Ponds 102 Chapter 10
Measuring the Liner for the Stream
If you are building a stream, you will want that second piece of liner. As long as you can make a vertical overlap at least 8” tall (the height of a cinder block) and well above pond water level, you won’t have to seal the two liners together. The liner for the stream is figured a little differently, and don’t be surprised if it seems excessive - when it comes to streams, bigger is definitely better, as you’ll be able to meander a little to create a more natural appearance. Add the length of stream at its longest point, including the perimeter stones, to twice the total height off the pond. Add the width of the stream at its widest point including the stones you’ll be using at the edges to twice the total height. Add 5’ to each and round up to the nearest multiple of 5. That may sound like a lot, but you’ll find you’ll want the additional liner for curves, wrinkles and edges. So, if your stream measures 9’ long from the pond to the back of the farthest stone from the pond, and the highest point will measure 2.5’ above pond level, and you want it 5’ wide including the edge stones at its widest point, you’ll need [9+(2x2.5)+5] by [4+(2x2.5)+5] , 19’x15’, so you’ll order a 15x20 liner, and the amount of underlayment is simply the area of the liner, so you’ll need 300 square feet. Don’t worry about how wide the underlayment is; you’ll be overlapping it as needed.
If you are building a stream, you will want that second piece of liner. As long as you can make a vertical overlap at least 8” tall (the height of a cinder block) and well above pond water level, you won’t have to seal the two liners together. The liner for the stream is figured a little differently, and don’t be surprised if it seems excessive - when it comes to streams, bigger is definitely better, as you’ll be able to meander a little to create a more natural appearance. Add the length of stream at its longest point, including the perimeter stones, to twice the total height off the pond. Add the width of the stream at its widest point including the stones you’ll be using at the edges to twice the total height. Add 5’ to each and round up to the nearest multiple of 5. That may sound like a lot, but you’ll find you’ll want the additional liner for curves, wrinkles and edges. So, if your stream measures 9’ long from the pond to the back of the farthest stone from the pond, and the highest point will measure 2.5’ above pond level, and you want it 5’ wide including the edge stones at its widest point, you’ll need [9+(2x2.5)+5] by [4+(2x2.5)+5] , 19’x15’, so you’ll order a 15x20 liner, and the amount of underlayment is simply the area of the liner, so you’ll need 300 square feet. Don’t worry about how wide the underlayment is; you’ll be overlapping it as needed.
