07/01/2013
Post Flood Conditions 2013
Up till now this has been one of the best Junes we have seen over the past few years with the exception of one late snow which kept us busy clearing debris and pruning trees. Yesterdays deluge is one the impressive but destructive rain events I've seen in my years here ranging from 125-150 mm of rain in just over 24hrs. This created major flooding with multiple state of emergencies being imposed, from the Kootenays all the way to Calgary and many parts of southern Alberta.
The "flooding" experienced at the golf course is primarily from ground water levels plus water inflows backing up through culverts and into the property. Water flowing in from the area near #3 and #16 green created tremendous amounts of water flow across the course. Fortunately the berm was not breached as water flow in the river was defused across the complete river basin alleviating any major erosion effects to our banks at this time. However we did have major water table flooding of the golf course. The lower end of the course was under as much as 5" of water. From what we can see major infrastructure was spared serious damage and at this time water is receding at a slow rate. Clean up efforts will involve removing debris from the course along with a build up of silt. Presently we're waiting for the water to recede and turf to settle down before we can put employees on the course to start the cleanup and fully assess the extent of the damage.
When the water table comes up such as we've just experienced thatch in the grass acts like a membrane and it is pushed up from water pressure created from the ground water below. This action tends to rip the turf from sub soils and weakens (Pics Below) the turf until it has the time to be re-rooted into the soils after the water table subsides. Back in 1995 when we had a similar situation the turf got very stressed before recovery due to premature clean up actions which created weakening of the turf and exacerbated the situation. We will not repeat that error this time and will be waiting for the water table levels to drop before we can begin work.
As the course has not being worked on for the past 3 days getting it back into pre-storm condition will be a gradual process as ebbing water levels in the turf allow us to get equipment out to start bring the course back online. When we return golfing I will ask for your understanding as we have not been able to cut the course for the past 3 days and we will have to readjust our height of cut gradually bringing it back down to our pre -flood adjustments.
If you do not see anyone working, it's not because we don't want to be out there, it's because the turf is too tender and susceptible to rutting and turf separation. Like you I would like us to be back and running as soon as possible and will be making all attempts at doing so.
I extend my sincere thoughts to our local citizens that were affected by this event as well as our Alberta neighbors that were severely affected. If you were not affected by the flood and you have time, help your neighbors in anyway you can as insurance, if available, does not replace humanity. I would like to thank some very nice people for offering their homes, if needed, but I was one of the lucky ones, even though it was very close.
In the meantime rest assured that we will be working to get the golf course back to the pre-storm great shape it was in as rapidly as nature allows.
Ray Bryant
F.G.& C.C Golf Superintendent
