Some projects stick with you—not just because of how they turn out, but because of what they do for the people who live with them.
This one in Kensington, MD (20895) was exactly that.
The homeowner had been staring at a steep, eroding slope for years. It was a frustrating space—hard to landscape, hard to enjoy. They’d looked into a dozen options, but nothing felt quite right. That is, until they stumbled onto a water feature video on Garden Answer’s YouTube channel and thought:
“What if we could turn this into a waterfall?”
That’s exactly what we did—a 10-foot pondless waterfall, built into the slope with large, natural boulders, tucked-in plantings, and a hidden reservoir to keep it running clean and clear.
Now? That slope is the most talked-about part of their yard.
Watch the full timelapse here:
Kensington Pondless Waterfall Build
From Frustrating Slope to Backyard Favorite
The transformation wasn’t just physical—it was emotional.
“We had been at a loss for years on how to turn this part of our garden into something more pleasant and enjoyable.”
Once we had a vision and a solid plan, the rest was easy. We handled the design, the construction, the logistics—and left behind something that looked like it belonged in a national park.
“Mike was able to take an inspiration photo and with his own artistry turn it into a pondless waterfall that’s truly unique and customized to our landscaping and goals.”
We used a layered system of large boulders, gravel, and plant pockets to stabilize the slope and soften the look. The result is a clean, natural cascade that looks like it’s always been there.
Why Pondless Waterfalls Work
Most people don’t realize how powerful water can be in a landscape—especially when you don’t want a full pond.
A pondless waterfall is ideal if you:
- Have a sloped yard that’s hard to use
- Want the sound and beauty of water, without the upkeep
- Prefer a natural look over formal landscaping
- Need something kid-friendly and safe
“We get glowing compliments from everyone who sees it—it’s become a favorite feature for the children to play in.”
This isn’t just landscaping. It’s a daily experience.
Thinking About It? You’re Not Alone.
Here’s something we’ve learned after building hundreds of water features:
Most people who contact us have been thinking about it for years.
They’ve saved photos, watched videos, maybe even sketched out ideas. But they’ve waited.
What changed for this client? They decided to stop waiting—and started building.
“Oasis made it easy and overdelivered on my expectations.”
“Mike takes extreme pride in his craft and explained the process from the start.”
“Gabby’s follow-up made everything smooth and stress-free.”
The waterfall is beautiful. But what really matters? It got built.
Serving Kensington, MD and Montgomery County
If you’re in Kensington or anywhere nearby, and you’ve got a slope, corner, or space you’ve been wondering what to do with—we’d love to help.
We offer free design sketches, walk you through every step, and build each water feature by hand.
Live in 20895? You’re in our backyard.
Let’s build the thing you’ve been dreaming about. Contact us here.
About the Author
Mike Coan is the co-owner of Oasis Water Gardens, a small family-run business serving Montgomery and Howard Counties. He’s a Master Certified Aquascape Contractor known for designing water features that feel like they’ve always belonged—artful, natural, and deeply personal. Mike draws inspiration from nature and has been recognized by his peers as one of the top artists in the industry, earning a 2025 nomination for Aquascape’s Artist of the Year award. When he’s not building ponds, you’ll usually find him outside playing in the front yard waterfall he built for his son, Mikey.
Watch Mike’s projects on YouTube
