This is the latest picture of the 800 gallon water garden, taken June 1999. The plants are just starting to get going here in Colorado. More 1999 pictures can be seen here. Also, a stream was added in June 1999 which connects the upper 150 gallon pond to this pond. Since it enters into the top part of the water fall, you can't see it in this picture.
Around July, 1998, the 800 gallon pond was installed and planted. After a brief green period, the water cleared up very nicely and the plants did well. In this picture, all three water lilies are blooming. There are five goldfish in there, but they're not visible in this 1998 picture.
This picture shows that there is still much more work to be done. The terracing and landscaping are still not complete, the pipes from the pump need to routed through the pond walls and underground, plus the valves need to be put into a valve box.
This picture shows the terraced upper pools that are used to create the waterfall. Each one is about 100 gallons. The valves are just hanging into the top pool while we test out the system. In August, all the pipes were buried and the valves put in a valve box. In September, much terracing and landscaping was done so that the top area visible here looks much much better.
Here's a closeup of one of the waterfalls. As strange as it might sound, I actually like the look of the green slime growing on it.
This picture was taken in early October, 1998. It shows how the pond fits in with the rest of the terracing. There is still much more work to be done, especially at the top. But now the pipes are buried and the valve box is hidden. You can see the white outlet boxes near the pond for the pumps and pond heater. Besides using GFIs in these boxes, the pond itself is grounded using a brass rod in the pond connected to a 9 foot grounding rod pounded into the ground near it. I hope to disquise the boxes by painting them and hiding them behind plants.
It's the middle of October and the leaves are only just now starting to change. The plants have all been trimmed back in preparation for the coming winter. To keep the falling tree leaves out, a net is stretched across the pond and waterfalls and then held into place with bricks. It was done none too soon. A week later the Maple tree had turned yellow and many leaves were on the ground and net. For 1999 pictures, go here.
Pond Statistics: