Waterfalls, grottos, fire bowls, laminar jets, rain curtains, and sheer descents. The elements that transform a pool from a place to swim into an immersive outdoor environment.
The pool is the centerpiece. Water features are what bring it to life. The sound of falling water, the visual drama of fire dancing above a pool surface, the glassy arc of a laminar jet catching afternoon light - these elements create atmosphere and transform a backyard into an experience. In the luxury market of Fairfield County, water features are not add-ons. They are defining elements of the design.
At Gedney Pools, we design and build water features as integrated components of the pool architecture - not afterthoughts bolted onto a finished pool. Every water feature is plumbed during construction, controlled through the pool automation system, and engineered to perform reliably year after year. Our family's decades of experience building pools in Connecticut means we understand how water behaves in every condition, and we design features that work as beautifully in October as they do in July.
Hand-stacked natural stone waterfalls bring an organic, naturalistic character to freeform and lagoon-style pools. Connecticut fieldstone, Pennsylvania bluestone, and imported boulders can be arranged to create cascading waterfalls that look as though they emerged from the landscape naturally. The height, width, and flow rate of the waterfall determine its sound profile - from a gentle trickle to a dramatic cascade. Rock waterfalls pair beautifully with grotto spas built beneath them.
A grotto is a cave-like enclosure built behind or beneath a waterfall, creating a sheltered space with water cascading over the entrance. Grottos can house seating areas, bars, spas, or simply provide a dramatic pass-through experience. These are among the most ambitious water features in residential pool construction, requiring substantial structural engineering, waterproofing, lighting, and ventilation. The result, however, is a feature that creates a resort-caliber experience in your own backyard.
A sheer descent produces a smooth, glass-like sheet of water that falls from a raised wall into the pool. The effect is modern, architectural, and clean - the opposite of a natural rock waterfall. Sheer descents are available in various widths (12 inches to 8 feet or more) and can be illuminated from behind with LED lighting to create a dramatic nighttime presentation. These are the signature water feature for contemporary pool designs in Greenwich and New Canaan.
Scuppers are individual spouts that project water in an arc from a raised wall into the pool. Typically installed in a series of three, five, or seven (always odd numbers for visual balance), scuppers create a rhythmic, fountain-like effect that adds both visual and auditory interest. They are most effective when mounted on raised stone or tile walls that serve as architectural backdrops.
Laminar jets produce a perfectly clear, glass-rod stream of water that arcs from the pool deck into the pool. Unlike turbulent water streams, laminar jets maintain their cohesion throughout the arc, creating a luminous, sculptural effect - especially when illuminated with fiber-optic LED lighting at the jet source. Laminar jets can be programmed to cycle through colors, creating a dynamic light show after dark. These are installed flush with the pool deck and are invisible when not operating.
Deck jets shoot small streams of water from the pool deck into the pool, typically in symmetric pairs. When installed on a tanning ledge or sun shelf, bubblers create a gentle, playful fountain effect that adds movement and sound without the infrastructure of a raised wall feature. Bubblers are the most cost-effective water feature and are especially popular on family pools with tanning ledges.
A rain curtain is a horizontal bar mounted above the pool (typically on a pergola, cantilever structure, or overhead beam) that produces a curtain of individual water droplets falling into the pool. The effect is mesmerizing - a wall of rain you can see through and walk through. Rain curtains are dramatic architectural statements that work best on modern and contemporary pool designs.
The contrast of fire above water is one of the most powerful design elements in luxury outdoor living. Fire bowls mounted on raised pedestals at the pool edge, linear fire troughs integrated into raised spa walls, and fire-and-water scuppers (where fire and water flow from the same feature) create an atmosphere that simply cannot be achieved any other way. All fire features are gas-fueled (natural gas or propane), plumbed during construction, and controlled through the pool automation system. Turn the fire on from your phone, set it on a timer, or synchronize it with pool lighting for full environmental control.
Water features must be designed in harmony with the pool, the landscape, and the architecture of the home. A natural rock waterfall on a contemporary home looks wrong. A sleek sheer descent on a traditional colonial estate looks out of place. We approach water feature design as an extension of the overall pool design process, ensuring that every feature reinforces the design language of the project.
Sound is also a design consideration. Some clients want the ambient sound of moving water to mask neighborhood noise - a legitimate and effective strategy in closer-spaced communities like Darien and Stamford. Others prefer a quieter pool environment. We design water features with adjustable flow rates so the sound can be tuned to the homeowner's preference, and every feature can be turned off entirely through the automation system when not wanted.
Many water features can be added to existing pools during a renovation. Deck jets and bubblers require drilling into existing decking and running new plumbing to the equipment pad. Sheer descent walls require construction of a new raised wall, which can also serve as a privacy screen or visual backdrop. Rock waterfalls can be built adjacent to an existing pool with new plumbing tied into the existing pump system or a dedicated feature pump.
Adding water features during a renovation is always more cost-effective than adding them as standalone projects because the pool is already drained, equipment access is established, and trades are already mobilized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs vary dramatically by type and complexity. Deck jets and bubblers start around $5,000-$8,000 for a set of four. Sheer descent water walls range from $8,000-$20,000. Natural rock waterfalls run $15,000-$75,000 depending on size and stone type. Fire and water bowls cost $5,000-$15,000 each. Full grottos with caves can reach $100,000-$150,000+. We provide detailed pricing during the design phase.
Yes. Many water features can be added to existing pools, though some require more modification than others. Deck jets and bubblers require drilling into existing decking and running new plumbing. Sheer descent walls require construction of a raised wall. Rock waterfalls can be built adjacent to existing pools. The best time to add water features is during a pool renovation when the pool is already drained and equipment is being upgraded.
Water features that recirculate pool water (sheer descents, bubblers, deck jets) add minimal maintenance - they use the same filtered, treated water as the pool. Natural rock waterfalls may require occasional cleaning of algae from rock surfaces. Fire features need periodic gas connection inspection. Overall, properly designed water features add negligible maintenance burden.
Sound is part of the design. Waterfalls and sheer descents produce ambient water sounds most homeowners find relaxing. They also mask neighborhood noise. Bubblers and laminar jets are nearly silent. We design height, flow rate, and impact surface to control the sound level. Every water feature can be turned off via automation.
Absolutely. Fire and water combinations are among the most striking design elements in luxury pool construction. Fire bowls mounted on raised pedestals with water spillways, linear fire features along raised spa walls, and fire-and-water scuppers are all popular options. Gas-fueled fire features are plumbed during construction and controlled through the pool automation system.
Contact us to discuss water features for your new pool or existing pool renovation. Free design consultation.
(203) 302-9920