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zakruti.com » Do it Yourself - Handmade » My Self Reliance
Husband and Wife Build a Massive Koi Fish and Swimming Pond with a 70' Waterfall (Start to Finish)

Husband and Wife Build a Massive Koi Fish and Swimming Pond with a 70' Waterfall (Start to Finish)

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Rating: 4.6; Vote: 3
Shawn James and his wife build a 30, 000 gallon koi pond in the forest with a 70' stream with several waterfalls, providing a cool spot to swim on hot summer days for us and our golden retriever. Inspired by Japanese gardens and northeastern woodlands, we densely plant hundreds of trees and perennials to naturalize the landscape while considering future growth and transition into the native forest. Wildlife abounds here, with regular visits from deer, turkey, black bear, wolf, coyote, raccoon, martens and more. Log Cabin Building, Bushcraft, Survival Skills, Cooking, Canadian Wilderness, Off Grid Living, Homesteading Hi, I'm Shawn James. I am a passionate outdoorsman living the life of my dreams in a log cabin that I built by myself in the Canadian wilderness. Join me and my golden retriever, Cali and listen to the sounds of the forest in this relaxing wilderness setting. I prefer to keep my talking to a minimum and let the natural sounds of nature make you feel as though you are there with me. YouTube Channels Shawn James: Our Self Reliance: Rumble: MERCHANDISE - Best of My Self Reliance: OFF GRID LIVING: COOKING: BUILDING LOG CABIN WITH HAND TOOLS: BUILDING OFF GRID SAUNA: BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL: Facebook Instagram My Self Reliance/Shawn James 200 Manitoba St, Unit 3, Suite 415 Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2 adminmyselfreliance. com
Date: 2025-07-20

Comments and reviews: 20


As much as I love the outdoors and would kill (not really) to have my own wilderness oasis, every time I watch one of these videos I'm completely freaked out by the constant mosquito buzzing. It may have something to do with going to meet my half-brother in Yellow Knife for the first time and he took me on a beautiful hike that led to waterfalls. Unfortunately, we forgot mosquito repellent, so I was eaten alive and didn't know I was allergic. I ended up in Emergency looking like Jabba the Hutt! Still had fun though. Lol.
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When you build a very large Koi pond, birds land pick up the koi eggs in the spring and summer while they are breeding. The eggs can get carried to area lakes and hatch. Koi is a fancy name of carp with color. The same thing happens when people throw goldfish in lakes and ponds. They spread rapidly. I have seen it happened to area lakes where people have very large koi ponds and regret building one. Sure they are very fun to watch and pretty but they grow fast and are very prolific. Good luck
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Thank you for inspiring us for our natural life. A couple of years we are watching you and finally decided to move. Now we are leaving far from the city, in our land. To be honest this life needs physical power or lots of money, not easy. But and of the day worth it we are free, growing our food, and no slave lifestyle. Time is totally different here. Many projects are still waiting for us, my husband and I want a natural pool, thanks for video.
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You and your wife have built more than just a pond, you've made a place of serenity. Something you cannot buy in a store or on marketplace. I'm certain whomever visits it will enjoy it as much as you do. The care you both took to enure everything was placed carefully and it just the right spot. Cali certainly approves it. Thank you for such a awesome video.
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Such a beautiful retreat you and your wife have built. It's inspiring to watch how your constantly improving your land your family's lives. I've enjoyed watching your videos from the beginning of your first cabin until now and love your bond with your dog. I have a German Shepherd and she is my shadow. All the best to you and your family.
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WOW! What crazy amount of labor in this project. Was this built mainly for Cali so she can swim Will you and family be able to enjoy sitting out there with all the mosquitoes Sure is a beautiful landscape! Hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it. What will you do with it in winter I assume you are pumping water from the stream nearby
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Absolutely spectacular. You never cease to amaze me. I built a fourteen foot tall waterfall and stream bed that flows into a pool with an additional waterfall into a Koi Pond. The upper pool catches 95 percent of waste and I'm so grateful. We love our sanctuary, but your's is probably closer to heaven than ours.
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Cali was exhausted from all that supervising. How are you going to keep the wildlife from eating your koi Are you going to put a heater in to keep it warm enough from freezing over in the winter Your pond and landscaping is the most beautiful pond I have ever seen. Hugs and kisses to Missy Cali.
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I thought I had stumbled onto another dimension where the 'My Self Reliance' dude used power tools and equipment for all of his building needs. I mean 'him' using power anything to build is strange to see. But there he was, driving a tractor and placing power lines. Whew! It's a new world.
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Oh, how truly breathtaking. Back-breaking work to be sure, but the results are stunning. The pond and stream look so natural, and your wife has such a knack for layering the plants. Both of you really showcased your artistic talents with this project. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!
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A very peaceful place to enjoy for many years. I can't wait to see how the wildlife like it. I can see a moose standing in the water.
Callie's dream came true.
I'm so happy for the two of you, you guys have worked hard to have a peaceful oasis to relax and enjoy.

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These liners come on a roll and are folded in a way to unfold correctly. Instead of pushing tha 300 pound monster, I put a pole through the roll, put it on a high point, and stripped it off the rooll like toilet paper. Much easier than I thought it would be. Congrats on the job!
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Shawn never ceases to amaze me! I have watched you from the first cabin & the longhouse but to see you & your beautiful wife working together was priceless. Callie with her head in the plant was so cute! Such a beautiful paradise for you both on this crazy planet!
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I don’t know what to think of this project. It’s beautiful done, but now you creatie your own pond and garden and I like the idea that the surrounding nature is enough. Why a pond with fish when there’s fish in lakes and rivers. Curious. Grtz
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Hey Shawn! Do you have a recommendation/opinion on GoPro About to buy a used 11 one this weekend for kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Love from my family to yours from Minnesota! If anyone else has some info that would be cool too!
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Something tells me that you built that pond mostly for Cali. who could blame you if you did. watching you and Cali on that bench brought tears to my eyes. blessings to you and the Miss's. oh and Cali.
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Amazing work. Have you considered how you are going to winter the fish Not sure if this will completely freeze up especially in the nasty Northern Ontario climate. Keep up the great work
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Wow! What a lot of work! Holy Moly man! Not much quit in you! Looks fantastic! I think even now that you showed us how to do it I'd be hiring someone or some ones to do it for me. Cheers!
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Mind blowing! Not many things impress me but this seamless blend of natural and man-made landscape certainly has. May you all have many years of enjoyment from the fruits of your labour.
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Spectacular. Your wife is so beautiful. She deserves to be in this paradise with you. She's such a hard worker. Love Callie, she's so loving and at peace with all of you.
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