With lazy rivers rising in popularity, more residential and commercial customers are beginning to install them on their properties. Lazy rivers offer numerous benefits, including increased property value and serenity.

However, it’s crucial to know how lazy rivers work and the specific functionality details before installation. So let’s review how lazy rivers work and the pump size you’ll need.

How Lazy Rivers Work

Lazy rivers operate by gently flowing water through a current system. Current systems consist of jets and intake locations working together to ensure consistency and even flow through the lazy river.

Lazy rivers have more prominent and powerful pumps, like pools and spas. Their power and size also vary based on the space provided for installation and functionality.

Working Around Bends

Another aspect of lazy rivers is working through corners. Two situations can impact the quality and operation of your lazy river: overly quick- and slow-moving water flow.

If water moves too quickly, it can collect on the outer edge of the river and spill out. As a result, it can reduce water depth in the inner turn and cause rafts to bump into one another. With slow-moving currents, water can stall.

Fluid Dynamic Principles

The concept of a lazy river focuses on water pushing water. The proper water momentum results in less pressure on pumps, but it takes several minutes for the water to reach the appropriate speeds. With momentum, water velocity is reached, and less electrical energy is necessary. It is vital to have fluid dynamic engineering done for any size lazy river so that the river has a consistent flow of water throughout the river.

Pump Size Needed

So what size pump do you need for a residential lazy river? To move your river between one to two miles per hour, you must find a horizontal end-suction centrifugal pump that offers 10 to 40 horsepower, which is a three-phase pump. Three-phase electricity is often not available for homes in subdivisions or the suburbs. When three-phase electricity is not available, you can use single-phase solutions, but they may require more pumps.

However, the pump size and power can vary depending on the river’s size and volume. Ideally, you want enough propulsion that the water moves around two to three feet per second. Understanding bends, fluid dynamics, and lazy river functionality is crucial for finding the appropriate pump size.

Lazy rivers can amplify the feeling of tranquility and luxury. We at American Aqua Designs offer fiberglass lazy rivers for residential and commercial properties. Beat the heat with our residential lazy rivers—you and your guests can enjoy the calm waters while soaking up the sun. We pioneered the industry through reliability, durability, and making your property look like paradise. If you have any questions about our fiberglass lazy rivers, contact us today! We’ll gladly help you.