The Homeowner’s Vision

This client had worked with Land & Water Creations on several other projects before asking us to build a pond on the property. The goal was a natural-looking pond surrounded by stone and boulders, with goldfish, turtles and plenty of blooming aquatic plants.

Wading was part of the initial discussion. This case study describes the landscape pond we built; it does not present the pond as a swimming facility.

From Ideas to a Hand-Drawn Design

Our pond design process starts by walking the property with the homeowner, asking questions and suggesting placement and positioning. We discuss the ongoing responsibility of caring for a living pond, along with access to water and electricity.

We hand-draw top and side views, present them for review and incorporate revisions into the final design. Materials and plants are then selected to establish the color palette, with final approval before construction.

Building Around Natural Stone

For Orangedale Pond, construction began by clearing a wooded area just off the driveway. After preparing the site, we excavated with a backhoe to an average depth of about three feet, prepared the pond base and installed the liner.

The scale of the design called for large boulders. We sourced roughly three truckloads of Tennessee boulders, and sourcing stone large enough for the project was a major factor in its months-long timeline.

Each boulder was placed slowly and carefully with a claw excavator to avoid tearing the liner. We then completed the plumbing and waterfall components and filled the pond.

Waterfalls, Filtration & a Stone Bridge

The finished pond includes two waterfalls, a cast-stone fountain and a solid-stone bridge connecting its sides. Natural stone and aquatic planting carry the homeowner’s original vision through the landscape.

A bottom drain and skimmer boxes are part of the circulation system. The upper pond contains clean stone and aquatic plants, and the equipment includes an external filter with a UV unit. These components are included in the ongoing maintenance plan.

Our team has observed turtles, frogs, banded water snakes, otters and various birds around the pond. Those observations describe this project rather than promising wildlife activity at every pond.

Shared Care After Construction

We handle the bulk of this pond’s maintenance in partnership with the homeowner. Our preferred service schedule for this project is monthly, with the homeowner sometimes cleaning a filter between visits.

Routine work includes removing skimmer lids, cleaning components and occasionally clearing lines of debris. Filter components also need cleaning, and algae management is part of this pond’s care.

After a build, we arrange ongoing service for an agreed period and provide actionable care steps. For fish ponds, we usually mark the finish with the homeowner choosing fish and releasing them into the pond.