pond in progress started 4/21/10

[addy1]

I also double line the stream, two reasons:

1) if the deer walk it or I walk it, gives the liner that extra layer of protection
2) when it is off during the winter, which most likely it will be, it keeps the uv exposure down to zero on the liner.

I save every scrape of cut off liner to use as this second layer. I tape the upper edge of the second layer so the water will flow over it not under.

Not sure if anybody else does this, I did it in arizona also, worked great.

This picture shows the piece of liner in the stream that is not taped down or cut yet. It can also be glued down using my favorite pond glue (sort of forgot about it, but fighting the bog leak, my honey reminded me). This stuff can even be applied under wet conditions. It is somewhat self leveling, but it sure cures fast and nice, totally water proof, made for under water exposure, and sticks to plastic, rubber.

found at my fav store, hd, in the gutter area. I had used it to fix leaks in our gutter, when we reinstalled it and the joints leaked. Also used it to fix a leaking shower drain in one of our rentals.......laughing.............The stuff is sliver gray in color

Any scrapes are also used to put under any decent sized rocks that are placed on the primary liner, like the waterfalls.

 

[addy1]

Well our first little guest, made him self right at home. He loves the rock planter.

There is another one in the other little pond, they talk to each other.

 

[joesandy1822]

I am SO jealous! GREAT job! My pool-to-pond conversion will never look "natural", but I am still psyched about the prospect of lots of water plants and pretty goldfish and shubunkins. We all should try to be content with what WE can accomplish given our own circumstances and not envy others, but boy, you are making it mighty hard for me!!!

Thanks for sharing your work in progress!

Sandy

 

[addy1]

Thank you, it has been and still is a ton of work, but having fun doing it.

You will enjoy your pond, no matter how it looks i.e. not "natural" as long as it runs great. Yours will run great, you are putting a lot of thought into how to do the conversion and make it work correctly. Our pond is down the hill from the house, yours will be up close and personal, each have advantages and disadvantages.

Keep planning, be ready for the spring build!

 

[addy1]

previous.......

now Still have some rock tweaking to do.

My honey suggested, months ago, to start bog plants in plastic containers storage bins, finally set them free. A few minor issues, low edges but all fixed now. Don't have the skinny piece of flagstone for the waterfall into the pond, the return water flow. Have to go rock shopping!

Grasses, lirope, sweet flag, rush, still want to get some flowering plants put in. like cardinal, lilys, etc.

 

[addy1]

We put in some little solar lights, they do reflect in the water. Makes it look more done than it is lol.

 

[addy1]

starting the build of the last pond, the beginning of the stream.

Well fingers are better, so starting the last little pond, the beginning of the stream.
My vision is of an old looking rock well that is falling down, the water will spill out of the falling down part and head down the stream..........we will see if visions work.

This hole has been sitting for 4 months now, waiting.........lol
Of course needed enlarged, little shelves built, dirt moved, toads moved from under carpet pad, spiders chased out.

As of yesterday am.

liner sort of in place

Rock work started, these rocks are under the apple tree that is dropping apples, wasps all over the apples, which are all over the rocks. And of course at the bottom of the slope.
Carry one to two at a time, the rocks are the 5-10 inch size, they don't look that big in the pictures.

 

[hewhoisatpeace]

coming along faster than I expected. Looks great.

 

[addy1]

Update photos,

The stream is slowly being rocked in! darn slope makes it hard to haul rocks up. View from the roof.
View attachment 4025
The beginning of the stream is right below the sat dish. By the time we are done we will have a new deck there with a small pond water fall coming out from below the deck. View from the pond

View attachment 4026

The beginning of the build of the top pond. Trying to make it look like an old rock well that is falling down.
View attachment 4027

 

[mikecoscia]

Looks great! We need some videos of that stream going once its up :regular_waving_emot.

 

[pondbuilder13]

That looks amazing I always wanted a stream for my pond maybe I'll try to fit one in next year. But it looks great

 

[mrsclem]

I thought we had a big slope to our yard! Wish I had the nerve, time and $$ to do away with the grass and do a build like that. That's going to be a hike to the main pond isn't it?

 

[stroppy]

wow thats coming along great !! those rock planters are such a good idea

 

[addy1]

I thought we had a big slope to our yard! Wish I had the nerve, time and $$ to do away with the grass and do a build like that. That's going to be a hike to the main pond isn't it?

It is around 40 feet to the top edge of the pond. Walking from the concrete patio, which is basement level the slope is not too bad. The stream slope is hard to walk at any time, it is around 25 degrees. I am going to get some more flat rocks and make climbing steps in the slope, for working on the plants. Our riding mower is rated for 15, the only time I could mow was when it was bone dry, or you slid right off.

Never really planned on this build until my honey bought me the tractor, then watch out..........lol I have the time since he told me when we became engaged I never needed to work again unless I wanted to. now the work on this yard has been more work than I ever did at work..........

Every where I had trouble mowing is being converted to plants, or pond, and grass is so boring.

I love planting for the hummers, butterflies, bees, doing large areas of wild flowers that are specific for the critters.

 

[addy1]

wow thats coming along great !! those rock planters are such a good idea

I had everyone saying you are hauling rocks? across country. Only had around 15 boxes of rocks lol............little did they know. At least I had boxed them. Those suckers are heavy too. My previous husband and i bought them at a nursery, they come from mexico, chiseled into planters.

Couldn't leave them behind, at that time just moving to make them into planters, not for another pond, little did I know.