Artificial Creek in the country: from planning to execution shores
Not every cottager can boast a natural pond on the plot. At best it’s a small pond, decorated with scrap materials. We propose to make the stream flowing, fun, bubbling and sparkling under the rays of the summer sun. Agree that the dynamics of moving water among the rocks and greenery changes the landscape painting, or rather turns it into a real live piece of nature.
The contents
Types of streams: choose the best option
If no luck with a natural stream, will try to make an alternative, like two peas similar to the present, but with a hidden, or rather, hidden in the bottom of the pond secret. The role of the secret will play a submersible pump known to all the owners of the well or wells.
With a pump we will have a vicious circle, which will circulate water artificial stream in the following way: the hose to climb up to the source, and then channel down to a small pond
This diagram of the device of the stream is universal, but on request it is possible to vary one of the proposed solutions:
- waterfall;
- thresholds;
- a chain of cascades;
- a small fountain.
To landscape composition look natural, will require the elevation or even a slight slope, for example, a gently sloping hillside. Depending on the steepness of the descent – the place where will be located the expected direction – select the view of the Creek.
On a small hill it is better to make a calm, unhurried, with graceful curves and quiet murmur of a lowland stream. It will be the perfect option and in that case, if the terrain is completely flat, without hills and highlands
Of course can be achieved in two ways:
- to make a small artificial mound;
- gradually deepen the bed closer to the mouth.
Do not overdo it, digging out the channel and forming its banks, everything must be very natural. Nature does not like a clear geometry, so do smooth curves, uneven shore line, non-uniform filling bottom.
Difficult terrain, uncomfortable for planting the garden or the garden, in this case will be an advantage.
High hill, cliff, or steep slope – a great opportunity to build an unusual bed of a mountain stream. Unusual because it is a series of rapids, rapids, waterfalls and short straights
But don’t get carried away with complex device structures, otherwise your stream to become one big waterfall. For a mountain stream, faster than the plains, the velocity of the water above the elevation changes sharply, and this means that you will need more powerful pump.
Step-by-step instruction on the arrangement of the stream
So, what is artificial Creek, we briefly explained.
If you can find a piece of uneven terrain, to ensure the supply of water and purchase a submersible pump, you have to learn some nuances of the technical side of the issue, and then you can take over the job. The best time of year for construction – spring or summer, in the winter the pond better to preserve.
Disposition: location, direction, size
The first stage, preparation, is both the simplest and the most complex. Its implementation will require stationery: pencils or markers, ruler and a large sheet of paper, or better than mm in cell.
On the paper you want to display all the existing suburban area facilities, including the house, gardens, paths, etc. pay special attention to the area where you will place your stream.
Think about where would be its source and mouth (depends on direction of flow) at what height it is necessary to raise the upper point, as you can decorate the shore, whether for the decoration of the coastal zone to use already existing flowerbeds or decorative objects
Keep in mind that the stream forms a zone of higher humidity, so consider planting moisture-loving or aquatic plants.
If the nearby garden or a flower garden with exotic flowers, think, do not damage the extra moisture already planted crops. The same applies to garden trees, shrubs and even wild flora.
The best place for the location of any body of water is the so-called area – a small area located at a distance from flower beds, garden beds and planting fruit trees. Typically, in such a place as a bench for relaxing, a table for tea parties, but if space allows – erect a gazebo or patio place
Length of the stream may vary: perhaps you like the compact composition or, alternatively, the source crosses the entire infield, circling the buildings and flower beds. But remember: the longer the track, the more difficulties with its development, and the main challenge concerns the inclination of the terrain.
The width of the channel usually does not exceed half a meter, but more often from 30 to 50 cm Depth from 15 cm to half a meter. Note: the more water volume, the more powerful and expensive pumping equipment
Don’t forget that our Creek decorative, and this is its advantage. You can make a completely sealed channel and pond so that water does not penetrate into the shallow ground.
The shore line will remain constant, will not be diluted with water in the springtime, as it happens in natural water bodies during the melting of the snows.
Manual device channel
Main stage – the construction of the channel. Spread out it on items to be easier to work with:
- Perform the layout on the ground. When developing a project you have already determined the location of the stream, its size, point source and mouth, it remains to transfer the markings from the paper schematic in nature. This will take the small pegs and a ball of twine. Stick the pegs along the proposed channel and connect them with twine or cord to outline the boundaries of the future reservoir.
- Tearing the groove under the track and the pit, which will be a pond – the end point of our stream. The pond is not only picturesque object, but also a necessary functional part of our project, as this is where we will place the pump supplying water to the source.
- Produce finish ground, concreted track. If you chose a mountain stream – in any form have stones, boulders, slabs, they are held together by concrete mortar. For flat Creek, you need a gentle, with the smooth curves of the base. The result is a trench of given width and volumetric Cup for pond.
- Laid waterproofing layer the entire working surface covered with geotextile or special waterproof PVC film (butyl rubber), the edges fastened with stones, pebbles, sand.
- Along the river, from pond to get to the source, tearing a shallow trench for laying of hose or pipe.
- Decorate the bottom with sand colored granite gravel, pebbles, and covering all the maximum artificial items.
- Input water fill pond test pump.
The pond actually is not mandatory, however, in its absence, you will need a deep container for collecting water and placing the pump, for example, a large plastic container.
Before installing the pump, carefully read the instructions and re-check whether the technical characteristics of the equipment to the volume of water that must be pumped
If the soil is hard, rocky, and the length of the Creek is small, additional concreting is not required. It is necessary to stabilize the riverbed, if the flow of water will be more powerful.
Creating design of a stream, don’t be afraid to dream: to create small rapids, sandbanks, stone squares. Get work children – creation of an artificial pond perfectly develops imagination and introduces some laws of physics
Coastal decor and small architectural forms
When the technical work is completed, you can proceed to the clearance of banks and channel all sorts of decor. It may be small architectural forms made of wood – bridge, scaffolding, arches, and picturesque statues, funny ceramic animal figurines, pots for water-loving plants, wooden boats and rafts.
The bridge is appropriate in that case, if the stream crosses one of the garden paths – it is its continuation and blends harmoniously into the overall composition
Construction and design of the bridge depend on the surrounding space, and the size of the stream. A large stone structure on the background of the brisk stream width of 30 cm would look ridiculous, and a small wooden mostacci will be most welcome.
Heavy weight design good for decoration of a pond, so if you want to build a real bridge, use the area of the pond, not the Creek.
Construction material must be natural, as the framing channel that is welcomed by the stone, ceramics or wood
On the shore it will look good a small outdoor pavilion for relaxation or area with table and benches. Try to keep the design of the buildings match the style of the suburban area.
Mini pagoda on the background of wooden frame with carved horse would look pretty weird, and a cozy gazebo with crochet thread instead of the walls – just the place
On the banks of the Creek to highlight its natural, planted plants, but given the decorative nature of our constructions, we can safely use the trays or containers with herbs.
Will fit pots on high legs with a hang-Downing plants of the composition with the weathered clay pots, decor stones and man-made isdee of wood, for example, a miniature water mill
The flora of the reservoir
All cultures intended for processing of the stream can be divided into two large groups: growing along the banks and placed directly within the water.
Both categories include grass with a beautiful carved or smooth leaves and plants with inflorescences of different colors.
Don’t forget about the lawn grass, if there is a lawn, moss or with lichens, if on the shore there is a small Park. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous culture needs to be alternated with artificial decor, stones, scatterings of pebbles and sand bars
Luxuriantly flowering Bush flowers close the bed of the stream, so the banks, along the water’s edge, planted low-growing plants: loosestrife mint, the Ajuga, creeping, multi-colored primroses, daisies and creeping Veronica, marigold, marsh violet, goose onions, connected.
A little further from shore, higher instances of: fern, trusnik, Pteridium aquilinum, cachedigest female, Dryopteris, host.
Plants can be grouped by selecting the height or splendor, or to alternate, making a variety of floral arrangements of different types and varieties
If the herbal composition comprises trees or shrubs, select a low water-loving breed, which in the wild grow along the banks of ponds: goat willow or white, the evergreen mahonia Holm, the Karagan tree, Thunberg barberry, cotoneaster, Euonymus.
Some shrubs, for example, forsythia or lilac, in addition to beautiful flowering will give a fresh spring scent, you can also enjoy relaxing on the waterfront
Directly into the bottom of a stream or pond, if it contains fertile soil, can be planted Elodie or Urrutia and pemphigus or Ceratophyllum will not move and swim freely on the surface of the water.
Potbelly, water Lily, vodokras and baltnorvent thrive even in the Northern regions, therefore, are permanent residents and wild, and ennobled Russian waters
Rules for the care of an artificial stream
To the water in the pond was always clean, and the banks are well groomed, you will need to care for plants and to carry out preventive maintenance of pumping equipment. To do this, follow a few simple rules:
- check the tightness of hoses and pipes, time to clean or change filters;
- in the hot season, when water is evaporated, from time to time to restore the necessary volume;
- to preserve the functionality of the equipment for the winter completely drain the water and pump clean and place in a heated utility room;
- to clean concrete walls, wooden structures and stones from sludge and contaminants;
- completely change the water, if it for some reason will become opaque.
Plants require the same care as an ordinary suburban culture. Trees and shrubs need to be trimmed so they do not obstruct the canopy of a broad overview of the water composition.
Perennials need to be weed, feed, need to replant, remove the old and diseased plants. Annuals should be planted at the auspicious time, to monitor their growth and flowering
Examples of dynamic bodies of water in landscape design
We present to your attention a few samples of a location of streams on private land.
Perhaps in some cases streams of water compositions called only conditionally, but this is artificially created water sources, in which the flow of water moving due to the action of the submersible pump.
A wonderful example of a plains stream, absolutely different from its natural counterpart. As decoration used river pebbles and stones, instead of the bright flowering crops sown grass, usually growing in coastal zone of forest streams
If you have the opportunity to decorate the pond with beautiful stones, be sure to use it.
The stream channel and riparian area paved with stones of different size and shape. Note their color: a combination of contrasting colors – white, black and brick – animates the composition, makes it more dynamic
The stream channel does not necessarily have to be flat and homogeneous.
The main decoration of this pattern is a series of rapids, large boulders decorated. «Ladder», forming picturesque rapids, it is necessary to equip at the stage of preparation of the riverbed
View, as most used a variety of decor and nothing more.
The authors of the project have thought of everything: the natural bend of the river, and the cascade of low waterfalls, and a neat bridge with a lantern, and the stone facing of the banks and even tastefully selected and expertly planted plants
Feel free to use creative solutions and ideas.
Note how skillfully the designers have defeated the source of the stream: it seems like it originates from the neck of the large inverted jug
When you consider all the stages of planning, construction and decorating artificial stream, it is possible to make a conclusion: it’s on the shoulder to anyone who knows how to dream, not afraid of physical work and appreciates natural beauty.