Question about a small spillway

11 years ago

I was thinking about a DIY small spillway for my 300 gallon stock tank pond, but I saw a nice, inexpensive small one at Home Depot. Here's my question: I have a nice big flat rock that overhangs the pond. (I use to run water from a small tube over rocks on top of this bigger flat rock). Can I build it so that the spillway spills onto that big rock, or is it best to have to spill directly onto the pond surface? I suppose it would depend on if the big flat rock channeled the flow evenly or not. I might just play around with it. But was just wondering if any of you had this situation, and what you chose to do.

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
You have to try it. Sometimes it splashes like crazy, (depending

on the rock) or sometimes it works well. We move rocks around like

furniture. :)
catherinet
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Joann. And I also wanted to thank you for saying that I didn't need a huge new pump. I tried this out with my 330 gph pump and 3/4" tubing, and it works great! It's a nice gentle flow. I was out playing with the rocks today, but my kids are visiting, so I'll have to put it off for a little while, since it will take some experimenting. I think it will give me the exact effect I was looking for....and it was less than $25.00.
Even the label on it said I needed at least a 1000gph pump. I'm glad I didn't go out and buy one.
Thanks!
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cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Oh good, i always liked a small waterfall over a huge roaring one, anyhow.

That's why we have several small ones in our pond. We very seldom

put on the big waterfall; as a matter of fact we only put it on when

we have tourists visiting. :)

...You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive pumps to achieve a nice little waterfall...plus, they are extremely inexpensive to run.

The waterfall to the left of the dock, also runs 24/7 and that one is a higher

lift, than the one in the dogleg section of the pond, I think that one

is probably a 250 GPH as well., but not sure, it could be 500gph..

That pump runs 24/7 -365 days a year.

It keeps a hole in the ice in winter, and also provides water for the birds in

the winter. Even in this extremely cold winter -- in zone 7-- it never completely

froze over.
cliff_and_joann
11 years ago
Catherine, I just confirmed with the head groundskeeper,

that the one to the left of the dock is

also a 250 GPH. In this video there are close-ups

of three small 250gph waterfalls.

Notice the rocks on top of the mini waterfall in the dog leg...

there are three rocks on top of the 3/4" tubing...like I said,

you need to experiment of the rock placement on top of the tubing,

until you get the flow and spreading of the water pouring off the flat rock

that you like.

We start with a couple smaller rocks, then add rocks or

subtract rocks until it's just right.