By: Tom Gould, agronomist, Central Region
Ensuring drainage outlets aren't blocked or submerged improves the overall performance of your drainage infrastructure.
August was wet across large areas of the Midwest and golf courses certainly felt the effects. When wet weather arrives, drainage infrastructure helps move excess moisture away from the rootzone, which keeps turf healthier and courses firmer. To ensure subsurface drainage is working as intended, it is important to remember where your drainage outlets are located and verify that they are uncovered.
If there is an issue with drainage, always start at the outlet. Assess if it is clogged or somehow inhibiting the drainage infrastructure from functioning properly. In my travels, I have found that this is often the case. If excess water has entered the drainage system but has no means to outlet, then the system is not functional and drainage suffers.
Outlets can be clogged by debris, leaf litter, soil and a variety of other things. Leaves in the fall can be especially problematic. If a drainage outlet is submerged due to high water levels in the receiving body of water, that will also negatively impact the efficacy of the drainage system. Raising drainage outlets above water levels while maintaining the correct slope will improve drainage capabilities.
Ensuring that cleanout ports at the upper end of drainage lines have not been covered by turf or clogged is also recommended. This maintains airflow into the drainage and allows you to access the ports for flushing or inspection if there is an issue.
The most economical means to improve drainage is ensuring that the infrastructure already in place is fully functional. If you have any questions about drainage at your facility, please reach out to your local USGA agronomist.
Central Region Agronomists:
Zach Nicoludis, regional director, Central Region – znicoludis@usga.org
Tom Gould, agronomist – tgould@usga.org
Steve Wilson, agronomist - swilson@usga.org
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