Water Features
Pacific Outdoor Living builds the full California Waterscapes range: ecosystem ponds, koi ponds, pondless waterfalls and streams, fountains, natural swim ponds, repairs, and maintenance. We design each feature around natural circulation, biological filtration, stone, planting, and sound so it feels like it belongs in the landscape.
Start here
The right approach follows how you want to use the space. Pick what you're actually after below, and the materials and layout mostly follow from it. Every project shown was built here in Southern California, so the choices are suited to this climate.
01 A living ecosystem A balanced pond uses circulation, mechanical skimming, biological filtration, aquatic planting, and fish-friendly depth to stay clear and healthy. 
02 Sound and movement Waterfalls, streams, and fountains are tuned for the way the water sounds, where it falls, and how it draws people into the yard. 
03 A full waterscape menu Choose from koi ponds, pondless waterfalls, natural swim ponds, fountains, water walls, repairs, maintenance, and complete water gardens. 
04 Explore even more with our sister company California Waterscapes is part of the Pacific Outdoor Living family and specializes exclusively in ponds, waterfalls, and fountains. Explore their full range of water feature offerings. Visit California Waterscapes Best for Anyone who wants a living water garden with koi, aquatic plants, natural stone, and a filtration system built into the feature.
On your property Needs enough depth for fish, thoughtful shade, and room for skimmer, pump, biological filter, stone, plants, and safe access for care.
Best for Anyone wanting the sound and movement of water without a fish pond, including patios, entries, courtyards, and compact garden spaces.
On your property Works on patios, in planting beds, or as standalone features. Needs electricity for pump and circulation.
Best for Anyone who wants the sound of falling water, a natural stream, or a boulder waterfall with minimal maintenance and no open pond.
On your property Can be built on any grade. Water collects in a hidden basin below stone. Ideal for natural-looking waterfalls.
Best for Anyone who wants a custom recreational pond, natural pool, or swimmable water feature shaped around the property instead of a standard concrete pool.
On your property Requires more space, careful depth planning, larger filtration capacity, and clear decisions about entry, bottom material, fish, planting, and maintenance access.
Los Angeles Area
Shown: Complete Koi Pond Installation, Los Angeles Area
Before: the slope We assess sunlight, drainage, slope, views, access, debris load, and where the feature should be seen and heard from the house.
Before: existing patio We shape the basin, shelves, streambed, or hidden reservoir, then prepare a stable base for liner, boulders, equipment, and safe access.
Design plan Rubber liner, underlayment, gravel, flagstone, boulders, and planted edges are installed so the feature looks natural rather than placed on top of the yard.
Under construction Pump, skimmer, biological filter, optional UV, and plumbing are installed and tested. For koi and swim ponds, filtration is the core of water quality.
Finished Stone edges, aquatic plants, water conditioning, lighting, fish readiness, and care instructions complete the feature.
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
Koi ponds support life and need balanced filtration. Fountains are simpler. Pondless waterfalls offer water sound without an open pond.
Swim ponds are larger recreational ponds with more depth, stronger filtration, and clear choices about entry, bottom material, and plants.
A skimmer removes leaves and debris. Biological filtration uses beneficial bacteria to break down nutrients and keep the system balanced.
Koi are beautiful but require good filtration and enough depth. Goldfish and small fish can be easier. Fountains and pondless waterfalls need no fish.
Fish ponds prefer balanced sun and shade. Too much sun can increase algae, while nearby trees affect debris load and skimmer planning.
Rock placement, waterfall height, plant selection, and edge detailing determine whether the feature feels natural or decorative.
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
Decking, drainage, utilities, planting, shade and lighting all bear on where a feature goes and how it gets built. Settling them on one set of drawings is what keeps conduit out of the wrong trench and stops paving being cut to fit afterward.
Access, engineering, permits, finishes and scope vary a lot from one property to the next, so the investment and the schedule for your project are set once we have seen the site and the design is settled.
Tell us about the property and what you want the space to do. We will walk through the design, site and permitting factors likely to shape it.
The water feature completely changed our backyard. We love watching the koi and listening to the water. It's become a gathering place for family and friends.
Professional design and excellent workmanship. Our water feature looks like it belongs there, not like an afterthought. The team explained fish care and maintenance thoroughly.
From conception to completion CW was amazing! We asked for a dog friendly pond and got a magnificent waterfall and cool pond to enjoy!!!! We loved working with Chad and his crew. They enjoyed seeing the dogs enjoy Piper's Pond.
Chad, Mauricio and crew built our dream natural pool in May 2022. From start to finish the project was completed in 6 weeks. The crew was at the house every day on time and worked hard to complete the build. We converted our 20,000 gallon swimming pool to a 10,000 gallon natural pool and we couldn't be happier. The rock work (each one placed by hand) is truly artful. The waterfalls, four depth levels and two fish caves make for an aesthetic & safe aquatic environment. The koi love their new home. The plants are growing and two months in the water remains crystal clear. Jasmine's after sale support is tremendous. Thank you California Waterscapes for making our dream a reality!
Look at this beautiful water feature, and guess what? It is in my yard! From scratch to the finished product, it took only 1 week... Chad helped us designed this water feature by using a long and narrow space against the wall, originally it was a wasted space. It does not take any of our useable space, just a natural-looking running creek that we see in the mountains. It is eco-friendly, requires very little maintenance. 0 chemical was ever thrown in it. My kids love to play inside the creek, wearing their rain boots, of course. And Chad was always there for me whenever I had a question. It is one of the best upgrades we have done for our house. We love it!
Our Family is hooked, we need many more park benches to sit around this natural Zen space. We used to gather around the fire pit, now this is our summer night spot. Tranquility has overcome us and is saving us. WORTH EVERY PENNY. Who needs therapy anymore?! Feeling grounded.
At least 18 inches, ideally 24-36 inches. Deeper ponds maintain stable water temperature and give koi room to escape predators.
Daily feeding, weekly water checks, and seasonal filter cleaning. A well-designed system with good filtration requires 30 minutes per week.
California Waterscapes is part of the Pacific Outdoor Living family and shares the same office with our team. For specialized water-feature work, they are the crew we coordinate with while Pacific Outdoor Living manages the larger design-build plan, so your pond, waterfall, fountain, or swim pond fits the full outdoor space.
An ecosystem pond is designed as a balanced system. A skimmer removes surface debris, biological filtration supports beneficial bacteria, and plants, stone, fish, and circulation work together.
Yes. Natural swim ponds are larger recreational ponds with added depth, larger filtration, optional UV, and entry details such as steps, a beach, gravel, or flagstone.
Koi ponds prefer 4-6 hours of partial shade. Full sun can increase algae. Fountains and pondless features work in more sun because they do not rely on the same fish-and-plant ecosystem.
Some cities require permits for ponds over a certain depth. We handle all permitting and safety compliance.
Schedule a consultation with one of our designers to discuss your project goals and explore what's possible on your property.
What happens next: we set up a visit, measure the property and talk through what you want the space to do. Then you get a design to look at before you commit to anything.
