Lecture A1 - Water in the Landscape Notes

Printable reference generated from local PDF course material.

PDF Pages

Page 1 visual
Page 2 visual
Page 3 visual
Page 4 visual
Page 5 visual
Page 6 visual
Page 7 visual
Page 8 visual
Page 9 visual
Page 10 visual
Page 11 visual
Page 12 visual
Page 13 visual

Extracted Text and Images

1. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

LECTURE A1 Water in the Landscape My Notes - LHAP 302A Water and Light

What I need to be able to do

[ ] Summarize landscape water feature functions [ ] Describe elements of the site assessment process

[ ] Outline design guidelines for water features

2. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

FUNCTIONS OF WATER IN THE LANDSCAPE THE BIG IDEA

Water = most versatile element you can add. Works ANY scale (balcony fountain to recreation pond). Appeals to ALL senses.

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!

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.

Moving water creates sound that can screen out unwanted distractions of everyday life (traffic, neighbors, city noise). Add a waterfall or fountain and the sound brings yet another dimension to any setting - natural white noise therapy.

Once water is added to the landscape, birds and other wildlife will soon be regular visitors. It is interesting how fast aquatic bugs and snails will claim your water feature as their home! The flash of brilliantly colored fish greatly adds to enjoyment for many people.

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 suited for planting in and around water features.

Water features make ideal focal points because they can appeal to ALL the viewer's senses simultaneously (sight, sound, even touch and smell). No other landscape element engages visitors so completely.

All the above elements combine to give a yard a more natural look and feel. Water features are environmentally friendly and, like other landscaping, they mature with age, increasing in value over time.

The intrinsic beauty and tranquility a water feature brings. Water features appeal to ALL the senses, enhancing a garden's value as a space to recuperate from the hectic hustle and bustle of everyday life.

3. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

"Why add water?" -> List these 7 functions Page 3

4. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

As with any landscape project, you need to determine the needs of the client and become familiar with the site before starting to make design plans.

A full site assessment includes

Focus is limited to client needs and selected site characteristics.

Client Needs - Questions to Ask - Dramatic focal piece OR hidden oasis?

A water feature can easily DOMINATE the landscape - consider how far the ambiance extends!

The role water will play must be identified EARLY in the design process!

If site has... Consider...

Existing slope Cascading waterfall, meandering stream, hillside rock garden

No slope (flat) Still pond, pondless waterfall 2. Available Space

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

5. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

Small/confined spaces can STILL enjoy all the benefits water adds!

"All water features have a large open body of water" = FALSE! Pondless waterfalls, wall fountains, containers have NO open water.

A water feature may actually require less maintenance than a similar-sized turf area. However, they are NOT maintenance-free!

COMMON MISCONCEPTION: "Water features are maintenance-free" - WRONG!

Maintenance tasks

Make sure clients are NOT fooled into thinking they just fill it and walk away! (More in Module A4)

6. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

Four factors: Style, Size, Location, Budget 1. STYLE: Formal vs Informal

Water features - large or small, prominent or secluded, near a structure or freestanding - should blend seamlessly into the landscape.

Key question: formal (geometric), informal (natural), or a mix of both?

Shape: Symmetrically shaped with geometric circles or angles

Best Suited For

Construction

Challenge: Smooth transition to remaining garden is sometimes not easily obtainable

Shape: Irregular, organic - looks like it could have been crafted by nature

Best Suited For

The Goal: Make it look like it has ALWAYS BEEN THERE - not created and constructed.

Construction

Advantage: More adaptable to a wide range of settings

Placement Tip: Place some distance away from existing architecture for best effect

Informal = "make it look like it has always been there"

7. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

Water features MUST match the scale of the property, existing landscape elements, building elements,

AND the kinds of plant material you want to inhabit the water.

Less Maintenance: With large volumes of water they maintain more consistent temperatures throughout the day and seasons. Temperature swings stress aquatic life.

Easier Ecosystem Balance: Once a balanced ecosystem is developed, large features are easier to keep in balance. The larger volume provides more stability. (Balancing discussed in

Methane Assimilation: Organic matter sinks to the bottom and decomposes, releasing methane gas. Large water volumes can assimilate a certain amount of this methane without problems.

In smaller features, methane can reach concentrations high enough to HARM FISH.

OVERWINTERING - How Depth Saves Plants & Fish

Hardy Water Lilies: If the feature is deep enough, hardy water lilies can be overwintered in the deepest part of the pond, where it does not freeze solid.

Fish Survival: Fish will enter a dormant stage (like hibernation) and overwinter successfully in deep ponds that do not freeze to the bottom. They slow their metabolism and survive on minimal oxygen until spring.

Shallow/small features typically freeze SOLID - killing both lilies and fish.

Require more frequent attention due to

BUT they can still host a pleasing variety of aquatic wildlife!

Stocking Guidelines (per m2 surface, 90cm deep) - 1 large water lily

Vast acreage lawn Large pond Tiny pond = "misplaced puddle"

Country + clay + spring Recreation pond Swimming, skating in winter

8. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

Urban lots Small/container Space constraints, still get benefits

Small city garden Hidden oasis A delight to visitors

Safety First!

Water features must be placed with consideration for safety of children and visitors.

The 60cm Rule (CRITICAL!):

Many cities consider features deeper than 60cm (about 2 feet) as SWIMMING POOLS:

City of Edmonton Pond Permit Example Requirement Details

Depth trigger 600mm (24 inches) = building permit required

What it covers Ponds AND water landscape features

Above-ground May need BOTH development + building permits

AB Building Code Water 2 ft+ = treated same as swimming pool

Safety standard "As safe as possible at all times"

Child Safety

A water feature should provide enjoyment, not constant worry.

"Baby Jesse Update: Pond in Violation of City Bylaws" (Business Times, June 18, 2012)

ALWAYS check with local authorities for local codes and regulations BEFORE finalizing design!

Both water AND electricity are required to operate and maintain a water feature.

Difficulty Neither is difficult to bring to the site

Cost Impact Greater distance = more expensive and complicated

Planning Factor utility runs into budget from the start

9. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

Any excavation requires the identification and marking of underground utilities PRIOR to any digging.

Call the local ONE CALL service to mark lines BEFORE committing to a final location for the water feature!

Large/deep features May require earth-moving and hauling equipment

Entry access Can excavators, trucks get INTO the site?

Exit access After landscape matures, can equipment get through?

Future planning Don't trap yourself - consider future projects

Water features placed close to large trees will suffer from constant contamination of falling leaves. A pond skimmer helps but does not eliminate the problem.

The Organic Debris Chain Reaction

Leaves fall in -> Sink to bottom -> Decay -> Reduces oxygen levels -> Harms aquatic life -> Discolors water ->

Clogs overflow channels & pumps -> General nuisance

Wildlife Location Preferences Wildlife Type Location Preference

Microscopic waterlife Don't care - will colonize anywhere

Aquatic insects Don't care - find water features quickly

Birds Relatively daring - visit near human activity

Amphibians Prefer some distance from humans Small mammals Prefer some distance from humans

Two key questions: Is the site in sun or shade? Is it sheltered from prevailing winds?

Full sun (6+ hrs) Lilies BLOOM! Classic pond look More algae

Partial shade Some lilies Balance Limited blooms

Full shade Many aquatics LESS algae! No lily blooms

Most water lilies need MINIMUM 6 hours direct sunlight to bloom

10. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

If lilies are your goal

If lilies are NOT a priority

A shade pond is a great option! Less algae is a major advantage.

Pro Tips for Choosing Location Mirror Test

Lay a mirror on the ground at proposed site. Step back. What reflections do you capture?

Sound Test for Waterfalls

Set garden hose to flow into bucket from 100-120 cm height. Step back and judge sound.

A water feature can be as large as one's imagination allows, but at some point the overall cost must be taken into consideration.

Don't compromise on quality! Purchase quality pieces one at a time rather than settle for a less desirable ensemble that will be disappointing over the long term.

Consider constructing in stages over a couple of seasons:

Design + initial construction Pumps, accessories, plant material

Excavation, liner, structure Final landscaping to blend feature

Why Phasing Makes Design CRITICAL

Cheap now = disappointing forever. Quality now = satisfaction long-term.

11. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

QUICK RECALL Q&A Cover the right column to self-test!

What is the overarching reason to add water? Intrinsic beauty and tranquility

Name 7 functions of water features Reflections, Motion, Sound, Wildlife, Plants, Focal point,

What depth triggers pool regulations? 60cm / 600mm / 2 feet

How much sun do lilies need? Minimum 6 hours direct sunlight

Stocking per m2 (90cm deep)? 1 lily, 2 bunches grass, 2 fish

Who do you call before digging? ONE CALL (utility marking)

Mirror test is for...? Checking reflections at proposed site

Sound test height? Hose into bucket from 100-120cm

Formal style suited for? Geometric gardens near architecture

Informal style goal? "Make it look like it was always there"

Large vs small maintenance? Large = LESS maintenance

Why do small features need more attention? Temp fluctuations, methane, can't assimilate waste

Can fish overwinter in small ponds? Usually NO - freezes solid; need deep pond

Why is shade good? Less algae! Many aquatic plants thrive

Do ALL features have open water? NO - pondless waterfalls, wall fountains, containers

What happens if leaves accumulate? Decay -> reduces O2 -> harms life -> discolors -> clogs

12. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

QUIZ PREP - Common Misconceptions TRUE/FALSE - know WHY each answer is what it is!

Water is the most versatile element you can add TRUE Works any scale, appeals to all senses

Water features appeal to all the senses TRUE Sight, sound, touch - recuperate from stress

Features MUST be in full sun (6+ hrs) FALSE Only if you want lilies; shade ponds are valid

All features have large open body of water FALSE Pondless waterfalls, wall fountains, containers

Features can be formal OR informal TRUE Formal = geometric; Informal = natural-looking

Don't need to match property scale FALSE MUST match - tiny pond in huge yard = "puddle"

Some cities require permits for ponds TRUE 60cm+ depth triggers swimming pool regulations

Small features = less maintenance FALSE OPPOSITE! Large = less maintenance

13. LHAP 302A Water and Light | Lecture A1: Water in the Landscape

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. Mimicking water in the natural landscape, they bring motion, sound, and new plants and animals to a setting while reflecting the surrounding garden and sky.

Planning Process

First determine the client's needs and maintenance expectations while assessing the topography and space available.

Key Planning Questions

The Four Design Guidelines

Style Formal = geometric, near architecture; Informal = natural, away

Size Must match property scale; larger = less maintenance

Location Safety (60cm rule!), utilities, sun/shade, equipment, trees

Budget Phase over seasons if needed; never sacrifice quality

Critical Numbers

60cm (2 ft) Depth that triggers swimming pool regulations

6 hours Minimum direct sunlight for lilies to bloom

100-120cm Height for sound test (hose into bucket)

1 lily, 2 grasses, 2 fish Stocking per m2 at 90cm depth

Key Takeaways

WHAT'S NEXT: Module A2 - Types of water features