Big Elk Meadows, Colorado
Waterscapes Inc. was contacted by these wonderful owners to replace and rebuild an intermittently dry existing 5-acre lake that, although located in the stream channel, failed to adequately hold water. Our challenge was to build a naturally beautiful lake that could withstand the seasonal runoff yet would complement the surrounding beautiful high mountain wildflower valley.
Excavating during the dry winter to avoid saturated ground water, Waterscapes Inc. removed and stockpiled 8 feet of silt and topsoil, installed 30 mill PVC liner, built inlet and outlet channels, poured a colored and textured concrete edge, put in underwater aquatic aeration bubblers, recovered the liner with a foot of native site fill, and built a pump recirculating sump. The project also provided 10 million gallons of forest fire protection insurance, as this residence was miles off-the-grid and difficult to reach with conventional equipment in this forest fire prone area.
Less than a year later, our efforts proved worthwhile as it was the only one of several natural and man-made ponds and lakes in this particular area to withstand the 2013 Saint Vrain flooding without any substantial damage.
It also proves an incredible attraction to a constant parade of local forest creatures, true to it’s name.
Design/Build Waterscapes Inc