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Water Features & Ponds Articles & Resources
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There’s nothing more relaxing than the sound of cascading water or the reflection of the sky in a still pond. You can create this atmosphere in your own yard to soothe and take you back to your favorite waterfall or weekend at the beach or lake. Whatever type of water feature you choose, they’re visually enticing and can mask unwanted ambient noise from the surrounding neighborhood.
Once you have decided to create your own oasis, it’s important to choose an appropriate site. Ponds thrive better in full-sun areas and away from places where prevailing winds blow. It’s also beneficial to keep them away from trees that can drop leaves into them, especially if the leaves, such as Poplars, Yews, and 
Oaks, are poisonous to animals that live in the pond. On the other hand, you could reclaim a boggy area of your yard by turning it into a natural water garden or installing a pond-free waterfall that acts as an endless stream, providing the soothing sounds of a babbling brook.
Part of selecting the site depends on its size (which affects how much water is needed) and what features you would like. Water gardens are more appealing when they fit naturally into your existing landscape, but if your dreams don’t match the size of your current yard, a water feature contractor can help you achieve your desired garden.
After you know your garden’s size and where you want to install it, it’s time to decide on the type of liner. Fiberglass pools are often best for smaller ponds, while rubber liners and concrete are helpful for larger, custom installations. Another consideration is whether to include animals in your garden. Fish are 
beautiful to watch swimming, plus they can help control mosquitoes. Generally, tropical aquarium fish do not survive well in ponds but some popular varieties that enjoy pond life include golden ofre, koi, and goldfish, and they can hibernate through winter if the pond is at least two feet deep. If you choose not to include fish, you can control your mosquito population through a naturally occurring bacteria sold as Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits. Also, depending on your location, turtles and frogs may join your new ecosystem. In addition to animals, there are the types of plants to consider. There are deep water and submerged varieties as well as floating plants. Everything from lilies and bamboo to duckweed.
A final consideration is how you want to maintain your garden. Options include which types of skimmers, pumps, heaters, de-icers, and ultraviolet clarifiers (which help naturally sterilize the water and reduce algae growth) would be beneficial to your garden’s longevity. Also, you might consider netting to protect your garden from falling leaves and predators that would like to have your fish as a meal.
Decisions about water feature designs and installations are easy to make with the proper help. For water garden design ideas, visit the water feature photo gallery from EnhanceScape.
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