I want to build a natural small pond that is about 3x3x3 feet to help out my permaculture ecosystem. I'm not a fan of using liner and don't have a budget for crazy materials like bentonite clay. Fortunately, I have many rocks in my area. My idea will be to dig a hole, line it with rocks, and fill the gaps with cement mixed with pebbles. Will it keep the water in? What steps should I take?
Stone & Cement Pond
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I want my pond to dip at a steep level to save space and still have a deep pond for fish to hide from predators. If I use liner, the rocks will roll down and expose the ugly synthetic material. I also don't like microplastics.
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I'll give you a simple answer then - no. You cannot reliably hold water in a hole filled with rocks and cement. I mean, it may hold SOME water, or MOST of the water... but its a crap shoot. Rocks themselves are porous and allow water to seep through. But you probably already thought of that.
Here's a question for you though - why will the liner make the rocks roll down the steep sides if the same rocks themselves without a liner won't roll down the sides? The liner has zero to do with holding the rocks in place - it simply keeps the water from seeping out.
Exposed liner in a pond won't even be visible after a year or so - it gets covered with algae, as it should. By calling it "ugly synthetic material" you just insulted about 50% of the ponds on this forum. Oh and EPDM is rubber, not plastic.
But other than that it sounds like you've got it all figured out.
Here's a question for you though - why will the liner make the rocks roll down the steep sides if the same rocks themselves without a liner won't roll down the sides? The liner has zero to do with holding the rocks in place - it simply keeps the water from seeping out.
Exposed liner in a pond won't even be visible after a year or so - it gets covered with algae, as it should. By calling it "ugly synthetic material" you just insulted about 50% of the ponds on this forum. Oh and EPDM is rubber, not plastic.
But other than that it sounds like you've got it all figured out.
Deep ponds can be achieved in many ways without going concrete ponds.
Myself I built a Cinderblock wall outside the pond lined it with fabric liner more fabric and then large boulders. there's a blog of the build in my showcase
@combatwombat built his retaining wall on the liner within the pond. wombat has a decent build note of his wall in https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/cws-back-yard-water-garden-begins.28146/
aquascapes builds them in tiers like 24" to 30" each.
Don't get me wrong a well built concrete pool / pond is fantastic. But you need to make triple sure it is on solid ground. is well reinforced , and you get good concrete with proper mix ,air, and slump..
The concrete however should be uninterrupted meaning not pored up to a boulder or ledge. if you want to have some boulders in the pond i'd make shelves for them to be placed on AFTER the shelf and pond is built and water proofed then place your rocks and for a very realistic look then fill in up to the rock.
Myself I built a Cinderblock wall outside the pond lined it with fabric liner more fabric and then large boulders. there's a blog of the build in my showcase
@combatwombat built his retaining wall on the liner within the pond. wombat has a decent build note of his wall in https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/cws-back-yard-water-garden-begins.28146/
aquascapes builds them in tiers like 24" to 30" each.
Don't get me wrong a well built concrete pool / pond is fantastic. But you need to make triple sure it is on solid ground. is well reinforced , and you get good concrete with proper mix ,air, and slump..
The concrete however should be uninterrupted meaning not pored up to a boulder or ledge. if you want to have some boulders in the pond i'd make shelves for them to be placed on AFTER the shelf and pond is built and water proofed then place your rocks and for a very realistic look then fill in up to the rock.
Good grief. Dig a hole and drop in a Rubbermaid stock tank. Done.
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It sounds like you might need a larger pond if you want it to be a natural part of your ecosystem and include fish.
MICROPLASTICS @Stephen Noble !
Hiding under my desk! 
I would never consider building a pond without using a liner. Water has a funny way of creeping into crevices while slowly draining your pond. We built our 2,000 gallon koi pond/bog filter by digging the hole while making sure to include shelving. This provides the ideal place for stacking rock to not only create a more natural look but also creates the perfect hiding spaces for my fish. We then applied the liner throughout the pond, creek, waterfall areas and bog filter. I would suggest investing in a good quality liner because it will definitely pay off in the long-term.
Amen to that.