Water Restriction Impact on Surface Hardness and Soil Volumetric Water Content on Recreational Sports Fields

Water-use restrictions during the summer of 2016 in Guelph, Ontario, Canada prevented the irrigation of natural turf soccer fields and provided a unique opportunity to study the effects on soil volumetric water content and surface hardness on actively used youth soccer fields. Soil volumetric water content and surface hardness were tested on a weekly basis from July through September, 2016. Areas of the turf that became brown were compared to the areas that remained green. Surface hardness within areas of brown turfgrass cover frequently exceeded 100 gravities (level of concern for player safety) even though soil volumetric water content was similar between the areas of green and brown turfgrass cover. Therefore, irrigation of sports fields during times of drought is recommended to preserve the cushioning effect of green turfgrass cover.