Hi,
We currently have a rock waterfall, sakrete/pebble lined creek and sakrete pond in a layout that's about 12 x 22'. However, we're not happy with the creek design and pond as we work on the town placement at the far end. How does one go about making natural rock-filled creeks and ponds? There's currently about 5-10' of creek and pond that my wife and I would like to tear out and rebuild. The creek would need to be about 1' max width. Is there a favourite web-site or two that you could pass along for ideas?
There is no need to consider resident fish, just the desire for something more natural looking than what we've got now.
thanks,
michael
Here are a couple of pictures of what is currently in operation.
Have you thought about using pond liner? Dig (or build up) the riverbed. Lay down a sheet of pond liner (about 1/8 inch thick rubber matting.) Cover rubber with rock. Add running water.
Tom Trigg
The original pond and creek were constructed with pond liner. However, something went wrong and there was underneath erosion from torrential downpours and then when the waterfall and creek ran, the pond filled up from underneath the liner! The next day, the liner came out and the sakrete went in. It just doesn't have the right character or create the right atmosphere, though.
Oh well, we're waiting for inspiration to strike. We'll likely go back to the pond liner this summer after the annual town garden tour in June.
I too had a pond liner "float up", but in my case it was caused by neighbor's water mail line rupture. I had an "over flow" outlet pipe in the "leaf skimmer" and I capped it off so that I could overfill the pond which pushed the excess water back into the soil, then I had to wait a week for the water to flow off my property. The original pond liner is still there and working like it should. I'm thinking you should have left your liner in position for a few days. Other than doing it again, I have no idea as to advising you on this issue.
Michael - Just saw your post today. I hope you are still looking for ideas. Take a look at what I did at Croaker Diggs. My site is close to your measurements, actually a little larger. We got the slope we wanted roughed out of dirt, lined the creek-bed with 3/4 gravel, maybe 1-3 inches thick, compacted it, then lined the creek with hardware cloth (1/4" mesh). Then I used 'white' concrete and sand, with concrete dye (brown) mixed in for color. When the concrete was about 75% cured, I sprinkled more dry concrete dry in places where I wanted darker color variations. When all was cured, I 'decorated' the river bottom with some rocks of varius sizes and fallen trees, etc. A little green and blue spotches also add a nice effect when the water is flowing but looks strange when the water is shut off - If I had it to do over again, I would do the same thing. Hope this helps. Check it out and click on the video link also on our site to see some close ups of the water feature. Shu -- Here it is >> http://ironhorsereplicas.com/croaker_diggs.html
Follow the adventure - http://www.croakerdiggs.com
yes, we are still looking for ideas. I've already spent some time perusing your website after reading about it in another posting. You have a very nice layout!
Thanks for the suggestion. We are pondering...
The town garden tour is taking place in July this year due to a slow start to the growing season because of a cold and wet spring. We won't do anything prior to then as we continue with the spring clean-up and preparation.
thanks again,
Michael:
Just a thought: Around here (southern Calif) we have a nice assortment of "rock shops". Don't know what else to call them, You can get all kinds of rock, crusher fines, stones from ½ inch to large flagstones, to the big ones (one will fill a 5 ton dump truck) that need an all terrain crane to put into the yard. They all have pond, stream, large vase water features. Check around your neighborhood to see what kind (if any) "rock shops" are in your area and talk to them about their water feature displays. They will give you many different ideas on building the river/pond. Another source for ideas, check to see if you have any live fish stores (Koi) in your area,
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