Looking out the kitchen window.

[coldwater]

[malamut98]

Very nice!

[ggsteve]

Wow, that's beautiful! Do you have to shut down the waterfall for the winter?

[coldwater]

Originally Posted by ggsteve

Wow, that's beautiful! Do you have to shut down the waterfall for the winter?

No, It's been running 24 hours a day for about 3 years now. You just let it run year round. The skimmer is about 2 1/2 feet into the ground, and it pumps to the waterfall, which is about 3 feet deep. The water moves pretty fast so the waterfall never freezes, just the surface of the pond.

[ggsteve]

Originally Posted by coldwater

No, It's been running 24 hours a day for about 3 years now. You just let it run year round. The skimmer is about 2 1/2 feet into the ground, and it pumps to the waterfall, which is about 3 feet deep. The water moves pretty fast so the waterfall never freezes, just the surface of the pond.

That doesn't work up here, at least not with my pond. In my case all the splashing freezes over everything and creates ice dams and ways for the water to escape the spillway into the ground draining the pond. Your rocks are piled up more on the sides but I still think the water would find a way out this far North.

[coldwater]

I built the rock wall because the patio is built right up against it and I didn't want anyone falling into it. It's about 14-18" tall, and of that about 8-10" is waterline. It's about 3' deep overall. The ice does get pretty thick, and will actually form a big 'hood" over the waterfall and stream, but it continues to run just fine and never loses any water. I forgot what GPM the pump is, but it's pretty high, so it runs fast. If it were a smaller pump, it may not push water fast enough to keep it from freezing. How big is your pond?? Mine is only about 1000/ 1200 gallons.

[MF283]

I'd have to get my cot out & sleep by that during nice weather, love the sound of a trickling stream at night, heading to Tellico Plains tomorrow to camp by a stream

Ronnie

[ggsteve]

Originally Posted by coldwater

How big is your pond?? Mine is only about 1000/ 1200 gallons.

Mine is less than 1000 gallons. I'd like to move it and enlarge it but that project may have to wait another year.

[coldwater]

Originally Posted by MF283

I'd have to get my cot out & sleep by that during nice weather, love the sound of a trickling stream at night, heading to Tellico Plains tomorrow to camp by a stream

Ronnie

The guest bedroom is right above it, and the bed is situated so that it looks out over the pond. Sometimes on cool summer nights, we sleep in there with the window open, just to hear the waterfall.

Originally Posted by ggsteve

Mine is less than 1000 gallons. I'd like to move it and enlarge it but that project may have to wait another year.

I have found that the bigger they are, the easier they are to care for. This one pretty much takes care of itself now. We use a little super bacteria in the spring, and the water states crystal clear with no green or brown water, ever. About once a week, we toss in a little scoop of algae clear to keep the rocks stripped clean, and that's it. During the summer, we use water hyacinth to cover about half the water so it stays cooler and gives the Koi a place to hide out, plus, they love to eat the roots.

We try to change up the garden surrounding it every year so it's always a little different with new stuff to see. The water pretty much stays this clear all the time now. It also brings in all kinds of birds, and is fun to watch then go nuts in the stream.

[ggsteve]

Originally Posted by coldwater

During the summer, we use water hyacinth to cover about half the water so it stays cooler and gives the Koi a place to hide out, plus, they love to eat the roots.

I didn't even finish this sentence before I asked myself how the hyacinth holds it's own against the rigors of the koi. My hyacinth only grows well where the koi can't get at it. That is probably due to too much shade. I have zero algae problems, but the house shades the pond for a good portion of the afternoon.

That is a beautiful pond, and thanks for the extra pictures! Perhaps we should have an extended discussion of pond care over in the hobby forum. I'd be very interested in your filtration system and construction methods.

[coldwater]

Sounds like fun. I'll go make a quick post, and would be happy to share anything I know.

[Team_Green]

Stunning pond.. My wife would love one.. Personally i'll be happy with the trim done on the house..

[MacLawn]

Originally Posted by Team_Green

Stunning pond.. My wife would love one.. Personally i'll be happy with the trim done on the house..

I'm with you, Team! I too would love to have a little flowing pond/stream like that, but hey, I have to get the old place kind of more livable first... priorities...

But, cold, I love that stream you have - beautiful place there! I was surprised to see the tulips blooming so early way up there, and it looks like blossoms on that tree too.

[coldwater]

Everything is a month ahead of time here. The tree in that picture had already fully bloomed, and had dropped most of its flowers. All the trees are now full of leaves.

[Team_Green]

Stunning yard Coldwater.. I love the look of tulips.. Might be i'm mostly dutch lol...