Landscape Architect Articles

Bringing Nature to a Backyard07-01-04 | News

Bringing Nature to a Backyard

By Leslie McGuire, Regional Editor

With a 2,000 gpm pump, the pond becomes a natural ecosystem. The addition of fish and plants such as eleocharis, Chinese water chestnut, and bulrushes keep the pond healthy. Waterfalls provide natural aeration, preventing sludge and algae build-up as well as insect infestation such as mosquitoes. Also mosquito fish can be added from any county vector control department.

When completed, the rock rim, waterfalls, plants and other natural components invite wildlife, making the pond look as if it had been there for years. Owners generally choose the plants around the pond themselves to complete their personal aesthetic requirements.

Specialty pond designers must work with every possible contingency presented by the site and the needs of the homeowner. Having the benefit of being a contractor as well as a pond designer Jamie Schevers, of Sierra Pacific Design & Construction, Inc., is able to custom design very specific waterscapes by taking into consideration every detail of the environment then create a customized, perfectly natural setting with each pond being unique.

This owner had sculpture from a trip to Bali and wanted the entire feel of the pond to be that of a secluded Asian water garden. The wooden gazebo was built by the owner. This pond was featured on HGTV’s Landscaper’s Challenge.

First and foremost is establishing a working ecosystem within each water garden. These ponds are constructed with a mechanical skimmer, pre-filter, biological waterfall filter and beneficial bacteria.

Finding the Best Location

After determining the type of pond a client wants (koi, water garden, or a simple waterfall-sounds pond), Jamie–wearing his design hat–decides what shape and size will work best with the property. A pond can be any size or shape, or be constructed to fit into any oddly shaped corner. But the most important thing is not to make the pond too small. Larger ponds are easier to maintain and more stable. Some people want more waterfall and less pond, so a “pond-less waterfall” can be created. That is a natural waterfall that “disappears” into a rock bed at the bottom. A well is created that re-circulates the water. These have the additional advantage of utilizing small spaces very effectively.

Normally for a flat property, the dirt is dug out by hand from the pond and that extra earth is used to create the waterfall. The path of the waterfall cascade must be dug out and sculpted to fit the rock placements.

Building a double pond tied together by a connecting stream creates an especially strong impression. If there’s a deck that takes up a lot of space, a pond and stream can be constructed to wrap around it. Ponds should be placed where they get at least 4 to 6 hours of full sun each day in order to maintain the plants. Some shade is good for fishponds and shaded areas can be provided by edging plants that drip over the lip, or by creating small overhangs with the rock edging.

Preparing the Ground

First, the construction crew starts by excavating the area of the pond. There are usually two levels. A shelf is constructed about a foot deep and a foot wide all around the perimeter. Filters are installed. Pond skimmers are buried to the correct level beside the pond. The mechanical filter is placed at the opposite side of the waterfall to create good flow. The filter is siliconed and bolted to the side wall. Ditches are dug for all the plumbing and wiring.

River-rock cobbles and boulders are hand placed against the vertical walls of the pond and the underwater lighting is set in place while the rocks are being installed so as to hide any wires and avoid pinching.

Finally, the sidewalls are lined with rock, and decorative gravel is spread between the larger stones to help lock them in place. Gravel is also spread over the horizontal pond surfaces to completely cover the liner and hide the plumbing lines and low voltage wires. This keeps the mechanical components hidden from sight as well as below the water line. Once the pond is filled, dechlorinator must be added to rid the pond of any chlorines or chloramines that would damage plants or fish.

Aquatic plants are added as soon as possible starting with 10 to 15 aquatic plants placed at regular intervals. These may include water lilies, water hyacinths, anacharis, papyrus and cannus. The point is to create an environment that attracts wildlife. One of Sierra Pacific’s ponds attracted a pair of Mallard ducks who laid eggs and shortly became a family of ducks and ducklings.

Choosing the kind of lighting features further enhances the pond and is important for setting a mood or a tone. Low voltage water feature lighting comes in all kinds of packages that can change colors, be pre-set to a revolving pattern, or just spotlight various plants and rock features.

“I find so much peace being in this business,” says Jamie, “and it’s even better to be able bring other people a feeling of peace and serenity in today’s stressful world.”