We relish celebrating our “silver medalists” or runners-up in the 2024 Water Artisans of the Year contest every year, because sometimes the final vote tallies differ by just one or two votes. As you will see on the following pages, sometimes “second best” is a mere stone’s throw from top honors!
POND Trade magazine is proud to host the independent, unsponsored Water Artisans of the Year contest on an annual basis. This provides a level playing field for all contractors, regardless of company size or affiliation, and recognizes the year’s most impressive projects that set the bar in pond construction. We’d like to send a huge thanks to all our judges who presided over this year’s contest.
Thanks to donations from all our applicants, we donated $1,500 to St. Jude Children’s Hospital on behalf of the global pond and water garden industry. Nine years of fabulous projects are now in the books! Clearly, the Water Artisans of the Year contest has become a staple celebration of the water feature industry’s best projects year over year. POND Trade magazine will start accepting entries for this year’s contest later this fall. Do you have what it takes to join the elite crew that proudly calls themselves the Water Artisans of the Year?
Runner-Up: Formal Ponds and Features
A roofed patio with fireplace, outdoor kitchen and seating areas create an inviting ambience for this fish and turtle pond, which was designed to contain the turtles without obvious turtle fences. Filtration is provided by an intake bay and constructed wetland. One pump supplies water to the wetland, another adds extra flow to the waterfall, and the third supplies the three spillway bowls and bottom and surface jets.
Peter Brymer
Aquatic Lifestyles Limited
Runner-Up: Pondless
Look closely and you’ll spot a hobbit’s cozy home tucked away amid a lush array of perennial plantings! The pondless waterfall begins above the home and falls toward the client’s home. Large-scale rock work and native plantings round out the edges of this gem, creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that was custom and purpose built for the feature builder’s mother.
Sean Frost
Nature Scapes
Runner-up: Recreational Ponds
This charming recreation swim pond includes a wetland filter that flows over into a 50-foot stream full of tons of cascading waterfalls throughout. The swim pond itself is approximately 65 by 45 feet and features an intake bay and jets throughout to help skim the service debris. Native landscaping was installed around the exterior of the natural stone patio, which features an inviting fire pit for evening gatherings.
Ryan Schroeder
C.E. Pontz Sons
Runner-Up: Most Naturalistic
This stunning 116-foot pondless waterfall cascades gracefully through a pristine natural setting, dropping an impressive 30 feet along its course. Surrounded by greenery and rugged landscapes, it creates a soothing symphony of rushing water that blends seamlessly into its environment. The absence of a pond enhances its natural appeal and minimizes maintenance. Perfect for relaxation or inspiration, this waterfall offers an unforgettable connection to nature’s serene beauty.
Shane Hemphill & Heath Webb
Art of the Yard
View the 2024 Water Artisans of the Year winners in each category here.
Meet our esteemed judges.
All are beautiful and certainly could have been first place winners!