I'm not sure I can say what the thikness of the descents is. Do you mean how thick the fall is where it hits the water? There, it may be that thick (1/2 in.). With a clean filter and the returns shut off, the descents probably shoot water out to land about 1 1/2 ft. away from the pool wall. I don't run that way normally, but just to give you an idea of how the plumbing is working. I'm sure I could stand a drop in the flow coming from the descents. If it were, say half, of what they flow now, I would be happy. If it were under that, probably not so happy.
Mark, I want to thank you for all the information you have provided. I feel a lot better now about making a decision on what to do. I know you keep quoting a WFDS-3, but what if I were to tell you that cutting back that much makes me uncomfortable? I'm leaning towards a WFDS-4. Would that be "reasonable"? I guess what I'm saying is that I'm wanting to err on the side of still being oversized a bit. Does that sound stupid to you? Especially with a 2 speed, I want to be sure I'm happy with the flow on low speed so I can make the most out of the savings a 2 speed can offer.
Thanks Again!