Liner Width and Length

Wider stream channels require wider liner while more narrow streams require narrower liner widths. The height of the system's waterfall also affects the width of liner required. Taller waterfalls require wider liner pieces to cover splash out from the water falling from greater heights. If the water feature is going to be a channel of water winding through the landscape with small waterfalls along the way, a thinner piece of liner will suffice. Each Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kit is packaged with the appropriate amount of liner to accommodate the described waterfall and stream dimensions.

Take into account that the liner has to cover the vertical drops and the edges in the stream-bed. When comparing to liner lengths included in other kits on the market ensure that the included liner is actually being used for the waterfall and stream. Commonly a large percentage of the liner included will be required for the reservoir and not for the waterfall and stream channel. With a Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kit all of the liner included is for use in the waterfall and stream, none is for use in the reservoir.

Calculating for Water Storage

A successful vanishing waterfall & stream system has enough underground water storage to fill the stream-bed when the pump is engaged, and capture all the water in motion when the system is turned off.

To determine the required water storage for vanishing waterfall & stream, a number of factors must be considered in the designing phase.

Width of Stream Channel

The calculations for each Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kit are based on the excavated stream-bed. Water will seek to fill the entire space, though may only be visible in the center of the channel.

Length of Stream Channel

The calculated lengths for each kit are measured from the top of the waterfall to the bottom of the stream or pooling finish. The number of waterfalls or height of the waterfalls are not relevant in the water storage calculation because falling water occurs at a very high speed therefore will not effect the water storage calculation.

Amount of Rock in the Stream Channel

The cobble size effects the amount of water displacement in a stream and will therefore effect the amount of water required to fill the stream channel. By adding more rock to the stream-bed, more water storage is required. Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kits are designed to be installed with approximately 1-1/2" gravel depth which provides a realistic look without require excessive water storage. There are applications where deeper rock will be required. Please contact us for a custom package for streams with deeper rock depth.

Over time, as sediment fills the required spaces less water will run through the rock increasing the depth of the stream. This process can be expedited by adding some coarse sand in places along the stream.

Stream Depth

The stream depth will greatly effect the amount of water storage required. Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kits are based on 3/4" of water over the gravel. If a greater depth is required please contact us for a custom water storage configuration based on a custom water depth.

Waterfall Width and Depth

The cobble size effects the amount of water displacement in a stream and will therefore effect the amount of water required to fill the stream channel. By adding more rock to the stream-bed, more water storage is required. Berkey Waterfall & Stream Kits are designed to be installed with approximately 1-1/2" gravel depth which provides a realistic look without require excessive water storage. There are applications where deeper rock will be reqired. Please contact us for a custom package for streams with deeper rock depth.

Use the chart to the right to determine the approximate volume of water required to deliver the the waterfall depth desired for the feature. The chart is based on gallons per minute (GPM).

To increase the waterfall width while keeping the water depth consistent, more water storage and a larger pump may be required. Please contact us for a custom package if adjustments outside of the kit's range are desired.