Best Naturalistic Pond

This award recognizes an exceptional pond that successfully captures the appearance, movement, and character of a naturally occurring body of water. The pond should blend seamlessly into its surroundings while demonstrating outstanding craftsmanship, technical execution, and ecological consideration.

Eligibility Requirements

• The entry must be a completed pond designed and constructed by a professional pond builder or company.
• The project must have been substantially completed within the award program’s eligible timeframe—between Nov. 1, 2025 and Nov. 1, 2026 for the 2026 awards. 
• The pond must include a permanent body of water; pondless features should be entered in the appropriate category.
• The project should demonstrate intentional natural integration through elements such as but are not limited to:
  • Natural stone placement/ Rockwork
  • Realistic shoreline and edge treatments
  • Concealed liners and mechanical components
  • Natural-looking water movement
  • Aquatic and surrounding plantings
  • Appropriate scale and proportion
  • Integration with the existing landscape and architecture
  • Consideration for fish, wildlife, and ecological health
  • Innovation and creativity for the space.
• Formal ponds with highly geometric shapes or architectural styling may be better suited for another category.
• Manufacturer names, company branding, logos, and watermarks must not appear in the judged materials.

Submission Materials

Applicants should provide:

• A project narrative explaining:
  • The client’s goals for the pond.
  • How the pond was designed to complement its surroundings.
  • The materials and techniques used to create a natural appearance.
  • How stonework, plantings, edges, and water movement were incorporated.
  • Any site, construction, or ecological challenges that were addressed.
  • What makes the pond award-worthy.
• Four to six high-quality photographs, including:
  • At least one image showing the entire completed pond.
  • Detailed images of the stonework, edges, plantings, and transitions.
  • Optional before and construction photographs.
  • Seasonal photographs, if available, demonstrating how the pond has matured.
• One optional unbranded video.
• Optional drone photography when it helps judges understand the pond’s relationship to the overall property.

The deadline to submit entries for the 2026 Water Artisan of the Year Awards is Dec. 1, 2026.

Defining a Naturalistic Pond

A naturalistic pond should appear as though it belongs within the landscape rather than having been placed on top of it. Judges should consider the authenticity of the stone placement, shoreline, water movement, plantings, proportions, and transitions into the surrounding environment. The strongest entries will combine a convincing natural appearance with excellent construction, reliable performance, and long-term sustainability.

Best Naturalistic Pond Rubric

Guiding Judge Question

Does this pond convincingly appear to belong within the landscape—as though it could have formed naturally—while demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship, ecological balance, and technical performance?

 

Category	Points	What Judges Look For
Natural Appearance, Ecology & Landscape Integration	20	How convincingly the pond resembles a naturally occurring body of water and integrates with the surrounding terrain, plantings, and architecture. Judges consider shape, scale, materials, plant selection, biodiversity, habitat value, ecological balance, and long-term pond health.
Stonework & Edge Treatment	20	Natural stone placement, varied stone sizes, realistic shoreline transitions, liner concealment, and minimal visible construction elements.
Water Movement & Flow	20	Natural-looking waterfalls, streams, cascades, and circulation patterns that complement the pond’s scale and setting.
Craftsmanship, Design & Functionality	20	Construction quality, filtration, hydraulics, structural integrity, finish quality, maintainability, and fulfillment of the client’s intended use.
Overall Visual Impact	20	The pond’s overall beauty, cohesiveness, maturity, photography, and ability to create a memorable impression.
Total	100