Water Feature Installation Where Nature Meets Exceptional Design

Water Feature Installation in Salem

Custom Ponds, Waterfalls & Fountains Backed by 50 Years in Salem

Water features are among the most transformative additions a property can receive, and few contractors in the region bring what we do to this work: over 50 years serving the Salem area and a Salmon-Safe certification that reflects a genuine commitment to Oregon’s watershed health. At DeSantis Landscapes, we design and install custom water features for residential and commercial properties throughout Salem, treating each project as an opportunity to enhance the landscape without compromising the ecosystem around it.

We’re fully insured, we back our installations with warranties, and we’ve been doing this work since 1974. One client, Wendy K., described our work on her fountain and back patio as “a fabulous job.” That’s the standard we bring to every installation.

Ready to add a water feature to your Salem property? Call us at (503) 782-7356 for a free estimate. We can listen to your goals, assess your space, and design a solution that fits.

Water Features We Install in Salem

Every project starts with understanding what the property needs and what the client envisions. We work across a full range of water feature types for both residential and commercial clients, handling everything from small accent pieces to large-scale installations.

Custom ponds: Designed to accommodate aquatic plants, fish, and wildlife, with filtration and skimmer systems that reduce ongoing maintenance demands.
Pondless waterfall systems: Water circulates through a hidden underground reservoir and rises to the surface, delivering the movement and sound of a waterfall without an open pond. A practical choice for smaller yards or properties with young children.
Custom waterfalls: Built as standalone features or integrated into pond systems using natural stone selected to complement the surrounding landscape. Scaled from intimate garden accents to multi-tier cascades.
Fountains and decorative water elements: Compact and high-impact, these suit entrances, patios, and commercial settings where a full pond or waterfall isn’t practical. Recirculating pump systems keep water moving without continuous draw from a tap.

We partner with leading technology companies to source quality hardscape materials and irrigation controls, and every installation is backed by our warranty.

Why Salem Property Owners Choose DeSantis Landscapes

Longevity matters in landscape work. We’ve been designing and building outdoor spaces in the Salem area since 1974, which means we understand Willamette Valley soils, Oregon’s seasonal rhythms, and what holds up over the long term. That local knowledge shapes every water feature we install.

Our Salmon-Safe certification reflects formal standards around water use, runoff management, and responsible construction practices that we carry into every project. We also integrate native plant species around water features wherever appropriate, supporting local pollinator and bird habitat while keeping the design rooted in Oregon’s natural environment.

Our process is straightforward: we listen to what you want, communicate clearly throughout, and keep you in charge of the decisions. We offer free estimates and bring the same care to a commercial courtyard fountain as we do to a residential pond. Contact us or call (503) 782-7356 to get started.

Water Feature Types: What to Expect from Each

Choosing the right water feature comes down to your space, your goals, and how much ongoing involvement you want. Here’s a closer look at what each installation type involves.

Ecosystem Ponds

Ecosystem ponds use skimmer and biological filtration together to maintain water clarity and reduce algae, approximating the balance found in natural water systems. They can be sized to support aquatic plants and fish, and when designed well, they can become largely self-regulating. Fish ponds require adjusted filtration specifications to maintain appropriate water quality for aquatic life.

Pondless Waterfall Systems

These systems store water in an underground reservoir and pump it to the surface, eliminating the open water of a traditional pond while preserving the movement and sound. They’re well suited to smaller properties and generally require less ongoing attention than open ponds, making them a practical option for busy homeowners and commercial property managers alike.

Custom Waterfalls

Waterfalls can be built from natural stone, including locally quarried basalt common in the Pacific Northwest. Scale ranges from quiet single-drop garden accents to dramatic multi-tier installations, and they can stand alone or connect to a pond system depending on the property and the desired effect.

Fountains & Decorative Water Elements

Fountain installations and water pots with recirculating pumps suit patios, entryways, and compact commercial spaces where a full pond or waterfall isn’t practical. These are among the lower-maintenance options available and deliver strong visual impact in a contained footprint.

Planning Considerations for Water Feature Installation in Salem

A successful installation starts well before excavation. These are the key factors that shape what’s possible on a given site.

Site assessment: Available space, sun exposure, and proximity to existing structures determine which feature types are appropriate and where they should be placed.
Soil conditions: Salem’s clay-heavy Willamette Valley soils drain slowly, which affects excavation depth, liner requirements, and drainage planning for any in-ground feature.
Water access and drainage: Overflow prevention and clean integration with the surrounding landscape require thoughtful drainage planning from the start.
Regulatory considerations: Properties near the Willamette River, Mill Creek, Pringle Creek, or other protected waterways may fall within wetland buffer zones. Confirming applicable regulations before breaking ground is a step property owners shouldn’t skip.
Purpose and scale: Whether the goal is a relaxation focal point, a wildlife habitat, an aesthetic accent, or a commercial presence, the purpose shapes the design, scale, and material selection.
Seasonal factors: Oregon’s wet winters and mild summers are well suited to year-round water features, though pump systems should be sized to handle seasonal temperature variation and debris from deciduous trees.

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What Our Clients Say

Hear From Those Who Have Experienced Our Commitment to Quality

"The experience was positive from Day 1."
This is a company that really cares about the customer and takes pride in what they do! We are so pleased with Luke and his crews, and give them our highest recommendation possible.

- Don B.
"We would enthusiastically recommend DeSantis."
We cannot say enough positive about the quality of their work or the commitment of their employees. The maintenance services they provide have been excellent, and all work is coordinated by a very talented and skilled account manager.

- Jeanne C.
"I couldn't be happier with DeSantis Landscapes!"
From the initial bid process through the final day of construction, the team was spot on professional. Always on time, always cleaned up at the end of the day and consistently showed pride and respect for the project!

- T.B.
"Outstanding."
Their designer Ryan Kauffman was great to work with. He spent all the time we needed working to create a fabulous space using his own design expertise but also including our ideas. We would not hesitate to hire DeSantis for any future projects.

- Pat C.
"Great communication."
Fabulous job on our fountain and our back patio.

- Wendy K.
"Our organization could not be happier with the company."
For the last few years DeSantis Landscape has maintained the six-acre private park of the Abiqua Heights Homeowners Association. Their work has been exemplary. Our organization could not be happier with the company.

- Todd F.
"Top rated workmanship."
We absolutely love this company and crew! Top rated workmanship, respectful and tidy. A every reasonable price, and fantastic outcome for landscaping overhaul of our yard. Everything on time, crew always on time.

- Lynn B.
"Always seem go the “extra mile.”"
DeSantis landscapes Crew @ Villa Candalaria in Salem, today always seem go the "extra mile" leaf blowing our entrance way! Sure appreciate your thoughtfulness.

- Michael W.

Credentials & Ecological Commitment

Salmon-Safe certification is awarded to businesses that adopt practices protecting Pacific salmon habitat, including responsible water use and runoff management. It’s a meaningful credential for a contractor whose work interacts directly with the water cycle, and it’s one we’ve earned and maintain across all our landscape work in Salem and the broader Portland metro area.

We’re fully insured and back our water feature installations with warranties. We run our offices on solar energy, build bioswales for stormwater management, and use native plant species in our designs to support local wildlife and minimize disruption to Oregon’s ecosystem. When we plant around a water feature, we’re thinking about what lives there long after installation day.

Founded in Salem in 1974 and locally owned ever since, we bring more than five decades of regional landscape knowledge to every project. That history shows in how we work: methodically, transparently, and with a long view on what makes a landscape last.

Start Your Salem Water Feature Project

Whether you’re planning a backyard pond, a pondless waterfall, or a fountain for a commercial entrance, we’d like to hear about it. DeSantis Landscapes offers free estimates for water feature installation throughout Salem and the Portland metro area. We can assess your site, talk through your options, and give you a clear picture of what’s possible.

Call (503) 782-7356 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free estimate.

Sustainable Water Feature Design in the Willamette Valley

Sustainability isn’t an add-on at DeSantis Landscapes. Dean DeSantis, our second-generation owner, has described it as the foundation of how the company operates, and that philosophy is visible in how we approach every water feature installation in Salem and throughout the region.

Runoff Management & Native Planting

Water features interact directly with the water cycle, and responsible design means getting the grading, drainage, and materials right so runoff doesn’t carry contaminants into local waterways. Our bioswale work gives us direct, applicable knowledge for siting and draining water features correctly on Willamette Valley properties.

Native plantings around water features do more than look natural. They support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects, creating habitat that extends the value of the installation beyond its visual impact. We select these plantings to complement Oregon’s natural environment and reduce the property’s long-term ecological footprint.

Water Conservation & Technology

Recirculating pump systems, which we use across our fountain and pondless waterfall installations, conserve water by continuously cycling the same supply rather than drawing from a tap. We partner with Weathermatic to access advanced irrigation controls that help minimize water consumption across our installations.

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