Deschutes Water Gardens
Central Oregon — Bend, Redmond, Sisters & beyond

Beautiful yards built for
the high desert

Deschutes Water Gardens designs custom ponds, pondless waterfalls, and fountainscapes across Central Oregon. Construction is performed by our licensed contracting partner, Super State LLC.

971-322-9407

Or scroll down to our form to get a free quote

Ponds and pondless waterfalls
Built with Aquascape products
Free on-site consultations
Central Oregon based
What we do

Four ways to bring water
to your outdoor space

Whether you want the sound of a waterfall off the patio, a koi pond as the centerpiece of the backyard, or a compact fountain by the front door, we design it all for Central Oregon's unique climate. Deschutes Water Gardens leads design and consulting on every project, and construction is performed by our licensed contracting partner, Super State LLC.

Most popular
Pondless waterfalls
Cascading water that disappears into a hidden gravel basin — beautiful, low-maintenance, and safe for families.
Learn more
Custom ponds
Koi ponds and ecosystem ponds with natural boulder edges, aquatic plants, and Aquascape systems built to last.
Learn more
Fountainscapes
Decorative water bowls, bubbling boulders, and compact fountain features perfect for patios and smaller spaces.
Pond maintenance
Seasonal clean-outs, water quality care, and equipment checks that keep an existing pond or waterfall running right.
Learn more
Our signature service
Pondless Waterfalls Central Oregon

All the sound of moving water —
none of the open pond

A pondless waterfall is a stream and cascade that spills over natural boulders and then disappears into a hidden reservoir of gravel below grade. A pump sends that same water back to the top and it falls again, continuously. From above ground you see rock, plants, and moving water — there is no open pool anywhere in the feature.

That one design decision is why it has become the most requested water feature we build in Central Oregon. No standing water for a toddler or a dog to fall into. No fish to feed. No algae bloom to fight in August, and nothing to drain when the nights turn cold. You get the sound and the movement, and very little of the responsibility.

Why Central Oregon homeowners choose pondless

Safe around kids and pets
All of the water sits below grade in a gravel-filled basin. There is nothing to fall into, which makes it the feature of choice for young families.
Minutes of upkeep, not hours
No fish, no biological filtration to service. Rinse the pump screen, top off the water level, clear the odd leaf — that is genuinely the whole routine.
Fits yards of any size
A six-foot trickle beside a patio or a twenty-foot cascade down a slope — the same system scales either way, and we can build the grade on a flat lot.
Recirculates its own water
The pump runs a closed loop, so the only real loss is evaporation. In the high desert that matters — it uses a fraction of what the same square footage of lawn would.
Simple winter shutdown
Unplug the pump, pull it for the season, and walk away. There is no pond to winterize, no de-icer to run, and nothing exposed that a Bend freeze can crack.
Built with Aquascape systems
Pumps, liners, basins, and spillways from the industry standard in water features — sized properly for the drop, and backed by real warranties.

How a pondless waterfall project works

1
Free on-site consultation
We walk the property with you, look at grade, drainage, power, and sightlines, and figure out where the water will actually be heard from — the patio, the kitchen window, the bedroom.
2
Custom design and quote
Stream length, total drop, boulder selection, planting, and optional underwater lighting, with transparent pricing and a build schedule — before you commit to anything.
3
Excavation and basin
Our licensed contracting partner, Super State LLC, cuts the stream course and reservoir, sets the liner and basin, and runs the plumbing and electrical back to the pump.
4
Rock work and planting
Every boulder is set by hand so the water breaks the way it should. Native plants and river rock go in along the margins so the feature reads as though it was always there.
5
Startup and walkthrough
We fill it, tune the flow, aim the lighting, and then show you the pump, the shutdown routine, and the seasonal care — with written instructions to keep.

Prefer fish and an open pond? Read about koi pond installation, or see our current build offer if you are ready to get on the schedule.

Gallery

Water features across Central Oregon

Aerial view backyard pondless waterfall Central Oregon Close up water flowing over moss covered boulders Wide shot residential backyard pondless waterfall Bend Oregon Backyard koi pond at dusk with underwater lighting Three tiered natural basalt stone water feature Crystal clear koi pond with lily pads
Water features

Add the sound and beauty
of water to your yard

All of our water features are built using Aquascape products — the gold standard in the water feature industry — and designed to complement Central Oregon's landscape. We also offer ongoing maintenance plans to keep your feature healthy year-round. Ready to build? Check out our limited time offer for founding builds.

Pondless waterfalls
A cascading stream or waterfall that disappears into a hidden gravel basin and recirculates continuously. No open pond, no standing water — just the sound and beauty of flowing water.
  • Safe for kids and pets
  • Minimal upkeep required
  • Fits yards of any size
  • Easy winter shutdown
Custom ponds
Full ecosystem ponds and koi ponds with natural boulder edges, aquatic plants, waterfalls, and biological filtration. Designed to look like they've always been part of your landscape.
  • Koi and goldfish ready
  • Natural aquatic plantings
  • Self-sustaining ecosystem
  • Built with Aquascape systems
Fountainscapes
Bubbling boulders, water bowls, and compact decorative fountains that bring movement and sound to patios, entryways, and smaller outdoor spaces — with virtually zero maintenance.
  • Perfect for small spaces
  • No pond or basin visible
  • Very low maintenance
  • Great for front yards and patios
Common questions

FAQ

Do ponds and waterfalls use a lot of water?
Far less than most people expect. A pond or pondless waterfall recirculates the same water continuously — the pump moves it in a closed loop, so you are not consuming water the way irrigation does. The only ongoing loss is evaporation, which you top off periodically. In practice a well-built water feature uses a small fraction of what the same area of lawn would drink over a Central Oregon summer.
How long does an installation take?
Most pondless waterfalls and small to mid-size ponds are built in two to four days on site, once the design is settled and materials are staged. Larger koi ponds with extensive rock work and lighting can run a week or more. You get a firm schedule with your quote, before anything is dug.
What happens to a water feature over the winter?
A pondless waterfall is the simplest — shut the pump down, pull it for the season, and there is nothing left to freeze or maintain. Ponds with fish either keep running or get an aerator and de-icer to hold a gas exchange hole open in the ice. We walk you through the shutdown or overwintering routine for your specific feature at handoff, and our maintenance plans cover it if you would rather not deal with it.
What is the difference between a pondless waterfall and a fountainscape?
A pondless waterfall features a stream and cascade of water over rocks, often several feet long, disappearing into a gravel basin. It is a more dramatic, natural-looking feature suited to larger spaces or yards with some slope. A fountainscape is more compact — a bubbling boulder, water bowl, or decorative vessel that works beautifully on a patio or in a smaller front yard. Both are low-maintenance and family-safe.
Do you offer maintenance after installation?
Yes. We offer ongoing maintenance plans for ponds and water features including seasonal clean-outs, equipment checks, and water quality care. Visit our pond maintenance page to learn more.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all of Central Oregon including Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Tumalo, Prineville, Terrebonne, and Culver. Not sure if we reach your area? Call us at 971-322-9407.

Ready to transform
your outdoor space?

Free on-site consultations across Central Oregon. Whether you want a pondless waterfall, a koi pond, or a compact fountainscape — we will design around your space, budget, and style with no pressure. Scroll down to fill out our form or give us a call.

971-322-9407

Get in touch

Tell us about your project

We will get back to you within one business day to schedule a free on-site consultation.

Helps us assess your site, access, and design options.
Prefer to call? 971-322-9407