Choosing the Best Water Feature For Your Landscape
Bring the soothing sound of water to your backyard
Eco-friendly, customizable “swimming ponds” offer crystal clear water without the chemicals
Everyone loves jumping into the pool on hot summer days.
Now, what if I told you that there is an alternative to the classic, chlorine-filled swimming pool?
Enter… the swimming pond!
What is it? And how do you know if it’s right for you? We’ve put together this guide on what this water feature is, how it works, and why we think it would be an amazing addition to your landscape design.
For many of us, ponds conjure up images of algae, goldfish or koi fish, and a whole lot of muck and dead leaves to clean up when fall rolls around. Come to think of it, if you swam in a pond, it probably would have lots of slimy mud at the bottom, right?
Absolutely not. Today’s swimming ponds are self-sustaining ecosystems that, through plants and water circulation, mostly naturally filter themselves. (There are some water treatments involved too.) So the water is crystal clear, and honestly, it feels a bit like you’re swimming in the Garden of Eden. Or in more Canadian language… bringing the cottage to your backyard.
Inspired by natural springs and lakes, a natural pool or swimming pond invites nature back into your outdoors and is an organic take on the traditional chlorine-filled pool. If you have sensitive skin or simply don’t like that eye-stinging pain resulting from swimming in chlorinated water for too long, natural pools are a great choice!
To stay clean, the water is filtered organically in what’s called a regeneration zone — which is built nearby — where the water either goes through a gravel filter or enters carefully constructed wetlands. And because a wall separates the swimming zone from the garden zone, there’s no algae, muck or mud where you’re swimming.
Since they’re customizable, natural pools can be a cost-effective option that will blend well with the landscape of the rest of your space. But the best part? You can swim in them surrounded by wildlife and loads of plant life.
And one last thing — you can even include water features with it, like waterfalls and spillways. One of our clients actually had us install a “wading pond” where you can splash around, dip your feet and if you’re in the mood… sit on a small waterfall. The water flows underneath you, into the pond, and you get to stay cool while you soak up the sun.
If we haven’t convinced you to consider this amazing alternative to the conventional swimming pool, maybe these benefits will…
These pools do look their best in a naturalized setting, which is what we recommend. But it is possible to build one that looks more like a conventional pool too! We can help you design it however you want it to look.
For clients new and existing, we’re happy to explore adding a natural swimming pool to your landscape design. As an Aquascape Certified company — the team at Vandenberg can answer any questions you have with expertise!
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