skip to main content

Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Need ideas for spillway between ponds

10 years ago

Hi all, I am expanding an existing stream (~15 ft) and pond (6 x 6 ft), adding another pond (8x 15 ft) below it.

I ve got the hole dug and the liner in place, with a spillway that is about 10 x15 inches directing water from the small pond to the new, big pond. At the end ofthe spillway is a 1 ft drop to the big pond. I've run some water through and it all works.

What I can't figure out is what to do with the spillway aesthetically. The liner looks like... well, liner. I can put rock on it but the water will flow under the rock. Can I use concrete to force the water flow up and over rocks in the spillway?

Any suggestions that have worked for you or in ponds you've seen?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

patrick__mi__z5
10 years ago
You could build a series of small step dams in your stream. This way you can adjust the depth that your rocks sit in the water. The easy way to do this is to dig trenches under your liner.
chas045
10 years ago
Almost everyone uses the expanding foam in aerosol cans to fill the gaps under and between rocks so that water will flow over instead of between and under them. Pond stores carry it in black. However, it is the same thing that you can find in hardware stores called 'Great stuff'. GS is beige, but it soon gets covered with crud and algae and will look natural.

The stuff is horribly sticky and you will almost certainly get it on you AND your clothes. Wear your painting duds and disposable gloves (double or tripple them). The stuff Cannot be removed from clothing and will not come off later!!! The only way to get it off your skin is to wait for the skin to wear off!!
Related Discussions
Connecting Pond Liners... Toxic to Fish? Ripoff? Ideas?
Q
Comments (14)
Pondmaster said,"Thanks! I guess I will use it, just cure it first." I don't know what you mean by "curing it first"? The cement will "cure", meaning "set-up", over a period of time. Anywhere from minutes to a few hours. That is when the solvent in the cement become inert and should be harmless to you and your fish. Check the instructions on the can, it should state the "cure time" there. Wear a mask when you apply any heavy solvent cement, as it can leave you with a very bad headache and also the vapours are extremely bad to inhale into your body. Gary, good question. I don't know if PVC cement would work on EPDM liner. I have a can of it in my shop and I'll try it out on a scrap piece of liner. I tend to think it would not be that easy? There has to be something in the cement that "bites" into the materials being glued together. "Horton"
...See More
New here, need ideas for a pond renovation
Q
Comments (5)
I think you will find it hard to find anything to stick to the material used for those preforms, so fixing the leak may be a challenge. I would not cut a hole in the side if it for the same reason. Skimmers are meant to be installed with flexible EPDM liners. I do like skimmers for larger ponds because they do allot of cleaning for you by removing much of the floating and suspended debris that would otherwise sink to the bottom of your pond. If you intend to keep fish I would reline the pond with EPDM and maybe make it larger at the same time. If not you can try to seal the leak with silicone and a EPDM patch. Clean the surface very well. Mike
...See More
need ideas for landscaping pond
Q
Comments (4)
I will give you as much info as I can but can not figure out how to attach a pict. Yes it is in full sun, It is about 3 1/2 -4 ft deep, about 6-7 feet wide. It is actually 2 ponds conected by a river bed(not actually deep enough to hold water) Both ponds are cement and have individual filters. The cement comes up about 2-4 inches over the sides and currently had rocks around it. I'd love to get a picture of it out but am not very good with computers. :)
...See More
New pond ideas
Q
Comments (32)
Oh my! All such wonderful ideas! Didn't even think about growing up. I may have to do that through pots since I don't have any spaces big enough to hold enough dirt. Wonder if they make small rock containers?? or I might have to lurk on the 'garden junk' forum? Jeff..matter of fact I do have a hellebore at the top of the pond! Nan...I have moss growing on an old brick pathway in full sun...how can it be transplanted? Slice & stick? That would probably look good along the bordering rock. A little sedum stuck here and there between the rock...mmmmmmmm....sounds like a plan! Thanks guys! You're all great!! I'll try to post pics when I get it together. Evelyn
...See More
annedickinson
10 years ago
Chas suggestion of putting on more than one pair of plastic gloves is not to be ignored!!! LOL That is what I do. When the top pair gets too gunked up, I pull it off and continue on.

Expanding foam is wonderful for what you want to do. But pay attention to the word "expanding". It does just that. It is easy to get too much on in the beginning, but it does age so that it is hardly noticeable. Another thing you could do is have a pan of sand handy to sprinkle on any foam that is visable. That can blend things in.

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Make a Pond

By Mitchell Parker

You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. But you'll need this expert design wisdom

ARCHITECTURE Houzz Tour: A Pond House in the Arizona Desert

With water in the back and a descent to get in, this skillfully designed modern home keeps its cool in the Southwestern sun

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Rustic Cabin With Dive-In Pond

By Becky Harris

Set on 22 acres and with as many modern comforts as rugged trails, this Montana home is an outdoor lover's paradise

REMODELING GUIDES Houzzers to the Rescue: Users Solve Design Dilemmas

By Vanessa Brunner

The proof is in the painting — and the pond. As Houzz users hit 100,000 discussions, see some of the results of their advice and ideas

GARDENING GUIDES English Country Garden With Its Own Writer’s Cabin

By Victoria Harrison

Tour this lush and magical Chelsea Flower Show garden with a 2-story wooden cabin and tranquil natural swimming pond

PETS See a Deluxe 'Catio' Built for Feline Fun

By Becky Harris

Sixteen lucky cats get the run of a protected outdoor patio with ramps, steps and even a koi pond

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Koi Find Friendly Shores in Any Garden Style

By Marianne Lipanovich

A pond full of colorful koi can be a delightful addition to just about any landscape or garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Explore a Magical Restored English Garden

History comes alive in the gardens of a Rochester townhouse, filled with sculptural yew, a topiary parterre and an archway-draped pond

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Anemone Canadensis Adds Pizzazz to Water’s Edges

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant Canadian anemone along pond, lake or stream edges for a splash of white flowers in late spring

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Reflecting Pools as Liquid Assets

By Debra Prinzing

Mirroring the sky and the earth, reflecting pools and ponds heighten the sensory experience of nature in your landscape

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

Leak in my small inground prefab watergarden...?

1

pothos with yellow leaves

7

Stock tank cracked, New tank has brass drain

1

Growing impatiens in water

1

What is destroying my Willow?

16