Build a Backyard Waterfall and Stream (DIY)

Introduction

Create a rippling, rock-lined stream with multiple waterfalls in your backyard. Use gravel and stone filters and a heavy-duty pump to reduce maintenance and maintain water clarity.

Family Handyman

We’ve all stopped, gazed and listened upon encountering a rippling brook or small backyard waterfall, to soak up the serenity that nature provides. But where is that spot when we need it most? Since you probably can’t drive and hike to a tranquil location after a hard day’s work, you can use this project to help you recreate these all-too-fleeting moments in your backyard. And you can build your stream in just two weekends.

We designed this DIY, pond-less waterfall stream to eliminate the filtering and cleaning maintenance that comes with ponds, making it one of the best backyard waterfall ideas in our opinion.

The trick to low maintenance is to let nature (layers of gravel and stone) filter the water, using an underground sump at the lower end to catch the filtered water before pumping it back up to the top of the stream. All you have to do is occasionally add water to replace what evaporates, and rainfall may handle this task for you.