Natural Swimming Pool Builders & Swim Pond Contractors
A natural swimming pool is a swim pond. Chemical-free water filtered by a planted regeneration zone rather than chlorine. That is all we build. Natural swim ponds, natural pools, recreational ponds and conversions of existing chlorine pools. Across Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico and Kansas. Founded by Craig McBride in Allen, Texas. 31+ years of specialty focus, 50+ completed natural swimming ponds, and a 5.0 star rating from 8 Google reviews. We do not build gunite, fiberglass or saltwater pools.
Natural swimming pool, swim pond, natural pool, pond pool: all the same thing
"Natural swimming pool" (NSP) is the industry's technical term for a chemical-free, biologically filtered pond you swim in, so natural swimming pool, swim pond, natural pool, pond pool and swimming pond all describe one thing. Water kept clear by a planted regeneration zone and the bacteria living in its gravel instead of by chlorine. No chlorine, no liner-and-tile shell, and water that looks like a clear lake rather than a blue rectangle. What we build: natural swim ponds and natural pools, recreational ponds at acre scale for swimming, fishing and wildlife, and conversions that turn an existing chlorine pool into a pond. What we do not build: chlorine, saltwater or mineral-system pools, and no gunite, concrete-shell or fiberglass pools. If a conventional pool is what you want, we are not the right builder for you.
How a natural pool differs from a pond
Same biology, different styling. A natural pool reads architectural, defined edges, steps, coping-like detailing, while a swim pond blends into the landscape with boulders and gravel beaches. Both are cleaned by plants and beneficial bacteria in a regeneration zone.
Our credentials
#1 Aquascape Largest Installer in Texas (2019-2021). Best Aquascape Builder in Texas (2022). Certified Aquascape Contractor, 20+ years. Co-Founder, Pond Professionals Alliance, co-founded with Ana Arntson of Stonebridge Pond & Waterfall Co. Published author in Pond Trade Magazine. Designer and builder of Texas' largest recreational swim pond. Training at Aquascape University, Atlantic University and Firestone Liner School. Featured on Greg Wittstock's "The Pond Guy" YouTube channel.
How to choose a natural pool builder
Ask how many years the company has specialized in natural ponds rather than conventional pools, how many builds are completed, what percentage of surface area is regeneration zone and how it was sized, which native aquatic plants are specified for your climate, whether you can swim in one built five or more years ago, whether design is in-house or subcontracted, who maintains the pond after handover, what exactly is warranted and for how long, and what happens if the water does not clear up after install.
Red flags
A landscaper or pool contractor who recently added swim ponds to the service list. Chlorine or UV described as a backup plan for the biology. No planted regeneration zone in the drawings. No completed pond you can visit and no client references. Pricing quoted over the phone without a site visit. Design subcontracted out. Cash-only pricing or a large deposit demanded up front. No written warranty on craftsmanship or water quality.
Comparing proposals
Get at least three detailed proposals and compare scope rather than the bottom line. The cheapest quote usually means a smaller regeneration zone or thinner stone work. Insist on itemized costs for excavation, liner, plumbing and pumps, regeneration zone, stone, planting, lighting and landscape restoration. Tie payments to construction milestones, get change-order pricing and warranty scope in writing, and verify licensing and liability insurance.
Budget context
Our builds run $120,000-$750,000, with most projects between $140,000 and $320,000. That covers the whole constructed environment, regeneration zone, earthwork, stone, planting and water feature, not just the water. Annual deep cleaning of the filters starts at $2,500.
Overview
A natural swimming pool is a swim pond. Chemical-free water filtered by a planted regeneration zone, not by chlorine. That is the only kind of water we build. Stone-edged, planted ponds you swim in, plus recreational ponds and conversions of existing chlorine pools. We do not build gunite, fiberglass or saltwater pools. 31+ years in business, 50+ natural swimming ponds built, 5.0 stars from 8 Google reviews. Below: our record, and how to tell a true pond specialist from a pool company selling a "natural" option.
Certification & Industry Leadership
Co-Founder, Pond Professionals Alliance co-founded with Ana Arntson of Stonebridge Pond & Waterfall Co.
Published & Featured
Featured on Greg Wittstock's "The Pond Guy" YouTube channel Read the full background on our founder: Craig McBride's biography .