Texas Family Turns Front‑Yard Dig into DIY Pond for $4.5K

When Garrett Newman started building his home on an 11‑acre parcel back in 2015, the first thing on his to‑do list was to move a pile of dirt. He grabbed a backhoe and began digging a huge hole in the front yard, hoping to use the excavated soil for the rest of the construction.

Two days later, the pit was massive – roughly 80 feet square and about 18 feet deep. The cost? Roughly $4,500 for the equipment rental and labor. At the time, no one imagined the space would become a swimming spot.

Fast forward to today, and the same hole has turned into a sprawling backyard pond that the whole family—Garrett, his wife Sara, and their eight children—treats like a private lake. “We love going out and floating on a hot Texas day,” Sara tells PEOPLE. “Our kids love catching fish, spotting turtles, and just lounging on a raft.”

The pond didn’t need any expensive water‑fill bill. After the excavation, Garrett simply let nature do the work. A series of spring rains over the next month filled the hole, creating a clear, natural pool without a single extra cent spent on water.

To make it more kid‑friendly, the Newmans added a sandy “beach” area and a few floating platforms. They even stocked the water with fish that Garrett and his sons caught locally, turning a simple pond into a full‑on fishing spot.

Maintenance? Almost nil. Unlike a traditional chlorine‑treated pool, the pond only needs occasional mowing around the perimeter and a quick clean‑up now and then. When they want a deeper blue hue, they’ll just toss in a bit of pond‑safe coloring.

For a household of ten, a standard pool would be a pricey and time‑consuming project. The family says they’re perfectly happy with their DIY oasis. “A pool is a big undertaking and cost,” Sara explains. “We’re fine without one; this pond gives us everything we need – fun, cool water, and a place to make memories.”

Recently, the Newmans hosted a “pond party” with friends, floats, and plenty of laughter. It’s become more than a water feature; it’s the heart of their country‑style backyard, a place where mud, frogs, and a little splash of water feel completely natural.