Water features
Koi ponds, waterfalls and water features for Southwest Florida
Movement, sound and reflection, engineered for Florida's heat and humidity. We design and build koi ponds, boulder waterfalls, water walls, grottos and custom fountains that perform as beautifully as they look.
Why trust Lombardo with water
Water is the part of a landscape you cannot fake
Designing water takes a balance of artistry, engineering and an understanding of how water behaves in Florida's climate. Lombardo Landscaping & Water Features has the word in its name for a reason.
Matt Lombardo is an Aquascape certified contractor, and the company holds state certifications and licenses for landscaping, brick pavers and ornamental water features. That background shows in the parts you never see: filtration sized to the volume, circulation that keeps water moving, liners and stone detailed to last.
How we approach it
- 01
Features that balance visual beauty with long-term performance
- 02
Engineered flow, filtration and water management on every installation
- 03
Premium materials chosen for durability in Florida's climate
- 04
Custom work for luxury homes, estates and commercial grounds
Inside an ecosystem pond
How a balanced pond keeps itself clear
A clear, healthy pond is not luck and it is not chemicals. It is a system: circulation, biology and planting working together. Select a part to see what it does.
Water returns through a filter box hidden at the top of the waterfall. Beneficial bacteria live on the media inside and break down waste before the water spills out over the stone.
Every drop of water the pump moves runs over the falls, which adds oxygen for the fish and the bacteria, and gives you the sound. We tune the flow to the volume you want, from a trickle to a roar.
Rounded rock and gravel cover the liner. They protect it from UV and claws, look natural, and give beneficial bacteria an enormous surface to colonize.
A flexible, fish-safe rubber liner sits on a protective underlayment, shaped to the excavation with planting shelves and a deeper zone where koi can stay cool in August.
Water lilies, marginals and bog plants pull nutrients out of the water and shade it, which is how a balanced pond keeps algae in check without heavy chemistry.
The skimmer pulls leaves and debris off the surface before they sink and rot, and houses the pump that sends water back to the falls. Moving water is also why a well-built pond does not breed mosquitoes.
Koi are part of the system, not decoration. Their waste feeds the plants and bacteria, and the depth, shelter and circulation are designed around them.
Low-voltage lights under the falls and in the basin turn the pond into the focal point of the garden after dark. They are planned with the rest of the lighting design.
- Plan a Pond With Us
What we build
Four ways to bring water into the garden
Each design is tailored to your architecture and surroundings, so the water feels like it belongs there.
- 01
Koi ponds
Living works of art: depth, filtration, circulation, planting and stone placement considered together for a healthy, thriving ecosystem that invites you to slow down. Koi pond installation.
- 02
Water walls
A sleek, sculptural presence for courtyards, entries and intimate outdoor rooms, engineered for smooth flow and minimal splash, and a soothing acoustic backdrop.
- 03
Waterfalls and streams
Boulder cascades and meandering streams that add sound and movement, from a quiet trickle to a full waterfall, tuned to the volume you want.
- 04
Grottos and custom fountains
Secluded, sculptural retreats integrated with a pool or standing alone, and fountains from contemporary minimal to grand architectural statements.
Thinking about water features? Let's look at your property.
A Lombardo designer will walk the site with you, at home or in our Fort Myers showroom.
Recent work
Water features we have built
Boulder waterfall garden with red and orange annuals at Casa Ybel, Sanibel Island
Naturalistic boulder waterfall and stream planted with bromeliads under palms
Koi pond in a private courtyard with a stacked stone water wall
Multi-tier stream waterfall winding through a tropical garden
Boulder waterfall and pond built inside a screened lanai
Water garden with stepping stones, a timber bridge and a fountain jet
Koi pond with a waterfall, garden statue and dense tropical planting
Tiered stone fountain inside a screened lanai, ringed with flowering beds
Waterfront koi stream and waterfall running past a tiki hut
Crystal-clear koi pond and stream alongside a modern home
Backyard pond with a wooden footbridge and boulder edging
Natural pond with a low waterfall and lily pads
Pond and waterfall tucked into a shaded tropical garden
Tiered fountain on a lake edge, surrounded by red begonias
Pond crossed by a natural stone slab bridge, with lush tropical planting
Google reviews
Like a work of art
Matt and his crew created a rock garden water feature around my pool. The previous water feature had been destroyed by hurricane Ian. The finished product was beyond my expectation…..like a work of art….. very beautiful.
Ready for a design of your own?
Start a design brief in four short steps, or call and talk it through.
FAQ
Water feature questions
Which water features work best in Florida's climate?
Koi ponds, water walls, fountains, grottos and streams all perform well in Florida when they are designed with the right materials, filtration and climate-aware engineering to handle heat, humidity and year-round use.
Do water features attract mosquitoes?
A properly designed feature should not. Circulation, aeration and filtration keep the water moving, which prevents the stagnant conditions mosquitoes need to breed. In ponds, fish help too.
How much maintenance does a water feature need?
It varies by feature. Most need periodic cleaning, water care and equipment checks. We design systems to be as low-maintenance as possible: skimmers, biological filtration and planting do most of the work in a balanced pond.
Are water features safe with children and pets?
Safety is part of the design. We consider depth, access, edging and visibility so features are beautiful and family-friendly. A water wall gives you sound and movement with very little open water.
Can you add a water feature to my existing pool or landscape?
Yes. Many of our installations integrate with existing pools, patios and gardens. One client had us rebuild a rock garden water feature around their pool after Hurricane Ian destroyed the original.
Can lighting be built into a water feature?
Yes, and it is one of the most impactful upgrades. Underwater and surrounding lighting adds mood and visibility at night, and we plan it with the rest of your landscape lighting.
How loud will it be?
As loud as you like. Some homeowners want a soft trickle by the bedroom window, others a pronounced waterfall to mask road noise. We shape the flow to get the sound right.
Does a water feature add value to a home?
A professionally designed water feature raises curb appeal and makes outdoor spaces feel more luxurious and inviting, both of which support property value.
Service areas
Water features across Lee and Collier counties
All of Lee and Collier counties, from Pine Island to Marco Island. Seven communities have their own pages; choose yours to see local projects and what designing there involves.
Request a consultation
Hear the water before we dig.
Four short steps. Tell us what you are dreaming about and where, and a designer will call to set up your consultation at the property or in our Fort Myers showroom.