Finding inspiration
The choice between incorporating a formal or informal water feature into a property will be decided by the chosen location, relative to any existing architecture, topographical considerations and requirements of the owner. One should ask, “What are we trying to achieve?” Is the water to be an extension of the geometry of the buildings, a pool to reflect something special, a pond for Koi, a fountain to mitigate traffic noise? Perhaps a swimming pond, waterfall or series of streams and pools are required. Maybe a naturalistic pond with lotus and a collection of moisture-loving plants is in order. Is the homeowner looking for something classical or whimsical? The permutations are endless. Budget and imagination are the main limiting factors—site constraints can usually be overcome.
It is often effective to incorporate a formalized feature into a naturalistic one. This addition, e.g. a dock or boardwalk, will make the pool seem more natural by contrast. Make the pond as naturalistic as possible and then extend towards it the more formal areas from the house. Culminate in a deck or purpose built viewing platform extending out over the water. Consider the planting potential and design suitable shallows to accommodate emergent and aquatic plants. These could be viewed from a specially constructed boardwalk and their image will be reflected on the water’s surface.
The orientation of the pond is crucial for maximizing reflections. Clear or dark, the water will mirror architecture, rocks, trees and plants alike. To capitalize on this phenomenon, the light source should be behind the observer. Early morning and evening sun will light up any coloured bark or golden fall colour trees. Therefore, the pond should be placed so this spectacle can be enjoyed from the house or some other good vantage point. The brilliance of the pond surface ‘mirror’ can also illuminate the north side of a house by bouncing light up onto the ceilings. With much thought and care during the planning and planting stages, designers can allow homeowners to enjoy these beautiful reflections.
Evaluating the site
There are further considerations needed at the planning stage, including a careful site evaluation. One of the most important issues is determining the presence or absence of natural water.
If the water table is constantly high, one can dig down and grade back to achieve a brimming pond. This, however, is a rare luxury. A site could offer a reliable, clear-running stream that has never been known to dry up in summer, though this scenario is even more unlikely. These ideal settings do exist, but they are certainly few and far between.
More often, any stream present in a backyard will vary greatly, ranging from a crashing silt-laden torrent for a day or two each year to a barely discernable trickle most of the summer. This can be managed, however. In fact, many successful ponds have been constructed under these conditions. It is best to build an ‘off-stream’ pond; that is to say, allow the stream to bypass the pond. Designers should allow only enough water to maintain the water level. This can be achieved by building a small aperture as entry to the pond. In the event of a storm, the majority of the water will rush harmlessly past the pond, carrying away silt and debris. The aperture could take the form of a narrow rock inlet or merely a pipe.
In the absence of a reliable water source, good clay or other means by which an earth pond may be formed, it is best to use a pond liner. This is particularly relevant with smaller ponds, where the volume is less and a water-level drop of even a few inches would be unsightly. However, designers must be careful to guard against the threat of a ‘hippo,’ a black bubble of liner that rises out of the water, much like its namesake. These eyesores are formed by ground water beneath the liner. It is essential, in almost every case, to provide an under-liner drain. A system of land drains should be laid to direct water away from the underside of the pond liner. This network can then connect to a pipe that discharges water into a ditch, sump or suitable low point on the property. This discharged water may then be recovered and used to top up the pond.
