Water Feature Designs
Nine water-feature planning concepts — from architectural sheet walls to naturalistic boulder waterfalls. Final flow, sound, evaporation, chemistry, equipment and construction details depend on the selected system, site conditions and approved documents.
A floating architectural wall carrying one wide sheet of falling water.
Naturalistic stacked-boulder waterfall with a grotto cavity detailed to the approved project design, with restricted access and active adult supervision required.
Three matching spillway scuppers in a clean stucco wall.
Twin pedestal bowls — fire above, water spilling below.
Linear architectural water channel cutting through the patio.
A living koi pond with planted filtration and a small return fall.
Synchronized jets arching across the pool.
Classic raised spa with a wide sheet spillover into the pool.
Standalone sculptural fountains for non-pool yards.
Each illustrated design is a planning starting point—not a permit, engineering, fabrication, appliance-cutout, code-approval, or construction drawing. Field measurements, selected manufacturer documents and listings, site and utility conditions, required qualified engineering, AHJ/HOA review, approved documents, and the signed scope control the final project. Installed investment ranges are planning ranges, not quotes.
All design librariesChoose your water feature
Water features differ in more than price: how they look, how loud they are, who gets near them, and what they ask of you afterward. Compare all nine one question at a time, then open the planning board for the concept that fits your yard, your verified space and how you actually use it.
- Modern Sheet WallSheet wallVisual character
Architectural and quiet when off — the wall reads as a finished surface, so the face material matters as much as the water.
Installed range · $24,000 – $48,000Open planning board - Boulder Waterfall & GrottoNaturalistic waterfallVisual character
Sculptural and irregular. The stone reads as landscape, so the stacking, plant edge and lighting are the design — the water is the movement.
Installed range · $38,000 – $75,000Open planning board - Scupper Wall TrioScupper wallVisual character
Rhythmic and symmetrical. The wall finish and the spout metal carry the style; repetition is the effect.
Installed range · $14,000 – $26,000Open planning board - Fire & Water BowlsFire and waterVisual character
Symmetrical and resort-like. Flame and moving water in one silhouette; the bowl material and pedestal set the style.
Installed range · $8,500 – $18,000 (pair)Open planning board - Rill Channel & RunnelRill / channelVisual character
Minimal and linear. The channel is a line in the paving, so the border detail and the flush setting are what make it read well.
Installed range · $18,000 – $42,000Open planning board - Koi Pond with OverflowLiving pondVisual character
Garden-scale and organic. Edging, planting and the water clarity you can realistically maintain define how it looks.
Installed range · $28,000 – $65,000Open planning board - Arched Deck JetsDeck jetsVisual character
Clean arcs in the air, and nearly invisible when off. The effect is entirely about trajectory, spacing and lighting.
Installed range · $6,500 – $18,000 (3-8 jets)Open planning board - Raised Spa SpilloverSpa spilloverVisual character
The most familiar Arizona pool feature. The spa face and coping carry the look, and the spillway is the moving element.
Installed range · $22,000 – $42,000 (incremental over base pool)Open planning board - Pillar Bubblers & Sphere FountainsSculptural fountainVisual character
Object-first. The stone is a sculpture whether the water is running or not, which makes it a strong entry or courtyard focal point.
Installed range · $5,500 – $22,000 eachOpen planning board
Installed ranges are planning ranges, not quotes. Systems, zones, and finishes shown here are concept-stage planning tools — not permit, engineering, hydraulic, waterproofing, electrical, fuel or gas, manufacturer-installation, animal-habitat, code-approval, safety-inspection, or construction documentation. Field measurements, selected manufacturer documents and listings, qualified trades and required engineering, AHJ and HOA review, approved documents, and the signed scope control the final project.
How AE tunes water
Water features balance sound, movement, access, and the surrounding space. Pump, valve, basin, return, electrical, and control selections are coordinated from manufacturer documents, site conditions, and the approved project design.
- Variable-speed pump and independent-control options reviewed per feature
- Autofill, electrical protection, basin, and service-access strategy verified per project
- Sheer descents 1 in. to 48 in. wide, scuppers, bubblers, rain curtains, waterfalls
- Copper, stainless, cast bronze or hand-finished stone spillways
- Freeze-protection strategy based on selected equipment and site conditions
Frequently asked
- What kinds of water features do you build?
- Sheer descents, scuppers, bubblers, rain curtains, raised wall spillways, natural rock waterfalls, pondless streams, disappearing urns and koi or natural pond ecosystems. Pump, valve and control strategies are selected for the approved feature and intended operation.
- How loud is a water feature — will neighbors hear it?
- Sound depends on fall height, flow, basin geometry, surrounding surfaces, wind and the selected equipment. AE reviews the intended seating relationship and adjustable-flow options during design; final sound cannot be represented by one universal decibel value.
- How much water and power does a feature use?
- Water and power use vary with feature size, flow, exposure, wind, temperature, run time, pump selection and utility rates. Selected manufacturer data and the approved hydraulic and electrical design provide the project-specific planning basis.
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How AE builds a water feature
