The site of the wildlife pond was over the top of a disused and capped septic tank. The clients required us to reuse as much of the existing stone on site as possible. The site sloped so a retaining wall was proposed. After measuring up the site, scale plans and sections were drawn up, together with a detailed estimate of costs.

The retaining wall was built using dense concrete blocks on a strip concrete footing.The concrete blocks were disguised with stones fixed in position with mortar on the back of the stones, leaving a dry stone wall effect, with numerous planting pockets for alpines etc.

The pond was dug out and shelves created for pond plants and the edging stones. The spoil was used to create the foundations for the waterfall cascade and raise the perimeter height of the pond. As the soil was very stoney we used two layers of polyester pond underlay under a butyl liner. The pond was partially filled to stretch the liner into place.

Edge stones were mortared into position to disguise the butyl pond liner. A beach are was created with large pebbles pushed into a mortar bed to hold back a beach of smaller pebbles.

A slightly curved cascade was built around the large tree stump. Four flat steps were dug out of the curved 'U' shaped trough of the cascade for the waterfalls. Flat stones were used on each 'step' with side stones mortared into position and  pebbles used to fill in gaps. More stone was used to disguise the edge of the pond liner. The hose outlet from the pump was also suitably disguised. A pump was installed in the deepest part of the pond furthest away from the cascade to allow a good circulation of water. The pump was tested and some minor adjustments made to the cascade to ensure the water flowed evenly across the falls and enhance the sound of falling water.

May 2020