How to Plan a Natural Pool, Pond, or Lake

Building a natural pool is more than digging a hole and filling it with water. It’s a balance of ecology, design, and long-term vision. Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard paradise or a resort-grade aquatic landscape, taking the time to plan your natural pool properly will ensure beauty, balance, and functionality for years to come.

Every great natural pool starts with a plan — one that respects the land, anticipates future needs, and captures a personal vision. Whether you’re starting small or thinking big, the planning stage is where dreams become buildable realities.

From Vision to Reality

1. Understand the Principles of a Natural Pool

Start with Vision, Not Excavation

• Natural pools don’t rely on chlorine — they rely on biological filtration, plant life, and flow systems.

• There are typically two zones: swimming and regeneration.

• A well-planned system mimics a healthy ecosystem and keeps itself balanced.

Tip: Avoid trying to “hybridize” a natural pool with traditional pool systems — it often leads to imbalance and higher maintenance.

Whether you're building a natural swimming pool, a decorative pond or a regenerative water feature, smart planning is what brings it to life. Here's what to consider before you build.

• Sunlight matters — many aquatic plants need full sun to thrive.

• Avoid large trees nearby (shade, root systems, leaf drop).

• Elevation and slope impact excavation, water movement, and aesthetics.

Note: A slightly sloped site often allows for natural cascades, waterfalls, or terraces.

2. Choose the Right Site

• Do you want something that looks like a wild pond? Or a modern, architectural oasis?

• Materials like stone, wood, planted edges, or clean retaining walls shape the final look.

• Plan the edges, pathways, steps, decking, and visual transitions early.

3. Consider Your Desired Aesthetic

4. Think About Filtration & Water Flow Early

• A natural pool requires mechanical pre-filtration (drum or sieve) + biological filtration (BioBead, moving bed, etc.).

• Water circulation must be designed to keep all zones oxygenated.

• UV-C and nanobubble systems can help clarify water without harming beneficial bacteria.

Plan filtration at the design stage—not as an afterthought.

5. Don’t Overlook Zoning, Permits & Legalities

• In Portugal and many other countries, natural pools still require approvals.

• Know if your area has:

  • Zoning restrictions

  • Limits on excavation

  • Water rights or drainage issues

• Always ask: “Can this be classified as a pond, a pool, or a landscape feature?”

6. Work With Nature, Not Against It

• Incorporate native plants and local materials where possible.

• Design for seasonal variation — some plants go dormant in winter.

• Use rocks, logs, terraces, and submerged shelves to mimic natural transitions.