John McDonald's Pond with pictures II

John's Pond Revisited. It doesn't seem like five years ago that we trekked south to visit John's water creation -- probably because it's only been 4.5 years. He lives on the west border of the Echo Valley Golf Course, right on the edge. Most of this page will focus on the visual aspects. John McDonald's Pond dealt with most of the details. This page will deal with the esthetics, because you can never be too esthetical. LA

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For starters, John added more fish. Almost always a good thing.

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Golf course in back. Here's a view of most of the left side. As usual the koi are expecting food.

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So, John feeds them.

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And just a tad more.

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This stream pours into the left part of his pond...

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... Adding one more waterfall to the rush of moving water.

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At the far edge of this portion, this rock, wood, flower display disguises an ultraviolet filter.

Ultraviolet Filter. John is not an algae fan. His UV filter has built-in mirrors that intensify the bulb's efficiency. It kills algae and keeps his water crystal clear.

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Water exits the pond at the top of this view. The UV filter is just to the right of the exit spillway.

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As it exits, the water comes splashing down this rock way.

Spillway Problem. John lost some of his smaller koi when they decided the spillway was a giant water slide. Unfortunately, there was a problem at the bottom.

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Water continues downhill into this mini-wetland garden.

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And disappears into six foot of rock (tons of rock) from where it is pumped back to the top.

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Now let's look at the right side. Great variety of vegetation -- both pond and land vegetation.

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Closer look at arrowheads.

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Water comes in from this spillway.

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Which is fed by these two spillway runs.

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Which come from even higher giving you a taste of the terrestrial vegetation.

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John's wife "farms" their selection of annuals and perennials.

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Nice view from top of the stairs.

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And the views keep getting better as you get closer.

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You can get really close.

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Here you can see most of the left hand side from the second floor terrace.

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Ditto most of the right side.

Last Words. Is it any wonder the Central Iowa Water Garden Association put his modest "little pond" on their summer tour? After several visits we still haven't seen it all. The pond and patio are skillfully lit for night time viewing. We're looking forward to a late evening visit.

John McDonald's Pond I

3600 Sixth Avenue

Corner of Sixth & Euclid Avenues

Des Moines, IA 50313

515 283-0300

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