Build a Pondless Water Feature

How to Building a Pondless Feature

A pondless water feature has no open body of water at the end of the falls. Instead, the water is held within water retention cubes, which are durable, allowing a decorative stone, like river rock, to be placed on top; this gives off an overall effect of water “disappearing” into a bed of stone.

Benefits of a Pondless Waterfall:

SAFETY

Pondless features are a great choice if you have any concerns for small children and open bodies of water.

MAINTENANCE

Because there is no open water, maintenance is cut down drastically! No concern for water clarity and filtration is cut in half! Enjoy the sound of water and view of a waterfall with minimal hassle.

Pump vaults are extremely durable and allow for easy access to the pump and allows you to view the water level if needed. Pumps vaults give the pump open space around its intake to prevent clogging. --> <!--

COMPONENTS OF A PONDLESS FEATURE
Diffuser/ Spillway
A diffuser or spillway starts the waterfall or stream. It allows water to flow evenly and can handle high volumes of water. It can also withstand heavy rocks or aggregate being placed directly on top.
Diffuser/ Spillway	A diffuser or spillway starts the waterfall or stream. It allows water to flow evenly and can handle high volumes of water. It can also withstand heavy rocks or aggregate being placed directly on top.	Must be installed during construction process
Water Retention Cubes
Water retention cubes are used in the water reservoir to retain more water than gravel or any other aggregate. They can bear heavy weight, do not clog like an aggregate could, allow for a smaller reservoir due to their water retention capacity and are lightweight and easy to install.
Water Retention Cubes	Water retention cubes are used in the water reservoir to retain more water than gravel or any other aggregate. They can bear heavy weight, do not clog like an aggregate could, allow for a smaller reservoir due to their water retention capacity and are lightweight and easy to install.	Must be installed during construction process
Pump Vault
Pump vaults are extremely durable and allow for easy access to the pump and allows you to view the water level if needed. Pumps vaults give the pump open space around its intake to prevent clogging.
Pump Vault	Pump vaults are extremely durable and allow for easy access to the pump and allows you to view the water level if needed. Pumps vaults give the pump open space around its intake to prevent clogging.	Must be installed during construction process
EPDM Liner and Underlay
EPDM Liner (45 mil) is used to line the pond and behind the falls/stream. This liner is flexible and durable. Thick filter cloth material is used under liner for protection. Can also be used on top of liner under larger rockery.
EPDM Liner and Underlay	EPDM Liner (45 mil) is used to line the pond and behind the falls/stream. This liner is flexible and durable. Thick filter cloth material is used under liner for protection. Can also be used on top of liner under larger rockery.	Must be installed during construction process
Submersible Pump
A submersible pump is placed within the pump vault beneath water. This pump circulates the water back up to the spillway.
Submersible Pump	A submersible pump is placed within the pump vault beneath water. This pump circulates the water back up to the spillway.	Must be installed during construction process
PVC FLEX PIPE AND FITTINGS, GLUE AND PRIMER
PVC Flex pipe is used to connect the pump to the spillway. PVC flex pipe is durable and flexible. PVC fittings are used in pond construction for durability to withstand sunlight and freezing. PVC glue and primer fuse the fittings to the pipe.
PVC FLEX PIPE AND FITTINGS, GLUE AND PRIMER	PVC Flex pipe is used to connect the pump to the spillway. PVC flex pipe is durable and flexible. PVC fittings are used in pond construction for durability to withstand sunlight and freezing. PVC glue and primer fuse the fittings to the pipe.	Must be installed during construction process
Waterfall Foam
Waterfall foam is expanding foam that is used between the rockery within the stream to prevent the running water from falling between the rocks. It allows the stream water to be more visible.
Waterfall Foam	Waterfall foam is expanding foam that is used between the rockery within the stream to prevent the running water from falling between the rocks. It allows the stream water to be more visible.	Must be installed with dry stone
Float Valve or electronic Water level Controller
A float valve or electronic water level controller maintains a constant water level in your pond. It easily connects to a ½” water supply line. These units ensure your pond water never drops too low. Can be installed in the pump vault.
Float Valve or electronic Water level Controller	A float valve or electronic water level controller maintains a constant water level in your pond. It easily connects to a ½” water supply line. These units ensure your pond water never drops too low. Can be installed in the pump vault.	Optional
Check Valve or Ball Valve
A check valve or a ball valve is used within the pump vault, in-line to prevent the water that is stored in the flex pipe from draining back into the reservoir once the feature is turned off. This prevents overflow of the reservoir when the feature is turned off.
Check Valve or Ball Valve	A check valve or a ball valve is used within the pump vault, in-line to prevent the water that is stored in the flex pipe from draining back into the reservoir once the feature is turned off. This prevents overflow of the reservoir when the feature is turned off.	Optional
Ionizer
An ionizer releases ions into the water through a probe which is placed in the pipe line, in the skimmer or in a stream. An ionizer is the only mechanism that can control/eliminate string algae that can build up on your rocks and stream.
Ionizer	An ionizer releases ions into the water through a probe which is placed in the pipe line, in the skimmer or in a stream. An ionizer is the only mechanism that can control/eliminate string algae that can build up on your rocks and stream.	Optional
Rockery
Any form of rockery can be used for a pondless feature. Usually a mix of large and small rockery with river rock provides a natural setting and is easy to work with while constructing the stream or falls
Rockery	Any form of rockery can be used for a pondless feature. Usually a mix of large and small rockery with river rock provides a natural setting and is easy to work with while constructing the stream or falls	Must be installed during construction process

8 STEPS TO INSTALL A PONDLESS WATER FEATURE

STEP 1:

Begin by determining how large of a feature you are looking to create. Use the following formula to determine your reservoir size and the amount of flow you will require.

Many people will undersize their reservoir, unaware of how much water is required for their entire stream.

Width of Spillway

RESERVIOUR SIZE

A good rule of thumb for waterfall reservoirs is to make the reservoir 2 to 3 times the volume of the total water in the stream or waterfall.

EXAMPLE: 3 ft wide stream that is 30 ft long and has an average depth of 3”

3 x 30 x .25 x 7.5 = 168.75 gallons

Recommended reservoir size is 350 to 500 gallons.

CALCULATING WATERFALL FLOW RATE

LIGHT FLOW= 100 gph per inch of spillway

AVERAGE FLOW= 150 gph per inch of spillway

HIGH FLOW= 200 gph per inch of spillway

WIDTH OF SPILLWAY X DESIERED FLOW RATE = TOTAL GPH

EXAMPLE: Waterfall with a 24” wide spillway:

LIGHT FLOW: 24” Spillway x 100 GPH = 2,400 gph

AVG FLOW: 24” Spillway x 150 GPH = 3,600 gph

HIGH FLOW: 24” Spillway x 200 GPH = 4,800 gph

STEP 2:

Begin digging the hole required for the reservoir. The deepest point should be where the pump and the pump vault are located.

The soil being removed can be used to build up where the stream will be located.

STEP 3:

Line the stream and reservoir with one piece of underlay then EPDM liner.

Ensure your liner overlaps the edges to prevent shifting and leaks over time and that the edges are higher than the water line

STEP 4:

Place your up -flow filter/ spillway/diffuser at the top of your stream. Your liner should go behind the diffuser or attach to the front plate of the up flow filter/ spillway. Ensure the waterfall starter is level and sturdy.

STEP 5:

Place your water retention cubes in the reservoir along with the pump vault. A snug fit is best for a sturdy reservoir. The pump can be placed within the vault.

Connect the spillway to the pump using PVC Flex pipe. Near the pump, install a check valve to prevent the water in the pipe from draining back into the reservoir when the pump is turned off. A valve is also handy to control the water volume.

STEP 6:

Get creative!

Using the rockery of your choice, begin around the spillway and stream, ensuring the liner does not get folded down, which may cause a leak. Begin with your largest stones and fill in with the smaller stones.

Pond foam can be used in the stream to fill in between larger rocks and prevent the water from disappearing under the stones.

STEP 7:

Cover the water retention cubes and pump vault with decorative stone.

The pump vault lid should remain accessible by lightly covering it with decorative stones.

STEP 8:

Fill reservoir with water and turn on the pump. Ensure no water is being diverted from the stream by any of the rockery.

ADD FINISHING TOUCHES

Add plants and lighting to highlight your feature!