Pond Vegetation Cancel The title field is required!

1. Garrett Schultz

   

   0 posts
   
   8/19/2013 8:08 AM

   There is an old river channel that runs through the middle of our golf course, and is divided into 4 sections or "ponds." They serve as drainage collection ponds, and depending on the water table hold water to appear as ponds during wet periods.
   
   Management would like me to keep these ponds full by running our irrigation pumps during the day for aesthetic reasons. However, during the heat of the summer, along with the water table being low, the water is gone as fast as I can pump it in...they have no liners, were never intended to be holding ponds, they are for drainage. I have communicated this with management but they still push me to fill them.
   
   Anybody have any ideas for vegetation that I could plant on the "pond" bottoms to make these areas look aesthetically pleasing without wasting water? They are already marked as "environmentally sensitive areas" but when dry that doesn't stop golfers from retrieving their ball when they are dry.
   
   Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks!

   
   
   
   
2. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   8/19/2013 9:08 AM

   Contact your local Pond/Lake Maintenance company. They can advise you on the best way to proceed, or not to proceed.

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   8/19/2013 10:08 PM

   Could you do a low cost pump on the lowest lake and with almost just water hose in the bottom of the lake system run it to the upper end and recycle the water every day? A 3/4" hose will run about 50GPM and a 1" hose could do 100GPM. They make gas and electric pumps that at lower pressure would do that without any problem. I should like your course is flat? If so this would maybe work.
   
   Keith
   Zama Japan

   
   
   
   
4. Garrett Schultz

   

   0 posts
   
   8/20/2013 5:08 AM

   Keith Pegg said: Could you do a low cost pump on the lowest lake and with almost just water hose in the bottom of the lake system run it to the upper end and recycle the water every day? A 3/4" hose will run about 50GPM and a 1" hose could do 100GPM. They make gas and electric pumps that at lower pressure would do that without any problem. I should like your course is flat? If so this would maybe work.
   
   Keith
   Zama Japan

   
   
   I agree this would work, however in my situation it would be an unrealistic long run to do so.

   
   
   
   
5. Kevin Clunis

   

   0 posts
   
   8/20/2013 6:08 AM

   I would contact your state DNR or whoever is in charge of the water. In Minnesota, you cannot fill ponds on the golf course.

   
   
   
   
6. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   8/23/2013 6:08 AM

   I understand your issue but anytime a member ask about using our irrigation system for something other then getting water on the golf course turf I show them the cost of replacing the pumping system when you wear it out at half its expected life span and they generally drop the subject.

   
   
   
   
7. Garrett Schultz

   

   0 posts
   
   8/23/2013 12:08 PM

   James Smith said: I understand your issue but anytime a member ask about using our irrigation system for something other then getting water on the golf course turf I show them the cost of replacing the pumping system when you wear it out at half its expected life span and they generally drop the subject.

   
   
   I have done this. We just finished a complete million $ irrigation renovation, which apparently was supposed to include the ability to keep these ponds full.
   
   I have for the time being convinced the powers that be that it is not feasible/responsible to fill the ponds. I was looking more for suggestions on some vegetation that I could plant on the bottom that may grow on the soggy "pond" bottom and look somewhat attractive as an alternative to filling them with water.
   
   Thanks everyone for the comments/suggestions!