Waterfalls and ponds are some of the most popular types of water features, but what do they frequently have in common? Rocks. Rock water features add an extra element of nature that can make your backyard water feature appear as if it just sprang to life right out of the ground!

Today, we’re taking a look at the benefits these types of water features provide as well as some examples of rock water features to install in your backyard for inspiration!

Benefits of Rock Water Features

Before we hop right into examples of rock water features to install in your backyard, let’s talk about their benefits. What sets them apart from other types of water features and how can you use rocks to create the exact look and vibe you want?

A water features installation professional will be able to listen to what you want from your new addition and suggest the best rock water features for your space. Some of the best benefits of natural rock water features include:

• Relaxing natural sounds of running water
• Adding a custom touch to your backyard landscaping
• Increasing the value of your home
• Cooling your backyard naturally

The Zen of Relaxing Water Sounds

Probably the most obvious benefit of natural rock water features is the sound they create. As water hits the rocks concealing the reservoir of your pondless waterfall or splashes into your garden pond from a custom waterfall feature, you’ll experience relaxing sounds that can drown loud neighbors, barking dogs or street noise. It helps create a private oasis where you can sit back and soak up the calming sounds of nature.

Creating a Custom Look to Your Backyard Landscaping

Another benefit of rock water features is the finished look they bring to your backyard. Water feature installations give your space a polished, unique look that you’ll be proud of and wows your friends and family. Working with a water features installation professional to create a complete water feature landscaping look will transform your backyard into a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Increasing Your Home Value

While loving the place you live can be priceless, it’s always important to recognize ways to increase your home’s value and boost curb appeal. Do water features add value to a home, you ask? They certainly do! No matter what type of water feature design you choose, rock water features can boost your home’s value and grab the attention of prospective buyers if you choose to sell.

Outdoor residential water features also add value without adding a ton of maintenance, making them ideal for homeowners who don’t want a ton of upkeep. Maintaining a water feature after installation is as simple as removing any debris that may settle, keeping an eye on water levels, and winterizing your water feature during the colder months (this is especially important for water features in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and the Capital Region as a whole).

Rock Water Features as Backyard Cooling Ideas

Another benefit of natural rock water features that you may not have considered is their potential to help cool your backyard on warmer days. No, your Capital Region New York water features won’t keep your entire yard super cool on hot summer days, but they may cool down the immediate area by a few degrees as they absorb some of the heat through constantly recirculating water. This means strategically deciding where to put water features in a yard may have the potential to keep you cooler on hot days, too!

Types of Rock Water Features For Your Yard

Now that we’ve seen some of the benefits of rock water features, let’s talk about what types of water features you might want to choose from! The truth is, anything can be a rock water feature. The term simply means they’ve incorporated rock or stone into the design itself. But what type of water feature is right for you? While one of our water features installation professionals will be able to give you the best advice after seeing your space, some of our favorite examples of rock water features to install in your backyard are:

• Simple streams
• Water fountains
• Garden ponds
• Rock waterfalls
• Backyard rock water feature with fire

Stream Water Features With Rocks

Kicking off our list of rock water features to install in your backyard is a stream. Creating a babbling brook in your backyard maximized the zen element of running water sounds. The finished look can be anything from ultra modern to fairytale garden, depending on the types of rocks and design you use.

For example, river rocks are often round and have a bit of a shine to them. They come in a variety of sizes from very small to large and imposing. Using river rock to create a stream water feature in your yard lets you adjust how loud you’d like water to hit the rocks and adjust to meet your desires. They also create some of the most natural looking rock water features, like your stream was always there!

Backyard Water Fountains

Adding in a backyard water fountain to your space is another example of how rock water features can create a zen spot. A rock-filled water fountain will add the soothing sounds of water to your backyard and let sunlight glisten off the stream. Easy to maintain, rocks full the basin of the fountain, creating a splashing sound as the flow cascades over them.

Additionally, using rocks in water fountains may help prevent debris from getting through to the water feature pump, keeping your fountain operating properly.

Note: If you use rocks in your fountain, be sure to monitor water levels for loss due to any splashing and natural evaporation.

Rock Garden Pond Ideas

Creating a garden pond is another of our favorite examples of rock water features to install in your backyard! Garden ponds can range in size, so if you thought they were only for the largest of yards, think again.

Requiring a little more maintenance than pondless waterfalls or fountains, garden ponds pay off in how stunning they look. Using natural rocks, a water features installation professional can design a stunning addition to your backyard space that looks like it was always there. Garden ponds top of backyard landscaping and will have your friends and family in awe.

You can also create variations on garden ponds such as raised pond rock water features. Using flat rocks to make a natural-looking raised pond can add height to your new addition. You could also use the raised pond idea for a romantic rock water feature like a wishing well!

Backyard Rock Water Features With Fire

The last entry on our list of examples of rock water features to install in your space are backyard water features with fire! These unique rock water features will take the look of your installation to the next level. Combining the soothing, zen qualities of running water with a mesmerizing fire element adds flair to your space and value to your home. Rock water features with fire also add a sense of spectacle, excitement, and create a vibe your friends and family won’t experience anywhere else!

We hope these examples of rock water features to install in your backyard have been both enlightening and inspiring. Rock water features certainly maximize the zen quality of backyard water features through sound and beauty. The other benefits of rock water features make them some of our favorites, for sure. Ready to elevate your backyard? Give us a shout and let’s create the best water feature installation in Albany, Saratoga, Colonie, Schenectady, and the Capital Region for your home!