Build a Disappearing Waterfall

If you are thinking of building a Disappearing Waterfall (sometimes called a Pondless Waterfall) you should set-up a step by step plan; having a plan in place will allow you to track your progress and build each stage of your waterfall in the proper order. Without a plan you may "get the cart before the horse" and have to take apart a portion of your waterfall to complete a step that should have already been finished.

Constructing a Disappearing Waterfall is an easy project for the do-it-yourselfer, and it can be completed in a weekend. With careful planning and an enjoyable weekend of work in your own yard, you can have a beautiful water garden. It will be the focal point of your yard, and a gathering place for family and friends.

What you will need: A Disappearing Waterfall kit, shovel, river rock 2-3 inches in diameter, decorative rock ¾ -1 ½ inches in diameter, landscaping stone, folige and plants.

A Disappearing Waterfall kit is an excellent way to get started. These kits contain just about everything you will need, such as a pump, tubing, basin, colorful spillway, glue and other products for construction. Naturally the rocks, stones and plants choices are left up to you; that way you can use your imagination and make your Disappearing Waterfall unique.

Step 1: Dig a hole approximately the size of your basin. There should be a 4" space between the basin and sides of the hole and the top of the basin should be at ground level. Temporarily place the basin into the hole: check to make sure the basin is level with the ground and has the necessary 4" clearance on the sides. Remove the basin. (Use the excavated soil to partially build your waterfall mound.)

Step 2: Cover the bottom and sides of the hole with an EPMD pond liner and protective pad; be careful not to puncture your EPMD pond liner. (Place the protective pad next to the dirt and lay the EPMD pond liner next to the protective pad.) The size of the pond liner and the protective pad will depend on the size of the hole.

Step 3: Fill the hole about half full of water to keep the pond liner in place.

Step 4: Place the basin into the hole; be careful not to damage the pond liner.

Step 5: Place your submersible pump into the basin. Connect the tubing and electrical source to the pump.

Step 6: Fill the space between the pond liner and basin with river rock that is 2-3 inches in diameter. Fill to within 2 ½ inches of the top of the hole. Fill the hole with water.

Step 7: Build your waterfall to the height and width you desire.

Step 8: Install the waterfall weir.

Step 9: Run the tubing from the basin to the top of the waterfall and connect it to the waterfall weir.

Step 10: Establish the path that you want your waterfall to follow and cover the path with an EPMD pond liner and protective pad (underlayment). Place the pond liner and protective pad exactly as you did in step 2. Run the pond liner and pad all the way from under the waterfall weir down to and overlap the basin by about 5 inches.

Step 11: It's time to decorate your waterfall with rocks and plants. Choose rocks that are common to your area and use the rocks to direct and control the flow of the water. (Flat rocks work especially well to slow the flow of the water and create the sound of running water.) Select hardy plants that are native to your area and suited for a waterfall. Make your waterfall look as natural as possible.

Step 12: Now the final and best step. Cover the hole and top of the basin with about 3 inches of decorative rock, turn the pump on and enjoy the relaxing sound of running water.

Maintaining your Disappearing Waterfall should be an easy task. To keep your basin and waterfall algae free use an algae killing product that is safe for both children and pets. Last but not least don't forget to water your plants and periodically replenish the water in the basin.

Two of the nicest characteristics of a Disappearing Waterfall are; it will take up a relatively small area and it is safe for small children. Ponds can be nice but they may require a weekly or bimonthly regiment of maintenance, especially during the summer months, and an open pond can be an attractive hazard for small children. If you want the beauty of a waterfall, but don't want the maintenance and worry of a pond, a Disappearing Waterfall is the best water feature for you.