Wife wants a water feature

[Doc]

She saw one when we were driving somewhere last year and has not forgot about it. What we saw had a nice waterfall.
The idea seems simple enough. Dig a hole. Line it. Put rocks around it. Fill with water and fire up the waterfall. But I'm sure there is more to it.
What am I missing and what are the downsides? Space is an issue for where she wants it but how big should the pool under the waterfall be? We need big enough so that the pump does not empty the pool but not sure how to gauge that. Ideas please.

Here is one I'm considering

Blue Thumb Elite Spillway - 28-Inch

Shop The Pond Guy for your pond waterfall spillway, water surface skimmers, and other elite pond supplies here. Get everyday free shipping over $99.

www.thepondguy.com

Product Details​

Blue Thumb Elite Spillways are great for starting a pondless waterfall or meandering stream. Unlike waterfall filters, this spillway is designed to only provide a pooling area for water; this is not a biological filter. Made with strong, durable construction, the internal baffles spread the water evenly over the spillway so you enjoy the sights and sounds of falling water. This spillway is compact so you can easily disguise it using rocks, boulders or mulch.

Elite Spillway 28 Inch
Application	Spillway
Box Dimensions	32"W x 15"D x 5"H
Spillway Width	28 Inches
Max Pump Flow	Up to 7,500 GPH
Inlet	2-Inch
Model No.	PB2866

 

[bczoom]

I'm not familiar with the item you listed but here's what I did.
Dig a hole on the low side and put in a kiddy pool like this one.



As you said, cover with black plastic and surround with rocks.
Above that, I put in a little nicer pool for the waterfall area. This is close to what I used but mine wasn't as deep. Install it with a very slight slope so the water flows off one side only (the direction you want the waterfall).



I put a submersible pump in the lower pool to pump to the upper pool (hiding the water line under rocks/plants).
Fill both pool areas with water.
Water pumped from the lower pool to the upper creates the waterfall. Since both are filled with water and it's just cycling between the 2 pool areas, you have a constant flow with no water loss.

 

[FrancSevin]

Is there any slope to where she wants this "waterfall?"

She saw one when we were driving somewhere last year and has not forgot about it. What we saw had a nice waterfall.
The idea seems simple enough. Dig a hole. Line it. Put rocks around it. Fill with water and fire up the waterfall. But I'm sure there is more to it.
What am I missing and what are the downsides? Space is an issue for where she wants it but how big should the pool under the waterfall be? We need big enough so that the pump does not empty the pool but not sure how to gauge that. Ideas please.

Here is one I'm considering

Blue Thumb Elite Spillway - 28-Inch

Shop The Pond Guy for your pond waterfall spillway, water surface skimmers, and other elite pond supplies here. Get everyday free shipping over $99.

www.thepondguy.com

View attachment 147967

Product Details​

Blue Thumb Elite Spillways are great for starting a pondless waterfall or meandering stream. Unlike waterfall filters, this spillway is designed to only provide a pooling area for water; this is not a biological filter. Made with strong, durable construction, the internal baffles spread the water evenly over the spillway so you enjoy the sights and sounds of falling water. This spillway is compact so you can easily disguise it using rocks, boulders or mulch.

Elite Spillway 28 Inch
Application	Spillway
Box Dimensions	32"W x 15"D x 5"H
Spillway Width	28 Inches
Max Pump Flow	Up to 7,500 GPH
Inlet	2-Inch
Model No.	PB2866

Is there any kind of slope to where you want this placed?
If so I have shown how to do this very easily for a reader. Is there a self contained "catch pool?" Assuming this has no "catch" pool you have to dig down for the one you choose.

7500 GPH is a lot of water. You might want a fairly large catch pool. And a lot of noisy water. Or is it 7.50 GPH? Tha's a soft dribble. I have a 60 GPH on my water feature. Plenty of sound. Not much effect on the electric bill.

Establish the center of where you want it placed and find a high point. Dig down to 6" or 8" below grade and then affect another 5"to 10" ( depending on you catch pool size) for the unit. Place the unit forward leaving room for decorative rock behind it up to original grade. Place your catch pool underneath. Then place the decorative rock aside and below the unit. plug it in, fill it and enjoy.

If the spot is level, use the removed soil to raise the back gravel a bit.

For a natural look, remember this landscaping tip,,,; Water should never be above grade. That's called a fountain.

 

[Doc]

Thanks guys. Good tips.
I thought 7500 gph was a lot also. No clue if it can be turned down for less flow, but will have to find out.
Pics or short movies of your water features would be awesome.

 

[Ironman]

I have a 6500 GPH pump for my 6000 gallon koi pond. That was like an $800 pump! 75 would probably work for you.

 

[chowderman]

7500 gph is the "rated max" capacity of the 'kool spillway'

envision a 50 gallon barrel of water being dumped . . .
done in 30 seconds? = 6000 gph
done in 60 seconds? = 3000 gph

size&dimensions matter - here's some help

What Size Pump Do I Need For My Waterfall?

Waterfall flow rates for waterfalls and streams. Waterfall flow rates show you how to choose the right size waterfall pump for your desired visual results.

russellwatergardens.com

 

[FrancSevin]

Thanks guys. Good tips.
I thought 7500 gph was a lot also. No clue if it can be turned down for less flow, but will have to find out.
Pics or short movies of your water features would be awesome.

There are several in the thread, I miss my summer garden.

I miss my summer garden

www.forumsforums.com

Here's one

The water fall is to the left in the image

 

[chowderman]

"I thought 7500 gph was a lot also. No clue if it can be turned down for less flow,"

for less flow, that is controlled at the pump output (i.e. a globe valve)
within reason, one can 'throttle' the gpm output of the pump to achieve 'just right' waterfall flow.
you cannot throttle a 6000 gph pump to 1500 gph - uh,,, for long term - so it is important to size the pump capacity to the width & noise you want.