The spillways into the main pool at this Beverly Hills home fall 12 feet from the hill. The roof of the grotto is part of the waterfall, and continues uphill an additional 30 feet higher than the grotto roof. The 5 hp pumps for the falls generate a 600-gpm flow. The main pool has a "Pebble Sheen' finish (Pebble Tec), a premixed surfacing that was installed atop the gunite by Preciado Pool Plastering. The finish is a colorful mosaic of tiny pebbles tightly fused together and then lightly buffed. The pool decking is a natural flagstone. The paving and masonry work, including retaining walls, drainage and water proofing, was done by Ultimate Water Creations' own in-house crew. The large palms around the flagstone and on the hill are specimen date palms.

Ultimate Water Creations of Los Angeles is a designer and constructor of custom luxury swimming pools, waterfalls, spas, outdoor kitchens, bars, lighting and landscaping. The firm has been crafting one-of-a-kind outdoor living spaces and aquatic environments for over 40 years.

The client "?u just for fun, we'll say it was Jed Clampett "?u wanted an elaborate, custom pool for their Beverly Hills home. As the early design work unfolded it was clear there was some groundwork to be done and engineering expertise. Soil testing was required, as was structural engineering for an infinity pool design, for retaining walls and for a roof design.

"The owner was willing to create one of the most elaborate pools built in my 40 years of pool building," explains Don Goldstone, founder of Ultimate Water Creations. Don, a licensed contractor, has been in the swimming pool industry in Los Angeles since 1981. His experience allows him to manage the complex hydraulic and structural engineering required for the design and creation of such water features.

For the kids, or just the young at heart, there's a 50-foot long waterslide that spills into the main pool. The waterslide is reinforced concrete with an epoxy glaze. The pool is 95-feet long, segregated by a 50-ft. long "swim channel" (this side of the island). For the channel, two propeller-driven "current generators" with variable speed controls create an underwater stream of water to either swim with or against. The current flows into the pool via a 10-inch dia. PVC pipe, powered by two 7.5 hp pumps. The pools have two ozone generators (Clearwater Tec) with oxygen concentrators on each unit, which adds additional ozone to the water. All the pool equipment (Jandy) is housed in a subterranean vault.

Don still personally supervises every detail of each project and devotes all his company's resources to creative ideas, construction quality and fastidious attention to detail. Don has made a splash around here for quite some time. His company has been featured in Los Angeles Magazine, the Los Angeles Times and Pool and Spa News Magazine. The "Today Show" website recognized Ultimate Water Creations among the "13 swimming pools you have to see to believe." Editor's note: The "Stradivarius Swimming Sanctuary" by Cipriano Landscape Design from last year's LASN Water Features issue was among the top 13.

Don has also appeared on "Pool Masters," an Animal Planet TV special featuring videos of the world's best pools.

"Our company is dedicated to creating the finest custom aquatic retreats and outdoor living spaces. A stunning pool with its surrounding gardens is the ultimate extension of your home and lifestyle," say Don, whose mantra is, "Let us help turn your dreams into reality."

The $1 Million Swimmin' Hole
The cost of the project was originally estimated at approximately $1 million. (Imagine Jed informing his banker, Mr. Drysdale, the cost for "that fancy swimmin' hole.") Such an estimate would have most homeowners gasping, clutching their throats, flailing their arms and generally engaging in theatrics only dared staged by Beverly Hills thespians.

Beverly Hills (pop. 34,109) and the 90112 zip code have come a long way from its Spanish ranch days and Beverly Farms, when the lima bean reigned supreme. You may think you know Beverly Hills, but did you know that not everyone there is rich? According to the U.S. Census, the median household income here is a modest $86,141 "?(R)? and 8.8% of its residents are living below the federal poverty line! (See "Down and Out in Beverly Hills.")

The $1 million estimate for the "fancy pond" didn't faze the homeowner. He approved the seven-figure number and said, "Get the design completed."

Water Everywhere
This project has 200 feet of pools. The large main pool is 95-feet long, segregated by a 60-ft. long "swim channel." A swimmer here can stroke with or against a flowing current. An infinity pool makes up the rest of the water footage. Other water features include two Jacuzzi spas, one tucked into the grotto, and the other in the infinity pool.

From the hillside above the main pool are three large waterfalls. The waterfalls and shoreline "rockwork' is glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC). All the manufactured artificial rockwork was created in Ultimate Water Creations' factory with custom molds.

Beneath the waterfalls is the grotto, from which the backsides of two of the falls are in view. Within the grotto is a secluded Jacuzzi and steam room that features a tempered glass separator to keep the steam in but allow the view of the pool from inside the steam room.

The infinity pool is situated to offer a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles. This pool features a swim-up bar with accompanying underwater benches, both protected from the sun by table umbrellas. The tile for the infinity pool and both spas is European glass tile (Bisazza). There are six 2-hp pumps to circulate the pool and spa waters, and three diatomaceous earth filters. There is also a pump for the infinity overflow, a pump for the waterslide and a separate system for the koi pond (left), which includes a sand filter and circulation pump.

For the kids, or just the young at heart, there's a 50-foot long waterslide that spills into the larger pool. The waterslide is reinforced concrete with an epoxy glaze. Adjacent to the slide pool, is a koi pond with a glass window that allows views of the koi from inside the pool.

The infinity pool is situated to offer a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles. This pool features a swim-up bar with underwater benches and umbrellas. A Jacuzzi is nearby. The infinity pool and both spas are decorated with European glass tile; the other pools have a "Pebble Sheen' finish installed by Preciado Pool Plastering.

The pool decking is a natural flagstone. The installation of the flagstone paving and other masonry work, including retaining walls, drainage and water proofing, was done by Ultimate Water Creations' own in-house crew.

Adjacent to the slide pool is a koi pond with a glass window that allows views of the koi from inside the pool.

The crew also constructed the pools and spas, except for the gunite for the pools, which was done by Precision Gunite. All the pool equipment is housed in a subterranean vault that not only blocks the mechanical workings, but also muffles the sound of the pumps. All the pool equipment is from Jandy, including the chlorine free ozone system. Also incorporated was an elaborate barbecue area and pavilion adjacent to the pool.

The landscaping around the pools is an elaborate mix of tropical plants including large specimen palm trees and other specimens that were craned and installed.