How to Build a River Rock Wall

River rock walls are built by stacking rocks and securing them with layers of mixed cement. If you build one against a slope, you must provide access for water runoff by inserting pieces of drain pipe behind the wall and back-filling with pea gravel and soil. It can be a back-breaking task, but if you're in good shape, you should be able to build a long-lasting and beautiful rock wall.

Metal wheelbarrow
Cement mix
Spade
Shovel
Trowel
Level
2 drain pipes
Pea gravel
Topsoil

Instructions

- 1
  Decide where you want to place your rock wall. Dig a narrow trench with a shovel and spade to make a flat surface for your wall. Place a level on the ground and smooth it out as much as possible so the first layer of rock will set firmly against the ground.
- 2
  Mix cement in your wheelbarrow with your spade.
- 3
  Fill in crevices between the river rocks with the mixed cement. Slather the mixed cement with a trowel onto the bottom of the first row of rocks as you lay each one. Set each rock so the flattest side of the rock is facing up. Trowel mixed cement between the rocks to secure them as you lay each layer.
- 4
  Slant the rocks toward the slope if you are building against an incline. Insert two drain pipes at different levels, filling around them with cement, and back-fill with pea gravel against the slope, then add soil to compact.
- 5
  Keep adding levels until your walls is the height you want it. Place the nicest-looking rocks in the most visible areas.

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