In today’s competitive market, many contractors are looking for additional ways to create revenue. One of the fastest growing markets, aside from landscape lighting, is the designing and installation of water features. Lighting these water features creates a unique set of obstacles. It seems that everyone has their own opinion on how to effectively light any body of water. With this in mind, I would like to offer just a few “basic”ways to light water and water features.
To create excitement in moving water or at the bottom of waterfalls, it is best to use underwater fixtures and project light up through the moving water. This will create an ever-changing moving scene by allowing the light to be projected and carried in many different directions by the water. One thing to keep in mind when placing fixtures underwater is that for every 4 inches of water, you loose approximately 10% of your light output. Another thing to consider is the ambient light surrounding your water feature. It is recommended that the lamps used to light the water be 15 to 20 watts brighter than the lamps used in the surrounding landscape. This insures that the water feature actually becomes a “feature”rather than just blending in with the surroundings.
Lighting the whole aquatic sceneIn contrast, it is very difficult to create a dramatic scene in calm water by using underwater fixtures, and therefore, is generally best to light calm water and larger ponds from above. Because light is better projected through moving water, underwater lighting in calm water only creates spots of light. Down lighting will enhance not only the water feature, but also the landscape surrounding it.
Another lighting technique that can be used in around calm water is mirror lighting. This is achieved by up lighting the surrounding landscape creating a “mirror”effect on the surface of the water. This is especially effective with statues and ornamental trees that border a water feature.
As with every lighting application, make certain that the lighting fixtures and transformers used are rated for your particular application. Using improper fixtures and transformers around water will result in fixture failure, and could possibly cause electrocution for both people and animals.
