Out of the darkness come the natural sounds and tranquil splashes of a stream delicately spilling over the crest of a precisely designed and sculpted fall. The water’s rhythmic song fills the evening air in a chorus of relaxation. Professionally designed and installed water features present the residential client several opportunities to realize further enjoyment from their home and landscape. Unfortunately, the ambient sounds described are the only possible evening benefit a homeowner can derive from a water feature that is not properly lit.

One of the best opportunities a homeowner has to sit back and enjoy their personal landscape is during the evening hours. These are prime enjoyment hours for several reasons.  The most important of which is that this is when most people are home.  Of course there are exceptions, but the fact remains work and daily responsibilities keep a majority of homeowners and their families away from their homes during much of the day.

The evening is naturally a visually interesting time of day.  At high noon the sun illuminates everything indiscriminately. As the sun begins to set shadows stretch out across the landscape.  Silhouettes take shape against the day’s fading backdrop. An aura of calm and romance fills the air.  This is what is known to photographers as the golden hour.  It’s a perfect balance of night and day.  With properly designed landscape lighting this balance can be continued well into the night to make any property or landscape attribute, water features included, more enjoyable, functional and valuable.          

Lighting From Within The Water

All lighting projects should be designed individually to address the demands present on a particular job site.  Therefore, to provide a static, 1-2-3 step process of how to light water features would limit creativity and diminish the finished product. For example, downlighting from a tree may create a stunning effect on the water’s surface.  But if there is not a tall enough tree near by then downlighting is not a viable option.  Does that mean the water feature cannot be lit?  Of course not. Companies like Nightscaping®, a manufacturer of landscape lighting, provide professional design assistance that address these kinds of problems and present possible alternatives.

Thomas Meis, head of Nightscaping's® design department, suggests several different techniques to consider when lighting a water feature.  With regard to these varying techniques he says, “the most fundamental of which is to decide when and whether to light from inside or outside of the water.” It sounds simple enough, but an incorrect move in this beginning design stage could lead to disaster. Submerged light sources will magnify any impurities present.  Therefore, when lighting from within a water feature it is imperative that the water remain clean and clear.  Otherwise, the lighting installed will create a muddy, murky scene that leaves much to be desired.

Creating reflections within a water feature is an easy way to effectively showcase a property. Dramatic water reflection is created by using downlighting to highlight architectural features which reflect on the surface of a pool.

If the water is clear, lighting from within the water feature can be used to create several different effects. Non-directional lighting can create a soft, even glow across the surface.  This effect is best when used in water no deeper than 3 feet.  This is an especially effective technique when water lilies or other floating aquatic plants are present.

Directional light sources positioned to project through the surface onto surrounding walls or plantings create a moving effect of shadows and ripples.  These fixtures can be used to highlight fountain bowls, statuary, overhanging trees or any other surrounding landscape feature. If there is a waterfall present, a directional light source placed within the water feature and behind the fall will considerably enhance the fall’s evening appearance.  This technique and the effects rendered can prove to be more desirable than what can be achieved when lighting from the front or outside the water feature.

Crosslighting installed along the top of the wall will also highlight plantings and create a stunning mirror effect.

When lighting from within a water feature it is important to remember that this is not a practice copied from the natural environment. Water is not naturally lit from within; therefore, water features lit in this manner command attention in the evening landscape.  These techniques should be used sparingly.  The goal is to enhance the natural surroundings, not to diminish their importance in the landscape. Lighting from inside the water should be reserved for features that deserve increased attention in the evening landscape, such as fountains or falls. In addition, this technique should be used when the feature will benefit from movement associated with this kind of lighting, or when the feature needs to be lit for safety reasons.

Lighting From Outside The Water

Creating shadows through trees and foliage using functional downlighting techniques will boost safety around pools while simultaneously producing many visually interesting shadows on the water's surface (bottom right). In addition, casting directional downlighting from unseen sources will highlight seasonal plantings and create fanciful shadow patterns that ripple across the water’s surface.

Sometimes lighting from inside the water is not the best solution.  Leaving water features completely dark from within, especially ponds, can also enhance the client’s overall enjoyment.  This approach allows the designer to create mirrored effects on the water’s surface.

The darker the water is, the more effective this technique becomes. Mirror lighting is achieved by uplighting surrounding plant materials or structures opposite the primary viewing angle.  This will result in a spectacular inverse reflection of these landscape elements dancing across the water’s surface.  If uplighting is not an available option, downlighting from hidden sources can produce similar effects.

In addition to mirrored effects, subtle downlighting from trees and structures will create a romantic atmosphere around the water feature.  The shadows created from light cascading down through trees and foliage result in fanciful patterns of light and darkness that delicately come to rest on the ground below.

Although mirror lighting and downlighting are found naturally, water is not separated from the natural environment for the specific purposes of lighting.  For example, waterfalls are not naturally found framed in a spotlight.  As mentioned previously, directional lighting from outside or in front of a waterfall is a secondary alternative in many cases.  However, this technique can be successful if backlighting the fall is not an option. 

Crosslighting, or casting light on a single object from two directions, is effective when lighting falls from outside the water feature.  Because falls tend to serve as focal points in the landscape, light levels should be at least 10 footcandles (FC) and up when employing this method of lighting a waterfall.

Placing light fixtures in the opposite direction of the primary viewing angle will highlight plant material and produce a beautiful reflection or mirror image. In addition, leaving the water feature completely dark from within can enhance the tranquility of the area, especially for ponds. The darker the water is, the more effective the technique becomes.

Grazing is another way to light from outside a water feature.  It is especially attractive when used in combination with running water. Similar to mirror lighting, this technique takes advantage of the reflective qualities of the water’s surface. It is an effective way to both light the water itself and highlight the immediately surrounding landscape features.

This technique may require additional planning and some on site experimentation because grazing can dull the textures of the water feature and create an undesirable glare when not properly applied. It is essential to avoid creating a glare whenever possible when lighting a pond or water feature, whether the lighting comes from inside or outside of the water.

Fixture positioning and the angle of incidence are variables that can either reduce or magnify glare and therefore warrant prior consideration.  A light source in a tree opposite the primary viewing angle can bounce light off the water surface into the eye of the viewer.  It is critical to view the lighting from several different points in the landscape before finalizing the lighting design.  This practice will help ensure that the glare is kept at a minimum.

Glare is a by product of poor design and can be corrected.  But there are other physical aspects of a lighting system that can prove to be much more troublesome.  What if the fixtures used fail and have to be replaced?  This is only one example of how maintenance calls can and will deteriorate profits if the system is not properly designed and installed. Choosing the right equipment is the first step toward minimizing these kinds of additional expenses, and providing a safe, effective operation for the lighting system.  

All transformers and submerged fixtures present in the system must be rated for underwater use.  Not all fixtures and transformers have this rating.  Therefore, it is necessary to confirm the equipment’s underwater rating with either the supplier or manufacturer.

Properly lighted water features will greatly enhance the other amenities at the location. Reflective lighting is a dramatic way of magnifying the beauty of the surrounding area while incorporating depth and drama into the space. In particular, plant materials are nicely showcased using a reflective lighting technique.

Though a fixture may be permanently and completely water-tight, water may still get in where the connection is made outside the water feature.  Irrigation water in the soil can find its way into the splice if a completely waterproof splice is not used.  This will lessen both the life and aesthetic appearance of the lighting system.  Never make an underwater splice, unless it is in an approved, water-tight underwater junction.

Never use unapproved fixtures in water which people come into contact with, such as swimming pools or spas.  Twelve volt fixtures are not rated for use in water used by people.  Even if the fixture is not directly submerged in the pool, this guideline must always be followed where people swim.  Even a fixture placed in a waterfall away from the actual pool is not approved for this use if the water from that fall eventually spills into the pool.  Low voltage fixtures must be placed in the landscape a minimum of 10' away from the edge of all water intended for use by people.  If there are koi or other fish present in the water feature, be careful about the type of fixtures you choose. Some materials, such as copper or brass, may be toxic to certain fish and could result in death or disease.

By following these guidelines and experimenting with the different lighting techniques, designers who incorporate landscape lighting into their water feature design will boost the value of their individual water features on multiple levels.  The homeowner will receive added value because they can enjoy the visual and audible enhancement the water feature brings to their property both day and night. In addition, the designer can command a higher premium for services rendered once they demonstrate an expertise in proper lighting techniques. A correctly lighted water feature can be the the finishing touch which provides beauty and splendor to any landscape. LCM

Patrick E. Attkisson is a writer for Nightscaping®, a manufacturer of low voltage landscape lighting located in Redlands, California.