Lecture A1 - Water in the Landscape Notes

LECTURE A1: Water in the Landscape LHAP 302A Water and Light LEARNING OUTCOMES Summarize landscape water feature functions Describe elements of the site assessment process Outline design guidelines for water features FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE THE BIG IDEA: Water = most versatile element you can add. Works ANY scale. Appeals to ALL senses. The 7 Functions 1. REFLECTIONS The water's surface acts as a mirror, reflecting the nature around it. This effectively doubles the value of your construction efforts because you get the garden AND its reflection. The water also 'claims' the sky and clouds as part of the garden scene - free visual expansion! 2. MOTION Ripples in a pond, splashes from a stream or waterfall bring movement to an otherwise static garden. This dynamic element draws the eye and creates visual interest that plants alone cannot provide. 3. SOUND Moving water creates sound that can screen out unwanted distractions of everyday life. Add a waterfall or fountain and the sound brings yet another dimension to any setting. 4. WILDLIFE HABITAT Once water is added, birds and other wildlife will soon be regular visitors. Aquatic bugs and snails will claim your water feature as home. Brilliantly colored fish add greatly to enjoyment. 5. NOVEL PLANT HABITAT Aquatic plants bring a completely new form of gardening - and they are self-watering! They provide colors and textures not found with traditional plant material. Many native species are available. 6. DESIGN FOCAL POINT Water features make ideal focal points because they can appeal to ALL the viewer's senses simultaneously. No other landscape element engages visitors so completely. 7. NATURAL LANDSCAPE All the above elements combine to give a yard a more natural look and feel. Water features are environmentally friendly and mature with age, increasing in value. THE OVERARCHING REASON: The intrinsic beauty and tranquility a water feature brings. Appeals to ALL senses - a space to recuperate from daily life. TEST TIP: "Why add water?" -> List these 7 functions SITE ASSESSMENT A full site assessment includes soil testing, mapping the site for existing features/plant material/utilities, and noting all existing environmental conditions. MODULE SCOPE: Focus is limited to client needs and selected site characteristics. Client Needs - Questions to Ask Dramatic focal piece OR hidden oasis? Small container/fountain OR major excavation? Attention-grabbing cascade OR barely audible trickle? How far should ambiance extend into outdoor AND interior living spaces? WARNING: A water feature can easily DOMINATE the landscape! KEY POINT: The role water will play must be identified EARLY in the design process! Site Characteristics 1. Topography If site has... Consider... Existing slope Cascading waterfall, meandering stream, hillside rock garden No slope (flat) Still pond, pondless waterfall 2. Available Space Property size Options Details Medium/Large Few limitations Almost any feature type Small/confined Wall fountain Needs electrical outlet nearby Small/confined Container feature Any location - sun OR shade Small/confined Japanese water flute Sight + sound, easy to manage QUIZ ALERT: "All water features have a large open body of water" = FALSE! 3. Maintenance Requirements A water feature may require less maintenance than a similar-sized turf area. However, they are NOT maintenance-free! Deadheading blooms and leaves Scooping debris Dealing with algae Monitoring water levels KEY POINT: Don't let clients think they just fill it and walk away! (More in Module A4) DESIGN GUIDELINES Four factors: Style, Size, Location, Budget 1. STYLE: Formal vs Informal Water features should blend seamlessly into the landscape. Key question: formal, informal, or a mix? FORMAL Water Features Shape: Symmetrically shaped with geometric circles or angles Best for geometric, manicured settings near architecture Easier to construct, but MORE EXPENSIVE materials Challenge: smooth transition to garden not always achievable INFORMAL Water Features Shape: Irregular, organic - looks like it could have been crafted by nature Goal: make it look like it has ALWAYS BEEN THERE Best for curved beds, meandering paths MORE DIFFICULT to construct, requires careful planning Uses rocks, bog plants, moisture-loving plants for natural edges More adaptable to a wide range of settings Best placed some distance from architecture 2. SIZE: Large vs Small Features MUST match the scale of the property. LARGE Features (Advantages) Less maintenance - more consistent temperatures Easier ecosystem balance once established Can assimilate methane from decomposing organic matter WARNING: In smaller features, methane can reach concentrations high enough to HARM FISH. OVERWINTERING - How Depth Saves Plants & Fish Hardy Water Lilies: If deep enough, can overwinter in the deepest part of the pond, where it does not freeze solid. Fish Survival: Fish enter a dormant stage and overwinter successfully in deep ponds that do not freeze to the bottom. WARNING: Shallow/small features typically freeze SOLID - killing both lilies and fish. SMALL Features Require more frequent attention (temp fluctuations, evaporation, waste buildup) Can't support overwintering BUT can still host a pleasing variety of aquatic wildlife Stocking Guidelines (per m2 surface, 90cm deep) 1 large water lily 2 bunches of grasses or rushes 2 small fish Property Type Best Feature Size Why Vast acreage lawn Large pond Tiny pond = "misplaced puddle" Country + clay + spring Recreation pond Swimming, skating in winter Urban lots Small/container Space constraints Small city garden Hidden oasis A delight to visitors 3. LOCATION Safety First! - The 60cm Rule Many cities consider features deeper than 60cm (2 ft) as SWIMMING POOLS. Safety fencing requirements Building permits required Requirement Details Depth trigger 600mm (24") = building permit required Alberta Building Code Water 2 ft+ = same as swimming pool Safety standard "As safe as possible at all times" REAL EXAMPLE: "Baby Jesse Update: Pond in Violation of City Bylaws" (2012) CRITICAL: ALWAYS check local authorities for codes and regulations! Utilities Access Both water AND electricity are required. Greater distance = more expensive. ONE CALL: Call ONE CALL to mark underground utilities BEFORE digging! Equipment Access Large features may need earth-moving equipment Consider entry AND exit access (landscape matures) Plan for future projects Proximity to Trees & Debris Trees = falling leaves = constant debris. Skimmer helps but does not eliminate. Debris Chain Reaction: Leaves decay -> Reduces O2 -> Harms aquatic life -> Discolors water -> Clogs pumps Wildlife Location Preferences Wildlife Type Location Preference Microscopic waterlife/insects Will colonize anywhere Birds Relatively daring Amphibians/small mammals Prefer distance from humans Sun vs Shade Decision Two key questions: Sun or shade? Sheltered from prevailing winds? Light Condition Plant Options Key Note Full sun (6+ hrs) Lilies BLOOM! More algae Shade Many aquatics thrive LESS algae - major advantage KEY NUMBER: Water lilies need MINIMUM 6 hours direct sunlight to bloom Pro Tips Mirror Test: Lay mirror at proposed site, check reflections. Sound Test: Hose into bucket from 100-120cm, judge from various distances. 4. BUDGET Purchase quality pieces one at a time rather than settling for a cheap ensemble. Season 1 Season 2 Design + initial construction Pumps, accessories, plants, landscaping NOTE: Phased construction makes initial design CRITICAL - committing to a long-term plan. QUICK RECALL Q&A Question Answer Overarching reason to add water? Intrinsic beauty and tranquility Name 7 functions Reflections, Motion, Sound, Wildlife, Plants, Focal point, Natural Depth triggering pool regulations? 60cm / 600mm / 2 feet Sun for lilies? Minimum 6 hours direct Stocking per m2 (90cm)? 1 lily, 2 grasses, 2 fish Call before digging? ONE CALL Mirror test purpose? Check reflections at site Sound test height? 100-120cm into bucket Formal style for? Geometric gardens near architecture Informal goal? "Always been there" Large vs small maintenance? Large = LESS Fish overwinter in small ponds? NO - freezes solid Shade advantage? Less algae All features have open water? NO - pondless, containers Leaves accumulate = Decay -> low O2 -> harms life -> discolors -> clogs QUIZ PREP - Common Misconceptions (TRUE/FALSE) Statement Answer Explanation Water is most versatile element TRUE Any scale, all senses Features appeal to all senses TRUE Recuperate from stress MUST be in full sun FALSE Shade ponds valid All have open water body FALSE Pondless, containers Can be formal OR informal TRUE Geometric vs natural Don't need to match scale FALSE "Misplaced puddle" Cities require permits TRUE 60cm+ = pool rules Small = less maintenance FALSE OPPOSITE - large = less LECTURE SUMMARY Water features have gained popularity because of their versatility and the way water can be used to create a mood and add to the value of a property. Key Planning Questions What role will water play? What scale matches the property? What style fits? (Formal vs Informal) What are the local regulations? Where are utilities located? What plants/wildlife are desired? Critical Numbers to Remember Value Meaning 60cm (2 ft) Swimming pool regulations trigger 6 hours Min sunlight for lilies 100-120cm Sound test height 1 lily, 2 grasses, 2 fish Stocking per m2 at 90cm Key Takeaways Water features are NOT maintenance-free Large features = LESS maintenance than small Shade ponds are valid Not all features have open water Call ONE CALL before digging Initial design is critical when phasing WHAT'S NEXT: Module A2 - Types of water features and their suitability If site has... | Consider... Existing slope | Cascading waterfall, meandering stream, hillside rock garden No slope (flat) | Still pond, pondless waterfall Property size | Options | Details Medium/Large | Few limitations | Almost any feature type Small/confined | Wall fountain | Needs electrical outlet nearby Small/confined | Container feature | Any location - sun OR shade Small/confined | Japanese water flute | Sight + sound, easy to manage Property Type | Best Feature Size | Why Vast acreage lawn | Large pond | Tiny pond = "misplaced puddle" Country + clay + spring | Recreation pond | Swimming, skating in winter Urban lots | Small/container | Space constraints Small city garden | Hidden oasis | A delight to visitors Requirement | Details Depth trigger | 600mm (24") = building permit required Alberta Building Code | Water 2 ft+ = same as swimming pool Safety standard | "As safe as possible at all times" Wildlife Type | Location Preference Microscopic waterlife/insects | Will colonize anywhere Birds | Relatively daring Amphibians/small mammals | Prefer distance from humans Light Condition | Plant Options | Key Note Full sun (6+ hrs) | Lilies BLOOM! | More algae Shade | Many aquatics thrive | LESS algae - major advantage Season 1 | Season 2 Design + initial construction | Pumps, accessories, plants, landscaping Question | Answer Overarching reason to add water? | Intrinsic beauty and tranquility Name 7 functions | Reflections, Motion, Sound, Wildlife, Plants, Focal point, Natural Depth triggering pool regulations? | 60cm / 600mm / 2 feet Sun for lilies? | Minimum 6 hours direct Stocking per m2 (90cm)? | 1 lily, 2 grasses, 2 fish Call before digging? | ONE CALL Mirror test purpose? | Check reflections at site Sound test height? | 100-120cm into bucket Formal style for? | Geometric gardens near architecture Informal goal? | "Always been there" Large vs small maintenance? | Large = LESS Fish overwinter in small ponds? | NO - freezes solid Shade advantage? | Less algae All features have open water? | NO - pondless, containers Leaves accumulate = | Decay -> low O2 -> harms life -> discolors -> clogs Statement | Answer | Explanation Water is most versatile element | TRUE | Any scale, all senses Features appeal to all senses | TRUE | Recuperate from stress MUST be in full sun | FALSE | Shade ponds valid All have open water body | FALSE | Pondless, containers Can be formal OR informal | TRUE | Geometric vs natural Don't need to match scale | FALSE | "Misplaced puddle" Cities require permits | TRUE | 60cm+ = pool rules Small = less maintenance | FALSE | OPPOSITE - large = less Value | Meaning 60cm (2 ft) | Swimming pool regulations trigger 6 hours | Min sunlight for lilies 100-120cm | Sound test height 1 lily, 2 grasses, 2 fish | Stocking per m2 at 90cm