IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Photo courtesy of SCG Fields , LLC

By Mary Helen Sprecher

Ask anyone about the most important ingredient in the success of a sports field , and responses might include maintenance , amount of use and proper fertilization . However , if your irrigation practices ( and / or systems ) are not up to par , the result will be problems that impact every other aspect of your field management .

CONDUCT AN AUDIT One key to identifying irrigation problems is to conduct an irrigation audit . An important component of an effective field audit is to involve user groups . Athletes will be the first to tell you if the fields are muddy , slippery or dusty . And since they are on all areas of your fields , their input is worth a listen . The more of an open dialogue you can create , the better off you ’ ll be .

Another key component of any irrigation audit is a boots-on-the-ground approach . Get out there and walk your fields ; then climb up in your bleachers and look down . Are your fields uniformly lush and green ? If not , there could be several factors contributing to that . The tricky part is that some will signify improper irrigation , and some will not .

According to the SFMA , irrigation audits should be conducted regularly by field staff or outside contractors to assess the system function , ensuring that the irrigation system works reliably and cost effectively . For more information about irrigation best practices , see the SFMA BMP guide ( https :// www . sportsfieldmanagement . org / knowledge _ center / bmps /). The Irrigation Association has also published irrigation audit guidelines ( see https :// irrigation . org / IA / Resources / Technical-Resources /).

30 SportsField Management | July 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com