Creek at soccer

We have discussed in this blog before some of the unique aspects of Bretton Woods. Not only the property’s size, but soccer fields and adventure activities are especially uncommon among similar clubs. This past week the lower soccer field needed some attention.

The creek that crosses the road as you drive towards tennis and soccer, continues to parallel both soccer fields all the way off our property. The terrain also becomes very flat down near the soccer fields and the creek does not rush past. Because of this, it can sometimes cause issues by not staying within its banks. We have written about this issue in the past- soccer flooding damage and water on soccer field. This time the issue was not so extensive, but down at the far corner nearest the creek, the water was both slowly overflowing the bank as well as seeping underneath it. The lower soccer field is the same Bermuda grass as the fairways and tees on the golf course, so it is currently dormant. The field is also closed until the Bermuda grass greens up. But this work still needed to be done now rather than waiting until the field opens later in the spring.

After our work was complete the creek 
bed is visible again. You can also see
the debris we removed along the banks.

Long before there was a soccer field in this position, the creek used to lose all form before reaching the river and meander in all directions, rather than flow directly into the Potomac. Sometimes it reverts to this habit rather than staying in the creek bed. Lots of debris has washed down to this end and has partially dammed up the creek, slowing its flow down so much that it was finding alternative routes, including out onto the field.

We aren’t allowed to get machines into this area due to its proximity to the river, wetlands, flood plains, etc. Even if we could it is too wet anyway. So, our only option is to do the work by hand. While the creek can find other places to flow, there is a good enough creek bed that if given the chance it will still follow that path. With shovels, rakes, and any other hand tool that could work, we carefully redirected the flow back into the creek bed and removed obstacles.

It is hard to determine exactly how effective our work is during the spring, sometimes it is so wet regardless of what we do, the creek finds it way onto the field. Nevertheless, the work needed to be done.

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

Please be careful not to damage the lip of the cup when retrieving your ball after putting out.

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org