How to Build Naturalistic Waterfalls | Step-by-Step Guide

Landscape contractors - stop and RETHINK how you build waterfalls!
Ben & DJ are back with a step-by-step guide on how to properly build naturalistic waterfalls of any size. Learn what to avoid and what to do to achieve that natural look in your next waterfall build.
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#howto #waterfall #waterfeature
We had 183.02 hours in this entire job from start to finish. We use SynkedUP.com to track all our time and materials on every job.
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[@andreawarren250]

Absolutely, without any doubt,the most informative video I’ve seen on KZbin. I’m building a waterfall in my garden on a much smaller scale, but after watching this, I’ve realised that the principles will be exactly the same and so I should be able to create something almost as good as yours..(maybe not as spectacular) Thanks guys. Bob from uk..

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Best Wishes! Thanks for watching!

[@coopnhtown]

This is spot on for my situation as well! No experience with water features. Your information is clear and detailed. Best i have seen yet. I just rehabbed a garden pond that was filled in. I would like to replace existing waterfall feature which is a 2’ wall of concrete with some rocks. It’s ugly!

[@derekdrezek-kg4vx]

Great video Ben. I am a DIY guy. Working for myself and relatives and friends. I don't do it for money. Just fun and exercise. I enjoy instructional videos more than any others. In my subconscious, I have thought that the spill stone didn't have to be all that special. But, with the cascades being the focal point of the water feature, I have always tried to have a character rock as my spill stone. Often times, once water flows over it, it kinda loses some of its look, or luster, or appeal. It's good to have professionals point out and bring to my full conscious, that my frame rocks are where I need to look for the character. And, what features to look for in a spillstone, to create the drop, or look of the falls. I would love to see you do one about the pools, that u made mention was a video for another day. Not for me it's not. U can absolutely do that video tomorrow and I'd watch it tomorrow night for sure. Thanks for the tips Ben. DJ too. Appreciate them alot. Derek.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks so much for watching and for the suggestion! I will pass it on to Ben & DJ!

[@malcolmcurtis9786]

Absolutely brilliant video ,your input for waterfalls is first class.👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@douglasd7066]

Absolutely spectacular, loved watching this and your great explanations. I've built one before in my last house and I miss it. Aching to start a new one and you've shown me some great dramatic water effects that I'm looking for and tips to avoid what I don't want to see.

[@davidg.9890]

Thanks Ben, I notice how your getting much better ideas of constructing waterfalls. I remember when you took over Wes job that was one of your weaknesses, but now I've noticed how far you've come and your confidence level is much better! Thanks again for your tutorial I bet it would have been a great series to cover!

[@huntwhitetails]

Amen! He's doing some great stuff!

[@larryelliott8491]

Great video.

[@marktaoh]

Thank you. I watched this as I’m planning on building a waterfall for a small pond in a small garden. Without this video I would have made a mess of it. I have some large flints of odd shapes with holes and pockets which will work well I hope

[@caryfriar2504]

I think I build amazing waterfalls already, but I learned a few things. Ben you did a great job explaining how and why you build waterfalls. I appreciate the training videos.

[@nathanstoltzfus3445]

Great Job definitely learned something myself thanks!!

[@nachowifi2181]

Thank you so much. Great vid!

[@lauramays5362]

Beautiful work

[@grandifloralandscaping]

Very nice! Lots to learn.

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

DJ should talk more! Great job Ben! How about mixing up those edge treatments as a topic (no string of pearls) ☑️

[@Tusseylandscaping]

haha! I'll pass it on to DJ that he should talk more!

[@davidkauffman2462]

Nice info. Very creative. Great looking build!

[@rs33489]

Nice explanation and very natural waterfalls. Great job ! And nice work. 👊🏽👏🏽

[@JJLandscaping]

Absolutely beautiful !! Love videos like this, very informative

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timbender5028]

Great video. Have been studying your videos for the past several months. This spring I am attempting my first build in my backyard.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Great for you! Good Luck with that project!

[@billfreeman685]

Great job. This would be a good series to cover. Backfilling behind waterfalls, streams. Ad so on.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Great idea!

[@user-vs9ux7mm6b]

Dam that looks nice ❤

[@bblandscapingservicesinc]

That was a cool video! Always look forward to your guys’ builds, inspiring and educational!

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thank you for watching!

[@peterbishop7569]

Really nice work mate

[@bengoulart4121]

Nice work boys! Excellent camera work and production also!

[@markscustommasonry]

Thanks for the inspiration

[@Tusseylandscaping]

You bet!

[@stevekarowe6091]

I LOVE your videos! I'm learning from your videos to build my own waterfall. Do you build from the end of the waterfall back uphill to the top, or from top down to the lowest point? You explain the thinking that goes into creating pools and spillways very well - thanks for all your great info via your videos.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

We start from the bottom and work our way to the top. Good luck on your project!

[@hhazelhoff1363]

Nice build, and very educational. I want to build a super large waterfall on my three acre lake . Like 20 foot tall and forty wide. I am having a hard time to find any information on how to plum it. What types of pumps to use. Flow rate etc. can you do a video on the water flow/ plumbing part of a build

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Aquascape has some very good flow rate charts to help you choose the best pump factoring in the amount of head you have. Either way for that size feature it's going to take a number of pumps. I figure 12 to 20 inches of spillway width per 10,000 gph. Hopefully that helps. Good luck on your feature! That sounds like a fun one wish I could come help build 😜

[@cepontzsons]

💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@bobmariano3731]

Hey Ben , awesome advice & video . What type of liners do you use under your boulders , size piping from pump to spillway ? I am building a water feature with 70 ft run on a downhill slope of about 20-25 foot from top of spillway to my bottom basin . What size pump would you recommend & size piping . I am thinking 3 inch vs 2 inch diameter for more flow ? Thanks again . 👍⚾️

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Hey sounds like a fun project. We get all our liners from aquascape. For a pump I would recommend a 5-9 SLD from aquascape. If you want more flow just add more pumps the waterfall in this video has 3 pumps so that should give you some perspective. And yes I would definitely use 3" plumbing.

[@bobmariano3731]

Thx so much for the advice & reply , really appreciate it & wishing you guys continued success and all the best 👍⚾️

[@tonygardener4870]

Hi, Love this. It was one of the best 'how to' videos I've seen! Two questions, at one point you say that the initial spillway was ' a bit messy and would need trimming out' in what way did you fix this? Second question, when it comes to height v length of the overall feature, is there a 'rule of thumb' that should be followed? I have a small-ish site but plenty of height available - what ratio should I be looking for? Many thanks, Tony

[@Tusseylandscaping]

I usually trim them with a gas powered paver saw or a grinder sometimes some hammer and chisel work.. there isn't really a rule of thumb that I know of. I have built some fairly short water features that have had a lot of height and I think they came out nicely.

[@rivercrest-watergardens]

😎😎😎

[@SkyWatcher2024]

What brand of pump is recommended? How is the volume of water controlled to make the flow rate variable? Is there a controller and by what brand? Thank you.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

We use Aquascape products! Their website has so much information that can help answer all of your questions. We use different ones depending on what the job calls for! Best of Luck!

[@luudantu7211]

What size of framing boulders do you use for 12" waterfall? Is there a ratio between the size of water fall vs framing boulders that you usually follow?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Ben said he just tries to keep them properly proportioned to the size of the feature!

[@larryelliott8491]

What are Waterfall dimensions?

[@GerardoCSpike]

Así que la diferencia es... Una grua, camiones y piedras gigantes.

[@narrowjay0]

How do you "trim" rock to break or flow more flat?

[@Tusseylandscaping]

We usually use the paver saw or a grinder to sharpen the edge so that it spills nicer.

[@narrowjay0]

@@Tusseylandscaping oh, that makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

[@Rling8226]

Great channel.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks for the visit

[@marcuspoe9353]

:) budget dictates what we can build, if better stone is needed either they have to pay more or we have to profit less.

[@RandalDandal]

I love seeing your guys stuff so cool. Have you looked into concreting the layer of the pond before stacking all the heavy stuff? It has proven to make the water features last a lot longer. I highly suggest someone in your company researching it.

[@Tusseylandscaping]

Thanks! Have a Great Day!