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The pros know a few tricks that help them create successful water features with high-volume flows.
Bigger pumps can simulate streams and support fish and other wildlife—but also require high-volume filtration. LCN visited two recent projects: a re-circulating stream and waterfall and a bird pond at Big Bear, Calif.’s Moonridge Zoo.
The 45-ft. re-circulating stream was created at the hilltop home of Javier Reyes, owner of Villa Park Services in Anaheim, Calif. Pond and irrigation supply outlet Hydro-Scape Products, Inc. organized the event–with Steve Sandalis of Mystic Water Gardens the lead instructor and builder.
The builders selected a down-flowing area between the main house and tennis court. The first step was excavating to create an upper pond—a job completed with shovels because the area is not accessible to excavators. Then the 4-ft. waterfall was sent over an existing retaining wall to spill into the 45-ft. stream to end up in an 18×10-ft. pond. Because the land is sloped, the crew mounded up curved berms to enclose the stream. Pipes, of course, were laid down before the berm so soil could be shoveled on top of the pipe, lessening the amount of trenching required.
The next step was lining the complete water feature using a 50×25-ft., 45-millimeter liner. A 50×25-ft. length of protective fabric was put down before the liner to prevent roots and sharp objects poking through, and also for weed control. Then the rubber AquaScape liner was smoothed out over the excavated ground by hand. Both the underlayment and liner were kept 5-ft. outside of the perimeter to prevent from leaks occurring.
A skimmer was installed at the end of the pond, which is where the two pumps are located, to power the waterfall. Placing the skimmer is important because where it sits determines the water level. A laser level/transit was used to determine the level. Two Tsurumi pumps were used to pump 4,500 gallons per hour, for a total of 9,000 gph. Together, the two pumps push water through 200 ft. two-inch flexible pipe to create the waterfall’s flow.
The skimmer at the lower pond acts as a mechanical filter, filtering waste and sediment before it can clog the pump. Aquascape’s centipede snorkel unit is used to create a unique bog filtration system at the top of the waterfall.
Hydro-Scape decided to install Aquascape’s snorkel and centipede inside of a large cut piece of liner. This created a bog system in the basin of the waterfall. A bog system, or wetland-filtration system, uses aquatic plants to absorb the unwanted nutrients with their roots, helping to cut down on algae growth while at the same time producing oxygen. Biological filtration systems are more natural and require less maintenance, whereas mechanical systems can be costly and more complicated.
Montecito Rock was used to rock the ponds, waterfall and stream. Twelve-to-18 inch, 24-to-36 inch and 2-to-3-ft. boulders were used strategically to keep the look natural. Big rocks were used to frame in the waterfall and were also used throughout the water feature to add shape and points of interest. After the rocking was complete, waterproof LED lights were installed in between the rocks to hide the wiring, placed 8-to-10 inches below the water level.
“The 20 steps of building a pond are very easy,” said Steve Sandalis of Mystic Water Gardens. “It is the aesthetics that are tricky to get right. You have to learn through trial and error, plus have a natural ability to keep the rocking natural, not symmetrical, getting a feel for it—this all helps to create an organic form.”
Fewer rocks were used on the waterfall to make the look more convincingly natural. Using two large framing boulders and then a smaller rock, which usually has one flat side, in the middle of the water fall also created a more natural look. Black waterfall foam was then applied into the gaps and small chip rocks, with gravel placed on top of the foam to finish the job.
• Use bigger rocks in a water fall versus using a lot of small rocks.
• Use gravel to fill most of the cracks, not using a whole can of foam.
• When large boulders are placed around a pond, it is better to have soil placed up against the rock.
• Less rock used outside of the pond gives more of a natural appearance. Take terrestrial plants and place them up against the outside of the pond.
• Getting the right angle on the foam is important, to create the most fluid looking fall. To clean the gun, stick it into the dirt and shave off remains.
After rocking was complete, the pond was filled to its proper level, and then edge treatment was applied. To get the job done efficiently, have two guys work on the edge treatment while the rest of the crew is working on rocking the waterfall to get the job moving.
Putting treatment on the liner edges turned out to be an intricate task. When all was well set, with no water running out of the edges anywhere, the liner edges were treated to make sure they disappeared into the pond.
Some tips on applying edge treatment include the following.
• It is important to make a proper fold on the liner—try to have a straight fold and avoid scrunching.
• Dig a small trench along the edge of the pond, and then bury the folded liner, all the while keeping the liner very straight. Accent with soil against the liner using a small shovel to make a perennial edge. Again, it is important to keep the fold straight.
• Don’t pinch the liner between two rocks because this will can cause a tear.
Lastly, a 4-by-10 ft. piece of slate stone was laid across as a walkway over the stream to complete the job.
Contractors attending the seminar were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to build a pond. Instructors offered tips on how to begin adding ponds and water features to a company’s repertoire of services.
Contractors can bring in up to 50 percent or more profit from the installation of a basic 11×16-ft. pond. Similar results can be seen with a large water feature—averaging about two to five days of labor.
Contractors new to the business might start off by installing five or more ponds (at the cost of parts) for family and friends to build up experience and a portfolio. Then, new pond installers can sell the basic 11×16-ft. pond and then add other features as they progress.
Amy Conrad of ConradPR represents irrigation and pond-supply outlet Hydro-Scape Products, Inc. Learn about upcoming Build-a-Pond seminars at wwww.hydroscape.com .
Francisco Uviña, University of New Mexico
Hardscape Oasis in Litchfield Park
Ash Nochian, Ph.D. Landscape Architect
November 12th, 2025
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