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Infiltration and surface ponding on a sand-based sportsfield

University of British Columbia

The thesis addresses the problem of ponding as it pertains to sand-based sportsfields. The Lower Premier Sportsfield, in the District of North Vancouver, was specifically studied. It is located in a high rainfall location. The hypothesis is that a 'surface layer' at the top of the soil profile was directly responsible for the reduced surface infiltration necessary for the ponding observed. The accumulation and compaction of detrital organic matter within the pore space of this layer was assumed to be the source of the ponding problem. Pond depth hydrographs were derived from field measurements to illustrate the behaviour of the pond in response to various rainfall conditions. Furthermore, a semi-empirical model was devised to determine the water balance of the pond for an incident rainfall event. Results from the model show that overland flow from the area concentrically adjacent to the pond contributed approximately four times as much water to the pond as was contributed directly by rainfall. From the analysis, it was determined that a low 'surface layer' saturated hydraulic conductivity, of the order of 10⁻⁸ m.s⁻¹ was necessary for this to occur. Recommendations emphasize preventative management that limits the accumulation of detrital plant matter and the employment of groundskeeping techniques to control the formation of the hydrologically restrictive 'surface layer'. Furthermore, to avoid the concentration of surface runoff, it is essential that surface.

Text

2010-07-16

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/26502

Soil Science

University of British Columbia

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