Concrete Water Features for Any Landscape
By Anne Balogh, ConcreteNetwork.com columnist
We all know that water plays an important role in our landscape as a thirst quencher for lawns and gardens. But it can serve many other functions as well. In addition to decorative enhancement, it can provide movement, in the form of a waterfall; soothing sound, in the form of a fountain or bubbler; noise screening, in the form of a water wall; a mini ecosystem, in the form of a pond; and recreation, in the form of a water slide. With concrete, you can create water features of all sizes and types to suit any outdoor setting, from a tiny backyard patio to a large estate. Check out these examples to see some of the possibilities.
Scheid Concrete Inc. in Huron, OH
- Spas
This faux boulder surround for a hot tub is hand carved out of concrete. The spa was built in place on top of concrete blocks, and then surrounded with a stamped concrete deck and steps to match an existing stamped concrete patio. It even incorporates a mini waterfall.
Matrix Concrete Artisans in Oceanside, CA
- Faux-Rock Waterfalls
This pool in Yorba Linda, Calif., looks like a Hawaiian lagoon, but the realistic rock waterfall is actually made of precast and hand-sculpted concrete. A 30-foot slide was built into the rock feature.
Unique Concrete, West Milford, N.J.
- Sheer-Descent Water Walls
To mask the noise of a busy street adjacent to the property, this homeowner designed a sheer-descent waterfall faced with cultured concrete stone. The water feature also doubles as a seat wall and hides the electrical junction box for the pool light.
The Green Scene in Northridge, CA
- Water Slides
Water slides made of concrete fit in perfectly with faux rock water features, looking like natural crevice formations. This Swiss Family Robinson themed pool features a concrete slide emerging from a cave as well as a faux-wood concrete boat.
Arizona Falls in Las Vegas, NV
- Swim-Up Bar
You don't even have to leave the water to enjoy a drink at this swim-up pool-side bar. This backyard oasis also includes an outdoor kitchen and a concrete waterfall feature in the shape of Skull Rock, from Disney's "Peter Pan."