Deb would sigh wistfully about how nice it would be to have a stream in back at times OTHER than monsoon downpours. I would explain you just can't build an artificial stream! Then we went to a home show where not one but TWO contractors showed that not only could they build streams, they could do them in the middle of a county fair building for a 4-day show. 😳

Well okay then!

When we got someone to quote us on rebuilding our backyard in 2017, we asked about getting a stream as well. And voila! It takes only a little time to maintain, most of the time. Spring cleaning, when I get out the muck, and then late summer, when our hibiscus plant/bush/invasive monster drops dinner-dish-size blossoms into the water. Every. Day. 🙄

But we love watching birds bathe in it (especially one robin, who is VERY particular about cleanliness) and other critters interact with it. I pull the pumps in late November just in case the sump freezes (only happened once, but caution is good) but several times we've had a late fall/early spring snowfall that is WONDERFUL. Wait, I posted something a couple years ago: https://vimeo.com/1002318740?share=copy

Thank you for the kind remarks, Louise! You always post DELIGHTFUL photos and comments!