Lazy River Hydraulic Design Expert

Building a lazy river water course is not a matter of merely placing pumps inlets around a concrete river.  It requires careful hydraulic calculations to ensure that the water actually "moves" around the stream in a circle.  Physics and gravity are used to assist in the water's movement.

Lack of Understanding

Most lazy rivers fail to operate as the property owner had wished.  The water does not flow at the speeds they have seen in water and amusements parks.  This is entirely the pool builder and designers fault.

Failing to grasp the hydraulics of moving water in a circle, these builders bite off more than they can chew.  They assume that if they place multiple suctions and returns around the river, that they can get the water to move.

Lack of Filtration

These lazy rivers also need to be treated as an additional vessel, with their own dedicated circulation, heat, filtration and sanitization systems.  

Multiple skimmers and returns need to be placed around the perimeter of the river to ensure that the water remains healthy for bathers.  This system will operate independently of the actual stream pumps.

Serviceability

Additionally, the lazy river needs to be designed and built to provide for the ease of maintenance.  A dedicated vacuum system with a pump and filter are the most efficient.  Multiple vacuum inlets around the river will ease vacuuming accumulated debris from the floor.

Access

Provisions need to be provided for bathers to enter and exit the lazy river.  This can be a shallow side beach or a water level "dock."  Whichever method is utilized, safe access cannot be ignored.  

Bathers cannot be expected to enter and exit by climbing over the sides.  This will only lead to accidents as inexperienced or weaker bathers struggle against the current.

Paolo Benedetti - International Swimming Pool Designer, Watershape Consulting, Aquatic Engineering, Expert Witness
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Paolo may be reached at:
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