How to Design a Natural Rock Water Slide

Planning

• 1

  Select an existing water slide to serve as the basis for your natural stone slide. Choose a slide with a total length and profile, or dimensions when viewed from the side, that will fit into the space around your pool.

• 2

  Add the outline of the water slide you choose to a copy of your pool's site plan. Use the slide's actual dimensions and the site plan's scale to create an accurately sized depiction of the slide. For example, if the slide if 10 feet long and your plan uses a scale of 1/4 inch to 1 foot, ensure the slide is 2.5 inches long on the plan.

• 3

  List all of the existing features, such as plants, decking and walls, that will need to be removed to accommodate the slide in the location you choose. Note a location for the water lines and pump that will supply water to the top of the slide.

• 4

  Choose a type of rock for your slides's sides and enclosure. Select a rock that fits your budget or complements existing stone features in your yard.

• 5

  Calculate the amount of rock you'll need by measuring the area of the slide's profile. For example, a 10-foot slide with a 45-degree angle has a height of around 7 feet and a profile area of around 35 square feet. Double this to determine the total surface area of rocks to build walls on both sides of the slide.