When it comes to improving a backyard, few things can compete with a water feature. Particularly in the desert, where prayers for rain are a sacred and sometimes desperate ritual, the cooling effects, visual beauty, and soothing sounds of a pond or waterfall cast an almost magical spell on those blessed with water in their landscapes. A pond's contrast with the surrounding desert enhances and amplifies its serenity.

Santa Fe firefighter and paramedic Brian Romero has created a peaceful oasis in the otherwise dry and plains-like yard of his home south of Santa Fe off Hwy. 14. Abundant birds, unexpected wildlife, and beautiful dragonflies flock to the Japanese-style 15,000-gallon pond he has landscaped with evergreens and granite rockwork. Romero's two years of sweat equity plus his $10,000-plus investment seem "well worth it" when he spends time beside his water retreat in the desert.

"The pond is more than a hobby," he says. "It's the place where I can go and unwind from my stressful job."

In addition to their undisputed aesthetic and psychic rewards, backyard ponds and water features can help conserve precious water in New Mexico's high-desert environment. Chic Kelty, CEO of International Pond Supply in Santa Fe, says ponds are "surprisingly water efficient" compared to a bluegrass or other non-native lawn. A non-native lawn uses three or four times the amount of water as a pond of the same surface area and is "a water-efficient way to create a lush environment where you can grow plants and enjoy the sound, smell, and feel of water," Kelty says.

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Copyright 2001
Hacienda Press