You would think after creating so many water treatments, it would end up as sheer duplication, but not so with Todd’s designs. “I try to fit the installment to the landscape,” he says. “And, I spend time getting to know what the homeowners like. The finished product should be as personal as they are.” Though this sometimes leads to two and three hour consultations, Todd refuses to cut corners on this phase of planning and risk a customer who is less than thrilled with their new water feature.

John and Judy Bingham, who are no strangers to landscaping upgrades, are delighted with their water garden. “It is one year old, and Todd did exactly what we wanted,” says Judy, beaming with pride. “I think this is the best thing we’ve ever done. We don’t watch TV anymore; we sit out here and visit instead.” They do admit to a hidden television set inside an outdoor armoire for the purpose of watching the Dallas Cowboys.

There are a lot of misconceptions about water features. One thing that concerns many people is the maintenance they fear will be involved. In fact, Todd points out that, if installed properly, a water garden should require “less than 10 minutes a week in maintenance.” This is because Todd actually creates miniature ecosystems so that a community of organisms takes care of balancing everything versus the use of heavy chemicals and lots of labor. When installing a water garden, it’s important to consider shade. Using outside landscaping features and plants to shade 70-80 percent of the pond is desirable, because cooler water equals less algae which leads to crystal-clear water.

Another common concern is that having a backyard pond will serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Todd remedies this in two ways. Locating the fall at one end of the water feature and the pump and filter at the other prevents stagnation. It is hard for mosquitoes to breed in moving water. In case there is the occasional nook or cranny where water might not be as fluid, minnows are a great little inhabitant as they love to eat mosquito larvae. “My goal is to build water gardens that support themselves,” Todd says.

Water gardens, waterfalls, Koi ponds and other water features are soothing additions to yards and offer welcome respite from stress. Just the sound of water as it cascades over rock and spills into the pond beneath is calming, somehow softening the harshness of the blazing desert sun. If you’re considering a water feature, educate yourself so you can properly balance the elements. However, with all the conflicting information on the Internet, coupled with conditions that are region-specific, it is best to consult a professional with the knowledge of not just installation, but maintenance as well. After all, there is nothing calming or soothing about weekends filled with chores. With some forethought, planning and a little help from an expert, you can be on your way to creating your own private oasis in the desert.