Ponds, Waterfalls, Fountains and Streams

Water features make soothing and dramatic focal points

From natural-looking streams to architectural fountains, water features are important focal points in the landscape, and some Minneapolis/St. Paul homeowners are opting to have more than one.

Some homeowners will put a bubbler at the front entry to greet guests. Others place them close to outdoor living spaces or near a fire. Some water features are near swimming pools, hung on garden walls, or are fountainhead sprays hidden in a pool deck. Even the smallest spaces can have a water feature. Containers and urns serve quite nicely as self-contained fountains.

"Water is the driving force of all nature.” – Leonardo da Vinci

The motion and sound of water is hypnotic and soothing. It also serves a purpose – to mask street and neighborhood noises. Pondless stone-column bubblers, waterfalls, streams, and fountains can be simple or dramatic.

Backyard bring fountain water feature.

New Orleans-inspired fountain creates a tranquil environment in this urban St. Paul backyard.

Stacked stone bubbler fountain water feature.

Stacked natural stone bubbler masks the sound of street traffic in this compact Minneapolis backyard.

Commercial fountain water feature in front of a Minneapolis, MN hotel.

Hotel front entry landscape combines fire and water.

Swimming pond and stream water feature.

Unique backyard swimming pond fed by a babbling brook feels like a magical woodland retreat.

Backyard fish pond with and aquatic garden.

Northwoods inspired backyard with a pond stocked with fish for an angler.

Front walkway leads to a rusting entryway and water feature

Cascading waterfall babbles and bubbles along in this award-winning landscape.

Backyard Swimming Pool Landscape at Twilight in St. Paul, Mn

Laminar jets combined with underwater LEDs and landscape lighting create drama at night.

Reflecting pool and patinated frog water fountain feature.

Historic landscape restoration in St. Paul with a reflecting pool and fountain.

Sculptural water fountain feature and brick patio.

Sculptural water feature complements the classic brick patio design.

Modern front entry with basalt column water features.

Modernist front entry design with a seating patio and basalt column bubblers.

Your Landscape Design and Construction Partner Learn how our landscape design process works

Our Design-Build Process

Like What You're Seeing?

Meet with a Landscape Designer or Architect

Your perfect outdoor living space begins with a simple conversation. Let’s talk about your landscaping project!


Schedule a Meeting

Explore More MN Landscape Design & Architecture

Related Landscape Projects


Intimate patio and pergola

Classic Edina patio and pergola, custom-crafted for intimate conversation.

Private Lakeside Paradise

Five years in the making, this secluded backyard will take your breath away. Overcoming significant construction challenges to combine lake access and a private pool.

Modern Walkout Backyard in Bloomington

These homeowners love to be outside, but the hot afternoon sun made their backyard nearly unusable. This new design provides shade from the sun, as well as other much-needed amenities for entertaining.

Mid-Century Makeover

Unique landscape design with paver driveway and architectural details gives mid-century suburban home outstanding curb appeal plus patios, fire pit, hot tub and outdoor shower.

Minneapolis Modern Makeover

This Minneapolis, MN design includes a modern front yard zen garden, unique bluestone patio, and wood-burning fire pit.

Thinking Outside the "Deck"

When Mr. Homeowner says "no deck, please," designers get creative with tiered retaining walls and paver patios.