My pond was looking a little worst for wear.

Step 1: There Was a Lot of Upkeep Needed...

No one felt like doing up-keep. Plus, this area is our pet graveyard. Untold beloved pets are interred in the bare area.

Step 2: Demolition Has Begun

The main pond area is being dismantled. I will be recovering the old pond area as lawn. I will also be reusing the red tiles for the new pond. The back wall will be untouched during the construction.

Step 3: Better Picture of the Layout of the Pond Wall

All the stones will be reused.

Step 4: Old Pond Liner Is Gone

Skimmer is removed. My property is all sand so digging is not a problem.

Step 5: Old Pond Is Gone!

Ducks are happy. I was able to use some sod to plant at the base of the wall

Step 6: Starting to Dig Out the New Pond.

Old waterfall pipe has being dug up. Old electric post removed, old water pipe removed.

Step 7: New Waterfall Spillway and Retaining Wall Is Built

Demolition of existing waterfall is underway.

Step 8: Digging Out the New Pond

At first, i was going to go with a long pond and a short waterfall.

Step 9: More Digging.

Step 10: Change of Plan

Smaller pond and longer "stream"

Step 11: Starting the Pond

Just started the lower retaining wall. Reusing the red tiles. Old skimmer box in place. Rebuilt the upper retaining wall.

Step 12: Retaining Wall and Tiles

All dry built stone walls on red bricks to prevent sinking into sandy ground. It also allows me to put top soil down without burying the first row of stone.

Step 13: End of Stream Drop-off.

Just starting the retaining wall for the drop-off into the pool. More retaining wall built. Waterfall pipe is waiting for the additional length to get to the waterfall box.

Step 14: More Red Tiles

Outline of the pond is done and level. Back retaining wall for the stream is next.

Step 15: Better View of the Pond From Above.

Step 16: Lower Retaining Wall Almost Finished

Grass seed put down. Lawn chairs installed to prevent dogs from "helping" me dig the pond.

Step 17: Lights!

Toyed with the idea of putting lights on the wall. Preferred a clean look on the top of the wall. I might put lights in the water.

Step 18: Stream Retaining Wall Complete.

Step 19: Underlay Down

I used old carpet underlay. Thanks Eileen for picking it up from someones trash.

Step 20: Some of the River Stones From the Old Waterfall.

Step 21: Lower Retaining Wall Complete

You can see the pond liner folded on the wall. I had to use two 10-ft x 15-ft pond skins® EPDM Pond Liners. They are very strong and thick.

Step 22: First Liner Down!

Also put some stones down. Waterfall pipe is connected., just not buried yet.

Step 23: Better View

Step 24: Started Laying the Stones by the Waterfall Box.

Buried the waterfall pipe and sank a beer. Also finished the upper retaining wall.

Step 25: Better View of the Lower Stream.

Step 26: Upper Stream Detail

Step 27: Lower Stream Detail

Step 28: On to the Pond

Carpet underlay installed.

Step 29: Ready for the Liner

I Folded back the upper liner so the lower liner could be tucked underneath it.

Step 30: Lower Liner Installed.

Tucked under the upper liner. Some stones put down. I built a fish hide at the bottom of the stream retaining wall. I had all my fish eaten out of the old pond many times before by storks and ducks. Long story...

Step 31: Stones.Stones.Stones

Had to scout around everywhere for stones.

Step 32: First Fill

Step 33: Checking the Stream and Top Waterfall

Step 34: Top Waterfall Checking for Leaks

Step 35: River Gravel Installed

I also built the stone lip. Finished the stone wall.

Step 36: End of the Stream

Detail view of the stone edge and retaining wall. Thanks for the Turtle Cindy!

Step 37: Stream With the River Gravel.

There was water loss. I had to lift the liner in this area and rebuild the walls on each side to the waterfall box.

Step 38: Second Fill

Water was too cloudy from the river gravel. I also had to drop the water level to use the pond expansion foam to keep the rocks in place.

Step 39: Ready for the Wall Capping

Step 40: Taking Templates

Toyed with the idea of pouring concrete in a form on the top. Couldn't think of a way to frame the inside of the wall for the forms. Plan "B", take a template of the top and precast 5 sections.

Introduction: Upgrading My Old Pond