Description
Pond-Less Cascading Waterfalls
The Extra Large Elite Pondless Waterfall Kit by Blue Thumb let's you experience the beauty of a waterfall without the maintenance of a traditional pond. The maximum stream size with this kit is 18 feet.
The strong ambient sounds of the Extra Large Cascading Falls Pond-Less Waterfall promote relaxation and help mask unwanted noise. Ideal for both residential and commercial use.
A "pondless" or Cascading Waterfall works much like a regular pond. The hole is lined with a flexible liner, then basin matrix boxes are added to create a reservoir. They’re covered with rock and gravel before being filled with water. This helps make it look like a waterfall without a pond, when in fact, the “pond” is there but not visible.
The water circulates via the pump at the bottom of the matrix boxes, inside a Pump Canyon, which pushes water up to a Cascade Waterfall box and into an overflowing waterfall, where it falls back into the reservoir.
Other Pondless Waterfall Kits:
- Elite Medium Falls (15 feet maximum stream)
- Elite Large Cascading Falls (17 feet maximum stream)
What's Included
Cascade Spillway Box, Submersible Pump, Pump Canyon® (Vault), Pump Discharge Assembly, Water Matrix, Black PVC Flex Pipe, Installation Kit, Fish-Friendly Rubber Liner, Protective Underliner, Pond Cleaner & Muck Buster Tablets
What's NOT Included
Excavation, electrical, and labor.
Rocks & Gravel: Necessary to protect liner from harmful UV rays and animal damage. They also provide surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize while creating a beautifully natural look.
Build Your Own Garden Retreat
See Resources & Manuals further below for user-friendly installation manuals and videos to help with the installation process.
Pondless Kit Quick FAQs
Where does the water go if there’s no pond?
Water flows over the spillway and disappears into a hidden underground basin filled with structural matrix boxes and gravel. The pump, housed inside the Pump Canyon®, continuously recirculates the water back to the top of the waterfall — creating the look and sound of a stream without an exposed pond.
Is a pondless waterfall safer for kids and pets than a traditional Koi pond?
Yes. Because there is no standing body of water, pondless waterfalls are often preferred by families with children or pets. Water is stored below ground in a lined basin beneath decorative rock.
How deep does the basin need to be?
Basin depth depends on the kit configuration, but excavation is typically around 2 feet deep to properly house the basin matrix boxes and Pump Canyon®. Always follow the installation guidelines for your specific kit size.
What’s not included in the kit?
Decorative boulders, gravel, and excavation labor are not included. Most installations use locally sourced stone and gravel to complete the waterfall and streambed. Electrical service (GFCI outlet) is also required.
How loud is the waterfall?
Sound depends on waterfall height, rock placement, and pump flow. Many installers adjust flow by positioning rock, tweaking spillway orientation, or using the built-in flow adjustment on the pump (if equipped). This lets you tailor the sound and look of your waterfall from a gentle trickle to a more robust cascade.
How much maintenance is required?
Pondless waterfalls are typically lower maintenance than traditional ponds since there’s no standing ecosystem to balance. Periodic debris removal, occasional pump inspection, and topping off water due to evaporation are the primary maintenance tasks.
Why You'll Love This Pondless Waterfall Kit
- Made in the USA: At a family-run business in the Midwest
- PVC Flex Hose: Carries water from pump to cascade box; easier to install than rigid PVC
- Protective Underliner: Non-woven fabric that installers quicker than newspaper and covers the vertical walls, unlike sand. Allows gases to escape from the earth, unlike carpeting
- Fish-Friendly Rubber Liner: Super strong 45-mil EPDM
- High-Efficiency Pump: Hidden in the Pump Canyon out of sight
Specifications
Blue Thumb #PBE40CFK
Warranty: See Resources & Manuals below.
| Medium Elite Cascading Falls | Large Elite Cascading Falls | Extra Large Elite Cascading Falls | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Stream Size | 15 feet x 2'-4' W | 17 feet x 4’-5’ W | 18 feet x 5’-7’ W |
| Liner | 10’ x 10’ Basin Liner & 10’ x 20’ Stream/Falls Liner | 15’ x 15’ Basin Liner & 10’ x 20’ Stream/Falls Liner | 15’ x 15’ Basin Liner & 15’ x 20’ Stream/Falls Liner |
| Fall Box Width | 22" | 30" | 40" |
| Pump Flow | 4,500 GPH | 6,000 GPH | 7,800 GPH |
| PVC Flex Hose | 2" x 25 feet | 3" x 25 feet | 3" x 25 feet |
| Matrix/Reservoir | 3 large matrix boxes | 3 large & 3 small matrix boxes | 4 large & 4 small matrix boxes |
| Pump Canyon® | Small | Large | Large |
Learn More: Pond-Less Cascading Waterfalls
Less Maintenance: Just add water! It's that easy. Simply refill water basin when needed due to evaporation, and on occasion remove debris.
Less Worry: These shallow water features are safe for children and pets to play near, and allow them freedom of exploration, while you relax.
More Creativity: No extensive construction is required, allowing versatility in where and what you'd like your outdoor focal point to be.
Diverse Placement: Even if you have limited space, you can create the soothing sights and sounds of water moving through your yard.
DIY Pond Manuals
- DIY Pond Kit Instructions
- Pond General Maintenance
- Pond Spring Maintenance
- Pond Fall/Winter Maintenance
Elite Pond Manuals
Video Guides - Ponds
- Pond Kit Installation
- Attaching Liner to Waterfall
- Skimmer Box Installation
- Overflow Drain Installation
DIY Pondless Waterfalls
- Cascade Falls Installation
- Pondless Waterfall Maintenance
- Matrix Assembly Sheets
- Cascade Box-Pump Canyon Installation
Video Guides - Pondless Waterfalls
Algae Tips
Pumps
Warranty
Hailing from a 126,000 sq/ft facility in Saginaw, Michigan, the Blue Thumb team boasts 20+ years of aquatic and water feature experience.
Their mission is simple: to help you better enjoy your landscape. No matter the size, style, or decorative theme of your garden, a Blue Thumb fountain will make the perfect focal point. They partner with the finest craftsmen and artisans and produce fountains in high-quality materials including Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete, Natural Stone, Hand-Glazed Ceramic, and Artist-Cut Copper.
Blue Thumb is affiliated with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the Association of Professional Landscape Designers.
Shipping Made Simple
Fountainful provides free standard shipping in the Lower 48 U.S. thanks to our partnership with 20+ freight carriers. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, or Canada: please contact us for available options.
Delivery Options at Checkout
Standard Shipping – Free
- Delivered on a pallet via LTL freight truck (similar to large furniture).
- Placed near the bottom of your driveway, wherever you direct.
- Signature by someone over 18 is almost always required.
- Does not include setup, assembly, or disposal of packaging.
UPS or FedEx Insured / USPS Priority – Free
- Automatically selected for small/light items delivered in a parcel box by UPS or USPS.
- When ordered with a palletized item, the design team may include it on the pallet if possible so both arrive together.
Upgrade: Threshold / Inside Property – Rates Provided at Checkout
- Same as Standard Shipping, except the carrier will cross your property line (threshold) and lower the pallet outside the first dry area (e.g., garage, covered porch).
- Sometimes referred to as "Top of Driveway."
- Does not include setup, assembly, or disposal of packaging.
Delivery Timeframes
The estimated timeframes below are based on each workshop's historical production capacity.
Note: Casting, curing, and staining decorative concrete is a precise but variable process. You will be notified of unexpected delays (e.g., extended cure times due to humidity). Learn more in our FAQs.
| Design Team | Estimated Timeframe | State of Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Adagio Water Features | 7–15 business days | Utah |
| Blue Thumb | 7–12 business days | Michigan |
| BluWorld | Project-specific | Florida |
| Cameron Harvey Gallery | 3–6 weeks | Pennsylvania |
| Campania International | 10–20 business days | Pennsylvania |
| Dawn Enterprises | 4–6 weeks | Connecticut |
| Fiore Stone, Inc. | 5–7 weeks | Nevada |
| Fire Pit Art | 10–20 business days | Tennessee |
| Giannini Garden Ornaments | 7–11 weeks (often shorter during offseason) |
California |
| GIST Concrete Products | 6–9 weeks | Arizona |
| Massarelli | 3–6 weeks | New Jersey |
| MODFountain | Large Sculptures: 4–6 weeks Mini Mods: 8–12 business days |
New York |
| Phoenix Design Cast | Nov–Mar: 4–6 weeks Apr–Oct: 6–8 weeks |
Arizona |
| The Outdoor Plus | 3–6 weeks | California |
| Travertine & More | 7–14 business days | Georgia |
| Winter Woodworks | 7–12 business days | Wisconsin |
Hard-to-Reach Addresses (Pallet Shipments)
- Most LTL carriers use 28-foot trailers. Drivers decide if your street is accessible.
- Narrow, dead-end, or unusual driveways may require extra charges or a different carrier. We will relay any additional cost to you.
Use the Order & Delivery Instructions box in the Shopping Cart to provide delivery notes before shipping.
➤ When in doubt, select the Threshold Upgrade—it covers most tricky delivery situations.
Miscellaneous Delivery Terms (Pallet Shipments Only)
| Term | Details |
|---|---|
| Special Instructions | Provide any special delivery instructions at order time. Additional charges may apply. Cancellations after arrival may be eligible for partial refund only via Policy Exception. |
| Delivery Appt. & Holds | Carriers may call to schedule delivery. Missed appointments may incur re-delivery fees. Customers pay storage fees if pallets are held beyond standard courtesy periods. Fountainful may update service to No Signature Required to prevent return shipping costs. |
| Change of Address | Any carrier fees for changing or re-consigning delivery addresses are the customer's responsibility. |
| Forklift | Some items require agreement to Forklift Delivery Terms. Pallets may need to be removed via forklift rather than lift gate. Plan ahead if you don’t have access to equipment. |
Always inspect your delivery. See our Return & Refund Policy for a Delivery Inspection Checklist.
Questions & Answers
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Financing a Made-to-Order Item
If you choose to finance your purchase with Affirm, your first payment is due approximately two weeks after your purchase is finalized. Please note that due to extended delivery times, your loan payment(s) may be due before you receive your purchase.