Job in progress: Kern river
This project is now complete! Please visit the Kern River page to see the finished project, including the stunning nighttime photos.
November 17, 2007 - Current state of project
September 27, 2007 - Back waterfall lighting
Our fiber optic lighting is now installed and running on the back waterfall. There are a total of three "light boxes" that provide light to the 13 individual fixtures. Each of the light boxes is located out of sight and contains a metal-halide bulb with a 6000-hour lifespan.
August 30, 2007 - Back waterfalls running
We've finished the equipment installation including a 5-horsepower commercial pump for the top waterfall. With the 2-horsepower filtration pump running simultaneously, the waterfall flows around 450 gallons per minute.
The sound of the water is incredibly soothing and changes from crashing at the waterfall, to a trickling brook sound through the trough.
August 25, 2007 - Back trough running
We installed the filtration system for both upper and lower ponds. It's a very flexible design and allows us to pump from one to the other. In this set of photos, we have it set to pull from the lower pond and overflow the top pond, making the water flow down the trough.
August 10, 2007 - Front waterfalls painted
The waterfeature and landscape boulders in the front yard are now painted. We're almost done in the front, with just the fiber optic lighting left to install. This is a typical "salt-and-pepper" granite paint finish, created by spraying on millions of various-sized dots in multiple layers of color. A few acid stain colors were also used for variation.
We painted the pond floor a very light gray to maintain the beautiful water color shown in the May 25 pictures. We also applied a penetrating sealer that protects the rock surface against water penetration - notice how the water beads on the rock surface.
June 22, 2007 - Temporary pump on back waterfals
For testing purposes, we use our submersible pump to verify the water pathways of our waterfalls. We like to know exactly where the water is going before moving on to paint. Our pump flows approx. 70 gallons per minute (GPM). Final flow with the 5HP pump should be around 400GPM.
June 21, 2007 - Back waterfall and trough embossed
All the gaps between the GFRC rock panels have now been filled in and textured to seamlessly blend together. Note the absolutely massive rocks we've built. The placement and size were carefully selected to make a very natural and beautiful setting.
The third and fourth shots show the water channel that connects the upper and lower waterfalls. The water that you see is flowing out of an ordinary hose, approximately 25 gallons per minute (gpm). When the pumps are installed, this will flow around 400 gpm - an awesome amount of water in such a small space.
Shots five and six show just one of the numerous whitewater cascade areas on the main waterfall. Again, the water is provided by the same garden hose for testing purposes. The final flow through this area will be around 100 gpm. The jagged rock floor of this path matches the surrounding rock formations, and will provide a dramatic whitewater effect.
May 25, 2007 - Front pond filled, water running
The front pond and rock waterfall are almost complete. We filled the pond a few days ago to test run the waterfalls before we paint. The filtration equipment is set and running including Pentair Intellitouch controls with wireless remote, large 48" sand filter with Zeobrite™, ozone system, and inline chlorinator. The filtration system will turn over the entire volume of water in the pond in about 35 minutes, leaving the water VERY clean as shown in the pictures.
Our clients enjoy the great outdoors, and being next to the Kern River, there are plenty of critters to be found. Ready to catch a pair of fish is a bronze eagle that is "flying" down from the cottonwood tree next to the front waterfall. Also, visistors coming up the driveway will be greeted by a life-sized bronze elk. He stands off-center and looks like he just came out of the trees. The elk is the centerpiece of the stamped concrete driveway and is lit by three spotlights.
Again, the waterfall is NOT PAINTED yet.
March 25, 2007 - Front pond backfill, rear pond panels
The first three shots show the front entry area, complete with multi-level decks and walkways, seating walls, comfortable steps, and waterfall. All of the boulders and rock panels have now been installed on the front falls. It's now ready for embossing, a process we use to blend the panels together while matching the texture of the existing rock.
The back yard waterfalls are starting to get pieced together now. The major water pathways and weirs are now roughed in.
March 1, 2007 - Front pond panels
More GFRC rock panels have been installed on the front waterfalls. The water feature will start to take shape as we place the panels for maximum water effect.
February 28, 2007 - Progress on entire site
1st shot - New concrete block walls have been laid up to retain sloped and elevated planters. Concrete walkways have been poured and are ready for stone overlay.
2nd shot - Stamped concrete has been poured in the parking area. All the "brick" borders are stamped concrete also.
4th shot - Shows the multi-level viewing decks in the back yard. The red square posts at the edge of the decks are for the wrought-iron railing. Also visible is the Kern River at the back of the property.
February 26, 2007 - First concrete backfill
The first set of GFRC rock panels have been installed in the front waterfall area. All the empty space between the panels and the gunite shell is completely filled with high-strength concrete. The ensures solid rock formations that cannot shift or break.
February 7, 2007 - Pond waterproofing
The red material visible on the ponds and waterfall areas is Thoroseal™ waterproofer. This forms a complete waterproof "container" for the water underneath any rockwork. This prevents water from ever escaping and forming a leak.
The last shot shows the new 400-amp electric panel. Because of the new electric loads for the site, it was necessary to upgrade from a 200-amp service to 400.
January 23, 2007 - Gunite
The ponds and waterfall areas have been gunited. Gunite is a concrete-like material that is sprayed into place and follows the shape of the rebar mesh.
The conduit (gray pipe) that is visible in the second and third shots is for the fiber optic lighting system.
December 27, 2006 - GFRC panels arive
Our shipment of rock panels arrives on this flatbed truck. We piece these panels together to form the waterfalls and landscape boulders.
December 20, 2006 - Walls started
Grading has been done for the various walls and multi-level decking. Several walls have been installed including the elevated parking area to the elevated planter between the two driveways.
December 8, 2006 - Concrete demolition
The existing patio, driveway, and walkways have been jackhammered out leaving a "clean slate" for the new design to be installed.
December 5, 2006 - Rough layout
Stakes have been placed to show locations of front and rear ponds and waterfalls.
October 7, 2006 - Initial pictures
This beautiful property is set in the foothills northeast of Bakersfield. The home has wonderful views of the Kern River, but the abundant lawns make the grounds uneventful.
