Pool decision

[BigDave]

What if something happens to one or both of those straps what would happen?

The tension in the straps keeps an oval pool from becoming round. If they were to fail, it is likely that the pool would as well sending all the water downhill. What's downhill from your pool site?

Round pools can also fail. For what it's worth, the buttress system on my (relatively cheap) oval pool seem to be pretty sturdy and up to the task. I'm afraid don't know if there's any pool failure data available comparing round to oval.

Choose the pool that's the best fit for your yard and family. One thing: you can make a whirlpool (my kids called it "toilet bowl") in a round pool but not in an oval.

[CarlD]

While I'm not an expert, I would certainly prefer a higher end oval pool to a lower end circular one. Catastrophic failure of ovals don't seem to be notably greater than for round ones.

[Peaches]

Thanks for the info. Def leaning towards an oval. Also downhill is grass and dirt.