Suggestions to create waterfall with REAL water

Despite what the naysayers indicate it is possible to get great and reliable results using real water.  I have seen it done at a museum I worked at in my misspent youth.  The question is whether that effort would be worth it.  This is something you won't be able to gauge until after you have already devoted the effort to build it and run it for a while.  With real water models you are also signing up for ongoing maintenance as well as for the initial building.   

For waterfalls, as the above pictures show, it is possible to achieve good results using slightly modified versions of techniques you are probably already using.  If that isn't good enough you might want to consider adding a recording of the actual falls would add a nice dimension.

@Bill N posted:

...you might want to consider adding a recording of the actual falls would add a nice dimension.

Good suggestion.  And I forgot to add in my earlier recommendation re ITT Products sound modules that if you have a particular recording (e.g., favorite waterfall), George at ITT will transfer it to the chip as a custom module.

Years ago I had completed an O scale model of Sylvan's tugboat.  It begged for a sound module to complement.  I found sound bites for the type of tugboat engine that would've been typical for the model's prototype.  Also found a mfrs sound bite for the single 'tooter' boat whistle.  George married those to his inventory of seagull squawks, sloshing water, etc., to create the PERFECT 30 second sound effects for the tug...at that time, no charge.

Sooo...Have some skinny-dipping folks in the pond at the base of the falls?  George could even add a recording of your grandkids squealing/splashing in delight, calling each other by name...or 'Marco Polo'!

Add sounds.  Using real water will fade from priority.

IMHO, of course.

KD

KD, thanks for the suggestion to use ITT Products. I have, and they are great (cattle, sawmill, outhouse). As you point out, I even had a custom made module with my voice as a dispatcher for yard with 3 spurs.  I have the "Children Playing" module for the pool at the base of the falls, but it may not include enough water sounds. Your suggestion of "Marco Polo" with the grandkids could be great! Might try to add that to the Children Playing module.  Will see.  Of course, my personal favorite is the Outhouse module. Grandkids and I love it. As expected, wife thinks differently.

Thanks,

Michael

Use a good  photo similar to the one you have and add the necessary scenery to flesh it out.  This is what I used on my old layout with a photo I took of a local waterfall and printed it onto gloss paper.  I'm rather proud of the effect I was able to achieve first time out.

MTH also made an IRS building on fire! Came with a pump, etc. for water connected to a fire hose to be positioned at the open window where the fire was.

Being a CPA, I of course had to have this building, but NEVER included the water feature in the display. I actually kept the building on top of a filing cabinet at my office for a while, but whenever I had an audit with an IRS agent, I always put the building away.

It would not have gone over too well to have had the building in view, LOL!