A water feature is the one element people hear before they see. We design and build waterfalls, streams, ponds, and fountains with the liner, filtration, and winterization details that keep them running instead of becoming a maintenance problem.

Category

Design + Build
Service Area

Spokane, Kootenai and Bonner Counties
Consultation

Free, on site
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Water Features at a glance
Service	Water Features
Category	Design + Build
Built by	Cross Creek Landscape Design + Build
Based in	Spokane, Washington
Project photos	37
Answered questions	12

Water Feature Design & Build in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Moving water changes how a space feels more than any other landscape element. It masks road noise, draws birds, and gives a garden a focal point that a planting bed cannot. It is also the feature most often built badly — undersized pumps, liners that were not protected, and no plan for what happens in December. Cross Creek engineers water features to run.

What we build

Waterfalls set into natural or constructed grade, using regional stone.
Streams and rills that move water across the property rather than holding it in one place.
Ponds, with or without fish, sized and filtered for the biological load they will actually carry.
Pondless waterfalls — the sound and movement of a waterfall with the reservoir hidden below grade. Lower maintenance and safer around young children.
Fountains and formal water elements for contemporary and architectural designs.
Water-and-fire combinations where the two features share a structure.

Pondless is worth considering first

Many clients arrive wanting a pond and leave happier with a pondless waterfall. You get the sound and the movement, but the water disappears into a gravel reservoir below grade rather than sitting in an open basin. That means no open water depth to worry about with small children, dramatically less algae management, no fish to overwinter, less evaporation, and simpler winterization. If what you actually want is the sound of moving water, pondless usually delivers it with a fraction of the ongoing attention.

Engineering that determines whether it works

Pump sizing matched to the head height and the flow the feature was designed for — undersized pumps produce a trickle where the drawing showed a waterfall. Adequate liner protection beneath and around the membrane so a sharp stone does not become a slow leak. Filtration and circulation sized to the water volume and the biological load. Auto-fill where evaporation would otherwise mean hand-topping weekly. Accessible plumbing and pump housing so service does not require dismantling stonework. And electrical run on a properly protected circuit during construction rather than after.

Winter in North Idaho

This is where features either survive or become a spring project. Depending on the design, a feature is either run through winter — where continuous movement and ice formation can be genuinely beautiful, but requires monitoring so ice damming does not divert water out of the system — or shut down and winterized, with the pump pulled, plumbing drained, and vulnerable components stored. We design so that whichever you choose is straightforward, and we tell you honestly which the feature is suited to.

What drives the cost

Scale and stone are the largest factors: the volume of water moved, the height of the drop, the amount and type of stone, and site access for delivering that stone. Then: pump and filtration specification, liner and basin construction, the distance of electrical and water runs, whether the feature is pond or pondless, and how much excavation and grade work is involved. A small pondless bubbler and a twenty-foot boulder waterfall with a stream are different orders of project.

Request a design consultation and we will design the feature for the sound you actually want.

Reviewed by Randy McCabe, Owner Cross Creek Landscape Design + Build · Updated August 27, 2026

Our Work

Water Features Gallery

Water falls feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Column water feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water and fire rock — Water Features by Cross Creek

6' falls — Water Features by Cross Creek

Three tiered water feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water falls with bridge rock — Water Features by Cross Creek

6' fall into pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Falls and pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Pond reflecting forest — Water Features by Cross Creek

Multiple falls into pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Falls and pond with bridge rock — Water Features by Cross Creek

Multiple falls — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water orb — Water Features by Cross Creek

Backyard water feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Front entry water falls — Water Features by Cross Creek

Front entry path by falls — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water orb in rock — Water Features by Cross Creek

Spinning water orb by front door — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water feature by patio — Water Features by Cross Creek

Tranquil backyard retreat with falls and fire feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Reflecting pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Backyard water fall — Water Features by Cross Creek

Fire, water, and light. The backyard trifecta. — Water Features by Cross Creek

Bubbler rock with pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Bubbler rock — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water rocks — Water Features by Cross Creek

Backyard River bed — Water Features by Cross Creek

Bridge rock over reflecting pond — Water Features by Cross Creek

Small falls — Water Features by Cross Creek

River bed — Water Features by Cross Creek

Flowing water — Water Features by Cross Creek

Trickling water feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Flowing river feature — Water Features by Cross Creek

Water falls with lights — Water Features by Cross Creek

Common Questions

Water Features FAQs

We have a big project, but our budget only allows us to do part of it this year. How do you handle that?

That is not a problem at all. Many of our clients choose to do their landscape project in phases. If we know in the beginning that you would like to phase out your project, we can work with you on the best way to split the design so that it fits your budget for this year, and then plan the second half for next year.

How can I reserve a spot for next year?

We would love to get you on our calendar for next year! The first step would be to contact our office so we can take you through the design process. Once that is completed and you've signed off on the design, we normally request a deposit to reserve your spot with us.

Do you do concrete curbing?

We are a general contractor, so typically we hire subcontractors for certain types of work, which in our case would include concrete curbing. If you have a larger project, we would be happy to talk to you about how we can help coordinate all the work that goes into a complete landscape design so that you don't have to worry about any of that.

My project is small, but I really like your company, and would love to work with you. Do you take on smaller projects?

We do actually have a waiting list of smaller projects, and we would love to hear from you if you would like to work with our company. What we will do is save your information, and in the Fall or off-season if we have openings we will give you a call.

I have no idea what I want yet. Is it worth starting the process now?

Absolutely! Starting now can give you first pick on next year's calendar. If you're not ready to build yet we encourage getting a good design in place so that you can know what to expect. Please give us a call. We would be thrilled to walk you through ideas and concepts - we have lots of ideas!

How far will you travel?

Our main work takes place in Spokane and Kootenai counties. We also work in Bonner's County, ID. If you are in any of the neighboring counties and have a project that you are looking for help with, we would love to hear from you.

What style do you specialize in?

Because we are a custom builder, we have the great joy of adapting to your unique style. Although we recommend plants that are native to the Northwest, all of our builds are customized to your specific dream for the space. Our goal is to bring your ideas to life, the sky is the limit!

What do your services include?

Great question! Our specialty is in landscape design and build, so generally spaces that benefit from a design in order to ensure that your backyard makeover comes to life exactly as you imagined it. We handle everything from the survey, to drawing up the design and blueprints, to the construction and final install. We do not provide lawn care maintenance, but we are happy to provide referrals.

How long does it take for you to finish a design?

Our typical design phase is approximately two weeks from the day we come take a survey. It can be faster, or longer depending on the size of the space we are designing and how many changes we discuss making along the way. But we will communicate throughout the process and work with you to provide the most efficient and streamlined service possible.

How much do you charge for a consultation?

We offer free in-person consultations, and would love to come to your project location and talk you through your design ideas together and give you a better idea of the scope and budget required to build your dream outdoor space.

We have some design ideas, and/or AI photos of what we are looking for. Do you accept concept photos?

Yes, absolutely! We love when you bring your own designs and concept photos, and encourage you to share those with us during the process so we can collaborate and bring our unique human touch and expertise to your ideas.

Do you have any spots left in the year 2026?

Yes! We have a limited few spots left. We fill up our spots on a first-come first-serve basis, and things can change quickly so we recommend that you call our office at (509) 352-3433 as we would love to hear about your project!

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