High creek flow photos after winter storm

The winter storm that passed through Western Washington this past week brought us 8-9 inches of snow on Monday, .53 inches of rain on Tuesday, and 1.63 inches of rain on Thursday for a total of 3.05 inches of precipitation in four days. All of that rain resulted in a lot of runoff from the surrounding neighborhoods onto Glendale and into our two creeks. Monday's snow was in the form of wet heavy flakes that caused a lot of tree damage with branches down everywhere on the course. The crew did a great job of getting it picked up and run through our wood chipper by midday Thursday. High water flows in Kelsey Creek and the West Tributary cased flooding with damage yet unknown until the water recedes. Below are some photos taken Thursday afternoon.

 Starting at the north end of the course, water shooting through the culvert behind the 4th tee.

Looking south toward #8 tee from #8 fairway.

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                                          Standing on the bridge at #8 tee looking south.

                                          Looking across the creek at #8 tee bank.

                                           Looking upstream from the big bridge on #6.

 Standing on the walk bridge at #16 fairway looking downstream toward #16 tee.

                                   Standing on the bridge looking upstream at #16 tee.

                                    Looking downstream from the bridge on #11.

                                   On the cart path on #12 looking back toward the tee.

Looking downstream from the bridge at #13 tee,

                                       On the #12 white tee looking out at Lake Whitney.

Hopefully the creeks will go back to normal flow today so we can access the damage and get to work repairing whatever needs to be done.

Steve Kealy
Golf Course Superintendent

Mid winter aeration?

During the past two months we had 3.62 inches of rain in December and 3.08 inches in January for a total of 6.62 inches. That may seem like a lot, but nothing compared to the 16.68 inches that fell during October and November. The golf course has been so dry this week that we have been driving carts on fairways and even been out mowing the rough. The firm fairway conditions provided us with an opportunity to aerate and sand some wet areas that need extra attention.

The photo above is of the approach to #1 green. This area had some bad drainage (which has been repaired) but the turf is thatchy and needed to be aerated to get the water to move off the surface. We went out Tuesday and sanded them first then aerated over the top and pushed the sand into the soil profile.

#5 right rough, twenty yards short of the green.

 #1 fairway on the left side across from the 150 yard marker.

#18 fairway, 120 yards from the green.

#7 approach just short of the green.

All of these areas are places that are very much in play and many shots are hit from them. Later this winter/early spring we will get out again and repeat the process so this summer the areas will be firm and dry.

Steve Kealy

Golf Course Superintendent