How do you build a fish pond with a waterfall?

Building a backyard fish pond with a waterfall is a fun DIY project that can add beauty and serenity to your outdoor space. With some planning, basic construction skills, and the right materials, you can create a small pond ecosystem for goldfish, koi, or other hardy pond fish. Here are the key steps and considerations for constructing your own water feature.

Choosing a Location

When deciding where to build your pond and waterfall, consider these factors:

• Sun exposure – Most pond plants and fish thrive in partial sunlight, with at least 4-6 hours of sun per day.
• Access to utilities – You’ll need access to water and electricity for pumps and filtration.
• Drainage – Choose a spot where water can drain away from the pond to prevent flooding.
• Views – Pick a visible spot where you can enjoy the sight and sound of the waterfall.
• Level ground – Avoid steep slopes which can lead to erosion and leakage.

Ideally, choose a level spot in your yard that gets some shade from the hot afternoon sun. Make sure you can run pipes and cables to the location as needed.

Sizing the Pond and Waterfall

When deciding how large to make your pond and waterfall, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Bigger is better for fish health since water temperature and chemistry will fluctuate less in larger volumes of water.
• Most backyard ponds range from 100-500 gallons. Larger ponds require more filtering and maintenance.
• The pond should be at least 2 feet deep for fish to survive winter in colder climates.
• The surface area is more important than depth for supporting most pond plants.
• Waterfalls can vary greatly in width and height depending on your preferences and budget.

For a simple first-time pond, aim for a kidney-shaped pond about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide, with a 2-3 foot waterfall flowing into one end.

Pond and Waterfall Design

Here are some key elements to include in your pond and waterfall design:

• Pond liner – EPDM rubber or PVC liners are essential to contain the water. Buy the thickest, highest quality liner you can afford.
• Underlayment – Cushion the liner with a layer of sand or pond underlayment to prevent punctures.
• Edging – Rim the pond with stone, landscape timbers, or another edging material to protect the liner.
• Rocks – Stack natural stones or boulders to create the waterfall cascades.
• Pump – Submersible pumps are needed to pump water to the top of the waterfall.
• Tubing – PVC or flexible pond hose runs from the pump outlet up to the waterfall.
• Skimmer – Skimmers draw surface debris into your filter system to keep water clean.
• Filtration – A filtering system removes waste, keeps water clear, and aerates pond water.

Focus on simple stacked rock waterfalls and cascades rather than attempting to make grouted or cemented features.

Excavating and Grading

To create the correct foundations for your pond and waterfall:

1. Mark outlines for the pond, waterfall, and any streams with spray paint or stakes.
2. Excavate the pond area, removing soil to create the desired shape and depth.
3. Grade slopes downwards from the waterfall and streams towards the pond.
4. Create a level shelf or ledge for the waterfall structure to sit on.
5. Grade a gentle slope around the remaining pond edges.

Add or remove soil as needed to contour all of the finished grades. Compact and level the soil well before moving onto the next steps.

Installing the Pond Liner

After excavation and grading, install the pond liner:

1. Add a 2-3 inch layer of sand across the entire pond and waterfall area.
2. Place the pond liner over the sand, allowing plenty of overlap.
3. Weigh down the edges of the liner with rocks to hold it in place temporarily.
4. Fill the pond area halfway with water to settle and flatten the liner.
5. Smooth out any wrinkles and adjust the liner so there is overlap around the edges to work with.
6. Once smoothed, trim excess liner material, leaving at least a 12 inch overlap.
7. Secure the liner edges with edging or rocks around the perimeter.
8. Continue filling the pond, checking for leaks.

Take your time with this step to ensure the liner is completely flat and tucked into all contours of the pond and waterfall area.

Building the Waterfall

The waterfall can now be constructed over the liner using natural rocks and boulders:

1. Create a ledge or footing for the waterfall using larger basal rocks.
2. Select rocks that are wide, flat, and angular to stack better.
3. Dry stack rocks up the slope, varying shapes and sizes as you go.
4. Fill gaps between rocks with smaller pebbles or gravel.
5. Apply pond-safe adhesive or foam if needed to stabilize rocks.
6. Top the waterfall with splash rocks and medium boulders.

Aim for an irregular, naturalistic look. The pump and plumbing will be hidden behind and underneath the waterfall rocks.

Installing the Pump and Plumbing

Pumps and plumbing carry water from the pond to the waterfall:

1. Select a submersible pump with enough power to pump water to the top of the falls.
2. Situate the pump at the opposite end of the pond from the waterfall.
3. Conceal the power cord and secure the pump in place with rocks.
4. Run flexible PVC piping from the pump outlet up behind the waterfall rocks.
5. Split into multiple outlet pipes across the waterfall width for desired flow.
6. Angle the outlet pipes slightly downward and attach flow restrictors if needed.
7. Connect the pump power cord to a GFCI protected outlet.

Test the pump and make adjustments to achieve your ideal waterfall flowrate. The pump can be camouflaged later with rocks and plants.

Adding Finishing Touches

Finally, complete your pond and waterfall with these finishing touches:

• Build a spillway with stones to handle excess water and prevent flooding.
• Top soil around edges and add plants, decor, and LED lights as desired.
• Fully fill the pond and check for any leaks before introducing fish.
• Install a skimmer and biological filter to keep the ecosystem healthy.
• Cover exposed liner and hardware with rocks, gravel, or soil.
• Consider installing a fountain or aquatic plants on the surface for visual interest.

Take time to get all of the technical elements properly installed and stabilized first before decorating the area.

Introducing Fish and Plants

Once your pond and waterfall are fully functional, you can introduce fish, plants, and other living elements to complete the small ecosystem:

• Research the best plants and fish for your climate and water conditions.
• Select oxygenating, floating, and marginal plants to establish balance.
• Acclimate fish slowly to the pond by floating their bags to equalize temperatures.
• Start with just a few hardy fish, increasing numbers gradually over time.
• Use nets to remove fallen leaves and debris regularly from the water’s surface.
• Maintain proper water quality through filtration, beneficial bacteria, and supplements.
• Watch for signs of disease and treat fish promptly when issues emerge.

With regular care and maintenance, you can enjoy your lively pond and waterfall for many years to come!

Pond and Waterfall Maintenance

Expect to spend some time each week maintaining your pond and waterfall feature. Here are some regular maintenance activities:

• Manually remove fallen leaves, debris, and algae overgrowth when needed.
• Clean or replace filter media per manufacturer instructions.
• Trim back overgrown plants and remove unhealthy plant matter.
• Top off water level to account for evaporation and splashing losses.
• Clean and repair pumps, tubing, and filtration as required.
• Inspect rocks and edge materials, repairing damage right away to prevent leaks.
• Monitor fish health, watching for signs of disease, parasites or lack of appetite.
• Reduce feeding when water gets colder in fall and winter months.

Larger ponds may require occasional draining and deep cleaning to keep the ecosystem healthy.

Winterizing Your Pond and Waterfall

In colder climates, your pond and waterfall will need some winter preparation:

• Trim back plant matter, removing any dead or dying foliage.
• Net out fallen leaves and other organic debris from the pond surface.
• Stop feeding fish once water temperature drops below 50°F.
• Install a pond deicer to keep an area ice free for gaseous exchange.
• Place a plastic ball on the water surface to protect a small area from freezing over.
• Wrap or insulate exposed pipes and pumps to prevent freezing and cracks.
• Reduce and eventually stop running pumps and filters as pond freezes.
• Remove pumps and filter systems once ice has fully formed.

With the right winter care, your fish and plants should come back healthy and thriving in the spring!

Common Pond and Waterfall Problems

Even with good maintenance, you may encounter some common issues, like:

• Green or murky water – Caused by algae growth from too many nutrients. Reduce feeding, manually remove algae, and improve filtration to clear it up.
• Water loss – Small leaks in liner or plumbing. Repair any tears immediately. Top up to replace evaporative losses.
• Fish not eating – Check water temperature and chemistry. Treat parasites, improve oxygenation, or isolate sick fish.
• Slow waterfall flow – Debris buildup in hoses or filters. Clean out leaves, silt, and algae clogging the system.
• Noisy waterfall – Air bubbles getting sucked into the plumbing. Adjust flow rates and add a diffuser to fix airflow issues.

Early intervention is key to correcting any problems and avoiding larger complications down the road.

Pond and Waterfall Costs

Constructing a small backyard pond and waterfall typically costs $1000 to $4000 depending on the size and materials involved. Here are average costs for key components:

Component	Cost
Liner	$100 – $1000
Underlayment	$100 – $300
Edging Materials	$200 – $1000
Rocks and Boulders	$500 – $2000
Pump	$100 – $500
Tubing and Piping	$50 – $200
Skimmer	$50 – $200
Filter System	$50 – $500
Plants	$100 – $300
Fish	$50 – $300

Ponds with extensive rockwork, specialty liners, large water capacity, and elaborate filtration can cost $5000 to $15,000+. Save money by keeping the design simple.

Conclusion

Installing a pond and waterfall in your backyard brings the sights, sounds, and benefits of water into your landscape. With attention to placement, a well-planned design, quality construction, and regular care, you can enjoy low-maintenance water features that add value and beauty to your outdoor living space for years to come.