Appropriate design of unsealed roads and stream crossing in forests-image

Appropriate design of unsealed roads and stream crossing in forests

  • Description
  • Fields of action
  • Synergies
  • Good practice examples
  • References

Design of forest roads should be done in a way that surface water is diverted to the forest aside. Various surfaces cross drain solutions with a different level of maintenance need are available (e.g. rolling drain dip, culverts, rubber strips). They need to be combined with ditch dams for directing runoff. New forest roads should be planned carefully and only in exceptional cases. An interesting solution for small stream crossings can be the substitution of bridges or pipes by fords – e.g. after damages caused by flooding. This reduces the danger of blocking and flooding.

Fields of action Forests,Watercourses
Additionally to flood risk reduction by slowing and storing surface runoff, the measure has medium or high possible benefits for the following biophysical impacts and ecosystem services: Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery; Create aquatic habitat; Biodiversity preservation; Slow river water; Store river water; Reduce pollutant sources; Aesthetic/cultural value

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Sabine Scharfe, Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology