Anthony Dulio at American Underwater Services has put together an effective pre-season checklist for golf course managers to get their ponds ready for the new business year. If you have any questions contact Anthony about his 5 Pre-Season Tips for Golf Course Ponds.
5 Pre-Season Tips for your Golf Course Pond
The new year is upon us, and that means just a few short months of prep time before golf courses open for the 2019 season. Many golf course managers are turning to a checklist of things that need to be done before the course opens for business.
Pond maintenance and preparation are high on the list of things to do. While many golf course ponds are currently covered in a layer of ice, it only takes a few days of warm temperatures to melt it. This could come sooner than later for some parts of the country.
We’re going to give you five tips that you can do to help jump-start your golf course pond maintenance.
Tip #1: Equipment Inspection
Now is a great time to perform an audit on all of the mechanical equipment your ponds use. If you find something that’s broken or needs replacing, there very well could be a long lead time if you place an order. If you need just one part, it’s usually best to buy two to have an extra one on hand.
Get a head start on maintenance by visually inspecting all equipment and ordering parts (and backup parts) ahead of time – especially if those parts could have a long lead time for delivery.
Some golf courses use their ponds as irrigation reservoirs. A clogged intake can utterly befoul the lines and cause the need for expensive repairs. By taking some time to inspect and clean the lines and intake systems, you could potentially avoid a costly and time-consuming mistake.
Tip #2: Test the Water Quality
Poor water quality can cause nuisance algae and plants to form in a relatively short period. Testing the water can uncover nutrient imbalances or water quality issues.
While the ponds may be frozen over now, all it takes is a day or two of unseasonably warm weather to kick off a massive algae bloom. You can prevent this by taking proactive measures to ensure that the water chemistry will be in balance once the course opens for the 2019 season.
Tip #3: Plant a Water Buffer
Do you have a plant water buffer set up? If not, now is a great time to do so.
Accidental over fertilizing will often cause the turf to require excessive amounts of water, which in turn can cause all of those nutrients to drain into a golf course pond and throw the water chemistry off. Adding a beneficial buffer, such as shoreline plantings, can help prevent that.
Your water buffer should extend three to six feet from the edge of the water. This buffer will absorb excess nutrients and prevent them from entering into the water ecosystem. A properly maintained water buffer can also prevent shoreline erosion, especially when the spring rains start up.
Such plants as duck potato, arrow arum, and pickerelweed can help keep your water looking and smelling great. As a bonus, they will also attract water life to the edge of the ponds.
Tip 4: Nuisance Algae and Vegetation Game Plan
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This especially holds true for golf course managers who have implemented a nuisance algae and vegetation game plan early in the season.
Instead of being reactive, smart managers are looking to prevent nuisance plant and algae outbreaks before they happen. This can not only save time but lots of money as well.
Making sure that nutrient levels are kept in check, along with dredging the ponds once a year can prevent irrigation sprinklers from getting clogged up and wasting hundreds of man-hours to clean them out.
Tip #5: Dredging
The best way to put a stop to nuisance algae outbreaks is to remove the layer of rich organic sediment at the bottom of the pond. By dredging the ponds once a year, you’ll be better able to proactively prevent plant and algae outbreaks before they take hold.
As an added bonus, the nutrient-rich material that’s been dredged up from the bottom of the pond can be repurposed in other areas of the golf course such as flower beds or areas where the grass isn’t growing too well.
Golf Course Pond Dredging
At American Underwater Services, we specialize in helping golf course managers get nuisance algae outbreaks under control. Our state-of-the-art dredging machines will ensure that your ponds look and smell pristine.
Give Anthony Dulio a call at (817) 377-8512 to learn more how American Underwater Services can help save you time and money with our dredging services.
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