child safe stream?

Hi, a while ago i bought a preformed pond, pump, preformed waterfall thingy and filtration system. I then moved house and nevet got around to doing anything with it.
I have been refused planning permission by 'er indoors due to our toddler and another on the way.
We would love to get the waterfall/stream going but without the pond.
I'm not a fan of the stand alone patio pebble features and would like to use some of the stuff i bought, cos i'm tight.
It's the sound of running streamlike water we are after.
We only have a small garden so need it fairly small scale.

Any ideas please.

Thanks
David

 

Probably completely the wrong tack, but what about a bamboo Japanese deer scarer?

Try googling for deer scarer or Shishi Odoshi

 

Make a hole in the bottom of your preformed pond, have some hidden means of water collection underneath ( large bucket? ) and pump it back up the waterfall.
Stick/glue sand/gravel onto the surface of your empty pond to try and give a natural look.
( Just an idea. )

 

Something to ponder over winter.

Thanks for the input.

David

 

my 2p worth.

First thing is, as its a pre formed pond you have, how big is it? (Roughly) I am thinking if it is any "reasonable pond size" you wont be able to "put a bucket under it" for water collection. (A bucket will be too small, and water will not always go where you think (But that's for another time)

The pump is important (make and model) as the maximum flow rate (and type) can be found

As its the sound of running water you are after, unless the water can fall or drop it often makes no noise because it is only flowing along a surface. Water makes noise when it hits a surface. (Or its surface hit)

I would suggest buying a "container" putting your pump in it, put in an up turned flower pot, (over the pump, or pump with hose) put "chicken wire" on the whole thing. Cover with decorative gravel. Fill with water to about an inch below the pot â??topâ?.

Although you donâ??t like stand alone patio features, its safe, the water only just comes through the decorative gravel (so no pool of visible water to see) but as there is a "drop" between the water surface and the gravel you will get the sound of moving water.

Its not a pond, its not a conventional water feature, it does give the sound of water, its safe.

 

As the snow has now gone I can now show what I mean.



This water feature is made similar to how I described in the above post. No visible water for a child to fall into, but yet you can still see and hear water.






This water feature has a foaming nozzle, and no stones, because it has an underwater light to illuminate the water. The wire mesh stops small children from falling in as well as keeping leaves out.