Pond construction in Boise, Idaho

Pond construction in Boise usually starts with a homeowner saying something like, "I want a pond, but I don't want a green, smelly hole in my yard." That fear is fair. A lot of ponds go wrong because they were built in the wrong order or with parts that don't work together. I'm Kabe Hockema, and I build every pond myself, one careful step at a time.

I build with Aquascape components and the ecosystem approach. That means the pond cleans itself the way a natural pond does. A skimmer pulls floating debris off the top. A biofalls filter at the head of the waterfall holds the good bacteria that eat waste. Rocks, gravel and aquatic plants finish the job. The result is a pond that stays clear without a pile of chemicals.

When pond construction makes sense

Most people call me for one of three reasons:

• You have a bare corner of the yard and want the sound of moving water.
• You have an old pond that leaks, stays green, or was never built right, and fixing it would cost more than starting fresh.
• You're already planning a patio or backyard project and want water built in from the start.

If a full pond feels like too much, we can talk about a fountain or a pondless waterfall instead.

How I build a pond, step by step

Here is the order I follow on almost every pond. The order matters. Skip one and it shows up later as a leak or green water.

Layout and levels

I paint the outline on the ground and walk it with you. We look at it from the patio, the kitchen window and the back door. Then I shoot levels so the edge of the pond sits flat. A pond edge that's off by even an inch shows liner on one side.

Excavation

I dig the pond in steps, not as one bowl. Plant shelves go around the sides, and a deeper zone sits in the middle. The dirt from the dig often becomes the hill for the waterfall, so less soil gets hauled away.

Underlayment and liner

A thick fabric underlayment goes down first to protect the liner from rocks and roots. Then a flexible rubber liner goes in one piece, folded to fit the shelves.

Skimmer and biofalls

I set the skimmer at the far end and the biofalls at the top of the waterfall. Water travels the full length of the pond, so there are no stagnant corners. The plumbing runs between them and the pump sits inside the skimmer.

Rock and gravel

Rocks cover the liner from the bottom shelf up. Gravel fills the gaps. This protects the liner from sun and gives the good bacteria a huge amount of surface to live on.

Fill, test and plant

I fill the pond, run the pump and watch the edges for a full day. Then I add beneficial bacteria and aquatic plants. Fish come last, once the pond has had time to settle.

What Boise ground does to a dig

Treasure Valley soil changes how a pond goes in. On the Boise Bench and in much of Meridian and Nampa, heavy clay holds its shape well but turns to sticky mud when wet. In the Eagle foothills and Hidden Springs, I often hit rock, which slows the dig. In newer subdivisions, the yard may sit on compacted builder fill, and soft spots need to be packed so the pond edges don't settle later.

Our freeze-thaw winters also push on the ground. A solid, level base under the stones and liner keeps the edges from heaving out of place when the ground freezes and thaws over and over.

What drives the cost of pond construction

My published starting price is $15,500 for an 8' x 11' Aquascape system pond with a waterfall. Your price depends on:

• Size and depth. More water means more digging, liner and rock.
• Waterfall and stream length. A longer stream adds rock, liner and pump power.
• Access. A wide gate lets a small machine in. A narrow side yard means more hand work.
• Soil. Rock or soft fill takes longer than clean clay.
• Extras. Lighting, a larger pump, more plants, or stone steps and seating around the water.

At the consultation, I walk the site and tell you which of these will move your number.

Fitting the pond into the rest of the yard

A pond looks best when it belongs to the yard around it. I often plan the pond next to a patio or seating wall so you can sit close to the water. If you want the waterfall to be the star, read about waterfall installation. If your yard has tough access or rocky soil, my page on pond excavation explains how I handle the dig. And if you want to know how the water stays clear, see pond filtration system installation. For a look at the full range of water work I do, visit my water features page or the main pond contractor page.

Where I build ponds

I build ponds in Boise first, plus Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Star, Middleton, Kuna, Garden City and Hidden Springs, and in Sun Valley and Ketchum. I take on a limited number of projects each season so I can be on every job myself. You'll have my direct number from the first visit to the last stone.

I've been doing landscape work since 2012. Hockema Landscape Design & Build holds Idaho contractor license #6871843 and is bonded and insured.

Start your pond construction in Boise

If you're ready to talk about pond construction in Boise, the first step is a walk through your yard together. Schedule a consultation or call me at (541) 961-7269, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.