This is written as a reminder to check roads in your forest at least annually. It targets properties subject to minimal snow, ice and frozen soil but has universal value to owners of woods roads that get rain and water runoff. The report was written by Clare Nunamaker, private forestry consultant, Mendocino County, California. Clare can be reached at forestry@nunamaker.com
It's that time of year again - time to grab your rain gear, your shovel, any other favorite tool and a helper if you have one and head out to walk (or drive) your roads to check out their drainage. OK, maybe that's not your idea of wonderful. But it is part of being a good steward of your land.
Whether you have a dirt road that's 100 feet long or several miles, your road will benefit from a little work now, early in the rainy season. We've had enough rain that if things aren't draining properly, you'll be able to tell. Of course, for the truly hardy, the very best time to walk your roads with tools in hand is during a storm.
When you do go out, here are four basic things to look for:
Inside ditches -- make sure they are free from debris so that water can flow through them. Debris might be sediment, rocks, leaves, twigs, plastic, or anything else that can accumulate in a ditch.
Culverts -- make sure the inlets and outlets are clear enough so that water can flow freely through them. Check the outflow of the culvert to make sure it isn't eroding the soil where the water drops off the culvert's outlet. If it is, put some rock or other energy dissipater there.
The road surface -- are there places where water is cutting little gullies as it flows down the road? If there are, make cross-drains to get the water off the road. Be sure the cross-drains you make empty into something not very erodable, like heavy vegetation or rocks.
Rolling dips -- first, give yourself a pat on the back for having them. Then look to make sure the lip (where the water flows off the road) is not eroding the road edge. If it is, reinforce the lip with rock, bags of cement, or other hard materials, being sure your reinforcements don't block the flow of water.
It may take several trips depending on what kind of shape your roads are in and how long they are. When it's done, though, you'll have a sweet sense of satisfaction as you sit by the fire and hear the rain falling during the next storm.
