Pondless Waterfall Maintenance Issues

Water Loss

• Over time, you may notice that there is less water flowing through your pondless waterfall. Some water may be lost to the natural splashing of the fall, with taller waterfalls typically losing more water to than shorter ones. However, during the hot summer months, your waterfall may also lose water due to evaporation. To avoid significant water loss, add water to your waterfall every few weeks, particularly when the weather is warm. You can also add an automatic water fill valve to your fall, which adds water to the fall when the level falls below a certain point so you never have to worry about manually adding water.

Debris

• As with a standing water feature like a pond or fountain, debris can accumulate in your pondless waterfall and cause issues. In particular, leaves, grass, acorns and pine cones can be a significant problem since the water in a pondless feature cycles back through the system and any debris that it carries with it may clog the pump. Examine your waterfall on a weekly basis and remove any visible debris that might cause a problem. In the fall when leaves may become a more troublesome issue, you can purchase a netted cover to place over the waterfall to keep debris out of the water.

Ice

• If you plan to run your pondless waterfall during the winter, the water may freeze and cause problems for the system. When ice forms, water may be removed from your waterfall’s reservoir or deflected outside the feature’s boundaries. To prevent damage to your waterfall and yard, remove large pieces of ice before they cause a problem. However, do not use a sharp object to break up the ice or you may tear the waterfall’s liner. Instead, try a combination of hot water and rounded tools, such as a rubber mallet, to break up the ice.

Algae

• While there is less chance of algae growing in a pondless waterfall than a feature that contains standing water, you may occasionally experience an issue with the slimy, green plant organisms. The warm summer months are particularly conducive to algae growth. If your waterfall is left untreated, the water may turn green and slimy as the algae continue to grow. To prevent algae from blooming, add an algaecide product to your waterfall each month. If you are concerned about chlorine harming nearby flora and fauna, choose a chlorine-free algaecide or a product that utilizes enzymes and beneficial bacteria to control algae growth.