Nothing makes a backyard more peaceful than a well-placed water feature—and when it comes to water features, backyard ponds are MVP. They can transform the corner of your urban backyard into a small slice of nature. For a moment, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city by meditating to the relaxing sounds of flowing water.
Because ponds are usually a large project, many homeowners prefer to hire a local professional pond service (especially if they want to create the ideal environment for fish). But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it on your own; you just need to scale down to something a little more basic. Here’s how to build a pond like a total pro.
Prepping to Build a Pond
Before you build your pond, you need to plan. Some homeowners wind up excavating an acre of land to create a full-fledged lake (which does, in fact, raise the price by thousands and shouldn’t be done DIY). If you’re doing the job on your own, it’s best to go with a design that’s compact and basic. Ask yourself:
Where is the best place for my pond?
Do I want to add a fountain or waterfall?
Do I want to add edging?
Do I want koi fish?
Will I add any plants?
If you want fish in your pond, you’ll typically need plumbing and electrical work to create the right conditions. Depending on your climate and if you are overwintering fish, you'll also need a specific pond depth.
This is in addition to necessary extra maintenance to keep your koi pond healthy (fish need to be fed every day and water must be monitored). A water garden with native plants may be easier to maintain. Some of the best pond plants include:
The most important step of pond building is finding the right location. Your city may have specific zoning laws and requirements to ensure that your pond is safe.
“However, it is also important to place the pond in a location where you will be able to enjoy it and hear it in your landscape,” says Tara Dudley, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Plant Life Designs.
The ideal spot is:
Mostly level
Near an electrical outlet
Near your garden hose
Away from a tree or shrub that could shed leaves into the pond
Gets at least six hours of sunlight a day (for fish, morning sun is ideal)
You should also keep drainage in mind. If you're building your ground pond in a low spot on your property, it could flood because of the high water table. It’s also subject to runoff that could compromise the water quality and harm fish and vegetation.
Mark Off the Area
Create an outline of your pond using a rope. You’ll use this as a guide to dig. The typical 200-gallon pond:
Spans a 3-by-6-foot area
Has a depth of 1–2 feet
If you want to include fish in your pond, it must be at least 2 feet deep at the deepest point—and underlayment will take 1 to 2 inches off the depth. If it’s too shallow, koi fish won't be able to overwinter (the period in which they become dormant). In warmer temperatures, the pond will get too hot for your fish.
Dig the First Level
Ponds aren’t sloped bowls; they’re actually built-in levels, like a small staircase. This creates a space for aquatic plants and fish and prevents debris from falling into your pond and collecting at the center. Use your shovel to dig the first level at a depth of 1 foot. Use your wheelbarrow to get rid of the extra soil.
Dig the Second Level
It’s time to go deeper. Leave at least a foot of space around your pond’s circumference for the first level, then dig the second level in the centermost area. This level should be an additional 6 to 12 inches deep (or even deeper if you’re adding fish). Remember: underlayment adds 1 to 2 inches.
Remove Debris
Before you lay down your liner, remove debris and sharp rocks that could puncture the plastic and underlayment.
Test the Liner
You’ll want to make sure your flexible pond liner fits the space. Put it in your space and make sure it fits flush to every gap with at least 10 inches of overhang around your pond.
Install the Underlayment
Underlayment is a soft piece of fabric that will help protect your liner, but you can also use sand, carpet, or fiberglass insulation. Add the underlayment. Make sure there are 1 to 2 inches of padding.
Install the Pond Liner
Install your pond liner, ensuring at least 10 inches of overhang. You can use stones to keep it in place while you fill your pond with water.
Fill Your Pond With Water
Take your garden hose and start filling your pond, adjusting your liner to lay flat under the weight of the water. For now, just fill your pond halfway.
Install the Pond Kit and Pump
Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes and algae, but you can get it moving with a pump. This usually comes in a kit along with a bubbler (which keeps the water oxygenated for fish) and filter (which cleans the water). Follow the manufacturer’s directions to install.
Add Accessories
If you want to add a decorative fountain or other accessories, this is the time to do it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install.
Secure the Pump and Fill
Make sure your pump is fully submerged in the middle of your pond. Finish filling your pond with water.
Add Gravel (Optional)
Some people choose to add gravel to the bottom of their pond, which helps hold the liner in place and grows healthy bacteria.
Add Edging
You’ll need to hide your excess pond liner. You can do this with stones, mulch, and landscape edging. Edging can help give your pond a very crisp look.
Add Plants and Fish
Once the edging around your pond is complete, add your pond plants. There are five major kinds:
Floating plants, which you can place on top of the water
Submerged plants, which you can pot and put on the first level
Deep-water plants, which you can pot and put on the second level
Bog plants, which thrive in wet conditions
Marginal plants, which thrive in wet and dry conditions
If you’re adding fish, choose plants that can provide nutrients and balance oxygen. Test the water quality before adding fish, and one to two times a week thereafter.
Building a Pond DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost to install a backyard pond professionally is usually somewhere between $1,250 to $5,480. This may seem like a splurge, but depending on the size of your pond, you may need to excavate—not just dig up land with a shovel. You’ll typically need a license to rent an excavator, and it can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500 a day.
On top of that, if you don’t install your pond liner correctly, it will leak and eventually ruin your efforts. In other words, DIY pond construction may not actually save you much money.
If you’re handy, installing a basic 150- to 200-square-foot pond can be a fun weekend project. If you want something more substantial, this task is best left to a local pond installation company.
Questions About Building a Backyard Pond
If you’re wondering how to build a pond above ground, it’s similar to building a pond below ground. Instead of digging, choose a plastic tub and install the same type of pond kit. Many homeowners find above-ground ponds a bit easier to install and maintain.
You’ll need to occasionally clean your backyard pond, especially if you have koi fish. Test the water twice a week to make sure your fish have everything they need and always remove visible debris.
