BROOKFIELD, CT Acacia Middle School, located in Hemet, Calif., is dedicated to providing a rigorous education program founded upon the concept of Cougar P.R.I.D.E: Positive, Respectful, Individuals and Dedicated to Excellence. In recent years, the 70-year-old school has seen a significant growth in its student population and, to provide students with a safe and comfortable learning environment, the facility chose to undergo extensive improvements to the west side of its campus, including a new driveway and parking lot, classroom modernization and construction of a new gymnasium.

The repairs and improvements would be carried out in three separate phases and would include a redesign of the schools current stormwater management system. Initially, a drainage system was developed to hold most of the runoff in underground systems; however, it was determined that after a storm, some of the runoff might pump back onto the street. Engineers from Tory R. Walker Engineering, Inc. of Vista, Calif., who specialize in hydrology and optimization, realized that the runoff would exceed its peak flow to the street if nothing was done. The engineers suggested revising the design to include hydraulic principles and eliminating the pumping system. They instead proposed to use a system that would drain largely by gravity.

The engineers faced a number of stormwater management challenges. The site is very flat, and there is no onsite drainage system. In addition, the flat terrain would make it difficult for some areas to drain by gravity when the water is directed into an underground system because the site lacks an MS4 underground drainage pipe.

The area just a bit further from the lowest elevation point in the school has enough topographic difference to drain by gravity, but the portion closest to the street did not, said Luis A. Parra, PhD, PE, CPSWQ, D.WRE, ToR, Senior Project Manager at Tory R. Walker Engineering, Inc. In this case, we designed the system so it would drain by gravity up until a certain point and from that point on it would percolate into the soil.

A three-basin system was designed to drain as much water volume by gravity as possible. Water that cannot be drained by gravity is directed to the parking lot next to the street. The first two basins are hydraulically connected and a third long basin was added in lieu of a drainage pipe for drainage considerations and to enhance infiltration. Using this type of system eliminated the need for a pumping system and any associated maintenance. The use of gravity helps to get rid of runoff quickly after treatment and only a small portion of the water will need to infiltrate into the soil to drain. The hydraulic system maximizes the use of the limited space, while providing the school with a significant cost savings.

CULTECs Recharger V8HD plastic subsurface chamber was ultimately selected for the job as it provided a balance of maximizing storage while using a small footprint, and best satisfied the requirements of the schools site. Each chamber measures 32 inches high and 60 inches wide and can hold a minimum of about 100 cubic feet of water, with a bare chamber capacity of 8.68 cubic feet per linear foot.

The system included a total of 586 units of the Recharger V8HD and provided a storage volume of 58,383 cubic feet. The chambers are divided up into three separate beds, one of which is located beneath a grassy area dedicated to a playground and the other two are installed beneath parking lots. A pretreatment system consisting of a vortex pre-filter was installed with the CULTEC chambers to allow for maintenance at a single point. The filter extends the useful life of the underground system by trapping oils, large sediment particles and other debris before they can reach the chambers.

The new stormwater system had to accommodate a large volume of runoff because we can get a lot of rainfall in this area, said Mike Houghton, contractor with Genesis Construction that put the system in. CULTECs chambers provided the storage we needed. Plus, they fit together and install very easily, and you cant beat their integrity.

For more information about CULTEC plastic septic chambers and other products, please call (203) 775-4416 or visit http://www.cultec.com.

About CULTEC

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School's New Stormwater System Drains by Gravity Using CULTEC Chambers

Virginia Water Gardens is a family owned and operated Landscaping and Custom Design Water Garden Construction Company and Aquatic Nursery. We specialize in aquatic plants, pond fish, pond fish food, water filters, pond pumps, garden fountains, decorative garden statues and a variety of products to maintain or build your own backyard water garden, stream, waterfall or pond.

Our retail store and working water garden showroom is easily accessible from exit 133 off Route 95 and located on Cambridge Street (Route 1), just a mile north of Warrenton Road (Route 17) in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

We cordially invite you to stop by to view our beautifully landscaped displays of aquatic ponds complete with pond fish and water plants, cascading waterfalls and rolling streams flowing over colorful rock formations and surrounded by luscious plants, flowers and decorative garden accessories.

Perfectly situated within Stafford County, we are able to offer our expert custom design, landscaping and construction services to residential homes and commercial businesses throughout Virginia.

This includes communities within Fredericksburg, Stafford, Falmouth, Chatham Heights, White Oak, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Hartwood, Aquia, Garrisonville, Massaponax, Tappahanock, King George and Caroline as well as surrounding communities as far south as Richmond and up into Northern Virginia.

Virginia Water Gardens will create a lush paradise right in your own backyard, featuring ponds, streams, waterfalls, pondless waterfalls and lush landscaping, exotic koi and other exotic colorful fish that you will enjoy for countless soothing and relaxing hours. Imagine the possibilities for your own yard as we guide and assist you through in selecting pond plants, pond flowers, water fountains, water spitters and landscaping to create a special and unique personal environment you will enjoy for many years to come. All of our water gardens are one of a kind... custom designed and expertly installed just for you! Every watergarden or backyard pond we create is unique and custom designed, personalized to enhance and beautify your existing landscape using various sizes and shapes and tailored to meet your location and budget.

Virginia Water Gardens Services:

Elements of an Ecosystem Water Garden:

After dealing with the stress of work and long commutes, you can wind down by sitting next to your very own backyard garden pond and letting the sounds of running water take away the tension of a long day. Whether you choose to have a flowing stream or tranquil water pond with waterlilies, Koi fish, tropical exotic water lilies, or goldfish, that beautiful, peaceful, and personal water garden with pond and waterfall will be a source of enjoyment and relaxation for hours each day for years to come. And right in your own back yard!

You might think it takes time to take care and maintain a water garden or back yard pond, but you should not spend more than 5-10 minutes a week cleaning out your skimmer basket of large debris and adding the "good" bacteria to help clean and maintain your piece of paradise. Our self contained eco-friendly water gardens are meant to enjoy, not labor over all the time keeping them clean and we will make it possible for you to do just that!

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Garden ponds are alluring because they provide a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. There's nothing better than the sight and sound of water in your own backyard. A well designed pond will turn your outdoor space into a vacation-like retreat, where you can get away from the busy world. With a pond, you'll be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature including unique plants, running water and possibly even some koi fish.

It's important that the design and construction of a garden pond are done right. Due to lack of knowledge, homeowners often end up with a sloppy eyesore rather than a beautiful and relaxing water feature. This collection of articles will help you get ideas for your own backyard pond and provide design tips. Familiarize yourself with the basics of pond placement and construction so that when you hire a professional you'll be able to work together to create an incredible pond.

Get these tipsIn this section, you'll find tips from landscaping professionals and pond installers on:

Before installing a pond, it's important to remember that no pond will be maintenance free. However, upkeep can be minimized with good design and construction.

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Garden Pond Design Ideas - Landscaping Network

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Garden & Lawn Gardening Basics How to Design Waterfalls on Backyard Ponds

Peter Mitchell

Based near London, U.K., Peter Mitchell has been a journalist and copywriter for over eight years. Credits include stories for "The Guardian" and the BBC. Mitchell is an experienced player and coach for basketball and soccer teams, and has written articles on nutrition, health and fitness. He has a First Class Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from Bristol University.

The soothing sounds of water trickling over rocks seduces many gardeners into constructing their own backyard waterfalls. Waterfalls can also add valuable oxygen to pond water by bubbling it over rocks. However, if you install an oversize waterfall it might cause too much noise and overwhelm your pond. Too small a waterfall may not give your pond the aeration and water movement it needs to thrive. Careful waterfall design and planning helps ensure that you create a waterfall that suits your pond dimensions.

Work out what style of waterfall you want and how high you want the waterfall. Calculate rough dimensions by working out preferred width and height, then at least doubling that figure to get the length, according to Langston University. Otherwise your waterfall may be too steep. Increase the width required if you want to add plants along the side of the waterfall. Make sure your backyard can accommodate the dimensions.

Calculate your total pond size. Don't create a waterfall that's too big for your pond. If the waterfall is too large and creates too much water turbulence it could disturb plant and fish life, according to the World of Water website. Aim for a waterfall around five to eight feet in length from the edge of the pond for general garden ponds, according to the Aquatic Community site.

Decide if you're going to buy a ready-made waterfall kit or create your own. Buy enough thick pond liner to create a flowing, multi-level waterfall. Measure the length of the waterfall with a measuring tape and add two feet. Measure the widest part of the waterfall and add three feet, then multiply the overall length and width figures to get required liner dimensions, according to the University of California, Davis.

Select an appropriate waterfall pump. Find a pump that will circulate your entire pond water volume plus waterfall "head" height every two hours. For example, if your pond capacity is 2000-gallons, and your waterfall is three feet tall, you need a pump with capacity of 1000-gallons per hour and three-foot head, according to pump engineering specialists Mathews.

Plan your electrical requirements. If you haven't already checked local pond regulations and pipe and cable maps when installing your pond, contact your local government department for more information. Request a utilities mark-out if digging a deep hole. This shows any any pipes and electrical wires. Check with an electrician before installing any wiring near your waterfall.

Choose some waterfall rocks and boulders in a range of sizes. Use a mix of flat and round rocks. Adjust these later when the water is running for best effect. Avoid sharp rocks which could pierce the lining. Select border plants and shrubs from a garden center to line the waterfall.

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How to Design Waterfalls on Backyard Ponds | eHow

Whether youre interested in installing your outdoor pond yourself or having Outdoor Magic complete your entire custom pond project, we offer premium pond design services in NY, NJ and CT so the project is designed to your exact specifications and optimum pond depth, allowing for the proper landscaping and other optional environmental elements, such as accent/night lighting, koi fish, etc.

First, we provide estimates at no cost. Then, we work with you to design the outdoor pond of your dreams for your front yard or backyard. We recommend the right equipment, such as filters and pumps based on the size of your pond and the elements youd like to incorporate like aquatic plants or koi fish.

Pond construction and installation is an area where Outdoor Magic really shines in NY, NJ and CT! Each and every pond we install is done with care, precision and is always a custom job. We never use pond kits because we believe in constructing outdoor ponds the right way for the most natural and seamless fit within your environmental landscape. When it comes to constructing and installing your dream water garden or pond, we are the tri-state areas experts.

Not only do we install ponds and other backyard water features, we also complete all landscaping, hardscaping, and accent lighting, which makes Outdoor Magic a truly full-service pond design and installation company. No detail is overlooked when you choose Outdoor Magic for your outdoor pond construction. Call us to complete your project anywhere in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.

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Backyard Pond Design & Installation | Serving NY, NJ & CT

Some residential backyard ponds that have been designed and installed in Alberta are truly spectacular during the day as well as the evening. Just take a look at this picture on the left and imagine a pond with water falls and mountain streams like this in your outdoor space. Add night time lighting to it and you have a truly spectacular water feature designed to impress your guests no matter what time of the day! This particular landscape incorporates three water falls and two ponds with lots of Alberta boulders and plants strategically placed. And then the lighting really sets it off during the evening providing a wonderful landscape to admire. Humans love it, birds love it and the animals love it. It can be a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the quiet solitude of your outdoor space listening to the tranquil water falls. It is a perfect conversation piece when guests come for dinner. There will never be a lull in topics to discuss. It does not get much better than that!

How Do You Design One of These

It is really quite easy, however it does take some time to come up with a design that you can truly appreciate. You go to the experts who have designed many backyard ponds for residential customers as well as commercial customers. You may have ideas of your own that you want to incorporate. That is fine with the designers, in fact they prefer that the customer is an integral part of the design process. It really helps to make sure that the customer is truly satisfied with the final result. There is even more pride of ownership, when you can can say I helped to design this beautiful water pond, water falls and mountain stream!

Start with the pictures and pick out a number that you think you may like. Next look at the packages that are available to confirm that they are within the price range you were thinking of spending. Next, call the number at the top of the page to arrange for a consultation at your home or business. Let the designer know over the phone what landscapes you have shortlisted and what your budget is. They can then bring along some more pictures that fit your requirements and be prepared to discuss in detail what kinds of ponds and water features would best fit your outdoor space. They will work with you to narrow down the choices and select something that will look truly spectacular in your yard and within budget.

Maintaining a Pond

Maintaining a pond like the one in the picture does take a bit more work than a smaller one, however with water level monitors and automatic fillers, you will not need to be concerned about the water getting too low. From time to time, someone needs to monitor the chemical makeup of the water to ensure that the PH level is in the correct range for plants and fish if you have them.

Any debris from storms and wind should be removed immediately to maintain the flow of water and of course to keep your water feature looking pristine. Most home owners will look after this part of the maintenance. They can also test the water as well once a month or more often if there is some concern. Often the PH levels will change after a lot of rain. Customers can also arrange for one our contractors to come once a month to ensure that everything is running smoothly, clean up anything that needs to be done and re-arrange plants or thin them out as needed.

During the winter time your water feature will need to be shut down, since freezing water can damage the pipes and the pumps. These will be removed and the water will be lowered if needed. An aerator can be added to the pond if you have fish in the pond. They hibernate, but they do need unfrozen water with oxygen so the aerator will keep the water from freezing and also pump in air into the water as well.

Design and Install in Alberta

There are literally thousands of designs to choose from. Not all of them will make sense or would look very good in your outdoor space. But many of them will. Our customers often like to have something that is unique and customized that fits their space, their sense of spectacular and their budget. A custom designed backyard pond can be designed and installed making use of some of the features you have seen in other ponds with your own customized requirements included.

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Residential Backyard Ponds – Design and Install in Alberta ...

Pond, Waterfall, and Aquatic Habitat Installation

Installation of a water feature requires specialized knowledge, skills, and the right equipment. At Natural Waterscapes, we pride ourselves on providing the complete package from design through construction. Our designs are better, because we know what is required to construct a complex water feature. Our construction is better, because we know the design inside and out. Every water feature incorporates both art and science. Experience tells us when to apply each to reach a natural and beautiful end result.

For garden ponds and commercial applications, Natural Waterscapes, LLC is a Firestone Specialty Products trained designer and installer of Firestone Pondgard EPDM rubber liner products.

Waterfalls can provide a very attractive alternative to aeration fountains for larger pond and lakes. Not only does the waterfall provide aeration, but vegetation and bacteria growing in the margins of the stream act as a biofilter to remove the nutrients that cause algae blooms.

The falls pictured below are under construction with test runs of 500 gallons per minute of flow being completed on a moderate size waterfall and stream with 35 feet of drop over 130 feet of length.

Contact us now to start planning your large pond, garden pond, or waterfall

Many older ponds can gain incredible character and functionality from retrofitting to newer technology. Adding a skimmer box, upgraded pump, or even a gorgeous waterfall can enhance your pond while improving water quality. Click here to read more about retrofit opportunities for older ponds.

Aquatic Habitats, Wetlands, and Rain Gardens

Specialized construction techniques and extensive knowledge of soils, hydrology, and construction techniques allow Natural Waterscapes to install high quality aquatic habitats, wetlands, and rain gardens. Our installations are completed with long-term performance and success in mind. Our team brings the experience necessary to complete these complex projects and the results speak for themselves. We gauge our success by the diversity and types of wildife that utilize the habitat. Our experience ranges from small single home rain gardens to large multi-acre wetland and stream construction projects.

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Pond Construction - Liner Installation - Natural Waterscapes

Specializing in Pond Design and Pond Construction - The Pond Digger is building custom designed, low maintenance, ecologically friendly water gardens for fish and plants, but more importantly people! From small residential Tranquility Ponds to Koi ponds and pondless waterfalls to rock column fountains, water gardens to one acre lakes, we do it all. No project is too small or too large. If you are looking for pond design, pond construction or pondless waterfall suggestions, tips and tricks, in need of your water garden pond rebuilt or if you've always wanted a pond, look no further! Call us for a FREE pond construction informational DVD and a POND CONTRACTOR WARNING REPORT. Schedule an onsite pond design consultation today and move one step closer to your pondless waterfall or pond construction date.

We are based in Yucaipa and service the entire Southern California basin including, San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura and San Diego Counties. We work with a network of qualified Certified Aquascape Contractors, and Certified Professional Pond Contractors across America. So if we can't help you personally we can direct you to several different companies that will accommodate your pond construction and pond design needs.

30% of the pond construction performed by The Pond Digger Construction Team are remodels, rip outs, and teardowns. Ultimately, we spent a great deal of our time fixing broken dreams last year. We want the opportunity to teach you how to design your dream pond, pondless waterfall or watergarden correct the first time or have the opportunity help with your pond design and perform the installation for you.

For over a decade through our, Educational Training Advanced Seminars, pondless waterfall classes, California Pond Tours, Ponds for Schools programs, and speaking engagements, The Pond Digger has been changing the way the world builds and maintains ponds through these educational and inspirational pond installation classes. We teach children, contractors, and homeowners alike, time and money saving techniques of proper disappearing pondless waterfall construction and pond installation.

Pond design is not something that you should just leave up to anyone. Most pond design concepts are done on a whim and what happens is your Koi Pond, Water Garden, Pondless Waterfall, or waterfall system is just hap hazardly thrown into the far corners of your property.

A well-designed pond or pondless waterfall will cost close to the price of a spa or hot tub. So, since you will have a fair investment into your water feature, let's be sure you get the best bang for your buck. A good koi pond design will take these things into consideration:

Whether you are going to build your pond yourself or hire a professional to install, don't leave your watergarden design to chance. Consult with a professional. When it comes to your pond design, get all of your questions answered before you begin. We provide pond design consultations for professional pond installation and for the do-it-yourself homeowner too.

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317-786-3670 901 E Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227MAP AND DIRECTIONS

info@coolponds.net

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Thanksgiving Closed Thurs. Nov 28 through Dec. 2 Christmas Closed Dec. 24 through Jan. 6

Our Indianapolis Store Filled with supplies, surrounded by ponds. People drive for hours to visit us.

Installing a pond at your home or business Our pond designs and installations are elegantly customized to your location.

Classes in Pond Building and Maintenance Classes in water garden maintenance and construction.

Pond How-to Information and Support Got a question? Got a problem? We've got answers.

See the ponds - Video and photos A scrapbook of images and footage full of ideas for your pond.

About Cool Ponds We're a small family-run company, and boy do we love ponds!

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Cool Ponds - Indianapolis Pond Design, Installation and Supplies

No matter how beautiful a koi pond is, if the basics for a successful koi pond are not incorporated during the construction of the pond the owner will never be satisfied with it. Koi ponds are unique to themselves. The requirements for a successful water garden or even a gold fish pond are minimal. On the other hand, because koi fish are fast growing, produce a lot of waste and need very good water quality to flourish, they require a very special pond. A successful koi pond will address these issues, but at the same time it should be as easy as possible to maintain. The following information is provided to help you plan your Perfect Pond.

1) How large should I make my pond? One of the most common mistakes people make with their first pond is that they build it too small. For koi fish, the smallest pond we recommend building is 1500 gallons, which would be approximately 7 feet wide by 8 feet long and 4 feet deep. That may sound huge to many beginners, but most people who already have a koi pond, will agree that if you build a pond much smaller than that, you will not be happy with it. The problem is that koi fish are extremely addictive and it is hard to be content with just a few. Also, keep in mind that you may start out with several 6 inch long koi, but within 3 or 4 years they could grow to 24 inches or more. With few exceptions, most people, after a while, wish they had made their first pond bigger. On the other hand, you can also make your pond too big. Bigger is not always better. The largest pond we recommend building is 15,000 gallons, which would be approximately 17 feet wide by 21 feet long and 6 feet deep. If you build a pond much larger than that you run into several problems. In a very large pond it can become almost impossible to catch the fish if you need to. It can also be very expensive to medicate the pond if that becomes necessary. Additionally, all the water in the pond will need to be filtered at least once every three hours. Running pumps large enough to accomplish this can cost several hundreds of dollars per month. Finally, if you build the pond too large you may not enjoy the koi as much, because in a very large pond the koi are not always visible.

2) Where should I place my pond? There are several things to consider. First, koi ponds do better in a shaded area than in full sun. Full sun will work, but a shaded area will generally slow the algae growth down and will prevent the water from possibly getting too hot during the summer months. If you chose to build in a sunny area it might be practical to think of building some type of arbor, either now or in the future, to give your pond some shade. Unlike a swimming pool, leaves from trees near the pond should not create a problem if the pond is properly designed.* In many areas local building codes require any pond deeper than 2 feet be within a fenced in area, which could present a problem if you want to build it in your front yard. Once you have chosen a general location for the pond, we recommend you use a garden hose to outline the exact location, size and shape of the pond. This can be extremely helpful in giving you a better idea of exactly how the pond will look. After placing the hose where you plan to build the pond, stand back and examine it from several locations and ask yourself. Will it be the size pond that I want? Will it be as visible as I would like it to be from, say, the back deck, the kitchen window or wherever I would like to be able to see it? Keep in mind, this pond will most likely be the central feature of your whole landscaping. Once you have the general outline shape of the pond established you can get a approximate idea of how many gallons it would be by multiplying the (average length) x (average width) x (average depth) x (7.5 gallons per cubic foot).

*One note of caution: Pine trees are the one exception. Pine needles tend to create a real mess in a koi pond. Unlike leaves, needles can travel through the skimmer basket and the leaf basket on the pump and end up in your pump impeller. If possible, do not build a koi pond near a pine tree. Redwood trees, although messy, are not near the problem pine trees are.

3) Can I grow plants in my pond? If you really want to grow plants in your koi pond you can, but they really complicate things. Here is why:

If you place shelves in the pond to support the plants and the shelves are less than 2 feet deep, you risk the chance of loosing your koi to predators. Even if the shelves are deeper than 2 feet below the water level you may still have a problem. If when you place a potted plant on the shelf and the top of the pot is less than 2 feet from the pond surface a blue heroin may wait until a fish swims over the pot and then strike, pinning the fish against the plant pot.

Most water plants do not like water movement so you cannot use jets in the pond. Therefore, most of the leaves that fall in the pond will sink to the bottom before they reach the skimmer and may have to be netted out by hand.

Often times new plants will have parasites on them so you will need to treat them with potassium permanganate before you introduce them to the pond.

If parasites do get into your pond you will need to treat the whole pond. Most chemicals used to treat for parasites in koi ponds are toxic to plants. This means you will need to remove all the plants while you treat the pond. Additionally, you will need to treat the plants separately before you return them to the pond.

One of the most effective ways to combat string algae in a koi pond is to increase the salt level in the pond to .4%. This is not an option when you have plants in the pond because, most plants cannot tolerate salt and will die.

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Koi Pond Design - Down to Earth Landscapes