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The ABCs of Waterfalls Part 2

In part 1 you learned some of the basic information that you should know for pond construction. Such as stones, size and form. Part 2 is catered towards teaching you the b’s of waterfalls such as the berm, and the biofall.


At the base of ever waterfall should be a berm and it should be constructed properly. Many contractors build berms that are too small and out of scale. The best way to construct your berm is to use all of the excavated soil to form the base of the berm. Usually different rocks and clay will be mixed in your excavated soil so you should use topsoil to spread over it.


Make sure that the soil around you biofall is in fact spread horizontally instead of sloping downward from the rim. By doing this you are creating an effect that the waterfall is naturally eroding the ground into a beautiful form. Make sure that you don’t surround the area with thousands of rocks this can make you waterfall look tacky and fake like we discussed in part 1. Things such as liners poking out underneath can also be a turnoff to other pond viewers. To hide your liner you can stack rocks from the inside of your pond. Make sure that you waterfall is the right height for your pond. Otherwise you will have to use more rocks to cover the liner. If you want your waterfall to seem as natural as possible you can always use plants. The right amount of plants can help your waterfall seem effortless and blend right into it’s surrounding features.


Biofalls are very important in any waterfall feature. They enable water to be discharged from the pump to pool up and flow downstream. If your water is discharged fast out of the pipe it can look fake because it doesn’t allow the water to pool up, spread out and flow like a natural waterfall. When water is pulled down by gravity of course it is going to be more natural then water that’s just shooting out. Biofalls help create a natural appeal to your fall. They can also help construction for your actually waterfall faster. Most stones will fit beneath the biofalls snout. Usually the last touch to the waterfall is adding the biofall so adding the rocks will be a snap because they fall right in place. Another advantage of having a biofall is that it has a solid rim so it prevents leaks while the water is pooling. Without a solid rim the water can drip over the liner and cause a major leak and berm erosion. So the bottom line is always use a biofall they just make things easier.


Well hopefully you have learned one of the important aspects of building any type of waterfall. Always make it natural as possible. There is nothing worst then a fake looking waterfall. In part 3 we will go into more ABC’s of waterfall features.


Dannielle Robinson is a Chicago based freelance writer and water gardening enthusiast. She has made a study of water gardening, ponds, and pond kits and she provides consulting to friends and neighbors who are interested in contracting her services. Check out http://www.deepdiscountpondsupply.com for further information on this subject.


Source: www.isnare.com