Candidate for Water Feature (Wasserspiel) Near Patio - September 2026

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I've been working on a wasserspiel (water feature) that includes a DIY Alpine trough that can be part of an upgraded water feature in the backyard.  The current water feature is a half-barrel with an insert that is stuck about half-way back in the garden and it is mostly a sound-feature.  

The inspiration for the new feature is in this post (via Instagram) and includes a basin dug into the ground, covered in gravel with a stone trough on top that empties into the gravel and then recirculates.  

That means that I have to identify a spot that I can dig out for a basin, cover it with gravel and set the DIY Alpine trough on top.  Oh...I also have to make the LARGER trough, as my current one is simply proof-of-concept.  

I've been thinking about water features around the patio for years.  This post from 2017 (almost 10 years ago, eeek) shows a waterfall/creek that I fell in love with and talked about how it could work around the steps to the patio.  I've talked about ponds/creeks.  I talked about rills and why I need one.  I've talked about stock tank ponds.  I've talked about fountain walls.  

But, after all this time, I still don't have a water feature that is close to the patio.  That's the key part, here.  Something that you can enjoy from the patio (and the house), ideally.

One of the spots that I've been staring-at this Summer as a potential candidate for the wasserspiel and Alpine Trough is right outside the screened porch.  Tucked into the corner by the edge of the patio and bound to the north by the boardwalk.  

It is currently planted up with some Karl Foerster grasses, a couple of random hostas and some Angelina Sedum that I transplanted over from the stoop beds next door. 

Here, below, is a look at the area:

A location for a patio-adjacent water feature

If I put it there, I would excavate the area, dig-in the basin and top it with gravel.  

Here, below, is an annotated version - the circle shows the underground basin, the yellow rectangle is the trough:

Creating the basin is something else I need to think about - in terms of materials and style.  Aquablocks and/or a pondless waterfall kit is the professional answer.  Is there a DIY version that saves some money?  A small liner + milk crates?  Or a basin from a pond shop?  

Also, what about a little creek?  A guy can dream, right? 

Location: Downers Grove, IL, USA

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