Need Ideas_ New pond ,New house lots of water features & sloped side lot.

[TrishB]

Hey Everyone ..
WE are going to start the infrastructure for the water features and ponds this summer/fall for our new home. We are looking for ideas as well as maybe a bit of consultation on the project also..I have built a concrete pond in the past and it was wonderful ..but alas, there are always things " we should've done differently" ..Blah blah.//
SO,..here are a few photos of what we have to work with ..the house is sitting with rear facing East and a bit North ( just a bit) on the fairway of a golf course..SO this thing needs to be amazing!
My fish are currently living in their "winter condo" in the garage - while we are under construction. They aren't whining though..

The large retaining wall that is shown is holding up the outdoor kitchen area ...we want to put a weeping wall of sort on it with a separate reservoir at the bottom of it ..the wall will also have another curved retaining wall added onto it heading back towards the house to make a curve or start of the water falls or whatever ..there are stairs coming off of the kitchen as well and we will have them meander somehow through the water feature to the lower yard...there is no deck going on the house ..we want to keep the fish in the lowest area of the patio so we can build a overhanging patio above the pond so the fish have shade as well as it looking cool!
I have also added a photo of this exact house plan and how they did their landscaping ( we will do stairs out to side not in front) as well as some photos of the inspiration ( Mitchell river waterfall /Australia) of what I am hoping to make it look like with vegetation of course or something like it in a sense-- if all goes well !...we have the ability to do lots of cool concrete stuff, but since Montana is cold as hell ..I'm wondering about some other options.cinder block or poured ponds and then lined with polyurethane ..this is totally open for help and suggestions...WE need it ..this is a big one.

 

[bagsmom]

Wow! How exciting! Honestly, to me - a DIYer who has only worked on a very small scale - I would be tempted to have a professional help out. This looks like a big project that can be SPECTACULAR! I am a huge fan of Eric Triplett the Pond Digger. He is in California and has a network of people all over the place. I wonder if he could recommend someone in your area to at least discuss and price it out? I would also suggest looking at his videos on youtube. He does every kind of pond, every kind of size, in different materials. In my opinion, you have the potential for something so impressive, I would research, research, research. CAN'T WAIT to see what you do!!!!! Welcome!

 

[addy1]

Nice looking house to be! Agree with @bagsmom , all of my ponds have been a diy. I would get help with that project, if nothing else drawn out ideas.

 

[Somethin' Fishy]

I'm in agreement with @bagsmom and @addy1...that consulting a pond pro might be a good idea on this one. Someone that deals specifically with fish keeping ponds/water features, and someone local who knows how to directly address the issues for your area (seasonal temperatures, frost line, plumbing, etc.). Try to avoid being tempted by any contractors who say they can do it, or that they "know a guy", who claim they can do it cheaper. Otherwise it could cost more in the long run to re-build someone else's shoddy workmanship.

I see other homes nearby, so I'm guessing you are in a sub-division. So if you haven't already, be sure to check on the sub-division "rules" and zoning for your site that pertain to pools and water features.

Congratulations on your new home, and best of luck with your project.

 

[Lisak1]

I'm of the same opinion here - I've seen the professionals come up with ideas for areas like this that a DIYer would never conceive of. Eric Triplett is a good idea for a source - he's a water feature artist! Aquascape has a network of pond builders all over the country too - get one out and pick their brain. If nothing else, this setting requires big rocks which will require big equipment to move and set - unless you're skilled at that and didn't mention it! We built a DIY pond, but we worked with a hardscape company to do the digging and set the biggest rocks, then we filled in the blanks.

Beautiful home and beautiful location! Can't wait to see what it becomes!

 

[GBBUDD]

Well I have to say i'm extremely jealous. not only do you have a beautiful home underway your taking it to a point at the beginning to where few can even conceive. Crested butte is absolutely stunning, I love that area But heres a couple things I haven't seen mentioned yet. while most pond builders try to attract as much wild life as possible you have the real deal out there Moose, Elk, Deer, River Otter, Raccoon's, Bobcat, you get the idea! While I would like the idea of a liner for the flexibility as seen on this site some people had the hove's destroy the liner. River otter eat all their fish. from what I have seen they about the worst to try and stop. but the absolute best to watch. I would agree with the large boulders for the project but I would go further and lean toward the weathered lime stone but if you want to blend you have plenty of rock in that area. If I had the money I would go the concrete pond and over size in particular the depth so I could set my boulders and then place my gravel base around them or even use a black plaster for ease and a little of both worlds the ponders along with the fanatic koi keepers. BUT THE ONE THING I WOULD NOT DO WITHOUT IS A BOG. And It would be a centipede bog with aqua blocks for settling chambers. MY MIND IS GOING CRAZY looking at all you have to work with the heights, the turns, the views, The homes being worked with the falls in mind at the beginning. Are you thinking about doing a rain water capture system ? I know I would even if I had a well. theres patio systems as well as roof run off. I have just finished well close to anyways a pond and am sold of the Bogs this is a photo with only 3 months of growth. You can't get that with chlorine

 

[Telion]

This is going to be amazing very much looking forward to watching this. What type of filtration will you be going with? What size pond?

 

[TrishB]

I'm in agreement with @bagsmom and @addy1...that consulting a pond pro might be a good idea on this one. Someone that deals specifically with fish keeping ponds/water features, and someone local who knows how to directly address the issues for your area (seasonal temperatures, frost line, plumbing, etc.). Try to avoid being tempted by any contractors who say they can do it, or that they "know a guy", who claim they can do it cheaper. Otherwise it could cost more in the long run to re-build someone else's shoddy workmanship.

I see other homes nearby, so I'm guessing you are in a sub-division. So if you haven't already, be sure to check on the sub-division "rules" and zoning for your site that pertain to pools and water features.

Congratulations on your new home, and best of luck with your project.

Nope Not a subdivision ,,,we bought Evel Knievels old estate ...about 5.5 acres. WE make the rules for that stuff...I can make the building part happen- Just having trouble putting it to a visual and a this scale yes Im clueless ,,and I don't want it half assed...I will look up the and digger guys ..
But any ideas are welcome ,,my design isn't set in stone yet!

 

[TrishB]

I'm of the same opinion here - I've seen the professionals come up with ideas for areas like this that a DIYer would never conceive of. Eric Triplett is a good idea for a source - he's a water feature artist! Aquascape has a network of pond builders all over the country too - get one out and pick their brain. If nothing else, this setting requires big rocks which will require big equipment to move and set - unless you're skilled at that and didn't mention it! We built a DIY pond, but we worked with a hardscape company to do the digging and set the biggest rocks, then we filled in the blanks.

Beautiful home and beautiful location! Can't wait to see what it becomes!

Yes WE have loaders and excavators and all that ...hubby is in mining, Connections connections ,,that was why i thought about gunnite possibly but not sure how it holds up here in winter ..I mean its used everywhere and in some of the newer pools and water parks so I assume it'd be ok...

 

[Mmathis]

Joining this conversation a little late, but agree with everyone else regarding professional help. Maybe also look for a good landscape architect in your area. Just be sure to do your research as not all “professionals” are created equally! A good landscape architect can look at the big picture and come up with some ideas, I would imagine.

 

[GBBUDD]

some inspiration for you

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...8DF51E55E555E85320738DF51E55E555E&FORM=WRVORC

 

[Somethin' Fishy]

If you don't mind, fill us in on what type of fish you have and the number of gallons you're looking at for the pool(s). That may help us with ideas for you.

Me, I'd have a nice waterfall, and a creek meandering through, and under walkways, with little cascades along the way, and I'd put trout in it! With lots of that nice colorful river rock like we seen in the rivers up near Glacier.

Glad you have access to earth moving equipment and no restrictions on your property. That knocks a couple big obstacles out of the way.

 

[GBBUDD]

if hubby is in mining and you have the time and equipment and extra labor available . These aren't that hard to build but do a lot of home work, and research. it's a heck of a lot easier to build then drilling out solid rock and shoring, water and gas exchange. To go with something fishy I would try my damndest to have my walk way go under the falls

 

[sissy]

take pics from inside in every room this way you will know what you will see or hear from inside .You never just view things from outside

 

[Somethin' Fishy]

take pics from inside in every room this way you will know what you will see or hear from inside .You never just view things from outside

Excellent suggestion. Never mind the view for the people on the golf course...