Water Features: Streams, Fountains, and Ponds

Water features can add a touch of elegance and tranquility to your home. Whether it’s a small, low-tech stream or a large, complex waterfall, a water feature can make a big impact on the appearance of your property and the value.

In Central Oregon, water features can also help cool the air on hot, dry days. If you’re considering adding a water feature to your yard, here are some things to keep in mind:

In the environment they purify the air, reducing things like allergens, pollen, germs, and dust mites. Water features are also believed to increase energy, focus, and alertness while reducing stress and depression.

Choose the right location. Water features should be placed in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. They also need to be close to an electrical outlet for pumps and other equipment.

1. Get the Sounds of Nature at Your Doorstep

Amid busy schedules and long workdays, it’s not often possible to get away from it all and enjoy nature’s soothing sounds. With water features, you can bring the sounds of nature right to your outdoor space.

Imagine coming home from work, dropping your papers at the door, and wandering to the patio table next to your outdoor landscape water feature. The stress of the day will melt away as you listen to the water cascade down the fountain, bubbling rock, or other type of water feature.

Alongside the positive mental effects that come with listening to the sounds of running water, a backyard waterfall also produces negative ions that improve air quality — helping you and your family breathe easier.

2. Reduce Noise Pollution

While the sounds of falling water can reduce stress, adding a water feature to your landscape can also drown out the surrounding neighborhood noises we’re used to — the sounds of cars driving by, the chatter of next-door neighbors, etc. Blocking out these noises helps to create a more tranquil and private environment for homeowners that is sure to promote relaxation.

3. Invite More Wildlife onto Your Property

As soon as your outdoor water feature is installed, you’ll begin to notice an increase in the wildlife on your property. Birds will stop by to say hello, while dragonflies will also emerge. Inviting these kinds of wildlife onto your property provides entertainment as well as learning opportunities for your family.

Recognizing that all living creatures need water to survive, an outdoor water feature supports life in your little corner of the world. In conjunction with the plants you include in your landscape design, you’ll help bring harmony to the habitat around you.

As an added bonus, these water features can always also be a drinking fountain for your pets, keeping them cool on those hot summer days and enabling them to spend more time outdoors.

4. Have the Flexibility to Fit Smaller Outdoor Spaces

Just because you have a small yard doesn’t mean you have to dismiss the idea of installing an outdoor water feature in your backyard. In fact, well-designed pondless water features don’t require much space, so you can still enjoy the benefits of water features without taking up too much of your outdoor space.

You can tuck a water feature into an area of your property that previously seemed like “wasted space”. Oftentimes, those awkward spaces are actually the best places to install small water features, as you can turn an underused area into a beautiful focal point.

5. Enjoy a Low-Maintenance Landscape Element

Pondless water features can supply homeowners with texture, natural sounds and visual interest without much effort at all. Simple wall fountains and large cascading waterfalls (to name a few examples) are great choices if you don’t want to deal with much maintenance. The water in these features essentially recirculates, so they don’t use much water or grow many bacteria. What’s more, is pondless water features are also great for families with young children because they don’t pose safety risks.

Experience the Benefits of an Outdoor Water Feature First-Hand

Water features make a great addition to any outdoor space — no matter the size or the layout. With versatile designs to choose from and an array of benefits to offer, these low-maintenance features have become an increasingly popular presence in landscapes.

If you’re considering the right water feature for your outdoor space, we’ve got a resource that can help.

Choose the right size. Water features come in all shapes and sizes. Choose one that will fit nicely into the space you have available.

Adding a water feature to your yard can be a great way to add beauty and interest to your home. With a little planning and installation from Vohs, you can find the perfect spot for your new water feature and enjoy it for years to come.