WATER FEATURES

A waterfall, stream or recirculating pond can be an attractive and calming amenity for any home. The pleasant sound of splashing water and the beauty of colorful fish can create a wonderful sense of serenity in even a small backyard.

At Spring Fever Landscape Development, we have been building water features for years. We know that a successful waterfall or pond should look like a natural element in the landscape. Creating that effect involves utilizing a wide range of materials, including EPDM liners, plumbing, pumps and filters as well as boulders, gravel and plants and fish. There are also considerations regarding placement, excavation of soil, electrical and plumbing utilities and access for equipment.

As we consult with you on your home site, you have some choices in creating your water environment. First, we can simply mark out an area on the ground, outlining a possible pond and falls and write up an estimate for the work. You can then watch it come together as what we call a "field installation." (There is no charge for the estimate.)

You may also have a landscape plan drawn up for the area at an additional charge. If so, you may want to allow for additional work such as expanded patios, walks or other design elements or perhaps go ahead and master plan the entire site. After seeing a few different ponds and waterfalls, you'll notice that our ponds and water features are built quite a bit differently from the average installation.

1. Our ponds are easier to care for - The Spring Fever pond utilizes a debris skimmer, much like a swimming pool. Other pond installations may have a filter around the pump area. These filters are often difficult to reach and clean and can diminish your pumps effectiveness over time. Our skimmer assembly is cleaned simply by lifting a hidden cover, taking out a mesh bag and rinsing it with a hose. Second, we have additional filters in the skimmer and at the falls area. Finally, we provide a bacterial additive and ask that you purchase fish to create a relatively self-sustaining "ecosystem".

2 . We offer a range of pond options - We can provide overflow assemblies, pump timers, self-filling valves, pond lighting and a wide range of aquatic plants and different types of flagstone, rock and paving materials.

3. Our ponds are built to last - We provide a one-year guarantee for all of our construction. Our high-efficiency pumps will save you in monthly electrical costs. (Keep in mind that your pond pump is essentially a little motor that runs virtually all of the time.) We also use a "double liner" construction that utilizes a fabric "underliner" beneath the heavy gauge butyl pond liner. This minimizes the possibility of rips and tears along vertical faces of the pond. Most companies use a sand base that only covers flatter areas. We will also give you an "owners manual."