How would you do this

[Dadtastic]

I'm wanting to replicate this but about 1/3 the size.

This is at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. It is approximately 15, maybe 20ft tall.
I'd like to create something approx 7-8 feet tall, and have more of a gentle flow come down the what you see.

My biggest question is the base how would you support this?

The one at Dorney is all concrete. I'd like to avoid the pond being concrete.

I see 2 ways of doing this.

1. Dig the entire pond out and pour a concrete footer to support rock mound. However to do this the pond liner would be sandwiched between the footer and the rock mound.

2. Dig the pond leaving a dirt "island" and building the mound on top of that. My concern there would be the dirt island supporting this weight.

Thoughts?

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome to the forum @Dadtastic! That's pretty cool. Does your fountain have to be made from rock? Could you take a 'Disney' approach and make it out of textured foam? Or make the entire frame of the fountain hollow and just cover it with faux rock? Just thinking of something less heavy than real rock. That way, it could be placed over a liner without the heavy weight.

 

[Dadtastic]

Welcome to the forum @Dadtastic! That's pretty cool. Does your fountain have to be made from rock? Could you take a 'Disney' approach and make it out of textured foam? Or make the entire frame of the fountain hollow and just cover it with faux rock? Just thinking of something less heavy than real rock. That way, it could be placed over a liner without the heavy weight.

Did not really think of that. I have zero experience with those materials. But would make the support simpler.

I was considering rock as I have an abundance of free rocks.

 

[tinycat]

Welcome Dadtastic. That's a fantastic looking fountain pile of rocks, maybe fake rocks. If you go the route of making a fountain, even with rocks, you could attach them on the surface of a frame. With a solid frame, you could build in legs that sit on concrete pillars that sit within the pond liner. If you build it on a frame, you could make it so you can access the plumbing via a door, that way if you need to change things around at a future time, you can readily do so.

 

[j.w]

@Dadtastic

 

[addy1]

Welcome to the forum!

That will look neat!

 

[Stephen Noble]

Did not really think of that. I have zero experience with those materials. But would make the support simpler.

I was considering rock as I have an abundance of free rocks.

You can still use real rock (small stuff) if your frame is light weight. One thing about free rocks is to ensure they are pond safe. Is this you first pond? Also, please feel free to share your plans with the group. I think your idea is very cool for sure.

 

[Stephen Noble]

Here is another idea that might get you started. I have a few of these plastic rocks around the property and they are fantastic. You could cover it with real rock. Just a thought....

 

[Hound Heaven]

I'm wanting to replicate this but about 1/3 the size.

This is at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. It is approximately 15, maybe 20ft tall.
I'd like to create something approx 7-8 feet tall, and have more of a gentle flow come down the what you see.

My biggest question is the base how would you support this?

The one at Dorney is all concrete. I'd like to avoid the pond being concrete.

I see 2 ways of doing this.

1. Dig the entire pond out and pour a concrete footer to support rock mound. However to do this the pond liner would be sandwiched between the footer and the rock mound.

2. Dig the pond leaving a dirt "island" and building the mound on top of that. My concern there would be the dirt island supporting this weight.

Thoughts?

Welcome and looking forward to watching this project progress