Can I enjoy my water feature all year?
If you ask anyone what their favorite backyard feature is, unless they have a bouncy house or merry-go-round, many will say it's their water feature. I know it is for me. The motion of the cascading water, the sound of the water hitting the rocks, seeing wildlife that live, drink, or splash in it, all contribute to something extraordinary. But when winter comes, is it time to find someone to turn it off and pull the pump? Or can it provide enjoyment all year round in the frozen climate of Sparta, NJ and surrounding areas?
Different points of view
Tim Dille, Manager at Garden State Koi in Warwick, New York, is a proponent of winterizing water features. He does not recommend keeping them running all winter. "It can be such a hassle," he says, pointing out the need for a heater and regular supervision throughout the coldest times to ensure it doesn't freeze. "If the water freezes, there's a very good chance that the water pump will be damaged beyond repair," says Tim.
Robert, our ringleader at Sierra Landscape Management, has a different perspective. Outfitted with a heater near the pump to keep the water from freezing, his water feature sits right outside his kitchen window and operates all year long. It can be seen every time you walk through the room or enter or leave the house. His family gets to witness more than just water splashing over the rocks though. They see natural beauty, motion, variety, and life.
The pond and waterfall, dubbed "Lillie's Pad," provide a year round habit for frogs, birds, squirrels, and the occasional deer looking for a bath, drink, or place to set up for a few months.
"The kids get a real kick out of watching the birds and naming the frogs. We have a couple frogs the size of softballs and the kids know each by name. The sight of a bright red cardinal coming to splash among the melting snow is always an impactful sight we enjoy. For us, the year-round enjoyment is worth the risk. We understand the potential for broken parts and frozen lines, but the enjoyment far outweighs the potential loss factor. Knock on wood, we have not had a major loss yet." Robert shared.
I built my own waterfall in an area that is not easily visible from inside the house. To keep it running throughout the winter wouldn't provide much enjoyment for me. This now has me thinking I need a second waterfall I can see. Anyways, since we would not always be there to make sure it's still running, I'll play it safe and winterize the pump. I'd rather not risk damage to the pump or have a burst hose come spring.
The bigger picture
However, there are other ways to enjoy a water feature throughout the winter. Not as many are as risk-tolerant as our fearless leader, Robert. He also pointed out that a well planned waterfall provides much more than just the sight and sound of splashing water. Even when the winterized pump sits in your basement, the motionless assembly provides scenery and habitat that often mimics your favorite walk in the woods. Moss-covered rocks graced with dripping ice, snow covered plants providing visual contrast, pools of water for the birds to find, an awakened space that brings life into the yard and nature closer to our homes. It's a new view, a constantly-changing environment that you'll experience as the water plays between the snow, rocks, and plants. And as water droplets from the waterfall freeze on rocks, they form icicles and shiny highlights, adding to Mother Nature's constantly evolving design.
Lastly, remember that your yard is a habitat for the animals that live there throughout the winter that may benefit from your water feature as a water source. This can be especially true at the end of winter when more fuzzy and feathered woodland creatures begin to return to their foraging. Because of this, we recommend removing any netting that may have been installed during the leaf season as soon as possible.
Closer to home
I hope you've discovered that enjoying a water feature doesn't have to end when winter begins. Sierra Landscape Management has been building water features that families gather around, enjoy, and relax by since 2004. Visit our website today and become inspired by what we've done for others.
Related: Was my backyard waterfall worth it?