Ponds and water features in Port Richey
Lined ponds, waterfalls and streams edged in limestone boulders, with the pump, filter and plantings that keep the water moving and clear. We also build wading ponds for cattle and other livestock.
What we build
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Garden and fish ponds
Rubber-lined ponds with shelves for plants and a deeper zone in the middle for fish.
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Waterfalls and streams
Falls stacked from limestone boulders, and a stream bed that runs back down to the pond.
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Pondless waterfalls
A falls that drains into a gravel-filled basin, with the sound of water and no open pond to keep up.
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Livestock wading ponds
Lined ponds with a gentle way in and out, for cattle and other animals to cool off in.
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Decks and seating
A wood deck or a bench at the edge of the water.
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Plantings and lighting
Plants on the shelves and around the edge, and low-voltage lights under the falls.
Planning it in Pasco County
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Water table and rain
In low ground west of US 19 the water table can sit close to the surface, and groundwater under a liner can push it up during the summer rains. We check how high the water sits in a test hole and plan an overflow so a heavy storm drains away from the house.
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Sand and digging
Fine sand caves in at the edge of a dig, so the sides are cut back on a slope with shelves for plants. A sand bed and underlayment go down first to protect the rubber liner from roots and stones.
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Power and the property
The pump runs on a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet, and new wiring from the panel needs an electrical permit. We also check the parcel for setbacks and drainage easements before digging.
Materials and options
- Liners
- EPDM rubber liner over a protective underlayment. Rubber stays flexible in the heat and folds around shelves and corners.
- Stone
- White limestone boulders around the edge, with river rock or gravel on the shelves.
- Pumps and filters
- A pump sized to the pond and the falls, with a skimmer at one end and a biological filter or waterfall box at the other.
- Water quality
- UV clarifiers for green water and aerators to keep oxygen up on hot summer nights.
- Plants
- Pickerelweed, golden canna and other marginal plants on the shelves, and water lilies in the deep zone.
- Lighting
- Low-voltage LED lights under the falls and along the edge.
Pond questions
Will a pond bring mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes breed in still water. A pump that keeps the water moving, plus mosquitofish or other small fish that eat the larvae, keeps them down.
How deep should the pond be?
It depends on what the pond is for. Plants sit on shelves near the edge, and fish need a deeper zone in the middle where they can get away from herons and the afternoon heat.
Can you build a pond for cattle or other livestock?
Yes. A livestock pond needs a gentle way in and out and an edge that holds up to hooves, so it is planned around the animals that will use it.
What upkeep does a pond need?
The skimmer basket needs emptying, the filter needs a rinse, the plants need trimming, and the water needs topping off in the dry spring months. We walk you through the routine when the pond is finished.
Have a different question? Call (727) 555-0142.
