| Joan's Pond Rebuild |
Joan had a fairly unusual request. She had an existing concrete pond in her back yard that actually held water - not a common
thing with our harsh winters. Because her pond was concrete, there was no filtration and it was very difficult to keep clean.
She was also concerned about the depth of the pond because the neighbor children were often unattended and she didn't want
one of them to slip in the sloped sides and not be able to get out. Finally, she wanted the soothing sound of a waterfall. The
original pond also had a bridge across the center of the figure "8" that she wanted to keep in the finished design. Our first order
of business was to fill the pond up with sand to a level she felt comfortable with. Adding sand also gave us the depth we needed
to install a bottom drain.
thing with our harsh winters. Because her pond was concrete, there was no filtration and it was very difficult to keep clean.
She was also concerned about the depth of the pond because the neighbor children were often unattended and she didn't want
one of them to slip in the sloped sides and not be able to get out. Finally, she wanted the soothing sound of a waterfall. The
original pond also had a bridge across the center of the figure "8" that she wanted to keep in the finished design. Our first order
of business was to fill the pond up with sand to a level she felt comfortable with. Adding sand also gave us the depth we needed
to install a bottom drain.
We also had to bring in black dirt and cinder block to fill in
around the filter box and create a waterfall. Cinder block filled
with sand was also used to create plant shelves or "steps" inside
the pond for easy access.
Large rocks were brought in to hold the dirt in place and build
up raised planting beds around the filter box and waterfall area.
around the filter box and create a waterfall. Cinder block filled
with sand was also used to create plant shelves or "steps" inside
the pond for easy access.
Large rocks were brought in to hold the dirt in place and build
up raised planting beds around the filter box and waterfall area.
That ugly black box sticking out in the center of the pond is
actually the skimmer box. We weren't going to be able to set
it on the outside of the concrete, and in the finished design,
the bridge would hide it anyway, so it was installed within the
concrete walls of the original pond.
actually the skimmer box. We weren't going to be able to set
it on the outside of the concrete, and in the finished design,
the bridge would hide it anyway, so it was installed within the
concrete walls of the original pond.
| Audio sounds provided by www.Freesound.org 38391- volivieri water flows over rock.wav 72722 - Manuel Calurano - Conversation between a nightingale and a frog.mp3 |
| Write me at: pondgal@gridcom.net |
Here you can see the progression of the waterfall. The large,
flat rocks are placed on the steps created by the cinder blocks
and then sealed from below with foam sealant. The liner is
then wrapped up around the edges of the flat rocks and set in
place with boulders first, then smaller rocks to hide the liner.
flat rocks are placed on the steps created by the cinder blocks
and then sealed from below with foam sealant. The liner is
then wrapped up around the edges of the flat rocks and set in
place with boulders first, then smaller rocks to hide the liner.
As you can see from the picture below, the pond is still filling
when this was taken.
when this was taken.
Lighting was also added to the waterfall, and more rocks to fill
in the gaps under the big, flat rocks, as well as inside the filter
box itself on a preformed lip designed specifically for that
purpose.
in the gaps under the big, flat rocks, as well as inside the filter
box itself on a preformed lip designed specifically for that
purpose.
All of the plants you see around this pond were there when we
started and still there when we left. We try very hard to work
around existing foliage and not mash it.
started and still there when we left. We try very hard to work
around existing foliage and not mash it.
Hey! Where did that pesky skimmer box go? It's under the
bridge, of course. A section of the bridge was removed and
rebuilt so that it could act as a trap door and the skimmer
could be easily accessed.
bridge, of course. A section of the bridge was removed and
rebuilt so that it could act as a trap door and the skimmer
could be easily accessed.
One of the few pictures of me NOT covered in grime and filth
you will ever see. Squinting into the sun almost in a Forrest
Gump-ish manner, don't you think?
you will ever see. Squinting into the sun almost in a Forrest
Gump-ish manner, don't you think?