Down at the Koi Pond

Built in May of 2000, our Koi pond has brought much pleasure. The Koi are relaxing to watch to the point they become a time sucker. Maybe it is a form of meditation.

The pond has evolved from a simple 9'x15'x3' liner draped hole in the ground with a simple waterfall. It has been extender to include a skimmer with vacuum bottom drain and UV algae buster, unpressurized bio-filter, a gravity feed bog pond hooked to main pond by a vacuum bottom drain that feeds a stream and another bog pond that spills back into the main pond, another stream and waterfall, and a upper pond feed by a Koi sculpture spitter that spills back into the main pond.

The landscaping evolved from just grass to a dry rockwall that acts as a retainer wall for the gravity feed bog pond and the berm for the main pond; dwarf pampas grass, ground ginger flower, foxglove, ostrich fern, Yucca, and a stand of hardy bananas. There is a perched bog pond that holds carnivorous plants, and a meditation/yoga pier. The pier is attached to the lower deck, where it is serenity was perfect for a tea ceremony.

Yes, we do get into the pond from time to time. I get in to do cleaning and pruning. Leslie has gotten in to do Koi wrangling, to relocate baby Koi and goldfish.

The pond does produce its moments of drama with local predators: raccoons and foxes. They are deterred by a motion activated water spray device, and an electric fence. A few goldfish do get eaten by frogs and an occasional snake. Thankfully, due to our siting at the end of a narrow clearing next to a tall stand of trees, Herons are discouraged from landing.