Waterfall

[elim]

On a waterfall and stream is there a formula on how much water needs to flow.I was thinking  7ft long,2ft most wide,maybe 3 to 4 high,with 4 tiers at most,not going into pond.Not looking for white water just a nice visual flow.How big pump or even hose size is ideal.Thanks again.

[cmund]

Hey elim-

A good rule of thumb for waterfall flow rate:
Light flow = 100 gph per inch of spillway
Medium flow = 150 gph per inch of spillway
High flow = 200 gph per inch of spillway

Width of Spillway x Desired Flow Rate = Total GPH

So if you have a 24" spillway and want a medium flow:  24" spillway X 150 gph = 3,600 gph pump.  You will need a pump that will be able to pump this much water at the height of the waterfall after it overcomes the head pressure.


Hope that helps!
Carol

[elim]

Thanks Carol good info now to figure out how big of a container in the ground I need to make a 7ft by 2ft at most stream,falls.

[cmund]

Hey elim-

I guess I only answered 1 of your questions.

A good rule of thumb for waterfall reservoirs is to make the reservoir (your container in the ground) 3 times the volume of the total water in the stream or waterfall.

Your stream volume: l x w x d x 7.5 = your stream volume in gallons.

So your container in the ground should be 3 times your stream volume.

Hope that helps.
Carol