Project Profile: Small Koi Pond Installation in Charlotte, N.C.
Location: Charlotte, N.C. – Banks of the Catawba River
Completion Date: June, 2023
Client: Erik Jenderson – Emmy Award-Winning Writer for “Band of Brothers” miniseries
Project Overview
This unique project involved building a 10’ x 12’ koi pond that sits partially under the home and extends into the outdoor space. The goal was to create a natural, protected environment for koi fish while blending the pond into the surrounding landscape to appear as if it originated from the nearby Catawba River.
Challenges & Solutions
- Predator Protection: The location near the river meant threats from herons, raccoons, and other wildlife. To counter this, we built a large fish cave to provide a safe hiding place for the koi.
- Limited Space for Equipment Access: Navigating machinery in the tight space under the home required precision, and our expert operator Rafael maneuvered equipment flawlessly.
- Blending with the Environment: The pond’s design incorporated moss, aquatic plants, and natural stone to blend with the river landscape, creating an infinity pool-like effect.
Pond & Waterfall Construction
- Installed an Aquascape skimmer for optimal mechanical filtration.
- Installed an Aquascape biofalls for biological filtration to keep the water clarity clear.
- Built a 5-foot waterfall stream with carefully selected character boulders.
- Used foam sealing techniques to direct water flow and prevent leakage.
- Added a heart-shaped boulder as a feature rock over the fish cave for added charm.
- Used lake water for initial fill-up and leak testing to ensure smooth operation.
Landscaping & Planting
- Integrated procumbens “Nana” juniper for a cascading greenery effect over the water.
- Planted weeping Japanese maple, “Purple Daydream” loropetalum, goshiki holly, and “Double Candy Corn” spirea for year-round visual appeal.
- Added aquatic plants including yellow iris, pickerel rush, and juncus to enhance the pond’s ecosystem to deter green-colored water from excessive algae.
Koi Transfer & Final Touches
To complete the project, we safely transferred four large koi from Erik’s old koi pond in Charlotte to his new home. The fish adjusted well, and Erik was overjoyed with the natural aesthetics and soothing sound of the waterfalls.
Client Testimonial
“This pond has exceeded my expectations! The way it blends into the environment makes it feel like it has always been here. The water appears to come directly from the river, and the sound is just incredible. The entire experience with Hoaglandscape has been outstanding!” – Erik Jendresen
