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Underlayment, Liner and Creek Underlayment, Liner and Creek From "Hardscapes" episode DHSC-104

With the pond area now excavated, it's time to add a layer of sand to the cavity, fit the liner in place, then add the surrounding rocks and create the adjoining creek....

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Spread a two-inch layer of damp sand over the bottom of the liner (figure A), then move up to the shelves. Rake the sand until it's level and smooth and drop the liner in the hole. You may need to put the liner in and take it out a few times for adjustments. To cover the liner, dry stack medium sized river rocks up the sides; it's similar to fitting together pieces of a puzzle.

• Continue stacking the rock walls until you come to the place where you want the feeder tube from the pump to come out of the pond.

• When you attach this tubing to a recirculating pump, it will carry water from our reservoir pond, to the head of the creek. With plenty of tubing still on the floor, run it up the side and leave the extra tubing coiled on the ground. Carefully stack rocks to conceal the tube, but don't seal it in. You need access to the tube for maintenance later.

• After that, lay out the course of the creek bed with lengths of rope or a garden hose frame the edges of the creek. Use something flexible so it's easy to change the shape and make adjustments. When you're satisfied with the design, mark it with landscaper's spray paint and extend the tubing along the edge of the creek bed to the head of the creek (figure B).
  
  
• As you dig out the creek, use some of the soil to cover the tubing. This will protect the tube from foot traffic and still leave it accessible.

• When you finish the excavation, smooth the bottom and sides, and remove rocks or sticks that might puncture the liner. Spread a two-inch layer of damp sand and tamp it down.

• To install the liner, start in the center and unfold toward the sides. If necessary, make folds to fit it into curves, but try to avoid them if possible.

• Lap the liner over the top edge by six or eight inches. It should stay in place, but if not just weight it down in a few places with smooth stones. At the bottom end, leave enough material to overlap the edge of the pond liner.

• Fill in the creek and pond bed with river rocks, working from the bottom toward the top (figure C). On the sides, stack rocks just like you did in the pond. Vary the size and shape to make it appear natural. Use the expanding foam only where you have trouble keeping the rocks in place. One layer of rocks pretty well covers the liner but you can fill in gaps with smaller stones and pebbles. Don't use gravel as a filler because it tends to collect algae.

• At the head of the creek, place the water supply tube on a layer of rocks (figure D). To hide it from view, stack more rocks around and on top of it. Be careful so you don’t damage the tube. Now let's hook up the other end to the pump.

  Safety Note: Water and electricity can be a dangerous combination! Carefully lift this end of the water tubing out of the pond and attach it to the pump.