Evaluation of Stream Crossing Culverts to Assess Impacts on Stream Morphology and Aquatic Passage-Part II

Permit conditions require burial of culverts a minimum of 12 inches or 20% in order to prevent "perched" pipes which could hinder aquatic organisms' passage. Observation indicated that burying the culverts resulted in stream instability including headcutting downstream in some streams. This project will document whether this instability has occurred at 11 culverts encompassing a variety of topographic and hydraulic conditions, stream channel variations, and locations. Documentation will include longitudinal and cross sectional surveys of the stream channels upstream and downstream of the culverts, which will be compared to similar surveys conducted in 2005. If the survey and geomorphic data show the stream channel has not changed significantly, then it will be considered stable. Rainfall and land use data for the period between assessments will be obtained to document changes that could have caused stream instability. An estimate of bank erosion hazard will also be conducted using the BEHI method. An assessment of aquatic organisms' ease of passage through the culverts will also be determined. A report synthesizing all of the results will be prepared and submitted along with spreadsheets of the data.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Completed
  • Funding: $32122.00
  • Contract Numbers:

    FHWA/NC/2013-15

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    North Carolina Department of Transportation

    Research and Development
    1549 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC  United States  27699-1549
  • Project Managers:

    Kirby, John

  • Performing Organizations:

    North Carolina State University, Raleigh

    Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
    Box 7625
    Raleigh, NC  United States  27695
  • Principal Investigators:

    Line, Daniel

  • Start Date: 20120816
  • Expected Completion Date: 0
  • Actual Completion Date: 20130816
  • Source Data: RiP Project 32196

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01467093
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: North Carolina Department of Transportation
  • Contract Numbers: FHWA/NC/2013-15
  • Files: RIP, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 3 2013 3:28PM