The Aging of Our Ponds

Part Three – The Aging process

I apologize for leaving many of you hanging regarding this four part series, “The Aging of our Ponds” which I started back in October of 2009. In the process of soliciting information from aquatic biologist’s for solutions and strategies for our ponds, I got distracted with the busyness of all that we have been doing and neglected to follow-up. And I know many of our members are curious about the ponds and are following this series because of the comments I have received. Again I apologize for the information delay. Here’s a re-cap of what we have covered so far.

In Part I of this series we covered “The Function of Our Ponds”, that they hold more then just strategic value to hole #’s 1, 9, & 3 but are crucial for irrigation water storage. Without irrigation water there is no Granite Bay Golf Club. In Part II we covered “The History of our Ponds” which discussed in part the regulatory concessions that were imposed during their construction. This included the replanting and establishment of the natural vegetation immediately following the pond’s construction. This natural vegetation lends to the beauty of the course, but contributes to the natural aging process that potentially impedes water storage and flow to our pump station.

In Part III it is time to cover this actual aging process, or what is referred to as “Eutrophication”. The following definition excerpts are from Wikipedia. “Eutrophication is frequently a result of nutrient pollution such as the release of sewage effluent, urban stormwater run-off, and run-off carrying excess fertilizers into natural waters. However, It may also occur naturally in situations where nutrients accumulate (e.g. depositional environments) or where they flow into systems on a ephemeral (short-lived) basis. Eutrophication generally promotes excessive plant growth and decay, favors certain weedy species over others, and may cause a severe reduction in water quality.”

Golf course turf is an incredible user and filter of nutrients, limiting or eliminating their contamination of streams, lakes and ponds. Therefore most of the aging or Eutrophication of our ponds can be attributed as a “Naturally occurring… depositional environment.” This means that when all of that vegetation surrounding our natural ponds goes dormant in the winter, the biomass remains in the ponds which both add and deplete nutrients as this biomass decays. Additionally the north end of George’s Lake (#1 & #9) is fed by Linda Creek, which can feed the pond with sediment and potential nutrient run-off from upstream.

All of these mostly naturally occurring inputs along with virtually no maintenance to these ponds over the years have produced an environment, which certain aquatic weed species have flourished from year to year as well as an substantial expansion of the shoreline vegetation.

The last two years since my arrival at Granite Bay, George’s lake has been covered with a weed called Mosquito Fern (azolla spp.) and Duckweed (lemna spp.). These are both free floating aquatic weeds that are unsightly but actually help with water quality by shielding the sun which heats up the water establishing other more noxious weed species such as Filamentous Algae (cladophora spp.). In the years prior to my arrival George’s lake was starting to have a real problem with Creeping Water Primrose (jussiaea repens). Pests such as the above mentioned algae and water primrose are not only unsightly and invasive but cause some real problems with irrigation water flow to the pump station. This is because their underwater structure fills the water column obstructing flow as well as clogging intake screens and filters.

Bottom line our pond’s need to be managed better. We need to do more strategic herbicide applications to prevent and keep in check both unsightly weeds such as Mosquito Fern and noxious weeds such as Water Primrose and Filamentous Algae. Along with strategic herbicide applications we need to reduce the encroaching vegetation and remove or harvest the excessive biomass. Our specific plan will be covered in Part IV - The Solutions for our Ponds. Stay tuned.

Summer photos of Georges Lake

Closeup of filamentous algae

 Creeping primrose

Ahead of Schedule

What Should We Do?

Our original plan was to take the month of March and complete the traps on #15. After that our plan was to commence with greens aeration as scheduled followed by aeration of the rest of the course. Following the aeration we planned to finish the rest of the greenside bunkers on #13, #17 and #12 well before the Mac Cup. However because we are ahead of schedule, and on a roll so to speak, we have decided to tackle the two bunkers on #13 starting next week and complete them both in two weeks.
Based on the success of moving the sand out of the bunkers on #15 and fixing the area on #16 we thought we would execute a similar move on #13.

The exit for carts to approach the green on #13 is through a small narrow area that has drainage problems right in front of the large rock next to the cart path. The turf in this area always struggles and the primary culprit is concentrated cart traffic funneling into the only space they can logically exit. We plan to strip off about 3000 sq.ft. of sod and soften the area with the sand removed from the traps on #13. This will definitely help the current situation by encouraging, with movable directional signs more of a scattered golf cart disbursement to the path from the fairway.

Some may argue that this “softening” detracts from the original design and strategy of the hole. However you could argue the cart path was not part of the original design and strategy of the hole and its presence dramatically alters what happens to shots over there.
The specific area is about 80 feet along the cartpath from the large rock to where the turf flattens out to the path. We will re-sod on April 1st and the area should be open for play at that time and to cart traffic weeks afterward when the sod is firmly established.

Traffic worn area #13

Winter Progress

As I mentioned above I would have never thought we could have accomplished as much as we did the past 6 weeks with the normal wet weather patterns that Februarys bring, but we did and could not be happier. Outdoor construction is difficult if not impossible when soils become saturated but by strategically working on smaller bunkers first, that could logically be covered during storms, we were able make steady progress.
We started with the three bunkers on #8 which presented some interesting challenges. Once the sand was removed and we were down in the base of the right hand bunkers we checked the grades and found that there was very little fall from the bottom base of the bunkers to water level in the lake. This makes it hard for water to exit the bunker and the likely culprit of why these bunkers were chronically wet. In order to accommodate both our large drainage chambers and the above mentioned fall issue we had to raise the base of the bunker particularly the right front.

#8 front right bunker

#8 front right - covered to preserve moist liner

#8 right rear - low water table

Through the entire bunker renovation process we have consciously avoided changing the original design intent with the lone exception of the left-hand bunker on #16. This situation on #8 was a one where we had to raise the bottom of the bunker to assure the new drainage system functioned properly.

After we finished the three greenside bunkers on #8 we proceeded to #9 and completed the three greenside bunkers there. Most of our bunkers have supplemental irrigation heads around the edges, which we have been replacing as part of the renovation process. This entire supplemental system around the bunkers and adjoining turf on #9 was totally inadequate so we redesigned and replaced that irrigation as well. Little ancillary additions like this will really pay off come July and August and we have taken care of a bunch of it this winter.

Drainage pattern rear bunker #9 green

Filling #9 bunkers with sand

Supplimental irrigation installation around bunkers on #9

Greenside bunkers #9 complete

After the bunkers on #9 we took went to # 4 and took care of the two front right bunkers. The rear bunker on #4 we were not able to address because the severe slope around the area had become to wet because of weather. When we do this work there is a lot of traffic in and out of the area along with heavy equipment and I thought it would be better to wait until a drier season rather then damage the area just to finish the entire green complex. We finished all the greenside bunkers on #8 & #9 and two of the greenside bunkers on #4 in the month of February averaging two bunkers a week. Next was the month of March and the monster bunkers on #15.

Excavation of the right greenside bunker on #4

Excavation of the right hand approach bunker on #4

We were right on schedule to start the three big bunkers around #15. Weather was forecasted for hit & miss rain through the first part of March. We desperately wanted to continue progress and came up with an idea that would facilitate our wishes.

First these bunkers were too large to realistically cover with plastic between storms. Removing the old sand from the trap could be accomplished during marginal weather but not digging drainage ditches. This is because as we typically dig the drainage ditch we place the removed soil on the faces and base of the trap and compact it to restore the trap to its original shape. This dirt even though compacted, if rained on would have the potential of washing down the slope and making a muddy mess, which would have taken days of good weather to dry out halting progress.

Excavating sand out of one of the monstor bunkers on #15

Excavated and clean but no drainage ditches

Another unrelated project that we had promised to complete was the softening of the front right portion of the #16 hole down in that sloppy wet area. This was a project really driven by the GBWGC to give many of their members a fighting chance to approach the green after their shots careened off the fairway slope and ended up in this slop.

#16 fairway softening

#16  graded with old sand from bunkers on #15

#16 sodded

So to maintain renovation momentum we decided to strip the sod in the above-mentioned area on #16, remove ALL of the sand from ALL THREE of the traps on fifteen and transfer the sand to #16. To make a long story during the next three weeks culminating this week we completed the re-grassing on #16 and completed the renovation on the greenside traps on #15. We finished two weeks ahead of schedule along with knocking the project #16 softening project off the list.

#15 drainage pattern

 

That was more golf course under construction at one time than we typically like, but the circumstances somewhat forced the bold move and now it’s done.

Filling bunkers on #15

Finished product on #15

What’s Next?

For the next two weeks we will be busy with #13. Additionally we plan to start refreshing walnut shells and catching up on springtime stuff.

Starting the week of April 5th we are going to aerate this golf course. I will do a course update before then and explain all of the different strategies we plan to implement this year.

I know “Just when the course is getting good those guys go out there and punch holes all over the place”. Of course we all understand that this process is a necessary evil and your maintenance department will do everything it can to minimize disruption. That being said I have to tell you that this course really needs an aerification. More details to come.

Core aerating #18

Soft Sand

When I arrived at Granite Bay the number one task at hand was to renovate bunkers. It was far and away the largest member concern reflected in our annual member surveys. Upon arrival I immediately embarked on developing a plan for renovating our bunkers and during this research found out two things. First there are many different ways to skin a cat when it comes to bunker renovation. Secondly it is not uncommon for consternation to get stirred up when the members have to start negotiating new sand.

Hopefully everyone is in agreement that the bunkers needed renovation. All you would ever have to do is try to play Granite Bay on a sunny day after a rainstorm and find that every trap was a lake. Or even on particular days during the summer months where you experienced casual water in the bottoms. The bunkers that we renovated in 2008 & 2009 are on the soft side now because we are not irrigating yet and they have not received any rain recently and the surface sand is dry.

The bunkers that we renovated this year just in the past six weeks are extremely soft because we had not compacted them until today. The reason for that is that typically after we add the sand to the bunker we flood the bunker with water and compact the sand with equipment. The sand is added to the trap the day after we spray the liner on the base and because of the cooler damp weather we experienced the past six weeks, the liner in the traps that were renovated were not completely cured when we filled them with sand. Applying the essential water for compaction at this point would not have been prudent for it potentially might compromise the liner.

We did compact the freshly renovated bunkers on #4, #8, #9 & the two of the bunkers on #15 today. The front left monster bunker was not compacted today because it’s liner was sprayed on Wednesday and was not cured enough to add water.
All of these traps will continue to firm up as they age. Its is the nature of the beast. Will golf balls play out of this new sand and sit up like they did in the old traps which had a thin layer of sand mixed with decomposed gravel and would not drain for anything? Probably not.

Freshly filled bunkers #9

2010 Golf Course Priorities

The #1 priority that was on the golfing members mind when I arrived to Granite Bay Golf Club in early 2008 was the overdue renovation of the bunkers. This was the mandate in which I was brought to Granite Bay to achieve. After looking over bids obtained by contractors it was decided to attempt the renovation project in house utilizing our current labor pool and complete the project over two to three years. After settling on a construction process that I strongly felt would outlast many of the options we researched we started the project in the spring of 2008.

Along with maintaining the course we started the process working our way through the learning curve that is inherent in a project of this size. In a short period of time we were confident with our technique and decided to tackle the worst bunker on the course, the left hand bunker on #16. Rebuilding this bunker led to an entire restoration of the front portion of the green complex closely re-establishing the original look of the hole.
Additionally in 2008 we had to come off of bunker progress for a few weeks landscaping and preparing the grounds around the new outside dining patio. Once bunker renovation resumed we quickly depleted our allotted capitol amount for 2008 and had to wait for 2009’s allotment.

The biggest obstacle in 2009 to bunker progress was “The greatest recession since the great depression” that seemed to effect all of our lives. Our overall maintenance budget was effected which limited our construction workforce.

Additionally our capitol bunker allocation was reduced towards the end of the season. We were able to make progress but fell short of our stated goal of having the all of the greenside bunkers completed by the end of 2009. Even though we missed what I consider an important goal we were able to complete another member priority and that was the expansion of the cartpath to the upper tees on #18.
This brings us to our priorities in 2010, Finishing the Bunker Project. Our main focus this year will be to finish what we started in 2008. I am confident because:

• We have NO other capitol projects lined up to complete
• Capitol funding reductions from 2009 have been added to 2010.
• Remaining bunkers are pretty straight forward (unlike #16)
• Capitol funding has been released early for this project

Above and beyond the above points is our collaborative will to get this project behind us. I for one am appreciative of the golfing membership’s support and patience of this process. We have made progress in other areas on the course over the past couple years but the bottom line is we have more bunkers to complete (38) then we have completed (27) and my original estimate was to be much farther along then we are at this point.

We do have some other smaller golf course projects that members have brought up and we have shown we can acomplish more then one thing at a time. With any find of luck we will be able to achieve these little projects along with our above mentioned priorities in 2010. However I strongly believe it is in all of our best interests that we stay the course, finish what we started and get these bunkers done in 2010 even if it means that some of this little stuff has to wait.

Completed bunkers #18 in 2009

Completed bunker #1 in 2009

Wet, Winter Conditions

The wet El Nino weather patterns are great for filling up reservoirs, and we all should be grateful for that possibility so we don’t have deal with the dreaded D word at least for one year. That being said the continued rainfall, and even more detrimental to our turf, lack of light can, and has taken a toll. Between the frost, fog and rain the golf course has not seen a lot of sunlight so far this winter. In the same 60-day period last winter season we had 24 days out of the 60 that we had sunlight adequate for winter growth, compared to 7 days in the past 60 this season. Along with keeping the golf course wet, these type of conditions set up susceptibility to winter diseases.
Winter diseases of turf in our area are fairly predictable and range in severity from one season to another and normally do not cause the widespread turf loss that some summer disease patterns can. The drier the winter season the better, creating optimal cool season turf conditions with virtually non-existent disease pressure. However when we get the kind of constantly wet, low sunlight patterns that we have been getting, disease pressure can mount.
Red thread is a disease that is common in most winters and early springs and we normally see it in fairways and rough-cut. Severe infestations can require fungicide applications but normally a little sun and / or a little fertilizer can take care of red thread. Pink Snow Mold is another story. It can effect all turf and be very problematic on putting surfaces. It predictably rears its ugly head during wet dark winters and if left unchecked can cause a lot of problems. You might have noticed some snow mold from the pictures above on our greens. We had an outbreak a couple of weeks ago but were able to immediately get it under control.
The situation that we are most concerned with due to the prolonged wet and dark conditions is a thinning on portions of certain putting surfaces. Areas most effected are the left-hand side of #3, #6, #13 & #14 along with the right side of #9 and the rear of #15. Because of the widespread symptoms on #3 & #6 we suspected a mystery winter disease so we sent off a turf sample to UC Riverside for analysis. The results of the analysis were negative for pathogen activity on both foliage and roots of the sample, which is good news.
The only assumption as to the cause of the current thinning, absent a positive disease diagnosis are environmental causes. We raised the height of cut on our greens mowers many weeks ago which is standard during winter months, and raised them even more this past week in response to the thinning. This will allow for some more leaf surface to develop that can photosynthesize and provide food for the plant with the hopeful presence of some sunlight. We have also suspended rolling the greens until they recapture a semblance of health. We are going to attempt to lightly spike the greens, as the weather dictates, providing some necessary air to the upper water logged portion of the surface along with some strategic fertilizer applications, which should perk thing up. What we really need is that which we have absolutely no control over and that is sun light.
For every action there is a reaction and the above-described measures will regain a healthy condition but will contribute to a slower surface. Bottom line the wet conditions are the main culprit for a temporary lapse in putting quality and health. Obviously this is a temporary situation for the sun will be shining before we know it. Hopefully we will get some of it soon.

More wet weather snow mold #4 fairway

Wet weather facillitates Snow Mold on #2 green