With the preformed pond liner now fitted snugly in place, host Mayita Dinos turns her attention to the pond's waterfall. In addition to its wonderful aesthetic and soothing qualities, a waterfall also aerates and circulates the water, helping to keep it clean.
Several rocks of various shapes and colorations (figure A) are gathered from different areas of the property then artfully stacked and arranged near the boulder to form an attractive rockscape for the waterfall (figure B). The large flat piece of flagstone is designated as the "runoff rock," since its flat surface will create an attractive curtain of water that hits the surface of the pond.
Dinos explains that choosing rocks with a variety of characteristics as shown here lends the waterfall a natural beauty that helps integrate it with the landscape. Expert Note: Although early Japanese writings on stone shapes describe stones as representing a variety of historic cultural elements, horticulturist Dr. Vergil Hettick says the arrangement of the rocks in this type of setting should simply be patterned after that of a naturally occuring rockscape found in mountains, waterfalls or stream courses. To this end, larger rocks are used for the bottom layers, and smaller sizes are used to comprise the top of the waterfall. Dinos explains that this step often requires a little experimenting to determine which configuration works best. To visually "connect" the two elements in this case, several rocks are placed so they slightly overlap the lip of the liner. Note: It's important to keep the waterfall in scale with the size of the pond. A waterfall that's too large will cause problems with fish and plants; one that's too small won't provide sufficient circulation and aeration. To allow for the cords and hoses that will later need to be run from the pump and filter, ample spaces are intentionally created between several rocks (figure C). Before the pump and filter are brought in, it's necessary to install a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet near the pond to provide power to the devices. This type of outlet will automatically shut off if it should come in contact with water; however, its height must be no less than 12" above the ground (figure D) to minimize the chance of any contact. To keep the outlet from detracting from the appearance of the pond, it's strategicaly concealed behind a large rock.
Important Note: For those who have experience with electrical work, this part of the project can be done without professional help; for those who don't, Dinos recommends hiring a qualified electrician. Time elapsed: 13 hours.
RESOURCES :
Water Works: Creating A Splash in the Garden
Model: 0809297213
Author: Maureen Gilmer with Michael Glassman
(2002)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
GUESTS :
Vergil Hettick
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840
Phone: 562-985-4111
Email: hetix@pacball.com; jgarden@csulb.edu
Website: www.csulb.edu/~jgarden
Curator, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
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