How to Build a Homemade Pondless Waterfall

Select a large, sturdy storage tub for the reservoir of the pondless waterfall. It will be hidden underground, so the color is not important. A quality pond pump and hoses are essential to bring the water from the tub to the top of the falls. The higher volume of water you want flowing down, the larger the hose and more powerful the pump you will need. A sheet of sturdy wire mesh is needed to keep rocks and debris out of the water container.

To build the waterfall structure and landscape the entire thing, many rocks in various sizes are needed. These can be purchased or found if you are lucky enough. Silicone sealant can help hold rocks together, and black pond foam can fill in gaps between them to create a watertight pondless waterfall course.

Dig a hole and place the storage tub in it so the top ridge sticks out 2 inches above the surface of the ground. This will help prevent dirt from dropping in. Fill in the sides with firmly packed dirt. The tub should be well-supported to prevent movement or damage. Put large rocks, bricks or cinder blocks into the tub to support the rocks above. Set the submersible pond pump in one empty side with the hose attached. Lay a piece of sturdy wire mesh over the top of this and hold it in place with rocks at the edges.

Construct the waterfall structure out of large rocks connected to form a water-tight seal with black pond foam. This will keep the water flowing toward the hidden container at the bottom of the pondless waterfall and not let it trickle between the rocks and soak into the ground.

Stretch the hose from the pond pump to the top of the waterfall structure, obscuring it with additional rocks. Point the opening down toward the container under the ground and place a flat rock on top to hold it in place.

Complete the pondless waterfall by making it look more natural. Large rocks ranging around the structure and the hidden container below are the first step. Use smaller rocks and even pebbles to completely cover the wire mesh at the bottom. Add ground covers and moisture-loving plants that can spread over the edge of the stones.

Add water to the container under the rocks and mesh and turn on the pond pump. The water will cascade beautifully down the rocks and disappear through the stones to the reservoir below.