The journey to their dream back yard began with the homeowners of this Foristell garden visiting an almost-complete Bauer Falls project. Originally looking to install a small water feature on their property, the couple was blown away by the mountain stream Bauer Falls was constructing. Quickly dropping the idea of a small feature, they gave Bauer Falls complete creative control to transform the area around their home into natural falls. “They were such a pleasure to work with and really let me do what I thought was creatively best for the project,” says Caleb Bauer, owner of Bauer Falls.
"The initial vision for our water feature was to use the natural elevation next to the back of the house for a waterfall and small pond to create a peaceful patio environment," says the homeowner. To accommodate the new falls, the deck's construction was altered. Halving the deck and changing a previous window into a new deck entrance allowed views of the waterfall to carry into the indoor sitting room. The deck’s pier was then re-engineered to sit in the middle of the falls and provide an additional seating area for the homeowners to sit and enjoy the view from their new garden. The construction process included eight semi-loads of natural stone boulders and ledge rocks being dropped off to build the structure of the water feature. A notable inclusion is a 14-foot ledge rock used to span the pool. “A 14-foot ledge rock, a larger excavator and clever pier work created a natural stone bridge that can allow a human to pass underneath,” Caleb mentions.
The natural falls rise over the home’s surrounding horse pastures and mimic the streams in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. The headwaters, or source of the stream, rise from a biological filter and emerge from beneath a massive limestone ledge rock. The water briefly pools and creates a serene reflection spot before continuing over the ledge. Altogether, the water cascades 100 feet downstream in a path that includes eight feet of vertical falls and widens over 30 feet as it opens into the surrounding pools. "The overall scene cannot be viewed from one vantage point," says the homeowner. "This invites visitors to wander and explore." Carrying the Missouri-inspired theme, weathered limestone boulders guide the water as it thickens into a shut-in-style waterfall. This style brings a rich sound to the outdoor space, reflecting a babbling brook or small river rapid.
Extensive stone bridges, like the one mentioned above, as well as multiple staircases and over 300 feet of walkways allow the falls to be enjoyed from top to bottom. Pops of color are seen throughout the garden with pink, orange, purple and yellow flowers peeking out between the boulders. The fish pools, containing over 20,000 gallons of water, overlook the surrounding horse pastures and serene valley. “This horse farm is a real piece of heaven,” Caleb continues. “Having the horses close by all day was a real treat on this property. I was really drawn to the way that horses pair with waterfalls, it was something magical.”
The space is perfectly tailored for entertaining with three large patios spread throughout the falls, providing ample outdoor seating. Whether they're watching koi fish in the small ponds or swimming with their grandchildren in the natural pool, the opportunities for quality time outdoors are endless. Caleb even incorporated a patio area next to the fall’s main stream, allowing young children to play freely while adults relax nearby. The relaxing nature of the environment is felt by homeowners and visitors alike. “Wandering through the layout, tending to the gardens which draw butterflies and bees connects us to nature,” says the homeowner. “People naturally relax and even take a barefoot stroll through the main stream, exploring the many details of aquatic and plant life.”
The inspiration for the project came from Caleb’s childhood. “I stand in awe at the beauty of our beautiful state,” says Caleb. “These waterfalls that I create are but a feeble attempt to copy the immensity of the springs that our state provides. As a child, playing daily in Cuivre River State Park changed my life in a very positive way.” Caleb enjoys the opportunity to provide homeowners with similar life experiences. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to bring a small version of that to a client’s property, to be enjoyed by grandparents and grandchildren alike.”
