Tyler Elliott Blog #2

Aeration for flood prevention

Aerification is a method used on many athletic fields to help with the quality of grass to ensure a healthy field. This is done through a mechanical process that penetrates through the ground’s surface leaving tiny holes in the plane. This helps introduce more air and water through the grounds profile to help extend the nutrients further into the soil. The distributed nutrients help improve the strength and health of the vegetation. The aeration process also helps with water drainage to prevent flooding situations. This concept may be a contributing method that expands beyond the athletic fields to help with flooding prevention during rain storm events.

The holes are three quarter inches in dimeter with a depth of four inches that are spaced apart roughly in a three-inch square. The existing soil type dictates how often a field or lawn should be aeriated. The greater the density the soil is the more often the field should be aerated. Its best to aerate a field in the spring when the growing season is optimal. This will produce to best results for an efficient way to attain a healthy field. In just seven days after aerating, the field will have recovered, and the quality of vegetation will be significantly enhanced.

Aeration is a simple process to perform with minimal labor required with the ability of a system to attach to a utility tractor. Self-propelled walk behind machines are also available with a cost of approximately three thousand dollars. This investment may be recovered quickly with the function of preventing flooding conditions that presents greater property damage. Every method and technique are critical to help prevent flooding during a sever rain storm, especially in the flood plain. By utilizing this aeration process water is able to infiltrate through the soil profile to limit oversaturation. Along with air and nutrients with a greater distribution through the profile for higher quality and healthier vegetation.