Creating Cascades and Waterfalls

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Rich Binsacca

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Protect still-water plants from fast-moving currents by constructing a deep pool beneath waterfalls, then filtering and dividing the water through rocks before it reaches and enters the main pool.

There’s intriguing sensual value in water gardens that have audible qualities. Creating a cascade or waterfall adds soothing movement and sound to any feature, as well as can help boost property value (if done right). There are numerous ways to achieve falling water effects in your water garden.

Each cascade or waterfall requires an abrupt change in elevation that interrupts the flowing stream or watercourse. Generally, a fall of about 6 inches will deliver the optimum look and sound. Plan on a deep receiving pool beneath each waterfall, then a slowly rising streambed as the flow approaches the next waterfall.

A foundation stone sits at the point of the elevation change with a spill stone atop it. The spill stone’s placement is very important, both vertically and in orientation to level. It should extend over the edge of the foundation stone, so that the water can fall freely into the stream or pool below. It should be placed to partially dam or slow the stream, building a head of water behind it on the upstream side.

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Consider installing pre-built waterfall units as part of your stream. They contain biologic filters of lava rock to keep the water clear and free of organic debris, and they’re disguised by framing them with surrounding stone.

The spill stone’s design regulates the way the water falls. Gate stones set to each side channel the water toward the stone’s center and block flow around its edges. In a cascade, the water runs in a smooth curtain over a flat sill from one level to another. In a waterfall, the water splashes down over a rugged rock formation falling cleanly into the pool below. The width of the spill stone – and how water is channeled to it – helps determine the appearance and intensity of the falls. Both smooth and splashing waterfall styles are common in nature and are appropriate for either a stream or a watercourse, depending on your desired effect.

A garden stream with a cascade or waterfall requires a recirculating pump and delivery pipe specifically designed to deliver a high volume of water. The greater the elevation change from the header pool to the reservoir pool, the stronger the pump required. Choose a pump with excess capacity to create streams and watercourses with rushing water that flows in a torrent.

Creating cascades and waterfalls requires planning prior to excavation. Study some creeks and streams in your area to gain a better understanding of how naturally occurring streams flow. (Especially look at points where water falls.) Observing wild streams will help you create a water feature that closely resembles nature.

To create your own waterfall, take the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions.

Warnings

Always watch children and pets around water! Although garden ponds aren’t swimming pools, curious minds can’t help themselves – especially when waterfalls and streams are involved!

Facts

Waterfalls require a pump system that delivers a larger volume of water than do those that serve a simple stream or watercourse. Locate recirculating pumps away from the direct impact of falls to reduce the amount of sediment that collects in their inlet filters.
The best flexible liners are made of EPDM, a rubber material similar to that used for inner tubes. They’re ideal for large, asymmetrical garden ponds and pools, and are especially well-suited for streams and watercourses. PVC liners are also available. They’re inexpensive, but they’re easy to puncture and often require replacement sooner than EPDM types. (PVC and polyethylene liners are unsuitable for streams and other water features.)
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Tips

Before you start creating or expanding your garden pond, check with your town or village for electrical wiring codes, property line information and depth-of-pond safety requirements so you can build your pond within the letter of the law.
Remember that abrupt changes of elevation (as with cascades and waterfalls) are independently planned separate from the stream’s down-slope grade. Allow sufficient edge height along the stream’s banks to accommodate at least 8 inches of water above the stream’s shallowest points. Leaves and other debris otherwise may dam the stream, causing it to overflow.

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