How Long Can Turf Survive Under Standing Water/Submersion?

This was a question I was faced with this week.  Why?  A town is considering constructing a new multipurpose soccer/rugby field in an existing park, but will need to have the field be able to hold water in event of a 100 year storm.  This is due to the fact that their is not enough land to build retention/detention ponds and subsurface holding tanks are too costly.

After a little thought and research, the answer is very broad.  How about less than 24 hours and up to 60 days!  Why the wide range in time that a turf stand can withstand submersion?  There are many factors at play, the most important is the ambient temperature and the temperature of the water.

Photo courtesy of pitchcare.com

To see a great publication from the Sports Turf Managers Association, click HERE.

To see a publication from Purdue University, click HERE.  

To see a publication from Ohio State University, click HERE.

Go to j-dturf.com to learn more about J&D Turf.

Play on!

--Jamie

@JamieMehringer