When water remains on the field surface and does not drain many problems occur including slippery and unsafe conditions. Games are cancelled and maintenance practices are delayed. Wet soils take a longer time to warm up in the spring and seed germination can be delayed. The raised portion of a sports field that provides a slope to promote runoff of surface water is called the field “crown”. Crowns are the most effective way to remove surface water because they move water the shortest distance possible. Football fields should have at least a 1-2% slope. The highest point is usually about 10-18” above the lowest point on the field. Soccer fields made of native soil typically are built with a minimum of 1½ % slope and should never be flat. If the fields have underground drainage the slope should be at least 1%. Crowned fields are not suitable for multiple sports because they cause difficulty in ball control sports like soccer and field hockey. The water that is directed to the sidelines will need to be collected by interceptor drains and move away from the field.

Sub-surface drainage can be effective at removing excess water from the rootzone during high rainfall events and for reducing the water table. These systems assist in moving water out of the soil profile by providing a pathway for “excessive” or “drainable” water to leave the soil. They work the best when good surface and internal drainage are in place. There are a few commonly used systems to help improve sub-surface drainage including pipe drains, interceptor drains (also known as French drains), trackside drains, strip drains and sand-slit drains.