Building a Water Garden or Fish Pond

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Donna Moramarco

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Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco

Small or large, water features add beauty and interest to any landscape.

I’ve always wanted a water feature in my yard. I imagine restful days, sitting on my deck, listening to the sound of water spilling from a small waterfall into a koi pond. Do you share my dream? Have you always wanted a water garden or pond? There’s no better time than now to add one to your garden. With some good planning and a little work, you could be enjoying that new water feature for years to come. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Plan first! The style and size of the pond should fit your landscape. Don’t make a water feature too large or too small for your space. And don’t forget to write up a budget for your water garden. You can spend a lot – or a lot less. (Ask the aquatic specialist at your local garden center for help.)
Consider what type of pond you want. Water gardens need sun for most aquatic plants to grow well. They’re generally shallow – only about 18-24 inches deep – and they can include goldfish. Fish/koi ponds, on the other hand, are usually larger in size and can be placed in shady locations. These are generally deeper, too, reaching 3 feet deep or more, to protect the fish during winter. (These ponds usually don’t have plants for the fish to eat.)
2. Select a good spot. This goes back to the type of water feature you want to build – keep in mind those sun or shade requirements! (Remember, aquatic plants need sun to grow.) If you’re thinking of a shady spot, also keep in mind that trees add leaf litter and other debris to a pond, which means more cleaning.
Don’t put your pond in a low-lying location, because it’ll flood more easily. Don’t dig out a pond in areas with underground utility lines either, but do make sure that your pond’s got access to water and electricity. And of course, if you’ve got kids around, be sure to plan for their safety. Children can drown in just a few inches of water! Finally, do put your pond where you can see it, hear it and – most of all – enjoy it!

Warnings

Even shallow pools and ponds can be dangers to small children, who are naturally drawn to water and fish. Always consider the safety of kids and pets when planning and building a water feature!

Tips

Be sure to 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.
Before installing your pond liner, open it up and let it warm in the sun for an hour. This’ll make it more flexible and easier to handle. When you’re ready to install, wear socks or soft-soled shoes so you don’t damage the liner.

Tools

Smaller ponds or water features can be hand-dug. Have a shovel, spade and wheelbarrow on hand to make digging and hauling away the dirt easier.

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