and suggest a starting point.
Clear a Space
Evaluate how much room you have to dedicate to your new waterfall. Do you want to add a fresh feature to an existing pond, or are you planning to build one from the ground up? In either case, determine how large it will be and where it will go before you start purchasing equipment. Ensure it's sized appropriately for the area and placed where you can enjoy it.
While you plan your new feature’s location, consider waterfall landscaping ideas to frame your installation and take it to the next level. You can plant beautiful pond flowers and vibrant marginal foliage to attract pollinators to your backyard. If you plan to entertain guests, you might add a paved patio area near your aquascape. The possibilities are endless!
Plan a Look
stablishing an aesthetic ahead of time will help guide your efforts and streamline your backyard waterfall ideas into a cohesive design. Determine what kind of water feature you would enjoy relaxing beside. Do you want the roar of rushing water or a gentle trickle? Are you going for a natural, planted look or a formal pond with a prefab waterfall and dazzling lights? There are countless options for customizing your new water feature.
If you have an existing pond and want to add a waterfall while changing the look of the water's flow, check out the ClearSpring Waterfall Filter. It provides maximum filtration to your pond while offering interchangeable smooth and ribbed weir options to add diversity to your water feature. Another option is to increase your existing flow rate by bumping up the tubing and pump sizes that feed your waterfall spillway. More water and increased movement can dramatically impact your water feature, and it's a simple swap that shouldn’t take long.
Make Time
Finally, consider how much time you want to spend maintaining your water feature. Are you a weekend warrior with a full-time job or a busy family with commitments every weekend? If so, you may not have much time to spend on weekly and seasonal maintenance chores, like debris removal and winterizing. A Pondless Waterfall Kit is an excellent solution for providing the sights and sounds of running water with minimal maintenance.
If you have more free time, consider adding a self-enclosed pond with pops of color to your landscape. The Colorfalls Basin Kit with Color Changing Waterfall Weirs is an easy-to-install system with a reservoir, plumbing, pump with fittings, double filtration, splash mat, and an automatic fill valve. The color-changing weirs with LED waterfall lights provide 16 patterns and 48 color options, which should be enough to get the neighbors talking!
More Water Feature and Waterfall Ideas
Now that you are in the planning mood, we encourage you to explore unique and attractive design ideas for your new aquascape. Need personalized advice? Contact us online or by phone at 866-POND-HELP, and our pond experts will assist you.
Read these related pond-building articles for more inspiration:
Types of Ponds & Water Features
How to Build a Pond
Raised Garden Ponds
Small Pond Waterfall Ideas
Installing and Maintaining Lighting
Last Updated: May 8, 2024