The Principles of Water Fountains

Fountains are beautiful water features, whether self-contained or as part of a pond. While the constant activity and tinkling noise of a fountain make it seem much more complex than its surroundings, the principles of a water fountain are based on simple mechanics.

The Hardware

A basic fountain consists of a fountain pump, a fountain nozzle and a fountain basin. The fountain pump is a small compressor that draws in water from the basin and forces it through the fountain nozzle. This forces a stream of water to rise up from the fountain and come crashing down back into the basin. The basin is filled with enough water that the pump never runs out of water to pump through the nozzle. As the water crashes down, it replenishes the supply of water in the basin, ensuring the fountain can run continuously on a fixed amount of water.

The Variations

All fountains have the same basic elements, but several variations on this theme make different fountains more entertaining or functional. Multiple pumps and nozzles mean water can move in more than one direction at the same time, making the fountain more complex. Accessories, such as water wheels, buckets and mirrored spheres, provide different actions for the water coming out of a fountain. Larger fountains may also include fish or aquatic plants in their basins.

The Effects

The variations that distinguish fountains from one another are all designed to appeal to several senses. Some fountains feature a tinkling noise, providing a sound that can drown out faint noises, such as passing cars or footsteps. Fountains that drop small buckets of water into the basin also add the sound of slapping wood to the mix while other fountains may have no sound, in favor of a soundless beauty.

The Benefits

Not all fountains are merely decorative. Fountains placed in ponds provide a valuable service to the pond aside from their aesthetic value. As the fountain circulates the water, it provides the agitation needed to infuse the water with oxygen. Especially valuable in ponds with fish and other aquatic life, oxygenating a pond also ensures anaerobic bacteria cannot threaten plant life in and around the pond.

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