Are you looking to design a swim pond in Southern Oregon? Look no further, I am Oregon’s premier swim pond builder with extensive design training based on limnological (fresh water ecosystems) science. I design everything in house without the need for consultation from outside sources because I understand the science and methodologies comprehensively. I guarantee to deliver a low-maintenance, functioning, long lasting, and remarkably beautiful feature.
Check out my recreational pond packages here.
Swim Pond Design
Where to put my swim pond
Like a swimming pool, your natural swim pond needs to be the center of your outdoor living space. This means bringing the feature close to the home so that it is easy access and also viewable from adjacent windows. You will likely want to spend your spring and summer out by the pond, but what about fall and summer? Views from inside are more important. Imagine waking up, pouring your first cup of coffee, and looking out your kitchen window at a magnificent waterfall adorned by the seasonal birds that use your pond as a pit stop mid migration.
How large should I make my swim pond?
Budget aside, your swim pond will need a constructed wetland filter as well as an intake bay skimmer. These will be adjacent to the pond but will take up space, and need to be accounted for.
The wetland filter is sized at minimum 30% of surface area. For example if you have a 30′ x 20′ pond, the surface area is 600′. This means you need a minimum 180′ (15′ x 12′) constructed wetland filter. This can be reduced slightly if a longer stream connects the two, but the rule of thumb is 30%. And the intake bay skimmer size is dependent upon the total GPH of pump volume you will be using. On average you can expect an additional 9′ x 8′ intake bay.
As you can see this is beginning to eat up quite a lot of space. And you cannot just put the two together because they are designed to function like a mini glacial river system. You can read more about filtration, circulation, and aeration here.
How to build a swim pond
It is always cheaper to build it right the first time than to add on or rebuild later. I cannot tell you how many times I have had clients reach out for help after they have tried to diy or hire an inexperienced contractor to build their pond. If you are handy, have a scientific mind, and would like to tackle this yourself I provide design and consultation services. I also recommend purchasing the aquascape university courses from their website. This will give you more information than 90% of contractors or youtube videos will ever provide.
If you want a no hassle, next level recreational swim pond built by an award winning artist, or design and consultation services, contact me and I will be in touch.