For 15 years, I've been involved with so many remodeling and construction jobs that I have lost count but I've never asked for a company sign. I ask the guys at French's Waterscapes to give me a sign to post on my back fence near a walking trail. I am also a curious neighbor peeking through my neighbor's fences on the trail and I've seen a lot of backyard waterfalls. I already had a waterfall before I found French's Waterscapes, but I always felt that it was missing a certain something. French's Waterscapes definitely brought the "something" to this project. Here's what I started with: Three years ago I had a waterfall built that started at the top of a steep slope, and meandered down the slope about 35 feet, then dropping into an unattractive perfectly round hole about 6 feet in diameter. Water level was 8-10 inches below ground level and was a sludgy green algae mess. A couple years ago I added 6 mosquito fish to take care of the mosquito-breeding problems that came up from the standing water. Two years later I had about ~100 mosquito fish (warning). I started thinking about how I was going to fix the algae mess, and I already knew that the more water the easier it is to manage water quality. My husband wanted to take it all out and put in a pool instead. We've got 2 little ones, 6 and 4 years old that are not swimmers yet. Between the safety concern with having a pool and the idea of a big hole in the ground with salt or bleach water for swimming the idea just didn't appeal to me. I wanted to continue my landscaping theme of natural and wildlife friendly. So I started looking for someone to either help fix the algae problem or demo the whole thing. That's when I found French's Waterscapes. My main concern from the start was always safety and I also care a lot about aesthetics. There's no way I was going to put in a new water feature that required me to change my parenting style. I like for my kids to have free reign in the backyard and be creative on their own. There's something special that happens when kids are allowed to explore their world without direction from the grown-ups, and we're a homeschooling family so my kids spend a ton of time in the backyard creating, learning, and exploring. French's Waterscapes brought an amazing plan to the table. Ultimately they put in a pond approximately 17 x 20 feet with an amazing filtration system. The deepest part is ~36 inches, but covered with grates to create a standing height of ~18". No part of the pond is more than 18" standing height. AND, they had a brilliant idea to create a special beach area off to one side where my girls can hang out in ankle deep water and play. On the opposite end of the pond, is a grown-up area to sit and hang our feet in the water. Love! Every step of the way, the entire crew from French's Waterscape amazed me with their precision and attention to detail. With all the dirt that needed to be removed (~18 yards), shovels just weren't a practical way to get that job done so they brought in a bobcat. My house is cozy with the neighbor, with an opening clearance at the gate of 42 3/4 inches. The bobcat is 42 inches. We did have the option of removing the fence post and gaining another 3 1/2 inches, but I only wanted to do that as a last resort. When the guys went through the gate with the bobcat, they didn't so much as brush against the post. I don't think I could have fit my pinky between the tractor and the gatepost. I barely saw a sliver of sunlight. They drove that tractor all the way to the back yard with not even a scratch on the stucco. ~18 yards of soil was taken out and ~14,000 pounds of big rocks and countless pounds of pebbles were put in. Everyone at French's Waterscapes is very professional, and my project was managed efficiently. My girls literally couldn't wait to get in the pond and start the serious business of playing. While the guys worked my girls got a head start on enjoying the kid area. I think my kid's bike and scooter riding days are over! Words cannot describe how happy I am with everything. This was a well-run project with amazing results. As for my husband, who originally wanted a pool, and was very resistant to the idea of a pond, much less this size, he's already planning an add-on pond with a stream connecting to the one French's Waterscapes just created, and he has made a list of which fish we're adding first. Cash is artistic and creative on a scale I rarely see. Cash's foreman Mike was on this project as well. He knew exactly what was going on every step of the way. The entire crew worked tirelessly the entire time they were here. If you are considering adding a water feature to your garden, call French's Waterscapes!