Building fountains and waterfalls

Running water in the garden not only sounds cooling and relaxing, but attracts birds and butterflies. In a xeriscape, water features can provide more cooling than a lawn while using less water. Although fountains and waterfalls can run up into complex, expensive systems, simpler versions can be built in an afternoon.

Types of fountains and waterfalls

Fountains and waterfalls come in three basic types: pond features, free standing, and wall-hanging. All three require water (no surprise there), a pump and energy to run it, and a structure (basin or pool) to hold the water. "Energy" can come from either electricity or solar power. Solar powered pumps will provide a good show only in sunny weather, of course, but in bad weather no one's likely to be in the garden, anyway. There are hundreds of designs available, from classics like the lion's head wall fountain to more whimsical creations like fountains thsat spout from stones or logs.

Pond fountains

A fountain will require a pump. The most common pump sizes are 360 gph (gph = gallons per hour) to create a fountain of 2 to 3 feet; 600 gph for a 3- to 4-foot-high, and 1200 gph for 5 to 6 feet. 600 gph to 1200 gph the preferrable sizes. The height of the fountain depends on water-pressure as well, which means the height of the water is influenced by the length of the hose bringing water to it. If in doubt, go with a pump that's a little too large, rather than getting one that's too small.

Wall fountains

Often of one piece, these terra-cotta figures spurt out water into a bowl below them and that water is then recirculated back to the mouth of the fountain. You can find wall fountains with the pumps built into the structure, making it easier to install. These ready-made units are simple to install and light enough to be placed on any permanent wall.

Waterfalls

A simple, inexpensive way to create a waterfall that runs down into a small pond [See Building a Pond for more information.] is with soil, rocks, a pump, and a garden hose. Build the soil up to the height appropriate for the size of the pond and line this small hill with plastic (pond liner or other heavy plastic), making sure this liner goes completely to the bottom of the pond to stop the water from running out. If you're building the pond and waterfall together, line both with one continuous piece of plastic. Then connect a length of tubing to the pump and bring the tubing up from the back of the waterfall on the top. Arrange stones around the built up area to create a slope for the water to run down and place the tube under the first rock to let the water flow from here down along the other stones. Keep adjusting the stones until you get the look and sound you want.