Chesapeake Bay Commission Sediment Reduction Study

Evaluate five commonly used Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance Practices for unpaved roads in an attempt to quantify the sediment reduction benefits of each practice.

Source

Chesapeake Bay Commission and PA DEP

Status

The study and write up were completed in 2008.

Details

This grant involves the quantification of sediment reductions from 5 ESM practices: Driving Surface Aggregate Application; Raising the Road Profile; Additional Drainage Outlets; Berm removal; Grade-break installation. In order to quantify sediment reductions, road erosion rates were measured before and after the implementation of each ESM practice above. In order to obtain consistent results, the Center developed and used a rainfall simulator which creates erosion on a 100′ section of roadway.

The Rainmaker in action in Columbia County.

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