Best management practices are practices that are designed to protect the soil and water resources from impact from harvesting activity by protecting the soil from erosion. While best management practices protect the soil of a timber harvest site from erosion, they also have the added benefit of lowering road maintenance costs and increasing productivity. Below are pictures and descriptions of some common best management practices.

Water bars

Water bars are designed to divert water from the road surface and restrict travel on the road.

Culverts

Culverts are used to channel water across roadway from uphill drainages or for ditch relief.

Bridges

Bridges are used to cross small streams or channels with firm, stable banks.

Geotextile

Geotextiles are used to extend the service life of roads, reduce rutting, and increase the load carrying capacity by preventing the aggregate surface to mix with the sub-grade soil.

Pole Crossing

Pole wood crossings should utilize long poles with a 6-inch diameter small end to fill channel level with banks; culverts may need to be installed under the wood to facilitate water flow. Not recommended for perennial streams.

Rolling Dips

A rolling dip is a low outsloped diversion in the road designed to catch water and drain it from the road surface.

For more information

Log on to: http://ohioline.osu.edu/b916/0004.html.

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Created: 2007-05-08 , Updated: 2007-08-22