You’ve probably encountered more than one customer who has champagne taste on a beer budget. They want their backyard to be the perfect oasis with a gorgeous water feature, yet they simply don’t have the budget to get what they want. When you encounter this type of customer, don’t fret. Let your client know you can always add on to the pond they can afford today.

It’s no different with a kitchen renovation. The homeowner might want the chef’s range but end up taking a lesser appliance, knowing they can upgrade in the future. Reassure your customer that the same philosophy rings true with a pond. You can always add on; in fact, most pond owners upgrade their feature an average of three times!

When the time comes to improve upon an existing pond, consider adding a new stream. Consider the following scenario. A client wanted a pond and stream when they first acquired a water feature, but the budget simply didn’t allow it. They decided to invest in a larger 16’ x 16’ pond with an interesting free form shape (see figure 4 below).

A waterfall was built right on the edge of the pond with hopes that it would become a stream in the future. A year later they were ready to break ground on their dream stream. The clients liked the concept of a fast-flowing shallow steam coupled with a deep-water stream, which would also increase the volume of the pond.

The flexibility of a liner pond system allows for this easy addition to take place.

1) The first step is to design the new stream and calculate the materials needed for the addition (see fig.5 below).

•  35’ stream
•  20’ deep 8” – 12” water depth at pond level
•  10’ shallow 3”-4” water depth
•  5’ upper pool

Materials

•  liner 10’ x 40’
•  50’ -2” pipe
•  2- slip x slip 2” couplings
•  1 installation kit
•  10’ – 6” cover tape
•  5 ton of boulders
•  1 1⁄2 ton of gravel

2) The next step is to shutdown the waterfall and pump all of the water out of the BioFalls® Filter.

• Do not remove the check-valve until you’ve pumped out the old BioFalls; this will keep sediment from back-flushing into the pond. Disconnect the BioFalls snout and start digging around the filter. Since we are relocating the biological filter approximately 35’ away from the pond’s edge, the existing berm will have to be moved and reshaped. Our steps are the same as new construction, Set the BioFalls and connect the plumbing first. The only difference is that we have to dig the filter out before we can set it in its new location. Cut the pipe two to three feet away from the bulkhead fitting and pull the BioFalls out of the ground.  Note: It is easier to pull the BioFalls out with the filter support tubes removed.

3) Next, position the BioFalls in its new location; level and compact the soil according to the standard installation instructions. Using PVC couplings, add a new section of pipe to the filter and connect it to the old plumbing.

4) Drain the existing pond down to the first shelf and remove all stones from the waterfall down to the shelf.

5) You are now ready to move some soil. Re-position the soil around the BioFalls in its new location. You do not need to move the entire berm. Some of it may remain in place to add interest to the pond’s perimeter and balance the larger berm around the waterfalls with the surrounding landscape. Remember, you will be getting additional soil from the deep stream’s excavation, but it still may be necessary to bring in more soil depending on the berm size. A large planting berm adds visual interest so it might be worth bringing in more soil whenever possible.

6) Now that the old berm has been removed, the excavation on the deep stream can start. Give it some character by varying its width and putting in some twists or curves.

• Be sure to check the stream’s depth from the skimmer. The stream should be 8” – 12” deep, which will allow fish to swim up to the waterfalls.

7) The next step of seaming the liners together is a very important one. If you are not comfortable with seaming the liners, you have two options. You can either change the design where the entire steam is shallow, flowing into the pond as a waterfall, or leave the design and remove the entire existing liner and install a larger one. It’s a good idea however, to learn how to seam liners together as noted below.

• Thoroughly clean the pond liner of algae and water deposits.
• Use an EPDM Primer or an equal substitute to prepare the liner surfaces. Overlap the two liners and remove all wrinkles and folds.
• Using the 6” cover tape, start at one side of the liner and peel approximately two feet of the paper backing off of the tape and center it over the two liners. (You can choose either 6” cover tape or double-sided tape; they will both work.)
• Carefully press the tape into place smoothing out all bubbles and wrinkles from the center of the tape outwards.
• It is very helpful to have two people working on this part so one person can hold the tape and peel off the paper backing while the other simultaneously presses and smooths the tape into place.
• Take your time; if done carefully the seam will be leak-free for the life of the pond. The upper half of the fast moving stream can either be cut into the existing soil or built up with extra soil. The foreman on site typically makes this decision. Everyone has their own style and this is one of the most creative parts of your job. Make it fun and it keep experimenting with new ideas.

8) The last step is to finish the stream and waterfalls as you normally would.

Keep in mind, you are better off building a series of smaller waterfalls instead of one large one. The overall effect is more natural in appearance and sound.

As you can see, a simple steam addition will totally change a water feature forever. There are other ways to upgrade an existing pond (see diagram below). With your customer’s vision in mind, you’ll be able to create an improved masterpiece when their budget allows.