That last one doesn't show much of the pond, so here's another one
Stream with small pond
You're right. I don't want a pond. I never have. So I'll stick to plan....thanks for the calculation link. Your pictures really give me inspiration and I feel better about doing it when I see these lovely pictures. Also knowing you did the digging yourself makes me feel better. I guess it does sound worse than it is. I think about rocks and wonder how in the world I'm going to get these big old rocks hauled....but then I remember teenagers who want MONEY! I want natural rock, with a river 2 miles away I'm sure they can find plent, already 'stream' looking too.
See, I'm going from one issue to another. Now it's the rock, before it was the liner, then the pump. I'm looking at the project as an entire issue. One thing at a time. I'm paying the teenagers this week to dig my stream. The water standing should be 3-4 inches - so I guess they need to dig down 5 or 6 inches so allow for padding, right? No more than 2 ft wide then have dirt build up on both sides.
How did you get all your rocks there? Did you order them or find them all yourself?
I had a collection of rocks on my property and did some scrounging around as well. We must have filled up the F150 about a half-dozen times. If you have access to one - a dolly comes in REALLY handy for moving rocks once you get them on your property. I found it easier to maneuver than a wheelbarrow.
When you build your stream, you should start from the bottom up. Dig the basin first, then the lowest part of the stream, working your way up. The stream needs to be graded so that there is a 2" drop (or elevation since you're working from bottom up) every 10 feet. When I built mine, I just kept a level handy and made sure each 2-3 foot section was sloped in the right direction. That was a little easier than trying to figure out if I dropped 2" over the span of 10 feet. You also need to make sure you are relatively level from side to side (across the width of stream). Otherwise, the water will pool in the lowest side and possibly divert right out of the streambed. I think 5-6 inches deep will be fine.
I've started the stream and it's 45 ft long, 2 ft wide before sloping up on the sides. I'm still confused on how to decide how big the basin should be. It was to late to start at the bottom like your post above states. I just had to dig that stream to get a rough draft of the direction I wanted it to take.
I've found a 30 gallon barrel for the pump for $5. Toby will drill the holes. The boys will dig the basin this weekend. HOW BIG? I just can't get this through my head.
Kathy
Update on my pondless stream. Finally the weather broke and we jumped out of the 20s!
The stream is ready for the liner which I have ordered, 5 x 50. The pump is purchased. The pond basin is dug which is 8' long, 5 ft wide and 3 ft deep. I have a 55 gallon plastic barrel but the darn lid won't come off. But, I'm sure we can find some way to get a hole cut and fix some mesh or something to cover the hole which won't be all that large to insert the pump. I suggested to hubby that we cut the hole, put the pump in and face the hole down on the bottom, over the pump. He didn't think that was good but I'm sure it will work. The bottom is very flat and I can sit a 15x15 stepping stone down, pump on top, turn barrel with hole over the pump. What do you think?
He has to drill holes in the barrell and we have smaller but bulky plastic tubs that can take up bulk, allowing more water verses more rock. I want to find something rust proof that will we can sit about 6 inches down in the "pond" and larger than the hole to make a floor for holding the 2x4 inch or smaller river pebbles allowing water to be visable on top of the basin. Making it look like a shallow puddle but not have much depth. Heavier than chicken wire but about that size holes. Any suggestions?
The pond liner should be here in 2 days - 15 x 20. Toby will put PVC pipe up the stream and include a shut off valve so we can increase/decrease the flow depending on how the pump does. Any other suggestions or things I've missed?
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Do you have any pictures of your progress? Sounds like it's coming along nicely.
I don't know about the barrel over the pump. I don't think that would be a problem....you can always change it if it doesn't steem to be working well. Don't forget to drill lots of holes so that the pump never runs dry.
Good luck and please post pictures!!
Christina
It's got to me a pondless deal. I just can't deal with the pond. So, back to questions. I have this 8x 6 x 5 deep hole, liner installed with underlayment. I have a plastic 55 gallon barrel inside the hole, with drilled holes and the pump inside it. Now -
I want to have the stream end with a small fall - maybe 4 inches into the basin. Providing more sound at that end.
The barrel is a great idea and took up room without water volume. One link you had, maybe russelwatergarden or something had pebbles as the base where the stream emptied into. I know it's a silly question but is there some way to make a non-rust mesh or gate type thing that will sit on top of the barrel and allow 2x4 inch rocks to sit on top - allowing as much water as possible and yet have supports, other than the barrel, to hold the smaller gravel? Does that make sense?
In the pondless pictures they show only pebbles on top of the pond. I guess it's just filled with large rock up to that point and the small rock end up on top. But it seems like that would allow to many smaller rock to fall down in the pond. I think a 'chain link fence' type of thing could be installed to hold the gravel - not people walking on it but something the shihtzu's could walk on without it falling in.....any suggestions - if this makes any sense.
kathy
Shihtzumom, I have a large rubber tub that I purchased at a feed store that I use for my "dry pond". I got some of the coated wire mesh to use to support the rocks on top and put in some tall flower pots in the tub to support the mesh. The mesh has a green waterproof coating that may be either plastic or rubber. Whatever it is coated with has survived two years outside with no degradation. If you cannot find any pots that are tall enough you may want to consider getting a large diameter section of pvc pipe and cut it to the length you want. I would suggest at least 4 or 5 pieces to provide adequate support for the weight of the rocks you will be putting on it. If you have no way to cut the pipe, places like Lowes or Home Depot will often do it for you. I would not think putting all rock in the barrel would allow enough water volume to run the pump.
Tetley,
So you used the large rubber tub as the base or top? I have the hole dug and liner inside it. I put the 55 gal plastic barrel in next, with holes drilled all over it, set the pump inside the barrel for protection from rocks. Now I have a hole 8 ft x 6 ft x 5 ft deep with water and a barrel. I need come up with something that will allow me to put a metal (for example) grate over the entire hole so I can put the 2x4 in rocks on top. I was thinking a grate like they have at car washes where your dirty water goes down. Something LIKE that - not that heavy.
I don't know if I'm describing it right.
Whoa! That is a LOT bigger than what I had pictured in my mind. Now I know what you are needing. I agree that anything made of metal that would be that big would be heavy and hard to maneuver. Do you plan on moving the top part with the rocks on it at all once you have got it settled? The thing I would plan around is that if you ever had to service the pump for some reason you would want to be able to get to it. I will give it some more thought, but keeping along the same lines as the pipe idea is to lay the rebar that is used to reinforce concrete along the top edge going across the hole (not around it) and put the wire mesh on top of that. The rebar that I have seen and used is probably a bit over a 1/4" in diameter and is a long rod. You would need to cut it to the length needed as you went around the pond with a metal saw or have someone cut it for you. I would not lay it any farther apart than every six inches or so or the wire mesh would probably bow. Since the rebar it is such a small diameter it would be easy to push it in level with the surrounding soil.
That's the same rebar idea we had. To actually hammer it into the side of the pond about 4 inches below the surface. I think the best thing would be to gather more hard plastic tubs, drill holes and fill it up as much as possible with those for bulk, then just fill the rest with rock.
Christina, where's your thoughts? You've been the biggest help from the start.
Hi Kathy,
Do you have pictures of your stream? When it's running, how much water do you have in your "pond". It sounds like your tub idea might work. I would just make sure that it is sturdy enough to walk on. You don't want to have to worry about someone getting too close and falling through. My first pond had very fragile edges. I was always worried about people standing too close and having the edges collapse. When I rebuilt my pond last year, I made sure the edges were very stable. It is much nicer not having to worry or watch people closely when they are near it.
Post pictures if you have some. I'd love to see it.
Christina
Shihtzumom, Great idea and wonderful info. I know I'm comming in here a little late but would you be interested in (if it's not too late) to running your stream into a Spring house. If the water goes into a Spring house you can just dig a pit as deep as you need you can hide any mechanics you need in there and you have no pond to worry about.
Songsofjoy, Love the stream it's beautiful.
I will post pics tomorrow. I was to tired last night. The sound is wonderful!! Can barely here the traffic in front of the house.
K
Here are a few pictures that didn't come out so well but at least you see my project. Still not finished....45 ft stream, 2 ft wide
my little waterfall
Pond 8 ft x 6 x 5 ft deep. I need some floating plants - anyone have a couple for trade? or postage?
Great job, Kathy! So did you decide to keep the pond or are you going pondless? I'm sure it'll be great either way.
It's pondless, see the small river rock in the pond? You can walk on them without any problem. I have a 55 gal plastic barrel with holes drilled to house the pump - per your suggestion. Then added plastic milk crates - they already have the holes yet, have tons of support. Added some large pavers, in pieces so it would allow enough coverage for the river rock so they didn't fall through- basically theres far more water than needed.
I would never do this project again! It was only difficult dealing with the rock and they really take a toll on muscles, bones, and new gloves. I'm still not thrilled with it, but once the plants grow then I'll like it better.
Did you pond/stream get algae? Mine hasn't "cycled" yet so I don't know how much algae to expect. I put the cleaner in today that helps stop string algae.
k
Well, do you love it now? I want to see more pictures!
I love it. You can hear the big waterfall and smaller ones all over the yard, even in the 2nd floor computer room when the window is open.
another
stream with new garage being built
another one
Kathy, that is looking great!!! I can't believe how established it looks already! Awesome job!
Christina
Thanks. This is early summer. The plantings during late summer really made it look established. Still need more growth but it's coming along.
Kathy
A W E S O M E !!!! WOW! I wish I could do that....you did a wonderful job! I would love to be able to hear water moving in my yard, what a delightful sound!
Just hire some teenagers to dig and you can learn everything from Christina and I. Really. The best prices for everything I purchased was Bestnest.com about half the normal cost. I just painted a draft along the yard and lived with it for a few days and made changes that didn't 'flow' right with the lay of the yard. Started at the basin and worked upward.
It's only 2 ft wide, 6-7 inches deep and 45 ft long. The basin is 6 ft deep I think. It's filled with a huge 55 gal plastic barrel with 4 inch holes drilled all over it to allow water flow and rocks on top. I can walk on it easily, and so can the 3 shih tzu's. They love it. And so do the birds.
Kathy, So nice to see it again. Have you winterized it yet or can you leave the pump in. We are pulling ours as soon as Christmas is over, I think. DH keeps changing his mind. The deal was that I would build most of ours and he would take care of the mechanical parts. He was in the boating business for years so pumps are part of his his world. Mine is in more shade, but I hope I can get a lush look as quickly as you have done. I can't believe that you have been in your new house such a short period of time and the yard looks so established. How is that cranky neighbor with the fence issue and does he now like your dogs? I need to see a picture of the dogs too. Patti
The cranky neighbors are lesbians and they are selling their house. Well, trying to sell it - they are asking about $50,000 to much for the house. If they hadn't made such a fuss over the fence we could have been good neighbors. But that wasn't the case.
We are running the stream all winter. The birds need water and a bath and it's beautiful with the ice formation around the falls. I'll take pictures soon.
K
I can't wait to see your winter wonderland. DH is contemplating leaving our pump in the underground vault as it will never freeze that deep and the hose should be fine as I bought the heavy duty stuff.
Well, with all your house and landscaping improvements, maybe you have significantly raised the value of the neighborhood and they can move that house along and you might get lucky and have some nice neighbors. Those are getting harder to find. Patti
I am soo jealous!!! I want one!!! LOL More pictures..yes!
This is the upper part of mine in the snow, we left the pump in the vault and turn in on when it is not frozen. The birds love it. Can't wait until I can do the tweaking it needs come spring. Patti
Here is the other end. Patti
You did such as great job. I love it. That is wonderful. SongsofJoy really helped us both with the pond/stream thing but nothing compares to hers. I moved some rock around yesterday and my back is killing me. I try to give it a different sound my moving rocks, etc. when the weather is so I can.
K
Kathy, yes Songsofjoy is beyond beautiful, but if you hadn't taken up the challenge and asked all the right questions, I would have thought it impossible. So you were my nudge or actually a giant push. I can't wait until spring. We had it on today as DH was thinking we had a little unexplained water loss and was sure it was seeping under the filter vault into the ground. So with the warm weather today he took a look and found a tiny trickle back washing under the vault. So it is an easy fix and only a few rock had to be moved. He loves it too. I worked on a major brush clearing beyond the stream that will eventually be part of the whole picture with the center piece being the stream. The sound is amazing and come spring I will try what you are doing. "tuning" the stream to the right sound. Thanks again, and for the phlox coop. Patti
wow, that is just so awesome! Great Job, Patti!
Janet, you need to give it a shot. Get those boys out there digging. The stream is EASY because you can either dig down 6 or 8 inches of build up the sides with sand or dirt.
K
It is really looks so natural and so soothing! I would love it my back yard gardens! I will have to show them pictures and see what they think...maybe I can talk them into giving it a try...lol I don't know though...may have to hire someone to do that for me...
No - you can handle it all with them doing the digging and hauling rock. Otherwise it's easy.