All the sound and motion of a waterfall with no open pond: water falls over stone and disappears into a hidden underground basin.
Not everyone wants an open pond. Families with small children, owners who travel and anyone short on time often prefer a pondless waterfall. Water runs down a stone stream and trickles away through river rock into a hidden basin, then a pump sends it back to the top.
There is no standing water on the surface, so the feature is safer, uses less water and is easier to look after. We build the underground reservoir, line the stream, lay rock and plants over it and tune the flow until the sound is right.
A buried basin holds the water inside a liner and a bed of stone or a storage crate system. A pump inside pushes the water to the top of the stream, and it falls back through the stone to start again.
With no open water, a pondless feature suits yards with children and pets. There are no fish to feed, less algae to manage and far less maintenance than a pond.
Pondless falls fit narrow side yards, patios and courtyards. They can be tall and dramatic or low and quiet, and they look good with or without lighting.
A hidden reservoir needs an access point for the pump and the water level. We leave a discreet, easy-to-reach opening in the stone so servicing takes minutes.
Drag the handle to compare.
BeforeAfterNo open pool to fall into.
Less evaporation than a pond.
No fish and far less algae.
Stone stream with river rock.
Lighting plan included.
Flow valve to tune the fall.
Every topic has its own page with what to expect and how we approach it.
SituationNew YardsStarting from bare ground: where to put water, how big to go and what to decide before the…Learn more 
Material guideStone and BouldersLimestone, fieldstone, river rock and flagstone: which stone looks right, how it behaves in water and how it…Learn more 
Material guidePond LightingUnderwater, spot and path lights for water features: LED types, color temperature and where to aim them.Learn more Enter the weir width and the look you want and see the gallons per hour for a thin, medium or full sheet of water.
Tell us what you have in mind and send photos of your yard. We plan the visit so we arrive ready.
We walk the yard, discuss size, style and sound and mark the shape on the ground.
You get a clear written price, and we agree on a day and an arrival window.
Excavation with shelves and a stable slope, with protection for your lawn and a call to 811 first.
Liner, plumbing, filtration, stone and plants installed with careful attention to the hidden parts.
Water treated, flow tuned and a walk-through with you before we leave.
Very little. The reservoir holds a small volume, and an auto-fill valve can keep the level steady through hot weeks.
Usually not. The reservoir is a buried basin rather than an open pond. If you want fish, a pond is the better choice.
It is far safer than an open pond because there is no standing water at the surface. We still discuss placement and safety with you.
Seasonal cleaning of the pump and a check of the water level are the main tasks. We offer maintenance visits if you prefer.
We build in a hidden access panel so you can lift out the pump for cleaning.
Rock and BouldersLarge boulders and flagstone set with equipment and skill, so rock looks like it has been part of…Explore 
Pond and Fountain LightingUnderwater and landscape lights that make waterfalls, ponds and fountains glow after dark.Explore 
Backyard StreamsWinding streams with pools, riffles and small falls that carry water across a slope or between ponds.Explore 
Auto-Fill ValvesFloat valves and controllers that keep a pond or fountain at the right level through summer evaporation.Explore Tell us about the job and we will call you back quickly.
Or call (615) 357-7797 to talk now.
