The recent floods in North Queensland have left communities devastated, with homes, businesses, and infrastructure severely impacted. Our thoughts are with those who have lost so much in this crisis. While the immediate priority remains supporting affected families and restoring essential services, it is also important to consider the long-term recovery of sports fields, golf courses, and open spaces.

During a recent visit to Townsville, we observed firsthand the resilience of sand-based turf profiles in extreme weather conditions. Photos from Country Bank Stadium and a distant view of the NQ Cowboys Centre of Excellence highlight this durability. Interestingly, all the other council fields were waterlogged, yet both of them were built on sand-based profiles and remained in use.

Photos on the left shows the NQ Cowboys Centre of Excellence, and on the right, the Country Bank Stadium

Understanding flood damage on turfgrass

Flooding can have lasting effects on natural turf, impacting playability and sustainability. SPORTENG’s Senior Turf Agronomist, John Neylan, has extensively researched the impact of inundation on turfgrass and the best management strategies for recovery. Below, we explore his key findings and recommendations for turf managers looking to rehabilitate their fields after extreme weather events.

Floodwaters impact turf in several ways, with key factors influencing the extent of the damage:

• Silt deposits: "Dirty" floods carrying sediment can clog the turf profile, restricting water infiltration and root development.
• Depth of water: The deeper the water, the higher the likelihood of severe turf damage.

Intense depth of water at Fields of Play in North Queensland 

• Duration of inundation: Extended submersion leads to oxygen depletion in the root zone, resulting in turfgrass decline.
• Turfgrass species: Some turfgrasses withstand flooding better than others.
• Surface topography: Low-lying areas tend to suffer the most due to prolonged water retention.

Low-lying area with prolonged water retention in North Queensland

In past flood events in Australia and Thailand, silt deposits have proven particularly damaging. Without access to clean water or power to pressure wash the silt from the turf layer, this accumulation can persist and negatively affect water infiltration, leading to ongoing issues with surface drainage and turf health.

What are the recovery strategies for flooded turfgrass? 

To restore turf after a flood, immediate and ongoing efforts are required:

Immediate post-flood actions:

1. Remove silt deposits: Use high-pressure water where possible to prevent long-term surface sealing. In fairways and greens, coring, scarifying, and sanding help break up residual silt layers.
2. Improve soil permeability: Conduct aeration (e.g., slicing, coring, or vertidraining) to restore water movement and oxygen exchange.
3. Monitor root health: Inspect for root rot and remove any areas of completely dead turf to encourage healthy regrowth.

Long-term turf health management:

• Fertilisation: Apply high-potassium fertilisers and micronutrients (such as manganese) to support root recovery.
• Disease prevention: Protect vulnerable turf from fungal infections, particularly ERI fungi, with targeted fungicide applications.
• Thatch control: Maintain an appropriate level of thatch to prevent waterlogging and promote root development.
• Turfgrass selection: Consider more flood-tolerant species for areas prone to inundation. Bermudagrass hybrids have shown excellent resilience compared to Zoysiagrass and Seashore Paspalum.

The Importance of proactive turf management

While floods create immediate challenges, the long-term resilience of turf surfaces depends on ongoing best practices in turf management. Proper drainage design, soil health monitoring, and turf species selection can all contribute to more flood-resilient sports fields.

For councils, sports clubs, and golf course managers, partnering with experts like SPORTENG can make a significant difference in turf recovery and long-term performance. Our team is committed to helping Australian communities restore and future-proof their playing surfaces against extreme weather events.

If your sports field or golf course has been affected by recent floods, contact us for tailored turf management advice.