Adding a water feature to your landscaping can beautify your yard, provide an entertaining hobby, and fill the space with the soothing sound of running water. To guarantee the success of this project, you should carefully plan the location, decoration, and other factors. Below are just a few of the details you should consider before you call an outdoor design professional.

3 Factors to Consider Before Installing a Water Feature

1. Maintenance

To keep the water feature from becoming a stagnant pool that only breeds algae and mosquitos, you should understand the responsibilities associated with it. The most important aspect is cleaning—you’ll need to remove debris to prevent pump clogs, and the liner will need occasional cleaning. You may also need to test and balance the pH of your water from time to time depending on its quality.

2. Logistics

You’ll also want to consider the practical end. If you’re planning to keep fish, will the water be deep enough for them to survive the winter? Where will you run the wiring for the pump? Where will you place the pond, and will it interfere with any underground lines? A landscaping professional can help you answer many of these questions, but it’s worth thinking about them while you’re still in the brainstorming phase.

3. Wildlife

The addition of a water feature can turn your backyard into a private ecosystem, attracting frogs, birds, insects, and more. Don’t worry about mosquitos though—the moving water prevents larvae from living to maturity. The most important consideration regarding wildlife involves fish. While stocking your pond with fish seems attractive, you may need to deepen the pond or provide cover for them to prevent them from becoming a bird’s next meal.

With these factors in mind, you can start planning your outdoor pond. When you’re ready to make your dream a reality, contact Arselli’s in Chillicothe, OH. With more than two decades of experience, their landscaping experts can transform your yard with lighting, pathways, water features, and foliage. To learn more about their residential and commercial landscaping services, visit them online, and call (740) 775-8177 to set up a consultation.