Hello Kristy,

The photos attached are too low a resolution to zoom in and really see any detail. From what I can see, there is no crabgrass. Crabgrass grows prone, low to the ground and in a star shape. What I see in the grass is growing taller than the desirable grass? This could be quackgrass or a tall fescue. That makes sense, because herbicides safe for grass will not kill quackgrass or fescue. If you have a professional applicator, I would be surprised that you have crabgrass, because they generally apply a crabgrass pre emergent herbicide.

Now the second photo, that may not be thatch. That looks like it could be grass that has a fungus infection. Look at individual grass blades and see if you can see lesions on the blade. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/lawn-diseases-prevention-and-management/#gsc.tab=0

I would recommend two things: First, I would get a soil test. This will tell you if your grass has fertility or nutrient deficits. You can order a soil test kit from MSU. All of the information can be found here: https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/

As far as the undesirable grass and the dying grass, you can send samples to the MSU Diagnostic Labs and have both professionally identified. There is a fee for this service, but it will remove all the guessing about treatment. The fee schedules for lab testing and how to take a sample can be found at the following website: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

I’m sorry, but I don’t understand your last sentence about too much water under the ground. Right now, we have been in a very dry weather pattern, and most soil is extremely dry.

Hope this helps.