Make A Splash!

Creating a decorative water fountain is easier than you think.

by Catriona Tudor Erler

Making a Cobblestone Fountain 

            A cobblestone fountain is a simple water feature that gives the illusion of a natural spring welling up from the earth or paving. It’s easy and inexpensive to install and takes up very little space. It can be as small as 12 inches in diameter or much larger if you prefer. The same concept can be made into an above-ground, self-contained container fountain. 

Materials Needed

Watertight reservoir: The reservoir can be any container made of a non-degradable, watertight material. A small plastic trash can or large tub is ideal. It should be large enough to hold the pump (most small models are about 7 inches wide) with a minimum of 3-5 inches of water over the top of the pump. The larger the reservoir, the less frequently you’ll have to top it off with water. 

Submersible pump: Choose a pump built to circulate 80-100 gallons of water an hour. A larger pump that circulates more gallons per hour will be too powerful, creating a water jet that will overshoot the edges of your reservoir.

Length of hose or rigid pipe: PVC pipe is a good choice. Choose a diameter that will match the pump outlet (generally 2/8 inch for small pumps). If you want a larger diameter for greater water flow, use an adapter to connect the pump to the pipe. The pipe should be long enough to reach from the bottom of the reservoir to a few inches above the ground or to go up through any decorative feature you decide to put on top.

Galvanized wire mesh: Wire lath, available at most building or concrete supply stores, is an excellent material to use to support the cobblestones covering the reservoir. Twenty-five gauge is probably the minimum weight; 9 gauge is strong. A good mesh is 2.5 mm. The gauge you need depends on the diameter of the reservoir and the weight of the stones. When cut into a circle, its diameter should equal that of the reservoir plus at least 5 inches.

            Fountainhead and/or decorative top such as a sphere or large urn (optional)

            Plastic sheeting 15 to 20 mils thick

            Shovel

            Cobblestones

            Wire Clippers

Directions

            1. Dig a hole deep enough to bury the trash barrel so the rim is at ground level. Contour the ground around the hole so there is a slight incline toward the hole.

            2. Bury the trash barrel, and then place a collar of plastic sheeting around the rim of the barrel. Use enough so that the plastic also covers the sloping ground out to about 1 ½ feet away from the rim. This waterproof sheeting will catch any water that sprays away from the fountain and direct it back in to the trash barrel reservoir. Cover the plastic with stones or plants.

            3. Place the submersible pump at the bottom of the sunken barrel on a brick. By raising the pump slightly, you minimize the chance that it will get clogged with any debris that may collect on the bottom. Connect the hose or rigid pipe to the pump’s outlet pipe. Run the electrical cord out of the top of the barrel to an outdoor electrical outlet. 

            4. With wire cutters, cut a small hole in the center of the metal grid large enough for the hose or pipe to fit through. Feed the hose or pipe through the hole as you place the grid over the buried container. If you have opted for a fountainhead, connect it, following the manufacturer’s directions. Fill the sunken reservoir with water.

            5. Cover the grid and any exposed plastic sheeting with the decorative cobblestones. Now give your new fountain a test run. The water should bubble out of the pipe onto the cobblestones and then flow back into the reservoir beneath. If you are using a fountainhead, adjust the water flow so the water stays within the cobble surround. 

            6. Add water as needed to keep the reservoir full, especially during hot weather or when rain is scarce. Designed for underwater use, the submersible pump will be destroyed if it is allowed to run dry.