Started the semi-above ground pool

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So my next course of action is to level the bottom and ramp it down then bring in about 2-3” of sand to fine level and have a softer bottom. I have Gorilla pad to go under the liner as well.
I have a question about drainage though. I’m wondering if I need to build a French drain around the pool to keep water from pooling against the pool sides after rain excess splashing etc? I was thinking drain hose in gravel then drain that away from the pool. I was planning on decomposed granite and gravel in a 2’ decorative buffer around the pool to keep it from being a muddy mess around the pool. Gives me a nice walkway for cleaning etc. Any ideas are more than welcome!
 
That's similar to what I"m going to do with my semi install....a french drain around the pool and emptying into a pit with a sump pump to keep it away from the pool. The company who quoted my pool and build told me I didn't need a french drain though since the pool is rated for inground and I'm only going down 18", but with the amount of water I get this time of year, I'm still going to do it.

Mind if I ask what pool you have and how deep you're going? And best of luck with your build.
 
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Dirt looks decent. If it's not clay heavy a little road base compacted then some coarse sand over it works good. French drains are great but they have to pitch lower than pool bottom. If you cant do that then it's either a sump pit or just stone all around and hope the soil drains well
 
Fortunately I can get the French lower than the bottom of the pool so that will be the route I go with that. The soil at that depth is some sandy loam some clay. It gets solid clay about 6” deeper than it is dug right now. I never thought about road base then sand. I think I will do that because it should set up more solid.
 
Well the weather went to Crud pretty much right after we dug the hole. Had to pump the hole out twice now so I’m waiting for it to dry up. It is clay on the bottom but I think I’m going to start with large gravel then pack some road base then sand with the drain being on the bottom around the circumference. All I can do now is plan and wait....
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You've got yourself a pond! The rain is driving me crazy. It seems it's been raining for the past 3 months here. I've been trying to set some fence posts, and the ground is so saturated that the holes fill up as fast as I pump them out. It's so frustrating. Hopefully, things dry up for you soon and you can get the pool in. I'm looking forward to seeing your build. Please post a lot of pis along the way, especially the drainage.
 

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