I am assuming you mean a free standing garden waterfall- not flowing into a swimming pool.
We have a rock waterfall in our back yard- with a shallow pond and a babbling brook. We LOVE it.
Village Palms designed and did the install three years ago. Impeccable job.
The maintenance is minimal…. one chlorine puck every two-three weeks and change of filter sleeves on the pump maybe twice a year. (Takes only a few moments- I do it myself) Every now and again, select rocks begin to develop spots of algae. I spot- treat that as needed…. no big thing.
In very hot, prolonged dry weather, I must add water from the hose, maybe once a week. I don't need to add much- but the pump needs to be kept submerged.
You need to consider size, depth and orientation of the waterfall- that will affect care and maintenance. Ours is bordered by plants that do not shed. It is within courtyard walls and I can maneuver around it to care for and prune the surrounding plants.
We chose to have no water plants or fish- for easier maintenance. However, frogs frequent and birds take baths and drink from it.
This is the fourth water feature I have had ( previous homes up North) and by far the easiest I've cared for.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
