Anyone who lives near a river knows how delightful it is to listen to the water flowing past your windows every day. However, river living can also be dangerous—heavy rains can bring floods and riverbanks can collapse. If your house is near a river, a retaining wall may be a wise investment.

If you are in the process of designing a luxurious and relaxing landscape, why not create your own backyard pond? Here are a few things to consider before starting construction on the pond.