I have only one question about ponds and that is how to install a water fall this has allways made me wonder "now how do they do that," because it just doesn't work any way I can come up with. (I haven't really tried any of my Ideas but I have mentally tried them). I would like a step by step process if at all possible.ThanksRyan

After five years, I'm repairing leaks in my EPDM liners... beware tree roots!!!

as for waterfalls, I'd try a small pond (5 gal?)or less at an angle. Pump the water into the tiny to pond... it will run out of the low side.

Avoid too large a pump...the noise of a LOUD waterfall is disturbing.

Most bookstores have books on making ponds and streams. The more usual way (than concrete) is by using a liner with possibly an over-liner (if you have rocks on top) and/or an under-line (if you have rocks underneath). You need a pump and tubing and other things, depending on your desires. There are a number of companies which sell pond (and stream) supplies. E-mail me if you want my list, which I sent to 2 other people some months ago.

I have three water falls and a flume for a mill.They all work great now but had problems at first.I use a PVC liner and lost water running under rocks used to make falls. I called Lilyponds, they said to use foam to set rocks. You can get product called Great-Stuf it is foam in a spray can .Home Depot has it. Good luck.Bill

I have a pond and a pump, and had a brick mason build a waterfall; but when I turned the water over the rocks it leaked out the back and pumped my pond dry. I tore this down and tried building myself with the same results. the water leaked out thru the morter in between the rocks. Any suggestions?ThanksOtis

Otis, I used to have two ponds, one higher than the other, and running back into the lower pond through 3 waterfalls! The lower pond was first by 2 years, it had an all rock and cement waterfall from a small "creek". That waterfall leaked like a son-of-a-gun until I rebuilt it. For the first build I placed rocks in dirt and filled in around them with cement. After trying to patch the leaks in this system for several months, I finally gave up and tore it all out. For the re-build I covered the dirt in sections from bottom to top, about 1 1/2" to 2" thick with cement, and layed the rocks in that. Then went back before it all set up and added more cement to any small cracks between rocks, holes, etc. Gave it 3 days to set-up and cure, and fired it up....Success!!! Iy ran for 6 more years, thruogh the addition of the second pond. I eventually got tired of cleaning ponds and tore out both of them. Since then I've constructed 2 very small ponds and waterfalls for the railroad with nary a leak.

Happy Trains..........Rich

I built an upper and lower pond with a stream and waterfall connecting them. I used a rubber liner. (The only way to go). One hint - when you need to connect two pieces of the rubber at a waterfall area, make sure you use the sticky double sided tape available for this purpose. My ponds leak very little. I believe the only reason I need to add a little water every 3-4 days is evaporation, as the surface area is rather large.

I have used a product called Thoroseal with good luck. It is used to coat and seal concrete. It can be found at garden centers that specialize in water gardening or mail order from firms such as Lily Ponds in Maryland - I'll post the address as soon as I find it.Also, be aware that some stones, notably sandstone, are porous an can leak.Alternatively, you can build the waterfall with a plastic liner and place the rocks on top of it. I haven't tried this, but maybe someone else can comment.

Good Luck,Ed

After three attempts I finally got it right.first build a rough structure(I used concrete blocks) to the approx.shape you like. Then use rubber pond liner over top of this. Then, when laying your stone, make sure the stone is not flat. I laid mine at approx. 30 deg. to horizontal. Leave enough pond liner at the edges, to stand vertical when you start laying the outer stone work. Remember water will seep back between the rocks you lay (about 6"). Also always use the double sided seam tape used for liners on any seam in the system. My waterfall is about 4' high by 3' wide and flows alond a 25' creek down to my pond.My pump is rated at 1100 gph and after doing these fixes does not seem to leak at all other than topping up for evaporation.Good luck.Art Jennings

Ryan, I've built and re-built 2 or 3 waterfalls in the past. It was my experience that you really can't use too much concrete. Waterfalls are usually built up using rocks, with at least some concrete to hold things together, but water always seeks it's own way of getting from one place to another, and in waterfalls unless REALLY sealed up TIGHT, there seem to be a million ways the water can get from the top of the fall to somewhere, not necessarily the bottom of the fall! The very first I built, flooded the whole yard before I even knew that I had a leak! It can be done, I had 2 falls between 2 ponds for over 4 years. I finally got tired of cleaning ponds. Now I only have a tiny creek in the railroad. There are good pond and waterfall books out there, A trip to the library is in order, I'd say....Happy Trains......Rich

When I was thinking of doing the pond/waterfall bit, I talked to a pro at a nursery. He used a rubber liner over dirt shaped like he wanted it. He then used foam insulation to stick rocks at the edge of the pools and up and down the waterfall. He also had some sort of tank at the top to help suppress the pressure from the hose feeding the top of the waterfall. I never built one because of the oak trees all around my layout, but would like to some day. E-mail me for more info if you want to. Ian