Master Certified Aquascape Contractor
Project Highlights

Transforming Outdoor Spaces: Expanding A Backyard Retreat

From the only Master Certified Aquascape Contractor in Central Iowa

Just Add Water · January 21, 2025 · Updated January 29, 2025

Stone path with water feature in garden landscape.

Learn how we expanded and enhanced this Backyard Waterfall in Ankeny, Iowa

About This Project

This project involved removing the client’s existing waterfall and replacing it with a much larger pondless waterfall. The location was in Ankeny, Iowa, and the client wanted to enhance their experience with their pondless waterfall by extending it to bring in more waterfalls and be more interactive.

Project Type: Pondless Waterfall

Location: Ankeny, Iowa

Client Request: The client loved their existing water feature, but wanted to expand it to create more enjoyment and have a bigger impact on the space.

Stone path with water feature in garden landscape.

The Challenge/ What Made This Unique

This project was unique because we had renovated their waterfall in the past. In 2022, the client’s existing waterfall wasn’t working properly, so our team rebuilt it with our techniques and style. Although it was only a single waterfall feature, the client was absolutely in love with it and got lots of enjoyment out of it. So much so, that they wanted to make it even bigger by extending it up the hillside rather than the small, one drop pondless waterfall it was initially. 

Our Solution

Our team designed a custom pondless waterfall that uses the natural slope of the existing hill to create a naturalistic look to this pondless waterfall. Our team also created a winding stone staircase that compliments the waterfalls and is functional as well. This new waterfall creates more viewing angles from the patio space and from inside the home along with much more ambient sounds from the additional waterfalls.

Design Approach: We designed a pondless waterfall that compliments the space by working with the yard’s natural hill, using a variety of rocks that work together to create a backyard getaway.

Implementation: We extended the waterfall up the hill creating more viewing angles, more interaction with the stone staircase, and planting beds for the homeowners future plans to implement ground coverage plants that they enjoyed with their previous feature to soften the edges of the feature.

Rock garden with cascading water feature.Excavator landscaping home backyard with rocks and dirt.

Products Used

Aquascape 22” Waterfall Spillway

Aquascape Aquasurge 4000-8000 Adjustable Flow Pond Pump

Large Aquascape Aquablox

4.5 watt color-changing spotlights

Aquascape Smart Control Hub

Every aspect of our water feature remodel was fantastic! They exceeded our expectations in every way… As someone who has had several areas within my home and outside my home remodeled, adding patios, landscape etc, this company/crew is the best group of people I have EVER worked with. They are truly the best in the water feature business! We are lucky to have them here in Iowa.”

Read The Full Review On google

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Who we are

Built by Iowans, for Iowans.

Just Add Water is a locally owned company that has been building water features across Iowa for over 20 years. Our team loves upgrading yards and properties for our fellow Iowans, and we have the experienced crew to do it.