What shapes the investment
- Type of water feature (koi pond, fountain, pondless)
- Size and depth
- Excavation difficulty and site prep
- Liner quality and installation
- Pump and filtration system
- Edge treatment and landscaping
Water Features
Custom Water Feature Design and Installation That Transforms Your Yard
Water brings life to a landscape. The sound of flowing water, the movement, and the reflective surface all enhance outdoor spaces. We design water features that integrate with your landscape, support aquatic life when desired, and become the focal point of your outdoor room.
- 25+years of experience
- 10,000+projects completed
- In-housedesign-build crews
- LIC #715731licensed & insured
- 5-star
Start here
What you're looking for
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.
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01 A focal point and gathering place Water features anchor landscapes and become the eye-catching feature of any yard. See water features -
02 Sound and movement Flowing water creates soothing sound and visual interest. Fountains and waterfalls engage the senses. See fountain designs -
03 Habitat and aquatic life Koi ponds support fish and aquatic plants. Water features attract birds, butterflies, and create living ecosystems. See koi ponds
Service options
Koi & Ornamental Ponds
Best for Anyone who wants to integrate living fish and aquatic ecosystems into their landscape.
- Supports koi and aquatic plants
- Becomes a complete living ecosystem
- Water circulation keeps fish healthy
- Stone edges integrate with hardscape
- Year-round interest with seasonal plants
On your property Needs at least 18 inches deep for fish. Partial shade (4-6 hours sun) is ideal. Safe distance from trees to minimize debris.
- Stone edging
- Aquatic plants
- Shade trees overhead
- Stepping stones
- Lighting
Fountains & Recirculating Water
Best for Anyone wanting the sound and movement of water without the maintenance of koi.
- Sound and visual movement
- Lower maintenance than ponds
- Can be any depth
- Works in any sunlight
- Custom or prefabricated designs
On your property Works on patios, in planting beds, or as standalone features. Needs electricity for pump and circulation.
- Patio integration
- Entry feature
- Accent planting
- Lighting
- Seating areas
Pondless Waterfalls & Streams
Best for Anyone who wants the sound of falling water with minimal maintenance and no standing water.
- No standing water (great for safety with children)
- Sound of flowing water
- Lower maintenance than koi ponds
- Water recirculates to basin
- Can be integrated into slopes and hillsides
On your property Can be built on any grade. Water collects in a hidden basin below stone. Ideal for natural-looking waterfalls.
- Rock outcroppings
- Hillside design
- Native planting
- Moss and groundcover
- Shade trees
Complete Koi Pond Installation
Los Angeles Area
Shown: Complete Koi Pond Installation, Los Angeles Area
How we work
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Before: the slope Site assessment and design
We assess sunlight, drainage, slope, and views. Location is critical for success.
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Before: existing patio Excavation and basin preparation
Digging to proper depth (18 inches minimum for koi). Removing rocks and roots, preparing stable base.
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Design plan Liner installation and sealing
High-quality EPDM or concrete liner creates watertight basin. Careful installation prevents leaks.
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Equipment Circulation and equipment
Pump, filter, and skimmer installed and tested. For koi ponds, filtration is critical to water quality.
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Finished Edging, planting, and finishing
Stone edges, aquatic plants, and edge landscaping complete the feature. Water is conditioned and stocked.
Key decisions
Things worth knowing before a first consultation.
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Pond versus fountain versus pondless
Koi ponds need maintenance but support life. Fountains are lower maintenance. Pondless waterfalls offer water sound without standing water.
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Depth and size
Koi ponds should be 18+ inches deep (deeper in cold climates). Size affects maintenance and cost.
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Fish or no fish
Koi are beautiful but require good filtration. Goldfish are easier. Fountains need no fish.
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Sunlight and location
Fish ponds prefer 4-6 hours partial shade. Too much sun causes algae. Too little limits plant growth.
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Circulation and aeration
Good pump and filtration keep koi healthy. Fountains just need circulation. Pondless systems need hidden basins.
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Integration with landscape
Water features should be focal points but integrated naturally with plants, stone, and hardscape.
Investment and timeline
No quote written off a photograph can account for what your property is like.
What shapes the schedule
- Design and site assessment
- Permit requirements (varies by city)
- Excavation and soil conditions
- Liner curing and water conditioning
- Landscape integration and planting
- Equipment setup and testing
Why complete koi pond installation was drawn together with the rest of the property
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.
- Feature placement Position for visibility from house and entertaining areas, while considering sunlight.
- Circulation and filtration System sized for fish health and water clarity.
- Stone edging and integration Natural stone frames the feature and connects to surrounding hardscape.
- Aquatic planting Plants provide food, shade, and habitat for fish and wildlife.
- Landscape context Trees, shade, and perimeters plantings make the water feature feel natural.
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.
What customers say
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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.
Satisfied Homeowner Google review · 2 years ago Koi pond design and installation -
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.
Verified Client Google review · 1 year ago Water feature installation
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a koi pond be?
At least 18 inches, ideally 24-36 inches. Deeper ponds maintain stable water temperature and give koi room to escape predators.
How much maintenance does a koi pond require?
Daily feeding, weekly water checks, and seasonal filter cleaning. A well-designed system with good filtration requires 30 minutes per week.
Can I have a water feature in full sun?
Koi ponds prefer 4-6 hours of partial shade. Full sun causes excessive algae. Fountains and pondless features work in any sunlight.
Do I need a permit for a water feature?
Some cities require permits for ponds over a certain depth. We handle all permitting and safety compliance.
Ready to get started?
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.