Waterlogging and Flooding
Management strategies to decrease waterlogging and flooding are more important with increasingly common high rainfall events and flooding.
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High rainfall events and winter flooding are becoming more common. The risk of waterlogging and flooding are more likely due to a number of factors:
- Poor soil structure reduces the water-holding capacity of soil.
- Poor ground cover increases the potential for surface run-off.
Approach
- Aerate the soil to encourage water infiltration.
- Select grass seed cultivars with improved root growth.
- Encourage good rooting through good nutrition and managing soil structure.
- Ensure strong growing turf that will take up water efficiently.
- Use slow and controlled-release fertilizers to avoid nutrient losses and to avoid the need for re-application in wet conditions.
- Raise the height of cut prior to a likely flood event to increase sward canopy and to encourage deeper rooting.
- If possible, use cut-off drains to protect sensitive areas.
- Contouring of surface levels (where possible) can help to control movement of water away from problem areas.
- Aerate the soil to encourage water infiltration.
- Encourage good rooting through good nutrition and managing soil structure.