How to Build a Pond Waterfall

If you have a pond in your garden, you already know how alluring it can be all year round. Whether shimmering under the summer sun or an icy frost sparkling in the winter, a pond is a stunning feature for any garden. But how can you elevate that beauty even further? The solution is straightforward: outdoor pond waterfalls. Not only are outdoor pond waterfalls visually appealing, but they also play a practical role in oxygenating pond water. Plus, the soothing sounds of cascading water are a thing of beauty that will beckon you to spend more time by your pond.

If you're building a pond for the first time and want to include a waterfall in your plans from the get-go, we recommend starting with our guide on how to build a pond. Offering valuable insights to help you plan everything efficiently but also helps to ensure that your pond waterfall is secured in the best way possible.

If you're considering adding a waterfall to your garden pond, you have come to the right place. At Pond Planet, we have the perfect guide full of tips on installing an outdoor pond waterfall and answer all your questions.

Table of contents

How to create an outdoor pond waterfall
What do you need to build a pond waterfall?
Outdoor pond waterfall FAQ’s
Create a pond waterfall with Pond Planet

How to create an outdoor pond waterfall

An outdoor pond waterfall can be as simple or as complicated as you would like. The option is up to you to create a truly unique and mesmerising waterfall. Whatever style of waterfall you choose, the basic mechanics remain the same. Simply put, water is pumped from your pond into a smaller body of water that flows back to the pond in a waterfall style.

What do you need to build a pond waterfall?

You'll need several essential materials and equipment to build a pond waterfall.

Pond liner
Pond pump
Tubing
Waterproof sealant
Waterfall spillway or reservoir
Shovel and digging tools
Level
Landscaping fabric
Decorative elements
Safety equipment
Design plan

With these essential materials and equipment, you have everything you need to create a beautiful and functional waterfall for your pond.

Creating a pond waterfall can be difficult depending on factors such as the size of the waterfall you want to create, your level of experience with landscaping, and the available tools and materials. We recommend using preformed waterfall features if you want a more effective way to create your outdoor pond waterfall. At Pond Planet, we are proud to offer a wide range of preformed waterfalls, from the basic mechanic pieces to fully moulded rock shapes that blend seamlessly with your existing pond structure. If you're looking to install a waterfall quickly and with minimum fuss, then we believe a preformed waterfall is the best option for you as it is much more convenient.

Our tips for installing preformed pond waterfalls

1. Once you have chosen the perfect preformed waterfall to suit your needs and style, you must determine how the pieces will fit together. From this, we can decide how to shape their resting places accordingly. Just remember to plan to have the final lip of your waterfall overhang the pond by at least five or ten centimetres—this ensures you get a good splash and helps prevent any water loss.

2. When the earthworks and rest spots for your pond waterfall are ready, the installation follows a similar process as when initially installing your pond. You should ensure that everything is level and that the preformed pond waterfalls are properly supported. Some people cement preformed waterfalls to ensure they don't shift out of place.

3. Finally, if you connect your flexible hose and the pump is switched on, and you do not get the desired result that you were expecting, then fear not. All is not lost! By simply trying out different arrangements of stones in your waterfall pools, you can manipulate how the water flows. This is especially effective if you focus on rearranging the stones near the lip of your waterfall. All it takes is experimenting to find what works best for you and your pond.

Outdoor pond waterfall FAQ's

Now that you have the basic rundown of what you should be aware of when fitting your preformed pond waterfalls, you might find yourself with a few extra questions. Here we have gathered some of the most commonly asked questions people have when it comes to fitting your pond waterfall to help you on your way to getting started.

How high should a pond waterfall be?

Getting the correct height is one of the biggest issues when fitting their pond waterfall. Our biggest tip would be not to overdo it.

For a simple guide, we recommend that if your ground is flat, you create a waterfall that is no more than two to three feet tall. However, if your garden is on a natural slope, you may get away with a larger waterfall and still have it look good. Remember that your pond and waterfall should look as natural as possible, and you should try to blend them into the surrounding landscape. For this reason, having a 6-foot tall waterfall, for example, in a flat garden, would not look natural.

Can I have a waterfall in a wildlife pond?

As previously mentioned, using a waterfall feature in a wildlife pond is relatively safe, as it helps to oxygenate the water. However, you should always remember the differences between a wildlife pond and an ornamental pond and keep an eye on which one you have.

If you're more interested in the physical appearance of your pond and creating an aesthetically pleasing setup, then you needn't worry about limitations on waterfalls. But if you have a wildlife pond and are hoping to attract even more wildlife, it is better to keep any water features simple and unobtrusive to any creatures visiting your waters.

What size pond pump do I need for a waterfall?

The size of the pond pump needed to create your waterfall will depend on several factors, including the size and flow rate of your waterfall, the height and length of the water feature, and any additional features, such as pond filters or UV clarifiers. As a general rule of thumb, you'll want a pump that can circulate the entire volume of your pond's water at least once per hour. However, if you have a larger waterfall or want a more vigorous flow, you may need a pump with a higher flow rate.

Do you need a pond liner for a waterfall?

In many cases, a pond liner is necessary to create a reservoir for the water to flow into before it cascades down the waterfall. If your waterfall is built into a pre-existing pond with a liner, you won't need any additional liner specifically for the waterfall. The waterfall can be integrated into the existing pond liner, ensuring the water flows back into the pond without seeping into the surrounding soil.

Not sure how much pond liner you're going to need? You can find out using our pond liner calculator. Put in your measurements, and we will work out the rest!

Create a pond waterfall with Pond Planet

Now, you have all the necessary resources to help you create a beautiful waterfall in your garden pond. Ensure you have everything you need by browsing our preformed waterfalls, or why not add more visual appeal with some pond plants or pond decor to bring your pond to life?

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