Code
F08
Sector
Forest
The complete description of the NWRM
Summary

Forest access roads and other roads in rural areas often cross streams and other small watercourses. Design and material used in forest road building may have strong impact on erosion risk and water quality in streams. The bridges or culverts used to cross these watercourses must be designed appropriately if negative impacts on the aquatic environment are to be minimized. Poorly designed or poorly implemented stream crossings can have numerous negative effects on the aquatic environment including increased sediment mobilization and changes in flow patterns. For example, flooding upstream of the road crossing can occur when the bridge or culvert is unable to transport a sufficient volume of water.  Such floods can also wash out bridges or stream crossings, leading to increased costs for the road owner and downstream sediment pollution. Increased sediment mobilization results in loss of aquatic habitat and may extirpate threatened species including freshwater pearl mussel as well as destroying spawning habitat.

Illustration(s)
River with inappropriate design

River after designing a proper crossing

Source: http://www.huronpines.org/projectinfo.asp?pjt=pv&pid=37

Possible benefits with level
Benefits Level
BP2 - Slow runoff
Medium
BP1 - Store runoff
Medium
BP3 - Store river water
Medium
BP4 - Slow river water
Medium
BP8 - Reduce pollutant sources
Medium
BP10 - Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery
High
BP12 - Create aquatic habitat
High
ES1 - Water storage
Low
ES2 - Fish stocks and recruiting
High
ES4 - Biodiversity preservation
High
ES7 - Flood risk reduction
Low
ES8 - Erosion/sediment control
High
ES9 - Filtration of pollutants
Low
ES11 - Aesthetic/cultural value
Medium
ES12 - Navigation
Low
PO1 - Improving status of biology quality elements
Medium
PO2 - Improving status of physico-chemical quality elements
Low
PO3 - Improving status of hydromorphology quality elements
Medium
PO7 - Prevent surface water status deterioration
High
PO9 - Take adequate and co-ordinated measures to reduce flood risks
Medium
PO10 - Protection of important habitats
Medium
PO11 - Better protection for ecosystems and more use of Green Infrastructure
Low
PO12 - More sustainable agriculture and forestry
Low
PO13 - Better management of fish stocks
Medium
PO14 - Prevention of biodiversity loss
Medium

Case studies per NWRM