Nonpoint Source: Roads Highways and Bridges

On this page: 

• Overview
• Manuals and Practices

Overview:

Runoff controls are essential to preventing polluted runoff from roads, highways and bridges from reaching surface waters. Erosion during and after

construction of roads, highways and bridges result in the deposition of sediment that can smother aquatic habitat and clog waterways.  

Heavy metals, oils, other toxic substances and debris from construction traffic and spillage can be absorbed by soil at construction sites and carried with runoff water to lakes, rivers and bays.

Runoff control measures can be installed at the time of road, highway and bridge construction to reduce runoff pollution both during and after construction. Such measures can effectively reduce the entry of pollutants into surface waters and ground waters and protect their quality, fish habitats and public health. Pesticides and fertilizers used along roadway rights-of-way and adjoining land can pollute surface waters and ground water when they filter into the soil or are blown by wind from the area where they are applied.

Manuals and Practices:

Gravel Roads: Maintenance and Design Manual This manual was developed with a major emphasis on the maintenance of gravel roads, including some basic design elements. The purpose of the manual is to provide clear and helpful information for doing a better job of maintaining gravel roads. 

Environmentally Sensitive Maintenance for Dirt and Gravel Roads (pdf) (26.03 MB, October 2007)
This manual identifies, documents, and encourages the use of environmentally sensitive maintenance of dirt and gravel roads. The document provides insight into using natural systems and innovative technologies to reduce erosion, sediment, and dust pollution while more effectively and efficiently maintaining dirt and gravel roads and gives the users a "tool box" full of environmentally sensitive maintenance "tools" and practices.

Low-Volume Roads Engineering Best Management Practices Field Guide This guide is intended to provide an overview of the key planning, location, design, construction and maintenance aspects of roads that can cause adverse environmental impacts and to list key ways to prevent those impacts.

Road Maintenance Video Set The "Road Maintenance Video Set" is a five-part video series developed for USDA Forest Service equipment operators. It focuses on environmentally sensitive ways of maintaining low volume roads.

US Forest Service's Water-Road Interaction Project Documents This project examines the interactions between water and roads in terms of surface drainage, subsurface drainage and drainage crossings.

Recommended Practices Manual: A Guideline for Maintenance and Service of Unpaved Roads (pdf) (447.82 KB, February 2000)
This is a manual of standard procedures, produced by Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority, which describes and illustrates cost effective techniques and practices which can be used to enhance stability and maintenance of unpaved roadways while reducing sedimentation and improving the quality of surface waters.