Need inspiration pics - SMALL yard stream/pond

17 years ago

We are just starting to work up some ideas for our new backyard and would like to consider a small stream and/or pond. So many of the lovely pictures in the gallery are for large ponds in large yards. We only have a 6000 square foot lot and most of that is house. However I am inspired by the work of Keith Davitt who does a lot of urban landscapes in tiny yards (mostly in the NY area) One of his books said you really only needed 15 linear feet for stream. If anyone has any pictures of streams/ponds in their small backyards, I'd love to see them. Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Keith Davitt's website

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Comments (23)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
17 years ago
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Here is mine. The coping around the pond provides seating--double duty is important in small spaces. In a small yard a pond is probably going to be the yard's "focal point", so detail is key. I am not happy with the unattractive edge on the inside of the pond. I would like to put a row of tile over that to hide it somewhat. The importance of detail, you see.

In the bottom of the picture you can see the valve cover, inside of which is piping for the pond. The ornamental grass will grow over to hide the cover but still allow access to it. Detail, detail. The filter and pump are hidden behind a rose & boxwood:

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If you look carefully right above the square blue pot, you can see a bit of black pipe which is connected to the pump. As the rose grows back it is totally hidden. This picture was taken inside the house. Remember to allow for a seating area so you can sit and enjoy the pond. Look at the area from inside your house and create a beautiful view looking out.
sheepco
17 years ago
Veerrrry nice! I love walled gardens, yours looks like a wonderful place to relax.
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Wonderful primer in thermoplastics vs reaction cured cross linked polymers Evelyn. This all seems to miss the chance to provide some practical advice however. Yes HDPE is used widely for large scale projects. The reason is isn't used by homeowners or small gardens is that it takes special (expensive) equipment to carefully melt and reseal the seams used to join small pieces into big ponds. HDPE is the same "visqueen" material that is widely used for everything from throw away dropcloths to shipping bags. When thick enough (and High Density enough) to act as a geotextile material, it gets stiff, hard to handle and hard to seam. And you won't find it at the Home Depot. So if you are Rowdy Yates and have a back 40 to work with, good luck. If you are building a pond that big and looking for advice on the internet, you will need some luck. EPDM is widely used by homeowners and small commercial installations because it works well and is widely available. It is made for the commercial roofing industry and works great (for 20 or 30 years, even in direct sunlight). They leave out the biocide used in roofing to kill moss (who would want to do such a thing?) and sell it as pond liner. It works because it is saggy and conforms well to uneven bottoms, just like that underwear. It is also available in wide widths and can be glued by an average homeowner with nothing more than his glue tube. Not the premium choice, but hands down the most popular. Go to the Ponds forum and see how many people use it - nearly all. The problem with any liner is achieving a satisfactory slope to the pond walls. Pond people, and Japanese Garden Pond people are included, hate losing fish to predators, and the best deterrent is steep slopes to the sides. Not easy with liners. And nobody wants any liner showing above the waterline, but without good design and engineering, it usually happens. I have seen a lot of liner showing at public and private water features that spent a lot of money on water recirculation and filtration etc. but didn't get the basics covered. The liner has to be buried well below the dirt, rocks and other edging. Easy to damage any liner if you don't know what you are doing, so many ponds have a sort of gravelly slope that tries to hide the liner. Not very attractive. If you have enough water or course, it doesn't matter much what your pond is lined with. This is the Kyoto approach, limited nowadays by constraints on those endless supplies of clean water. Bentonite falls in the middle ground - not really a waterproof membrane, but it can slow down the leakage rate to an acceptable level if applied and maintained correctly. First you start with a sheepsfoot roller... (Evelyn's clue to ask why you would roll their little feet) I agree with Edzard's comments on bentonite and moving water - just the wrong application. If you have an acre of pond bottom and clay soil, get some local help and give it a try, but it isn't good for streams. There must be a reason the majority of good JG's in the US and Japan use cement where they don't have a natural water body. It does work, isn't all that difficult to design, can be fixed, and lasts a long time if built well. Plenty of house foundations are expected to last a hundred years. and they see freezing cycles on the outside and heat inside - worse than many ponds. It just seems like a big undertaking for most people, and is admittedly too expensive for really big projects. And you are much more likely to get a natural looking edge if you build in a rock shelf with reinforced concrete. Of course you can also have a gradual slope and a pebble beach, but they usuall end up being raccoon and heron dining rooms. Another key issue with liners, natural ponds, and cement is the whole water treatment/filtration question. Acre plus ponds can become naturalized with a low fish load and a high tolerance for turbidity. Everybody else needs some water treatment, and with koi that means bottom drains and skimmers. No way around it, and it adds another challenge to both liners and cement. There is one other alternative. If you have a very loose grasp of appropriate priorities, you can find a natural canyon (courtesy of the Wisconsin glaciation) in impervious granite bedrock, excavate everything that doesn't look like a pond and fill it. Good luck to all with your water features.
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What a beautiful property and so much potential! I'm the last person to give landscaping advice (you'd agree if you saw my yard lol, but it's mostly for lack of funds, not necessarily lack of ideas). That being said, as far as the pond, I personally could take it or leave it. However, if I were to keep it, I would like to put a gorgeous stone patio (rounded, curves, not a square or rectangle) in that area from the house to the pond, encompassing the pond to make it part of the patio. Possibly a low wall around the patio, with pots of annuals trailing down, or gardens around the wall or patio. I envision a seating area next to the pond enjoying the water (maybe putting a little water fall or water feature in it) and a water garden. I'd also put a small tree somewhere near the patio to shade it, but then I love the shade and think a sunny patio is nothing but a seat in hell, lol. I know you have that patio on the other side, but to me that looks more like a place to have morning coffee, not entertain or sit in the evening. Not everyone can have two patios, lol, but if you have the space and the funds, it might be nice. And this is where you could put your pergola (instead of or in addition to a small tree) and lights, and sit in the evening next to the pond. As far as the rest, you have so many choices and I think you need to think about what you want out of the yard. A vegetable garden can be created to be visually lovely but honestly it often ends up looking more utilitarian, so perhaps put that farther from the house and focus on perennial beds closer. On the other hand, having your vegetable garden close to the house is very convenient (says the person who has to walk across half an acre to snip some beans for dinner lol) Do you like formal plantings or more cottagey gardens? Do you want to have some kind of historically accurate garden to go with the house? I would incorporate shrubs and evergreens and berried plants for year-round interest (although of course check for toxicity for your dog - sorry, I don't have a dog so I don't know what is dangerous to them). Natives are, IMO, a bit less work. I would prefer some privacy so I might put some shrubs on the fence line, at least near the house, but be careful about light - you don't want to plant anything that will be too tall and might end up blocking the sun unless you are planning a shade garden. Think about watering too. Again, if you have the funds, now is the time to run piping for extra spigots around the yard, or an irrigation system, etc. I also love the idea of a secret little grotto in that back area with the old dairy walls. Something shady and restful and cool, with a place to sit and relax... nice! One thing of course to keep in mind is your view from the bedroom, if that is important to you. You may want to orient that entire side of the yard to look good from there as well as from the ground. If you put a pergola or small tree in the back there it might block some of the view, or it may add to it. Good luck, and please keep us posted as you go along! It's always so much fun to live vicariously through other people's gardens! I can't wait to see what you do with the property! :) Dee P.S. All that being said, I agree with Theresa24 - wait until next year and watch, watch, watch, and think, think, think. Hard to do but it will likely save you either regret or more work down the road!
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destany
17 years ago
hoovb, VERY nice! Just gorgeous!

For the other end of the spectrum, just a 'bit' more natural:

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scryn
17 years ago
hi, I have pics of my small pond on my website.
It is kidney shaped and has a waterfall. It doens't have a stream.

Here is a link that might be useful: my website
pondriverfallgirl
17 years ago
I made a pond three years ago.I have found it very relaxing to play with and keep adding flowers and plants.My uncle was visiting and saw the pond .He made a comment about having a very small yard and that this pond would be perfect there.I don't know how to post my pictures thou.
sistacrysta
17 years ago
i hope this works:
this is one of my older pics:
[IMG]http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g233/sistacrysta/Momscamera151.jpg[/IMG]
pianolady
17 years ago
The link below is a pic from last year of my pond (two ponds actually). One is for plants (1-2' deep), the other for my fish (3' deep). Just uncovered if from winter last week, so not much to look at right now.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:187445}}
summergardener
17 years ago
Here are some pictures from last summer(I hope! First time posting pic.s here: crosses fingers...)of our pond that we built about 4 years ago.

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As you can see, we are still working on the "top of the pond/garden area.
carol_in_se_pa
17 years ago
I have a small pond (about 1000 gallons) in a medium sized suburban yard. I will post a picture below although I have let the landscaping go natural, I need to work on it to make it more appealing and interesting as it looks a bit boring, especially compared to the other folks here who posted pictures (I love all of them ~ all different but all nice). You will love your pond.....good luck to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:187447}}
destany
17 years ago
Carol, I just wanted to say that I find nothing boring at all about your pond! It's much more interesting at mine at this point, as it's a work in progress and I enjoy adding to it each year lol.
I sure am enjoying all these photos though they bring delight, envy and inspiration for what to do next for my own!
susanwrites
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you all so much for the great inspiration. I'm loving this pictures and will be sure post what we end up doing in return.

Carol, I really like yours. Natural is what we are going for. Thanks again!
summergardener
17 years ago
Carol, your pond looks so cozy! I would love to see some more pictures! It looks like the perfect spot to get away from it all.
carol_in_se_pa
17 years ago
Thank you all three for your nice comments :)

I do enjoy the pond but it just needs some interesting color. I am starting to figure out what does ok with my yard soil conditions and sun/shade amounts and this year it will be a priority. I will post pictures once I have it figured out (I would like most of the things I choose to come back on their own every year ~ less maintenance that way. But I think I know of some sweet plants with nice blooms that do ok in the shady part now. They are hard to find!)

Again, thank you........happy ponding folks!
lf214
16 years ago
summergardener - I LOVE that statue you have in your pond - the bear? Where did you get it???

TIA
kalevi
16 years ago
Here's another approach.

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stanlie_gw
16 years ago
I just want to say how nice everyones ponds look. I dont have any pics. Just an idea.

How about bordering a patio with a natural looking stream. No liner showing all rocks and gravels. A small top pool would be high and then as the stream moved along the patio it would lower itself thru a series of small water falls and pools. Until it got to the bottom pool.

I see large flat rocks with water spilling down and collecting in small pools. Then the water level would return to stream level and continue to drop by repeating flat rocks and pools etc. Lots of plants here and there. Some parts would be deep and other places would only be 6 inches deep like a real stream. Pipe and pump the water back up to keep the stream moving. It should look like the little stream was aways there and you built your house beside it. I can see it but I cant explain it well.
summergardener
16 years ago
TIA, Sorry that it took sooooo long getting back to you. I've been away from the site for quite some time (longer than I thought.) I got the bear at a store at an outlet shop in Grove City, PA. When I saw him, I knew where I wanted to put him! I haven't seen any since, but if I do, I will post. I wasn't sure how well he'd hold up, but he's doing well. I don't think it was designed for ponds, just yards. We bring him in (to hibernate in the basement)in the winter. He sets on a couple flat stones to keep him just barely in the water.
marsrising
16 years ago
Hi, I'm new here, but I'm also looking for some ideas. I'm spending the year remodeling my grandmother's lawn, and I'm currently working on a path, which has a small stream that runs under one of the larger flagstone stepping stones. I don't have a camera, but may have one soon. I think all of these pictures are great, but the first one really gave me a great bit of inspiration. The style I decided on, at the begining of this enormous project, was informal. All of the beds have irregularly shaped edges, with no borders, so they blend into the St. Augustine lawn.

What began as a small path to the side of the house, from the front, has turned into a large flagstone and gravel path, including a very small water feature. The size of the water feature continues to grow as I work on installing it (I'm using concrete), and I now want something rather large, either for the small pond/stream to empty into, or to empty into the small pond/stream.

When I say "small," it's small. The pond portion is about 2'x3', and the stream is only about 5' long by 6" wide. I plan to fill this with gravel, so it has the appearance of a small spring.

But, the first image posted, gave me a wonderful idea! I think that, with the informal/natural design of the yarden in progress, that a formal, above ground pond/pool may be just the thing to add a feel of mystery to the space--sort of Secret Garden-ish.

I'm glad I found this forum, and I hope I'll acquire a camera soon, so I too can share ideas.
clarke
16 years ago
Here is a picture of my pond. It is about 400 gal. My back yard is about 16' square and the pond is about a third of the yard.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:187448}}
autumn
16 years ago
I have a stream and pond. The stream is about 70 feet long and the pond is probably about 3000 gallons. My yard is not very large (a little over 1/3 acre).

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agardenstateof_mind
16 years ago
What lovely ponds! Autumn, I especially like the natural setting you have, and your shade gardens. (BTW, it looks like you're having more success with brunnera than I am.)

Susan, our lot is 7500 sq. ft. (50x150) and has a long driveway, small cape, vegetable garden & perennial gardens, large storage shed, small greenhouse and lawn areas in addition to the pond. You can do it! Our ~1,500-gallon pond is approximately 11'x15', including the small bog garden to the right in the photo and the waterfall. Because of cold winter temperatures, we made it just a tad over 4' deep. The pond area gets full sun from dawn until about 11:00am, after which it is in the high dappled shade of deciduous oaks and understory trees (dogwood and mountain laurel) It's the most enjoyable and peaceful spot in our yard, day or night (descreetly and strategically placed lighting, underwater and above-ground, makes a big difference). The photo below was taken about a year after installation, so the surrounding area was still recovering from the construction and development of that area is ongoing. Eventually, I hope to have the preformed waterfall better integrated into its surroundings.

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nutbunch
15 years ago
Kalevi,

I love your pond and want to do something similar. My husband says the liner won't hold up under the concrete block. But obviously yours does. Did you use adhesive? Or just the weight of the blocks or are they mortared?

Can anyone else help!
delaney276
15 years ago
Nice pictures everyone...I'm towards the end of a small stream with pond project..I have ordered more rock..and still need to add some plants and pavers for a path back to my building..plus I have some work to do around the burn pit...realistically I will never be finished LOL...but I am aiming for next spring to finish every thing up but the small details one encounters...then just wait for the plants to mature...I did learn a huge lesson in the last week though...my water was crystal clear for 2 weeks after I moved my pond and made this one...it got cloudy for 2 days then cleared up again...It stayed that way for 2 or 3 more weeks until I made one huge mistake...I started removing the water lettuce because the cold weather was starting to set in...I removed over half of it..then 80 degree weather hit here in WV...now my water is green!..oh well you win some and you lose some...this pond is 26"-28" deep.(may increase depth next spring)..12x18...with 30' stream..3200 gph and 640 gph pump running...I have a small yard too...125x70x115 deep....I have 7 koi..2 bluegill..10 goldfish...comets..sarosa's...3 different fantails...and approximately 25 babies...that I haven't a clue what they are yet...oh yeah...bookuu snails...at least 2 frogs...and by the way...the pond was born on September 14th...2008...I will thin the fish out next year...my brother n law is a landscaper and can find happy homes for them...enjoy the pictures...which I'm sure some of you have already viewed...happy ponding!!! Dave :-)

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Need inspiration pics - SMALL yard stream/pond

Comments (23)

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sheepco

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Need inspiration pics - SMALL yard stream/pond

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