Photo Courtesy of J. Alan Graham

The Graham Pond, located in Atlanta, Georgia, is a fine example of what can happen when one puts his mind to a project and dives in with both feet. Alan’s not a professional pond builder but one would never know it by the professional results. Designed and constructed by Alan himself, with help from his friend, Craig, the pond is an oasis of peace in the middle of a bustling city. He did it right! He built it user-friendly with state-of-the-art bead filtration and external pumps. Though not a plumber he was able to carry out his dream of having a low-maintenance, high-enjoyment pond with just a little advice from the Doc and a little elbow grease from his friends. Alan can testify that with a creative mind and a fair amount of planning one can achieve paradise just beyond the back door.

A lively waterfall is nestled among ferns and other shade loving plants along the border of the fence then water flows from it along a stream covered by a flagstone bridge and into the main pond where Alan’s koi and goldfish live and play. One would think that this would be enough — especially with the wonderful flagstone decking and comfortable chairs from where fish antics are observed. The slope of Alan’s property allowed for an additional pond at the level below. From the koi pond water spills over a 5 ft. waterfall graced by flowering plants, caladiums and euphorbia and into the smaller reservoir below.

Alan gets a kick out of his koi and goldfish. The largest koi is “Jethro” who was perfectly named for his size and shameless behavior.

The hill also gives Alan an advantage with his external pump. The pump is located at the bottom of the hill along with the rest of the filtering system. Less energy is needed because water flows down to the pump via gravity which uses a flooded suction application causing less strain on the pump’s motor. The complete system is located in a wooded spot away from the pond and out of sight while entertaining. The filtration system for this pond of almost 3000 gallons consists of a ProBead 2.65, 2 external pumps, and an 80-watt UV.

Alan has confessed that he’s fallen asleep in one of the comfortable chairs by the pond — but who wouldn’t with the sound of water gently flowing from the two waterfalls. The pond is at its best at night when the copper down-lights and back-lit waterfalls cast watery shadows. This pond was the last stop on a long day during the Tour de’ Ponds and many pond tourists missed it! What a shame — and what a pond to miss!

Last month’s centerfold pond was created by two very talented individuals — not just one — like I stated in the article. Dummy me! I didn’t realize that Alan’s friend, Craig Bjurstrom, was largely responsible for the pond’s creation and I didn’t give credit where credit was due. Alan depended on Craig’s vision and guidance in the process of building their lovely backyard paradise. Why wouldn’t he since Craig is a brilliant designer and artist and a trained and experienced landscape architect. In fact, Craig has created many backyard paradises, some at extreme homes of the ultra-wealthy on the California Coastline.

Craig is currently self-employed in creative interior design and his collaboration with top Atlanta designers is well-known here in Atlanta.

He would be an excellent choice for anyone in need of talented interior design services or maybe he can be talked into creating another backyard paradise.

His company’s name is

YŪBACA and he can reached at (404) 223-1191.