Custom Water Feature Design & Construction in Exeter, RI
Turning "Deep Woods" properties into private sanctuaries.
Exeter offers something rare in Rhode Island: true privacy. With sprawling lots near Arcadia Management Area, historic farmhouses along Ten Rod Road, and the wooded estates of Yawgoo, homeowners here choose Exeter to be closer to nature.
At Natural Elements by Design, we specialize in the "Exeter Aesthetic"—rugged, natural, and built to last. We don’t install cookie-cutter fountains. We build massive, boulder-style water features that look like they belong in a National Park. We understand the challenges of Exeter’s terrain—from the "bony" granite ledge to the dense pine forests—and we use them to your advantage.
Water Feature Options
Pondless Waterfalls
For heavily wooded properties off Nooseneck Hill Road, a Pondless Waterfall is the smartest landscaping investment you can make.
Why They Rule in Exeter:
The Mosquito Solution: Exeter is woods country. Standing water can mean bug problems. Our pondless waterfalls are mosquito-free because the water disappears underground, giving you the sound of a mountain stream without the bites.
Using the Elevation: Many Exeter lots have natural slopes (especially near the Yawgoo ski area). We carve cascading streams into your existing hills, using your property's natural grade to create dramatic, crashing waterfalls.
Pine Needle Friendly: Unlike open ponds that can get clogged with pine needles, our "Stream & Gravel" systems are easy to maintain even in the middle of a dense forest.
Koi Ponds & Ecosystem Ponds
For the large country estates near Slocum and Schartner Farms, a large ecosystem pond creates a stunning focal point for wide-open spaces.
The Rural Estate Look:
Big Boulders: Small rocks look lost on a 5-acre Exeter lot. We use massive, distinct boulders (1,000+ lbs) to match the scale of your property and the historic stone walls that line your fields.
Wildlife Havens: You already have deer and turkeys in your yard. A pond acts as a watering hole, turning your backyard into a private nature reserve.
Watershed Safe: Exeter sits on pristine aquifers (like the Queen’s River). Our biological filtration systems are 100% chemical-free, ensuring we protect the local groundwater.
Natural Swim Ponds (Recreational Ponds)
If you bought a house in Exeter for the "Cabin in the Woods" vibe, a bright blue concrete pool ruins the picture. A Natural Swim Pond completes it.
The "Swimming Hole" Vibe:
The Pool Alternative: We design swim ponds that look like natural swimming holes—surrounded by ferns, granite, and native plantings. It feels like swimming in a pristine lake in Maine, right in your backyard.
Privacy: Because we use natural landscaping rather than concrete decks, we can tuck these ponds seamlessly into the tree line, offering total privacy from neighbors or the road.
Winter Beauty: In winter, a swim pond freezes over beautifully, blending into the snowy landscape rather than looking like a closed-down construction site.
Rustic Fountains & Farmhouse Features
For the historic farmhouses and long driveways characteristic of Exeter, we design features that respect the town's agricultural roots.
Millstone Fountains: We install bubbling features made from rough-hewn granite millstones—a perfect nod to Exeter’s history.
Fieldstone Bubblers: We can drill natural fieldstone (maybe even one from your own property) to create a subtle, bubbling water feature.
Entryway Statements: Large basalt columns at the end of a long gravel driveway set a tone of rugged elegance before guests even reach the house.