A fundamental requirement of most ponds designs is that a significant quantity of earth will require moving in the initial stages of construction. Raised ponds are one method of creating a water garden without this step taking place.

Avoiding an excavation is probably not the best reason for choosing to install a raised pond but it is clearly one significant benefit of such a design.

Raised ponds are traditionally viewed by many as more formal in character than sunken ponds. Quite clearly, you will be unable to replicate a work of nature with a raised pond. This does not mean that you are unable to add a real personal touch through choice of materials, planting and features to create a unique design to reflect your own character.

Some of the real benefits of raised ponds, besides construction methods, are that there is more scope for creating a safer environment for children, and wheelchair access can easily be provided. This is in addition to the extra creativity that can be employed in the materials used for the pond walls themselves.

The pond walls are one very key feature of the design of a raised pond. Water is an extremely heavy substance, the weight of which is comfortably supported by the earth when sinking a traditional pond. When creating a raised pond, the walls need to be able to support significant weight without fear of failure. Common materials for this purpose are stone, brick and wood – a popular type being railway sleepers.

Making the pond watertight will most likely be done utilising either a flexible or rigid pond liner. The choice of liner will most likely be dictated by the design of the pond itself.

There can be many reasons to choose a raised pond but, whatever those reasons are, there is a whole new concept of design that becomes available to you. In some settings this concept may enable a pond installation where a significant excavation would be either very challenging or even impossible.