Moving water features are perennially popular additions to decorative ponds. Adding moving water in the form of waterfalls, fountains and streams brings an element of beauty, movement, and tranquility to any outdoor space. Whether your pond is small or expansive, formal or naturalized, you’ll find there are many creative ways to include moving water.
Naturally, it’s important to scale your water feature to the size and nature of your pond. Some pond plants dislike moving water, while others thrive in it. Most fish prefer gently moving water, but certain insects and aquatic creatures need motionless water for their young to develop safely. Consider the focus of your pond when you’re considering a water feature.
Always keep safety in mind when you’re planning a water feature for your pond. It’s not enough to focus on the pond alone, since moving water can represent an even stronger temptation to play in the water.
Large Ponds
Waterfalls
Large ponds are the best candidates for waterfall features. They’re dynamic, their sounds can be loud enough to drown out intrusive traffic noise, and they can make a stunning visual impression. Waterfalls make the most visual sense when they’re integrated into the landscape. If your yard is completely flat, consider building up a raised area surrounded by trees and tall plantings to disguise the source of the waterfall. An involved installation like this may require the help of a professional pond builder or landscaper for the best results.
Keep in mind that the higher your waterfall, the more powerful your pump will need to be, and large or powerful pumps inevitably create noise. If your environment is on the quiet side, you may prefer a burbling creek or stream bed.
Fountains
Fountains come in many different forms, from dramatic to meditative to classic. You may love the look of a classic tiered fountain, or the rustic feel of overflowing earthenware pots. Naturalized ponds can look stunning with a fountain constructed of native stone. Just like a waterfall, a fountain that shoots water high into the air will demand a larger, more powerful pump, while a fountain that burbles quietly as it overflows gently into the pond below will be both quieter and less expensive to operate.
If water conservation is a concern, splashy fountains will lose water at a faster rate than a fountain that flows gently, especially in windy conditions.
Streams and Creeks
Streams are great for adding an appealing, natural feel to a large pond. A streambed will need to be lined, just like the pond itself, and the stream’s liner will need to be connected to the pond to avoid water loss at the junction. This is more easily accomplished with a flexible liner that can be glued or heat-welded together with less risk of leaks.
Streambeds can be constructed by digging shallow trenches from the source to the pond’s edge. Keep in mind that the trench must slope continuously downward so that the water remains in the banks and does not pool up in route. Line the riverbed with decorative stones or rounded river rocks and gravel to disguise the liner. Marginal or bog plants along the river border will create an even more natural appearance and offer additional habitat for important aquatic and benthic organisms
Rills
In simpler, minimalist gardens, rills create a contemplative and restful atmosphere while adding movement, soothing sounds and a gentle visual element. Since rills are often more formal in design, they require precise execution, so professional installation is a good idea.
Rills can be any length, but they must be shallow, only a few inches deep. In nature, rills are the result of erosive action from flowing surface water. To produce the same visual and sound effects, an artificial rill needs to be quite shallow so that disturbed flow remains at the surface.
Rills can be built to produce different effects. If relatively contemplative and reflective isn’t your cup of tea, consider adding a textured floor to create a white and energetic flow. If your garden is on a slope, a stepped rill can create an effect similar to a waterfall as water drops from pool to pool.
Small Ponds
Small ponds work well with extremely basic tools for moving water. A small pump or even a shallow aerator can keep water moving and create pleasant ambient noise wherever the surface of the water is disturbed. While a splashy fountain may create too much water loss in a small pond, burbling or flowing setups will fit easily into small ponds without overwhelming even a tiny space.
Even so, small ponds can adapt features from larger pond installations. Rather than a waterfall, consider a small rill for your courtyard pond. A rock with water bubbling gently out and over the edges, much like a natural spring, will add a special touch. A gentle bamboo fountain, scupper, or pond spitter can add a fascinating sculptural effect or a touch of whimsy to your setup. How about a small fountain that creates lovely random tones as moving water moves a collection of floating bells?
