Main Line Water Garden

Our client was an existing customer whose home was devastated by fire. The architect and client provided us some concept imagery and the design-build process got underway.

In order to re-build, the existing pond needed to be removed. The importance of the pond and sound of water was paramount to the client. There was never a question whether there would be a new pond but rather how it would take shape and how it could integrate with the home. PondWorks worked with the client and the Landscape Architect to fully integrate their new water feature.

The Site Was a Challenge
The pond needed to be sandwiched between the main house, a detached garage, and a steep drop off. The site also needed to serve as an entryway, an outdoor living area, and a transition zone. Just a little challenging. The hilltop location afforded very limited access. With countless contractors jockeying for the same space and their turn to occupy it, the clients patiently waited for their new pond to begin to take shape.

Once construction on the pond began, it was a two-week process to build this approximately 15,000 gallon pond. Since the pond could be accessed from one side only by a machine no wider than 8 feet the sequencing was critical to excavate the pond, remove soil from the area, and then allow boulders to be placed precisely even on the farthest edges of the project.

The pond has two bottom drains, six underwater jets, and one surface skimmer (fairly standard for a PondWorks installation like this), which are integrated into the rocks and boulders.

The rock selected for this project was field-stone from northeastern Pennsylvania and ranges from baseball size to boulders weighing approximately 4,000 lbs.

Other Features
The project includes a bubbling rock at the headwaters of a small stream and collecting pool, a 2´ high, 3´ wide waterfall that cascades into the main pond and a series of stepping-stones that cross the pond just adjacent to the waterfall. The stepping-stone pathway was critical to the project allowing the client easy direct access to an existing path. Without the stepping-stones the pond would have been a barrier between the house and other parts of the property.

Behind the scenes keeping the pond healthy and clear is an external pump, UV sterilizer, Bio-mechanical filter, air pump, and inline heater all housed in custom made, sub grade, equipment vaults.

Project: Main Line Water Garden

Pond Contractor: PondWorks

Architect: Kass & Associates

General Contractor: E.B. Mahoney Builders

Designer: PondWorks / Stillwater Landscape Associates