Pondless waterfall equipment help

[Heffo]

hi guys, I've been coming to this forum and researching past threads about streams and ponds and think I've come up with the equipment I need to get my pondless waterfall started!

I built a dry creek bed in my front yard last year that used the rain water runoff from my down spouts and now I want to convert into a flowing creek/waterfall.

The stream will split into two at about half way down and finish into pondless basin with Aquablocks.

I've done the math. Does the pump seem right or is 6000gph too much?

Length of stream - 22ft
Width - 4ft
Depth - 1/2"
Waterfall height to basin - 5ft
Water in motion - 205 gallons
Head - 9ft
Submersible pump - 6000gph

 

[sissy]

how deep will each stream be

 

[Heffo]

Hi sissy, not deep. Each stream will have the water flowing so only maybe 1/2" - 1"

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome! I can’t help you, but I think it’s going to look awesome!

 

[j.w]

@Heffo

 

[sissy]

I am just guessing but you are keeping the grasses and with the moisture around the roots of them will make them get even bigger .The root ball from them may become a problem really fast .I know I had them but not near my pond but they were near and downspout from my gutters and they were tiny and 3 years later i had to take them out because the root ball was over 6 feet wide .Between the dew and rain they got big and I even had to tie them up and use a mini excavator from my neighbor to get them out .

 

[RobAmy]

I think 6000 gph will be fine. I think any less will not move the water that much. My stream is flatter but I have 6000 gph thru mine which is 19ft long and 6ft wide.

Here is a video showing the flow in mine go to 5:35 and you will get a good look at the stream flow

 

[addy1]

I am just guessing but you are keeping the grasses and with the moisture around the roots of them will make them get even bigger

Agree with Sissy watch the grasses they do grow fast and huge. You will have issues removing them later. Mine are out in the yard they have gone from 6 inches wide to over 3 feet wide in 5ish years.

 

[sissy]

The more water they get the bigger they get .I also have some zebra grass and it was planted only 3 years ago and this summer both have grown to a lot bigger than I wanted for that garden ,These were marketed at lowes as a shorter slower growing plant ,not sure what they meant but they are taller than me .It said a max height of 3 feet

 

[Heffo]

I think 6000 gph will be fine. I think any less will not move the water that much. My stream is flatter but I have 6000 gph thru mine which is 19ft long and 6ft wide.

Here is a video showing the flow in mine go to 5:35 and you will get a good look at the stream flow

Wow, that streak looks awesome! Wish I had the property for that! Ok I'll start looking at a few 6000gph pumps, thanks!

 

[Heffo]

The more water they get the bigger they get .I also have some zebra grass and it was planted only 3 years ago and this summer both have grown to a lot bigger than I wanted for that garden ,These were marketed at lowes as a shorter slower growing plant ,not sure what they meant but they are taller than me .It said a max height of 3 feet

Yes I think you're right, I removed the grass in the middle of the stream ("Northwind" switch grass) but I really want to leave the other 4 on the outside of the stream. Early spring I'm going to dig them up and divide them into halves or thirds as they are getting rather large. I divide all my grasses ( maiden grass, zebra grass and purple fountain grass every 3 years) And I think I'll plant smaller ornamental grasses and ferns around the stream

 

[sissy]

try black liriopi it is small and pretty and when planted with hosta it looks good

 

[Heffo]

Just thought I’d update this thread now that I’ve finished my pondless waterfall. All in all it was fun building this and most of all my 3 young kids love it!

 

[poconojoe]

Wow! That came out great!
Thanks for sharing!

 

[j.w]

Bravo that turned out wonderful and looks like somebody loves to play in it!