How to Build a Waterfall in Your Backyard: DIY Waterfall Guide

A DIY waterfall is a decorative outdoor water feature that simulates a natural waterfall. Homeowners make a DIY waterfall by arranging river rocks or stones into a structure or path that water runs down, typically into a pond or other water source. People building their own DIY waterfall need a small water pump to cycle water from a garden pond to the top of the waterfall. Waterfalls can be added to other water-related hardscaping features in your garden, such as koi ponds or small streams.

There are a number of ways that you can design your DIY waterfall. Here are a few types of DIY waterfalls that you can make in your own backyard.

1. 1. Stone waterfall: A popular option for making a DIY waterfall is to use natural stones, slate, or river rocks. Though they are heavy to transport, stone gives a DIY waterfall a naturalistic look.
2. 2. Concrete waterfall: You can pour your own concrete to make a concrete waterfall that looks more modern than a natural stone one. Instead of pouring it yourself, you can also purchase concrete as a single slab or molded into specific shapes to make your waterfall.
3. 3. Fiberglass waterfall: At your local hardware store or nursery, you may be able to buy a premade fiberglass waterfall that mimics natural landscaping.
4. 4. Pondless waterfall: If you don't have space for a pond, you can construct a waterfall without a pond where the water immediately cycles back to the top of the waterfall once it has reached the bottom. This is a good option for people with limited space in their yards.
5. 5. Rain curtain: Water features like scuppers or rain curtains—which set a track of water jets to fall vertically down a wall—may be more expensive than the standard natural waterfall. However, they lend a degree of modernity and sophistication to a backyard.

Here is everything you will need to build your own DIY small waterfall in your garden.

1. 1. Shovel: You’ll need a shovel to excavate the area that will become your pond.
2. 2. Tape measure and spray paint: A tape measure and spray paint are useful for planning the size of your pond.
3. 3. Sand: Sand helps level out the pond area.
4. 4. Pond liner: You’ll need to insulate your pond from your garden soil using a pond liner. This can be a large piece of rubber liner or a pre-made pond bed that you can find at the hardware store.
5. 5. Lumber: Four wood planks help to create a pond frame to support the rocks and gravel around your pond.
6. 6. Rebar: You’ll need around four pieces of rebar to support your waterfall on top of the frame you’ll be creating with your lumber. Have these pieces of rebar pre-cut at the hardware store.
7. 7. Hardware cloth: Hardware cloth will go over your pond’s foundational structure for extra support.
8. 8. Hardware: You’ll need plumbing straps, screws, and a cordless drill to complete your project.
9. 9. Flat stones: Stack medium-to-large flat stones on top of one another to complete your waterfall. They may be heavy, so make sure you have a safe way to transport them.
10. 10. Small rocks and gravel: Small rocks help fill the extra space in your waterfall and cover up your pond structure.
11. 11. Submersible pump: An underwater pump cycles the fallen water from your reservoir to the top of your waterfall.
12. 12. Tubing: Purchase flexible tubing to attach to your pump, which routes the water to the top of your waterfall properly.

There are a number of designs you can follow to make your own DIY water feature. For beginners, making a waterfall out of flat stones is a simple option that you can adjust as you go along. Follow this step-by-step guide to executing your own outdoor waterfall project using flat stones.

1. 1. Dig a hole for the pond. Using a tape measure, measure out the area where you want your pond and waterfall to go. Mark it with spray paint to give yourself a guide. Dig a hole in your spray-painted area that is around eight inches deep.
2. 2. Build a frame for your pond. Next, you’ll need to build a frame for your pond. Nail together four planks of wood to make your frame, then fit it into the hole you dug in the sand. Spread a layer of sand on the bottom of the hole, to level out your frame. Line the frame hole with a plastic liner, or place a premade pond mold into the hole.
3. 3. Prepare your waterfall pump. Connect your pump to a length of rubber tubing long enough to reach the top of the rock waterfall. Place the pump at the bottom of your pond and plug it in.
4. 4. Make the base for your waterfall. Use copper plumbing straps to attach your rebar to the top of your wooden frame, about every six inches. Cover the area with hardware cloth, which will support your gravel.
5. 5. Assemble the waterfall. Spread gravel over your hardware cloth. Stack your flat rocks into your desired waterfall shape, supported by your pieces of rebar. It will take some time to experiment with the rock placement to find the most secure place to put your rocks. You can use a garden hose or jug to run water over the stones to see whether the water is falling right.
6. 6. Attach your tubing to your waterfall. Run the length of tubing up the waterfall, preferably tucked into an inconspicuous place behind the rocks where it can't be seen. Attach it to the top of your structure using duct seal putty. Find a place for the top of the tubing to sit that will yield the proper “waterfall” effect.
7. 7. Test the pump. Fill the pond with water and turn on the pump to test the water flow. Make any minor adjustments to the tubing to make sure the water is flowing correctly.
8. 8. Decorate your waterfall. If your pump is working properly, you can add the finishing touches to your backyard water feature. Use pebbles or small stones around the base of the waterfall and edge of the pond to fill small spaces and hide any visible construction elements. Add stones to the bottom of your pond to give it a more natural look. Accent your water feature with plants.

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