Traditional road location, design and maintenance have generally had adverse effects on riparian areas. Road locations, drainage methods, and maintenance practices have resulted in a net loss of both acreage and related values in riparian areas, particularly in the arid and semi-arid portions of the West. Results of these activities include drainage of riparian ecosystems, reduced site productivity, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, reduced base flows with increased peak flows, gully development, and accelerated downstream sedimentation. Recent changes in management philosophy and activities are reversing this trend by using road design and maintenance to rehabilitate riparian areas and restore their productivity. Methods being used to accomplish these goals include road obliteration, road relocation, modified culvert designs, raised culvert inlets, modified bridge and ford designs, flow dispersal, stilling basins and more frequent and effective ditch management. Results have been dramatic, with nearly 100 acres of degraded riparian area in the Southwestern Region of Forest Service started on the road to recovery over the past five years. Transportation system management is becoming an effective tool in the rehabilitation of riparian areas across the Southwestern Region.

Editor's Note: This 25-page paper is full of techniques for watershed-friendly road design and modification, presented with excellent drawings and descriptions. This is a seminal work, and will catalyze further development of sensitive road construction and maintenance technology.The graphics on this page are scanned from the paper. Highly recommended. You can request a copy by calling Chic Spann, Regional Hydrologist for the Southwestern Region at (505) 842-3255.