Thanks for the good ideas. I tore down my shed in sub zero temps last week. Once I clean up the area I'll post a photo, the measurements of the area, and my ideas.

I'm going to start taking bids from electricians to install a GFCI switch along the base of my house, near the pond area, this month too as I have little electrical experience and I don't want to die cleaning out the pond.

Thanks again.

Hello Detroit,

Welcome to the forum. We enjoy photos if you have any.

Julie

I'll take a picture of the area I want to build on this week. (Been looking at local sellers for stone ideas, etc).

I've been researching solar power for the pond but find the 2 130-watt solar panels, necessary to run the pump, to be above my price interest. Building a "green" pond is not easy...

(I just got back from an environmental law conference in Colorado and was ultra-enthusiastic to build a renewable energy pond. Just can find the cheap panels to do it).

OK, here's my photos from what I'll call day 1 of my spring/summer pond project. I took four pictures of my build site at the rear of my house. Our city building codes call for 5' of space between a water body, GFCI electric and property lines so I placed a piece of firewood to mark my 6' safe start space.

My plan is to start the waterfall there along my patio and run it into a pond. The length will be 10' max and the width will be 7' max from waterfall to pond edge. I hope to use the pond dirt to build up my waterfall area and then landscape it for a bit of cover.

I removed my old shed from the area (which I didn't need after building a garage with family members a couple years ago...my lost summer). Found about 2" of pea stone beneath the 1'x1' blocks that I will get rid of. I thought about re-using the pea stone as another form of cushion between the dirt pond/waterfall bottom and my underlayment/45 mil. pond liner.

I've been reading up on pond library books and on this website and think I can tackle this fun project (as I have most other things concerning my little bungalow). However, any ideas are welcome...including extra thoughts on the pea stone discovery.

CLOSE UP VIEW (STUMP MARKS THE START OF THE WATERFALL FOR CODE PURPOSES).



WIDE VIEW



BACKYARD VIEW

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the photos and I have a question for you about your new pond project. With the spot you have choosen for the new pond, do you have a window that you can see it from the house? I cannot tell from your photos.

Julie

We may be able to see the pond from our bedroom window, which overlooks the patio. I hope to bend the waterfall toward the patio a bit and then start the pond near the corner of the patio.

What do you think?

Well Paul,

I am not the professional about ponds, yet my husband and I have one that I can see everytime I pass by our front window. Our pond sits right infront of our home and I see the water everyday and several times. What do I think? I think if you are going to put a lot of time and money into something that you should be able to enjoy it a lot. I think the ponddigger can help you with his touch and in sight about ponds.

I read your post that you removed a shed from your yard and that is the spot you are thinking to put the pond, but don't we usually put sheds out of the way in our yards or around a corner not to see? I do not know your whole back yard or how your home looks out into your yard, to make a good judgement of the placement of a pond. If it where me, I would look from inside my house and see where I can sit and enjoy my coffee plus see the pond. I know that most everyone's yard and homes are different, so this pond project of yours really depends on these conditions to me.

Let's ask The Pond Digger!

Eric, what do you think about Paul's lay out for his new intended pond area in his yard?

Julie

Sounds to me like you're moving right along. Great to hear a shovel hit the ground today.

The pea gravel can be used as a base behind the waterfall area where you will be building up the landscape or you can bury it below the pond a few inches so you have well drained soil below the pond.

Is your total area you have to work with 10' x 7' or is the pond 10' x 7'. Please advise so I can toss in my two pennies.

Be careful not to dig toooooo much before determine what equipment you want. Sometimes it's easier to install your waterfall filter BEFORE you dig so you don't have to move dirt twice. Work smart, not hard.

The Pond Digger

Dohhhhhhh

looks like a fun project. If your going according to codes (dont we all ) Whats code say about a fence around it for the depth your thinking of? I think your gonna have a blast doing this good luck and thanks for the picts
J

Sorry, I've been posting pics on my rock question section...uh, codes?

The structure isn't supposed to be closer than 5' to the fence line or house...it's 4.5' from the fence But I wanted it in that spot...so...the pond is 9' long and 2.5' deep avg...I'll measure the width tomorrow (but it's probably 5' at the most). I have a Pondmaster 1700 pump/filter kit that I installed today.

I think 3' deep ponds need a fence in my city. I'm close to code - heh-heh. I'm going to have a GFI installed to be safe (just couldn't wait to get started).

I decided not to install a waterfall filter at the moment to keep costs down. Probably backward thinking. But my budget is dwindling (I need to buy my books for next semester at $100 a pop) and I haven't been able to find cheap/free rock anywhere PLUS I still need to landscape/stock it. I underbudgeted for the amount and price of rock BIG TIME.

I'll put a pic here of my progress so far (from my stone post):



I plan on putting in more big rocks instead of little ones thanks to some suggestions here!