Tips For Positioning Water Features To Shield Them From Colorado Winds

Wind is one of the dominant forces that affects outdoor water features in Colorado. High plains gusts, mountain funneling, and rapid weather changes can disrupt water circulation, increase evaporation, blow debris into basins, and create splash that damages hardscape or plants. This article provides practical, site-specific guidance on how to position and shelter ponds, fountains, and water gardens so they perform well year round in Colorado climates.

Know your site: wind mapping and microclimates

Understanding the specific wind behavior at your property is the first and most important step. Colorado winds are highly variable by region and by site: the Front Range faces strong downslope winds, foothill locations have canyon funneling, and high plains sites face persistent northwest winds. A site-level diagnosis will guide everything from orientation to plant and barrier selection.
Start with these simple observational steps to map wind on your site.

Spend at least three different days observing wind at different times of day, noting the direction, peak gusts, and when gusts subside.
Use an inexpensive handheld anemometer to record typical wind speeds during the growing season and during storm conditions.
Walk the perimeter during a windy day and note where wind accelerates through gaps, over walls, or along driveways.

Documenting wind patterns helps determine where to place the water feature, where barriers will be most effective, and where cascades or sprays will need extra protection.

Interpreting observations for placement decisions

If wind is predominantly from one direction for long periods, position the feature on the lee side of the property when possible. For variable winds, prioritize locations sheltered by existing structures or dense vegetation on the most frequently gusty sides. If site constraints force a more exposed placement, plan for supplemental shielding using hardscape and plantings.

Hardscape strategies: walls, berms, and screens

Hard features are the most reliable form of wind control when designed with the site in mind. The following are proven practices for reducing wind impact on water features in Colorado.

Place the water feature within the protection of a solid or semi-solid wall that is at least 1.5 to 2 times the expected height of wind gusts that you need to block. For common backyard gusts around 20 to 30 mph, a 4 to 6 foot wall gives significant shelter.
Use staggered or stepped walls rather than a single monolithic barrier. This reduces turbulence and prevents wind from simply wrapping around a single plane.
Build berms upwind of the water feature. An earth berm reduces wind speed more gradually than a vertical wall and also provides an aesthetic transition that is less harsh in natural landscapes.
Consider perforated screens or lattice on the upwind side when a fully solid wall is impractical. A screen that blocks 40 to 60 percent of wind is often more effective than a solid wall because it reduces turbulence and provides energy dissipation.

Practical takeaway: combine a low solid wall with a vegetated berm or a partially porous screen. This hybrid approach reduces both speed and turbulence, leading to less splash and evaporation.

Orientation and setback rules

When siting water features relative to structures, follow these general rules.

Set the water feature at least twice its maximum dimension away from tall, flat exposed surfaces that can accelerate wind, such as open garage doors, long fences, or open fields.
Orient flowing features so cascades and spray faces away from the prevailing wind. For example, a fountain face or waterfall lip should be turned toward the lee side.
Avoid placing features in narrow corridors where wind will funnel, such as between parallel fences or buildings.

These simple placement choices can reduce the need for high-maintenance or high-cost protective measures.

Planting as protection: species, spacing, and layering

Plants are both functional and attractive windbreaks. In Colorado, choose hardy, drought-tolerant species and design multi-layered plantings to slow wind effectively while minimizing maintenance.

Use an outer row of taller, dense trees or large shrubs to reduce wind speed at higher levels. Good choices for many Colorado zones include Colorado blue spruce, Austrian pine, and native species like Rocky Mountain juniper. Select species suited to your elevation and soil.
Underplant with a middle layer of shrubs such as serviceberry, ninebark, or mock orange to break up wind at intermediate heights.
Finish with a low, dense groundcover or hedge immediately around the water feature to calm near-surface turbulence and trap debris.

Spacing considerations: planting rows should be staggered rather than linear to avoid creating wind tunnels. A typical layout for an effective windbreak is three staggered rows with gaps that allow some airflow but dissipate energy: tall trees spaced 12 to 20 feet apart in the first row, medium shrubs 6 to 10 feet apart in the second, and low shrubs or groundcover 2 to 4 feet apart in the front.
Practical takeaway: prioritize evergreen or semi-evergreen species for year-round protection, but include deciduous shrubs to provide seasonal diversity without creating solid winter walls that trap snow in unwanted places.

Practical design details for different water feature types

Ponds, urn fountains, and cascading water features each have specific vulnerabilities to wind. Here are focused tips for each type.

Ponds and water gardens: locate ponds in slightly lowered positions that benefit from surrounding berms and planting. Use marginal plantings and lily pads to reduce surface area exposed to direct wind. Install a baffle or floating debris screen on the upwind edge to catch leaves before they reach pumps and skimmers.
Tall fountains or vertical jets: these are the most wind-sensitive. Position them in fully sheltered courtyards or behind a 4 to 6 foot screen. Consider lower, layered jets rather than a single tall jet to maintain visual interest without excessive splash.
Cascades and waterfalls: orient the flow so that the falling water lands away from prevailing wind. Use stepped cascades with shallow drops rather than long single drops to reduce wind carrying water droplets. Place rock shelves or midstream deflectors to intercept and return airborne spray to the basin.

Practical takeaway: where possible, opt for designs that reduce exposed vertical height and present a smaller silhouette to wind.

Mechanical and operational measures

Even with ideal placement and planting, some wind-driven issues will persist. Mechanical measures provide secondary protection and operational flexibility.

Use variable-speed pumps that can be reduced during high wind events to decrease splash and reduce water loss.
Install wind sensors and automated controls that reduce fountain height or shut down jets when wind speed exceeds a set threshold.
Fit skimmers and pre-filters on intakes to deal with increased debris carried by wind, and locate intakes on the downwind side of ponds to reduce clogging.
Add baffles or floating deflectors that capture and redirect spray back into the catch basin without impeding normal flow.

Practical takeaway: automation and flexible equipment choices reduce maintenance and protect features during high-wind events without permanent visual barriers.

Seasonal and winter considerations specific to Colorado

Colorado has wide temperature swings and winter freeze-thaw cycles that interact with wind issues. Planning for seasonal performance improves longevity.

Site water features to avoid excess wind-driven evaporation in summer and to reduce wind-driven ice abrasion in winter.
In colder areas, position features so prevailing winds do not accelerate ice formation on pumps or plumbing. Wind can drive rapid icing that damages exposed piping.
Provide easy access to pumps and controls for winter servicing. A small sheltered equipment enclosure or insulated vault upwind of the main wind will keep service tasks safer and equipment warmer.

Practical takeaway: plan for seasonal shutoff or reduced operation during winter storms and design shelter for equipment that is both wind- and freeze-protective.

Maintenance practices that preserve wind protection

No shelter is maintenance-free. Regular care both of vegetation and hardscape preserves wind screening effectiveness.

Prune trees and shrubs to maintain density and to prevent wind channels forming through over-thinning.
Repair mortar joints, screens, and wall tops regularly to prevent gaps that will direct wind into the protected area.
Clean debris traps and skimmers more frequently in windy months to prevent pump failures.

Practical takeaway: schedule seasonal inspections in early spring and late fall to assess and repair windbreak function before the high-wind seasons.

Decision checklist before installation

Before you install a water feature, confirm these site and design decisions.

Document prevailing wind directions and peak gusts on site.
Choose a location on the lee side when possible and avoid funnel corridors.
Plan a layered protection strategy: hardscape + berm + plantings.
Select durable, site-appropriate plants and account for their mature size.
Design flow and fountain heights to match expected wind conditions.
Include mechanical controls for variable operation during windy conditions.
Plan for winter protection of equipment and seasonal maintenance access.

Conclusion

Colorado winds are a design constraint, not an insurmountable problem. By understanding local wind behavior, using a combination of hardscape and vegetative barriers, orienting features intelligently, and employing mechanical controls when needed, you can enjoy a functional, low-maintenance water feature that performs well in Colorado conditions. The most successful installations are those that integrate wind control into the overall landscape design from the start, rather than applying ad hoc fixes after problems arise.