We love ponds. They’re low-maintenance, beautiful and provide a great place for supervised kids and pets to hang out (not to mention a tranquil place to relax after a long day at work.)
But ponds aren’t for everybody. Maybe you have young children, or maybe you don’t have any interest in taking care of koi or goldfish. Or maybe you just prefer waterfalls.
You can still enjoy the sight and sound of water in your backyard with a Disappearing Waterfall!
A Disappearing (also known as Pondless) Waterfall is basically what the name says: a waterfall and stream that disappears into the ground instead of into a pond.
These popular and low-maintenance water features provide a great alternative to traditional ponds, letting you enjoy a water feature in almost any space. In this guide, we’ll teach you how Disappearing Waterfalls work, as well as everything you need to know about adding one to your backyard oasis.
At a Glance: What is a Disappearing (or Pondless) Waterfall?
- A Disappearing Waterfall is a water feature that includes a waterfall and stream but no pond.
- A hidden pump circulates water from an underground basin through buried pipe and, ultimately, a spillway at the top of the feature. The water then flows down the stream and any additional falls before it “disappears” through a layer of rocks back into the basin.
- Disappearing Waterfalls can be customized to fit almost any space or design.
- Splash offers professional Disappearing Waterfall installation, as well as DIY kits.
How does a Disappearing (Pondless) Waterfall work?
A Disappearing Waterfall – also known as a Pondless Waterfall – is a very low-maintenance garden water feature that can be installed in the front or backyard landscaping.
Although a well built Ecosystem Pond is easy to own and take care of, a Disappearing Waterfall requires almost no work to keep it looking great. The waterfall simply recirculates water from an underground basin through the underground pipes and over the rocks and boulders, creating a beautiful, naturalistic waterfall connected by sections of stream.
Let’s take a closer look at the pieces that make up this clever water feature:
1. Liner & Underlayment
Do-it-yourselfers have tried to replace pond liner and underlayment with all kinds of junk: carpet scraps, roofing rubber and who knows what else. None of it works.
Our Disappearing Waterfalls are made with liner and underlayment specifically designed to keep water where it belongs: in your water feature. The wildlife-safe EPDM liner is tear-resistant, and the sturdy non-woven geotextile underlayment further protects the liner from rocks and other sharp objects.
2. Pump Vault
The pump vault houses your disappearing waterfall’s pump, keeping it safe from the elements and preventing clogging.
A low-profile lid on top of the vault allows easy access for maintenance.
3. Water Storage Blocks
We’re going to let you in on a secret: There’s no such thing as a truly “pondless” waterfall.
While the water in a Disappearing Waterfall looks like it’s disappearing into rock and gravel, it’s actually going into underground water storage blocks. These extremely sturdy boxes – also known as matrix blocks or AquaBlox – are the “pond” in your Disappearing Waterfall.
Fun fact: Each box can support a load of up to 5,472 pounds per square foot!
4. Pump
The pump is the heart of your Disappearing Waterfall’s circulation system. It’s what keeps the water flowing.
We use high-quality, energy-efficient pumps that require little maintenance. Keep your pump running as much as possible to increase oxygen levels in your waterfall and support beneficial bacteria.
5. Underground Pipe & Plumbing
The Disappearing Waterfall’s flexible PVC pipe carries water from the pump vault up to the waterfall spillway.
Like the rest of your Disappearing Waterfall’s equipment, the pipe and plumbing is hidden safely underground.
6. Waterfall Spillway
This is where your waterfall starts.
The spillways we install and include in our DIY kits provide a steady, leak-free stream of water, ensuring your waterfall looks just like one you’d find in nature.
Spillways are easy to camouflage with plants and rocks.
7. Rock & Gravel
Rock and gravel form the structure of your waterfall, adding beauty by camouflaging the liner, spillway, AquaBlox and other components.
We arrange the rock and gravel in such a way that it looks natural, just like what you would find in a stream during a hike in the woods.
What are the benefits of a Disappearing (Pondless) Waterfall?
Disappearing Waterfalls are a great alternative to a traditional pond. Here are some reasons you might opt for a pondless water feature:
- You have small children or pets: If the idea of a pool of water in your yard makes you nervous, a Disappearing Waterfall can give you the sight and sound of water without the worry.
- You have a small space: Because all the equipment and water storage is underground, Disappearing Waterfalls can take up much less space than a traditional pond. (Of course, you always have the option of building a big waterfall if that’s what you prefer.)
- You have a large space: Disappearing Waterfalls aren’t just for small spaces! The nature of their design makes them easy to scale. Add as many falls and streams as you’d like to create a stunning focal point. One Disappearing Waterfall in our new display garden is more than 60 feet long!
- You want minimal maintenance: Disappearing Waterfalls are incredibly easy to maintain. Just top off the water as needed, and add lots of plants to minimize algae growth. If you ever need to access the pump, simply lift the lid off the built-in vault.
- You’re not quite ready to commit to a full pond: Maybe you like the idea of adding a pond to your backyard, but you’re not sure if you’re ready to take the leap. A Disappearing Waterfall is a great way to dip a toe into the world of water features. You can always expand the waterfalls into a full pond if you change your mind later.
Should I build my own waterfall or hire a professional?
So you’ve decided to add a Disappearing Waterfall to your yard. Congratulations!
Now, you have a choice to make: Do you install it yourself or hire a professional to do it for you?
Splash Supply Company can help no matter what direction you choose. We offer professional installation throughout southcentral Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, as well as DIY kits that can be shipped almost anywhere in the U.S.
Professional Installation by Splash Supply Company
The team at Splash Supply Co. has more than 35 years’ experience installing relaxing, eco-friendly water features. If you choose to have us install your Disappearing Waterfall, you can rest easy knowing every detail – from the flow of the water to the look of the surrounding landscaping – will be right the first time.
Splash offers several professional Disappearing Waterfall packages, with stream lengths ranging from 6 to 65 feet. We use these packages as a starting point to create a custom solution for your space and budget, adding additional waterfalls and design elements if you’d like.
If you can dream it, we can build it!
Our team primarily builds waterfalls throughout southcentral Pennsylvania and northern Maryland – but don’t hesitate to reach out if you live farther away. We may be able to come to your area depending on the scope of the project, or we can recommend an industry-certified professional near you.
Ready to have us install your Disappearing Waterfall? Check out our Idea & Price Guide for details and current costs, then fill out our Pondsultation form to get started.
DIY Disappearing (Pondless) Waterfall Kits
Feel confident in your shoveling skills? Have some time to fill? Then you might want to install your Disappearing Waterfall yourself.
If you live near Southcentral PA/Northern MD:
Our Splash DIY Disappearing Waterfall kits include everything you need to build a low-maintenance water feature – including rock and gravel.
Your DIY journey starts with a visit to our Dream Campus Design Center, where you’ll browse our display features and get an idea of what you want for your own backyard oasis. Our team will then schedule a time to deliver your kit. Before you start digging, we’ll also set up a complimentary onsite consultation with our design expert to answer questions and finalize your plan.
We carry six kit options to build water features anywhere from 3 to 26 feet long, with customization options available.
If you live farther away:
Splash can ship a boxed Disappearing Waterfall kit right to your door.
Our boxed kits include all the high-quality components you need to get the job done right. All you need is some households tools, a shovel and a local source for rock and gravel.
If you have questions during or after the building process, we’re only a call, text or email away.
