Sounds of water and wildlife
Being able to relax within a garden environment may mean sitting beside a stream, water garden or waterfall with or without conversation. Some clients may specifically request an area or two where they can sit in the shade near a stream or waterfall to relax, read a book or enjoy an evening cocktail. In this case, the quality of sound coming from the feature is key to its level of enjoyment. Water ‘sounds’ can be evaluated using several criteria such as volume, pitch and direction. These elements can then be tuned specifically for the client.
When determining the best volume, the surrounding environment should be taken into consideration. Is the feature surrounded by a landscape that will absorb and diffuse sound or is it surrounded by hard structures? For example, if the feature is in a closed environment such as a courtyard, there are likely a number of sound-reflecting surfaces including concrete or stone floors, glass surfaces and stone or brick walls that can add to the intensity of the sound and potentially create undesirable conditions.
In these cases, the volume of sound the waterfall makes must be toned down at the source to ensure the overall effect (including the original sound generated and the reflected sound) meets the client’s personal space and goals.
Another common interest is attracting small wildlife, such as birds and butterflies. This is directly related to the fact many people think of their personal space as a respite or oasis where they have a bit of nature right outside their window.
In this situation, the design should address the specific needs of the wildlife, such as shallow, gently moving water to allow small birds to drink and bathe. As a side note, the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF’s) Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program, (formally known as the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program), provides details on what should be considered when creating an aquatic habitat. This resource is free and can used by contractors to enhance their knowledge and expand sales.
Location, size and shape
The size, shape and orientation of a water feature, such as a pond and stream, need to be designed based on how the client intends to interact with the feature. To size a pond properly, the space in which it will sit needs to be considered to achieve a visual balance in scale.
An important rule to keep in mind: the pond at the lowest end of the stream should be able to store the water in transit within the stream in the event the pump(s) is slowed down or turned off. The more water the stream can retain, the less retention capacity needs to be built into the lower pond (which is essentially a reservoir). In the event the pond cannot be sized properly to contain all water in transit, which is not uncommon, collector tanks may need to be considered.
These tanks, usually hidden underground, store excess water that cannot be contained by the lower pond. Instead of allowing the water to overflow and be lost, the water is directed to the collector tank(s) is pumped back into the pond once the stream pump(s) is reactivated.
When considering pond shapes, keep in mind nature is often random. The pond edge should meander to some degree around natural obstacles, such as trees or rocks. If possible, the pond should not be entirely visible from any one vantage point. This adds mystery to the feature and gives the impression the pond continues on, perhaps behind a cluster of trees.
When deciding on orientation it is important to make sure the long axis of the pond or a portion of the stream aligns with key viewing areas. This gives the client a better chance of seeing more of the water’s surface and provides increased opportunities for enjoying surface reflections.
