What are some potential design problems?
Never design a water garden system with a larger pond on top flowing into a smaller pond at a lower elevation. The reason is the water in transit from the larger pond and connecting stream will flood the smaller pond when the pump is turned off (or when the electricity goes out). The end result is a very high maintenance pond. Someone will have to go out every time the pump is turned off or loses power and add water back into the system (prime the system). The solution: always place the larger pond at the bottom of the system. Try to avoid placing the pond at a low spot on the property or an area that receives drainage and property run-off. This might appear the perfect solution to an already wet area, but will usually create a number of problems. Water beneath the liner will create hydrostatic pressure, causing the liner to bubble up. Uncontrollable run-off will enter the pond, and can cause an imbalance in the eco-system of the pond, resulting in poor water quality and algae blooms.
