There are many amazing waterfalls in Oregon, which gives the perfect opportunity to add that aesthetic appeal to your property! Adding a waterfall to a pond can feel like an oasis of tranquility amid a busy, noisy world. Incorporating water gardens, lily ponds, wildlife, rock waterfalls, and natural landscaping can ensure your pond has that relaxing effect. Waterfalls are often used with a special kind of filtration system, called a waterfall filter. Water is poured into the top of the filter and trickles down through various layers of filters and rocks before it goes back into the pond. For the most part, the pros of waterfalls do outweigh the cons. However, there is some important information that will determine if waterfalls are the right type of pond source for you.
Waterfall installation is quite expensive. Installing one in your pond will cost more than ponds with other types of waterfalls, such as indoor electric, pools, and pond less. On the lower end, plastic and resin installations range from $250 to $3,000, while on the higher end, concrete and stone range from $750 to $5,000. These prices also depend on size. A waterfall sized over 12 square feet (which is the largest size) can cost up to $20,000 to install. Although waterfalls are beautiful and aesthetically pleasing to own, it’s not the most cost-efficient option. Prepare to spend a lot of money on not just installation, but also on waterfall pumps, and maintenance.
Natural Ponds
Natural ponds are a great look for your backyard, because it already provides a naturally made ecosystem that consists of plants, fish, and animals. Natural ponds can be very helpful for these creatures that live in dry areas or areas where droughts are more likely to occur. Unlike other ponds, natural ponds basically require zero maintenance, which means it’s a low-cost project. A natural pond is an ecological jewel that does not require a pump or flowing water, because of its ability to self-filter; nonetheless, it does heavily rely on plants and fish to stay healthily maintained throughout the year. Natural ponds can even be enhanced with additional features like fountains and waterfalls. The main issue with these types of ponds is that the proliferation of algae can cause a multitude of problems, including an imbalance in the ecosystem and an unappealing look.
Fountain Ponds
Having a fountain pond located on your property is a great option for water retention, relaxation, and aesthetic appeal. A fountain pond is a type of aquatic garden that uses the power of flowing water to keep fish and plants healthy. Fountains are a smart way to keep water looking clean and healthy without having to have many pond plants. A pump is used to spray water upwards, creating a waterfall that helps circulate and oxygenate the water. Pond fountains are beneficial, because it aids in water quality, controlling algae growth, and limiting mosquitos. If you decide on eco-friendly water, it is easy to add and improves the health of wildlife. Fountains keep a body of water clean by removing the nutrients that algae need to grow. The bubbling motion also moves algae spores to the bottom of the fountain, where they are less likely to grow, resulting in balanced water and no odors! It is safe to say that no one likes mosquitos, which makes fountain ponds perfect for recreation. Mosquitos need stagnant water to lay their eggs in. A fountain will keep the flow of water in the pond, decreasing the amount of mosquito breeding.
Oregon Pond Design
The pond design process is going to be a bit more difficult now that the location and water source have been determined, so in that case, hiring an expert will help. If you are feeling up for the challenge, then these helpful tools will give you the opportunity to design a pond that fits your needs. It is important to not rush, but to plan out the project carefully before making any drastic decisions. In Oregon, it should be fairly easy to scout out land where you would like your pond to go. A tip for designing a pond is to put it in an area that is open and visible for the public to see. A pond, a fountain, a statue—all of these things can lend beauty to your landscape, so it is important that it is in an appropriate place so it does not go unnoticed.
The first thing to consider is what type of pond you are going to build. Digging a pond that is deep enough will be easiest to maintain and grow plants in, especially if you would like to have space for fish to swim around. Fish can swim to the top in cold weather and swim towards the bottom during warmer weather, which is why depth is important.
Installation
Installing a suitable water filtration system is vital when designing a pond, because it provides easy maintenance and keeps water healthy and clean. Filtration works like garbage disposals and compost piles, breaking down compost and removing harmful substances, such as fish waste and uneaten food. The best way to filter out any body of water is to buy a complete filtration system, which helps the pond remain clean and well-stocked with fish and aquatic plants.
Excavated and Embankment Ponds
Excavated, embankment, and combination ponds are going to be the best ponds you can build on your property. An excavated pond is the simplest, where not as much water is needed (or on flat land). Therefore, they can be built in compact, undemanding areas. The placement is greatly affected by the purpose of the pond, the use of water, and the characteristics of the landscape. Excavated ponds are fairly simple to build on leveled grounds.
Embankment ponds are more likely to be found in steeper terrain than on flat ground and can be difficult to design. Because of this, dams form on the surface and hold runoff water. The combination pond is formed using a combination of both excavated and embankment water, which is more cost-efficient.
Soils
Soils that are compact are necessary in order to prevent excess seepage loss if an excavated pond is fed by surface runoff. Luckily, Oregon has many favorable locations where loamy clay can be found, which is great for supporting plants, and improving drainage. A good way to judge the suitability of a pond location is to observe nearby ponds that are fed by runoff and have similar soil—if those ponds do well, then your pond should too. Research the kind of material under the pond location by drilling enough test holes to accurately determine what kind of soil is needed.
Shape
Ponds can be any shape you like and the good thing about them—you can construct natural landscaping to fit your property, but do not make them too complex. Even the most carefully crafted pond can feature unfitting folds and dead spots, so it is important to plan and figure out the best pond shapes before sizing a pond. To create a pond full of lush aquatic plants, you will need to think about size and placement. Shallow shelves should be close to the surface of the water so that the large fish in your pond cannot knock out your underwater greenery. In addition, you might want to consider planting pockets—areas that are protected from your pond’s bigger fish.
