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While they’re popular and have a lot of pros, the cons of river rocks include the following:

• River rocks don’t break down or provide nutrients to plants. 

• These stones can get hot and scorch nearby plants. 

• River stones may heat the surrounding soil to inhospitable temperatures. 

• Rocks can block rainwater from seeping into the ground if installations are too thick or tightly packed.

Most downsides occur when using river rock as mulch in gardens and flower beds. However, you can still incorporate river rocks into your landscape as long as you use them in the correct ways.

You can choose several types of fountains to add to your backyard, ranging in size, number of basins, and special water features. 

Check out the price ranges of common fountain types:

• Birdbath fountains: $40 to $1,100

• Cascading fountains: $40 to $2,000

• Tiered fountains: $100 to $6,000

• Kugel fountains: $150 to $5,000

• Glass wall fountains: $100 to $3,000

Placing your water feature in direct sun can speed up evaporation, leading to pump damage and algae growth. Shade or partial shade serves as the ideal location for most water features—just watch out for tree and plant debris that may fall in and clog the pump.

When deciding whether or not to turn off your pump, you should consider your area’s climate and the aquatic life in your pond. If you live in an area with freezing winter temperatures and don’t have any wildlife, keeping your pump on could damage it. If you have aquatic life but live in a colder climate, you might consider keeping your pump running and adding a pond heater.