DOT Application of the Palmiter Stream Management Technique in Small Streams

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has one large experimental installation of the Palmiter Method in Clark County along the Mad River. ODOT is interested in expanding the use of this technique across the state. Rapid deployment/implementation of the method on smaller streams with erosion concerns near infrastructure is potentially a better application of the method. It is unclear how the method can be deployed and what benefits and drawbacks are likely in a small stream. There is potential that the Palmiter Method is much better suited for small stream erosion issues, using low-cost materials, and potentially beneficial to stream habitat (as measured using OEPA sampling methods). The Palmiter Method was initially vetted using a Researcher-On-Call (ROC) contract with Ohio University who looked at what was known about the technique and potential applications in the DOT. No actual installations were constructed and monitored for risks/benefits/cost comparisons with traditional methods. ODOT manages thousands of stream erosion issues across the state. The most predominant stream type and stream/road interaction in the system are smaller streams that erode around culverts, into embankments, and undermine road shoulders. Research is needed to investigate the use of the Palmiter Methods on small streams comparing the cost, time, success/failure, biological impact, permitting, stream hydrology, and structure longevity compared to more traditional methods used to maintain erosion on small streams. The goal of this research is to compare the Palmiter Method to traditional methods for erosion control in small streams.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • https://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/SPR/Research/reportsandplans/Lists/Final%20Reports%20All/Item/displayifs.aspx?List=47f3581d%2Df21c%2D403b%2D9358%2Dfea0b008772b&ID=824&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edot%2Estate%2Eoh%2Eus%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%2520Reports%2520All%2FAllItems%2Easpx%3FuseFiltersInViewXml%3D1%26FilterField1%3DCategories%26FilterValue1%3DEnvironmental%26FilterType1%3DMultiChoice%26FilterField2%3DProposal%5Fx0020%5FType%26FilterValue2%3DStandard%26FilterType2%3DChoice%26FilterField3%3DList%5Fx0020%5FCategori%26FilterValue3%3DActive%26FilterType3%3DChoice&ContentTypeId=0x0100BD006C89430C884FB603A74E63BB6849&RootFolder=%2FDivisions%2FPlanning%2FSPR%2FResearch%2Freportsandplans%2FLists%2FFinal%20Reports%20All

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $689,385.87
• Contract Numbers:

  43325

  123390

  136997

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Ohio Department of Transportation

  Research Program
  1980 West Broad Street
  Columbus, OH  United States  43223
• Project Managers:

  Spriggs, Jennifer

• Performing Organizations:

  Crawford, Murphy & Tilly

  Springfield, IL  United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Lacey, Heather

• Start Date: 20251202
• Expected Completion Date: 20281202
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Costs; Environmental impacts; Erosion control; Implementation; Stream restoration; Streams
• Geographic Terms: Ohio
• Subject Areas: Environment; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01973286
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 43325, 123390, 136997
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 2 2025 1:37PM