Whiskey barrel garden tubs

I was wondering if any of you ever ever made a whiskey barrel water feature. I have seen three of them used together to make kind of a waterfall . I have done a simple google search for ideas and plans but then I thought someone here surely can help quicker than a google search. Thanks. Joann

I've only set up a waterfall using whiskey barrel once. This is how I did it:
• Used 3 barrels, 3 barrel liners getting 1 with a waterfall lip, submersible pump 3
large concrete blocks, wood shims and a carpenter's level.
• Placed 2 of the whiskey barrels side by side and placed the plain barrel liners in
them.
• Leveled the barrels using the wooden shims and the carpenter's level.
• Placed the 3 concrete blocks in a small circle in the middle behind the 2 barrels (If
you want a taller waterfall, put a second layer of concrete blocks.)
• Placed the barrel on top of the blocks making sure the barrel was snug against the
other two barrels and placed the lipped barrel liner in the last barrel.
• Level the last barrel with the shims and the carpenter's level.
• Turned the liner so the lip is centered over one of the barrels.
• Filled barrels with water.
• Placed the pump into the barrel that would receive the water from the waterfall.
• Ran the pump hose around the back of the elevated barrel and clamped the hose
to the side of the barrel so the water would drain into that top barrel. The clamp
kept the hose from falling to the ground and draining the lower barrel.

This set up will exchange water between two barrels only. If you want two waterfalls, you need to elevate two of the whiskey barrels making one higher than the other so you end up with three levels. Of course, the higher you go, the more unstable the set up can become.

I filled pots with aquatic plants of various heigths for the barrels. To soften the look, I placed short planted pots around the two barrel in front and pots with tall growing plants alongside the elevated barrel to hide the concrete blocks. Hope this explanation helps.

Thanks, Bettydee, I will print this out for a handy reference. Joann

Have you checked the Water Garden Forum for other ideas?

Just a suggesetion,

Judy

Bettydee,
How has your waterfall held up?
Annie

I have a single half barrel with prefab plastic insert with a pond fountain. I really love it and we found an old rusted tall spigot we plan to use with it. Mine is two years old and hangin in there and the plastic insert is easy to clean in the spring.