Thanks for the comment. I'll try to post some pics in a few days. I have changed computers so have to get the software to reduce the file sizes. I've been taking pics since the project started. It may be next spring before there's actually a waterfall in place. I've got to gather up 40 or 50 yards of dirt and get it compacted for the "mini-mountain".
Just tested my water return line and all performs as expected. I placed a "T" about 8' short of the pond and stubbed up a pipe to flush with the ground and 90'd it back out over the pond (supported, of course). This will carry the bulk of the water. I continued the main line out a couple of feet beyond the bank and placed a cleanout at the end. It has a 5/8" hole drilled in the bottom of it so the "system" will drain down anytime water flow stops.
Waiting for some rain before I backfill the last 30 feet of ditch leading to the pond. This clay is like big lumps of concrete right now so compaction is out of the question.
As far as water flow goes, 4" schedule 40 pipe is supposed to easily handle 240gpm under gravity flow conditions. Doubt I'll ever get close to that. Additionally, when the pond is full, that will generate some additional pressure. The draw down with 1 pump operating in the "water column" was only 1" on my "test drive" so it appears everything will be fine and that is with only about 3" of water over the pipe in the pond.
http://flexpvc.com/WaterFlowBasedOnPipeSize.shtmlI know this all sounds kinda hokey but its been fun coming up with it and playing in the dirt for a while. I'm sure theres some fatal flaw in the plan somewhere, but it hasn't surfaced yet.
