I run the first water fall through a man made bog system of assorted water plants, water lillies, etc, then over another waterfall and into the main pool. Roughly 2,000 gallons in the main pool. The skimmers take care of leaves, etc from the Pecan trees. And in the main pool I have more water lillies...though the Koi keep them trimmed. And the catfish are eagerly cruising the bottom.
Water is then pumped from main pool again as needed for the AP system.
I use gutters with a fair amount of success, and the usual blue barrel 1/2's for the deeper beds.