What is a pondless waterfall or disappearing waterfall?

Have you ever heard the term Pondless Waterfall or even Disappearing Waterfall and thought to yourself, What in the world is that?  It sounds weird and how can you actually have a waterfall without a body of water?  The Pondless or Disappearing Waterfall is an often over looked way to add the sights, sounds and beauty of water to your space without the maintenance of an ecosystem pond.   

So...What is it? 

A pondless or disappering waterfall is a waterfall without a pond or body of water.  We sometimes explain it as a recirculating fountain on steroids, why?  Because they are beautiful and easy to maintain.  A reservoir is created to store the water and pump system, the waterfall is created with rocks, and the water is turned on.  This is a very simple explanation of the pondless or disappering waterfall, but check out the video above for a look at one in action.  

Why choose a pondless waterfall? 

1. Initial Investment: Many times the intial investment to have a pondless waterfall installed either professionally or DIY is less than that of a pond.  
2. Space: Your space may not lend itself to having a full blown ecosystem pond.  Maybe you only have a 5x5 area for a water feature, well a pondless or disappearing waterfall will fit in that area.  While a fish pond wouldn't be condusive to a space that small.  
3. Maintenance: There isn't much at all.  Spring start up, shut down in the winter, and adding water when in need are the big maintenance tasks of a pondless waterfall. 
4. Electrical Costs:  They don't need to be run 24/7 like an ecosystem fish pond.  You can put a pondless on a timer or a switch and turn it on when you want to enjoy it.  (we do recommend running them for at least an hour or so a day though) 
5. Safety:  Sometimes we speak with families who really want a waterfall or pond but are concerned with the safety aspects of having young children and a pond.  A pondless waterfall doesn't have a large a deeper body of water, therefore the concerns of safety associated with a fish pond aren't there with a pondless waterfall.  

While pondless waterfalls aren't for everyone, especially those who are looking to watch koi and other pond fish swim around.  Disappearing waterfalls are a great way to add a beautiful water feature to your space with out the added maintenance of a pond.  

Related Links:

• Build your Dream Waterfall
• What is a Patio Pond?
• Do I need a permit in NJ to install a fish pond or water feature?​

A Frog’s Dream Aquatic Services is offering this pond information as a personal information source to our website visitors. Pond services are performed in Morris County New Jersey (NJ) Hunterdon County New Jersey (NJ) Somerset County (NJ) and Warren County (NJ). Fish and Koi Pond Construction, Streams and Waterfalls, and  Fountains are all in our wheelhouse of talent. Explore our website for more ideas. Like our Facebook page for daily inspiration.  Receive #TheWeeklyRibbit for weekly water feature tips and a fun video. ​​​