Waterfall, Adding

Excavating Header Pool And Tier

Begin by laying out the site for the waterfall. The header pool can be located at the top of a natural lope, or you can use the soil excavated from the main pond as the foundation of the waterfall. Mark the path and the tiers with a pair of stakes at each step. Starting at the base of the mound, excavate the waterfall sing the stakes as guides. Make each step roughly horizontal and the sides roughly vertical. If the soil is not holding its shape, allow it to settle or use a tamper. At the top of the waterfall, create a header pool to house the inlet pipe and form the top tier.

Installing The Liner

Cut a piece of liner large enough to cover the whole waterfall with a 12” overlap on all sides. Be sure the waterfall liner overlaps the pond liner. With the liner in place, run water over the fall and make sure there are no leaks.

Laying Flat Rocks And Edging

Place the first flat rock on the bottom tier, overlapping the pond edge by 2 – 3”. Next, set a stone flat against the back of that tier. The backing stones should be slightly higher than the rise of the tier. Lay the next rock horizontally on the next tier so it overhangs the first by 2 – 3”. Continue until you have reached the top, laying the final rock flat in the bottom of the header pool. Edge stones should be placed at each tier along the sides of the fall. Make sure the edge stones are taller than the surrounding earth.

Routing Plumbing And Testing Flow

Secure flexible tubing to the pump outlet with a stainless steel hose clamp. Submerge at the furthest point from the waterfall. Route the tubing over the side of the pond hiding it under perimeter stones without pinching it. Avoid sharp bends so the tubing does not kink and reduce flow. You may want to route and bury the tubing in inexpensive flexible corrugated drainage pipe to protect it. To achieve the desired pattern and sounds for your waterfall, select and position stones while the water is flowing over them, making sure there are no leaks. Small pebbles will create a trickling effect while large rocks mimic the rush of rapids. Landscape to suit your tastes and environment.