Nothing says peace and tranquility quite like a waterfall. But you don’t want to have to go hiking through the wilderness, battling mosquitoes and poison ivy just to get a glimpse of one of these soothing waterfalls, right? Of course not. So why not bring the wilderness to you?
If you’re looking to spruce up your existing landscape with updates for spring, now is an excellent time to plan.
What if I told you that you could install an artificial waterfall in your backyard, allowing you to gaze upon this truly relaxing waterway
whenever you looked out your back window? Well, you can. This article from eHow.com explains how, providing several options for you to choose from.
Sloping Waterfall
Consider a gradually sloping waterfall at the head of a riverbed for backyards that have a natural slope. The winding riverbed can disappear into the woods or blend into your landscape. The height of the waterfall can be as low as 2 to 3 feet at the beginning of a gradual slope that stretches into river rocks lining the riverbed. The river rocks will partially cover the reservoir at the base of the waterfall. You can purchase a preformed foundation for your waterfall, or you can build it with large stones to match the river rock. The water from the falls will not feed down the riverbed; it will be recycled back up the waterfall by a pump and plastic tubing. Rainwater will collect and run down the riverbed, making it a beautiful solution to drainage problems in the backyard. The trench for the riverbed can be shallow but should have a noticeable dip when the rocks are in place. Line the trench with plastic pond liner before you cover it with rock to make the riverbed.
Waterfall Window
Create a window of water as a focal point next to your backyard patio. You can use a planter, a preformed pond liner or liner sheeting for your reservoir. Dig a hole beside the patio and bury the reservoir or stand the planter on the patio. The reservoir should be at least as wide as the waterfall window. It’s easy to build a waterfall window with household plumbing supplies. You can make the perimeter of your window with 2-inch PVC pipe or copper pipe, joined together in the shape of a U or as three sides of a rectangle. The curve in the U or the middle leg of the rectangle will be the top of your water wall and will need holes you can easily drill with a ¼-inch or ½-inch bit. The two longest sides of your waterfall will sit in the reservoir with the water pump. Plastic tubing runs from the pump up one side of the frame, directing the water to the top. Block the inside of the other leg so that the water cannot run back down, but is forced through the holes at the top, creating a window of water.
Acrylic Waterfall
Stand a waterfall made from an acrylic sheet covered in small river rocks, slate or colorful ceramic tiles against a wall or fence in your backyard. The reservoir can be a pond or a container, just like a waterfall window. Glue the stones to one side of the acrylic sheet with Liquid Nail or another waterproof adhesive. You can run plastic tubing from the pump up the back of the acrylic sheet and let it flow out at the top of the waterfall. Depending on the width, you may need more than one plastic tube feeding water to the top.
So what are you waiting for? It is time to transform your landscape into your own relaxing personal paradise.
If you have any questions, contact Rhine Landscaping by calling 410-442-2445 or click here today!