From Weekend Pond Build to a Stunning Backyard Oasis

What began as a homeowner’s ambitious DIY weekend project has evolved into an extraordinary outdoor retreat, complete with a koi pond, cascading waterfalls, a meandering stream, fountains, and a story filled with meaningful family moments.

The project started with a longtime connection. The homeowner had attended high school with Brian Helfrich, vice president of construction at Aquascape, Inc., and asked Brian to design a water feature for his Chicago-area home. After purchasing the necessary products, renting an excavator, and beginning the digging himself, the homeowner quickly discovered that excavation was only part of the challenge. Creating natural-looking rock formations and waterfalls required an experienced eye.

That’s when he asked Brian if he would help bring the design to life by assisting with construction.

Finding the Perfect Place for a Pond

The home’s 75-by-30-foot backyard was already designed for outdoor living. An expansive patio included a fire pit, while a pergola sheltered a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and bar counter. With much of the backyard occupied, the side yard became the ideal location for the new pond.

Brian, the homeowner, and a few additional helpers completed the initial pond over the course of a weekend. A waterfall was designed to cascade around one side of a large specimen shrub, allowing the mature plant to remain an important part of the landscape.

A week later, they added a second waterfall flowing around the opposite side of the shrub. The two falls created the illusion of one stream dividing naturally around the plant before tumbling into the pond below.

Large, weathered stones, pond plants, and carefully positioned pieces of driftwood softened the pond’s edges. Colorful koi added movement beneath the reflective surface, while broad lily pads and lush plantings helped the feature feel as though it had always been part of the landscape.

Creating an Inviting Outdoor Destination

Because the home sits on a fenced corner lot, the side yard has a gate opening directly onto the sidewalk. Originally, guests entered through the gate and followed a flagstone path toward the patio and pond. Two Stacked Slate Urns, each fitted with a Fire Fountain Add-On Kit, flanked the walkway.

Water flowed over the textured sides of the urns while flames danced above them, creating an unforgettable welcome, especially after dark. Underwater lights illuminated the pond and koi, while landscape lighting highlighted the surrounding trees, stonework, and garden beds.

The pond quickly became far more than a beautiful addition to the landscape. It became a place where the homeowners could slow down, spend time together, and enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of moving water. A year after the pond was completed, the homeowner and his bride were married beside it, with the water feature serving as the backdrop for their ceremony.

Today, the pond remains a favorite family gathering place. Its flat stone edges invite visitors to sit beside the water, watch the fish, and dip their feet into the pond. Positioned just steps from the fire pit, outdoor kitchen, and pergola, it has become a natural extension of the home’s entertaining space.

When One Water Feature Leads to Another

There’s a saying that water feature owners often end up with three water features during their lifetime. Once they experience the beauty and relaxation that water brings to a landscape, they begin imagining where the next pond, stream, or waterfall could go.

That certainly proved true in this yard.

The original pond was eventually expanded with a wetland filtration system and a stream crossed by a rustic wooden bridge. To make room for the new design, the Stacked Slate Urns were removed from the walkway.

Now, visitors entering through the side gate cross the bridge over a five-foot-wide, 30-foot-long stream-style waterfall. The pathway creates a more immersive arrival, inviting guests to pause above the flowing water before continuing toward the patio and pond.

Natural boulders form the stream’s edges and shape a series of gentle cascades. Pond plants, groundcovers, ornamental grasses, and mature shrubs fill the surrounding beds, making the stream feel like a natural waterway winding through the landscape.

Combining Fire, Water, and Filtration

A six-by-eight-foot wetland filtration system was installed at the head of the stream, just to the left of the bridge. In addition to helping filter the water naturally, the wetland creates another beautiful transition as water begins its journey through the landscape.

Two Spillway Bowls were also added beside the stream. Water is pumped into a Fire and Water Spillway Bowl, where flames rise above the moving water. It then spills into a second bowl filled with water lettuce before cascading over the edge and returning to the stream.

The combination creates a dramatic focal point near the gate. The warmth and movement of fire contrast beautifully with the cool, flowing water, while the bright green water lettuce adds softness and color.

The new stream eventually flows from the wetland filter into the original pond. A portion of the water is also directed into a subsurface reservoir that doubles as a rainwater-capture system, adding a practical and sustainable element to the expanded design.

A Landscape That Continues to Evolve

Although the property already contains an impressive collection of water features, the homeowners aren’t finished yet. A Pondless® Waterfall is planned for the front yard, extending the sights and sounds of water to another part of the property.

The evolving landscape has also become a source of enjoyment for the neighborhood. People frequently walk past the corner lot to admire the pond, stream, waterfalls, and surrounding gardens. During the day, the moving water and colorful plantings draw attention. At night, underwater and landscape lighting transform the property into a glowing outdoor retreat.

What started as a side-yard pond has grown into a landscape that welcomes guests, brings the family together, and continues to mark important moments in their lives. It’s a beautiful reminder that a thoughtfully designed water feature doesn’t simply change the yard. It becomes part of the family’s story.

Watch a video of the original backyard and side yard: