Waterfalls and streams, lit for the evening
Boulder Waterfalls
Big natural boulders set by machine into waterfalls and streams, finished with plantings and underwater lights so they look and sound as good at night as in the day.
The photos on this page come from several different yards of this kind across the Salt Lake Valley.
The situation
What the owners wanted.
These are several waterfalls from different yards — a shady garden under a Japanese maple next to a brick home, and a sunnier backyard along a vinyl fence.
In each case the owners wanted the same thing: the sound of running water from the back porch, and a view out the window that feels like the mountains instead of a fence.
What we used — and why
Every piece has a reason.
- 1
Large quarried boulders, set with equipment
Boulders this size can't be placed by hand, and they can't be placed carelessly either. How each stone sits against the next decides how the water falls and how it sounds. We set them with a machine, then adjust by hand until it's right.
- 2
A liner and pump system hidden under the rock
The water runs over a liner and back to a pump, so it circulates instead of running off. All you see is rock and water; the plumbing stays out of sight but can still be reached for service.
- 3
River cobble around the edges
Rounded cobble hides the liner edges and gives the stream a natural bank, so it looks like it has always been there.
- 4
Underwater and up-lights
Lights set in the water make the falls glow after dark. It turns the waterfall into something you enjoy all evening, not just in daylight.
- 5
Loose planting along the banks
Japanese maples, grasses and perennials planted to lean over the stones soften the edges. Within a season or two it stops looking built and starts looking grown.
Utah weather
Water features in a dry climate
Northern Utah is a high desert. Low humidity and hot summer afternoons mean a water feature loses water to evaporation faster than it would in a wetter state, so we size the basin to hold enough that you are topping it off occasionally, not daily.
Our water is hard, too. Minerals leave white scale on stone where water splashes and dries. Setting stones so water runs over them in a steady sheet, rather than spattering, keeps that to a minimum.
In winter the pump is either shut down and winterized or left running on warmer designs, depending on the feature. We'll show you exactly what yours needs before the first hard freeze.
Is this right for you?
A great fit for…
- Anyone who wants to hear water from their patio or bedroom window.
- Shady corners where grass struggles — a water garden turns a problem spot into the best view in the yard.
- Homeowners who want a backyard that feels like a retreat.
- People who want to cover up road or neighbor noise with something pleasant.
Good to know
The honest details.
Water features need a power outlet near the pump and a little care — mostly topping off water in summer and a spring clean-out. We'll show you exactly what's involved.
They can be built with a small open pond or "pondless," with the water stored under the rock. Pondless means nothing to skim and no standing water for mosquitoes. We'll help you pick.
Every yard is different. We build these across Riverton, Herriman, South Jordan, Draper, Bluffdale and the rest of the Salt Lake Valley, and the best way to know what yours needs — and what it will cost — is to have Jason walk it with you. Call 801-608-7207 for a free estimate.
Photos
The finished work.
Tap any photo to see it full size.
During the build
The part you never see again — and the reason it lasts.
Free estimate
Let’s walk your yard together.
Call and tell us what you have in mind. Jason will come out, walk the property with you, and give you a written estimate — free, with no obligation.
Mon–Fri · 8:00–5:00 · Riverton, Utah · Licensed & insured