Figure 17A. Using grade breaks to divert water.
Figure 17B. Good application of grade breaks.
Figure 18. Water bar for water diversion.
Figure 19A. Constructing water bars with mechanized equipment.
WATER BARS – TOP VIEW
Figure 19B. Re-vegetated water bar on closed logging road.
Skid trails are unsurfaced single-lane trails or narrow roads, usually steeper and narrower than a truck haul road, and are used for skidding harvested products, such as logs, tree lengths, or other roundwood products, from the stump to a common landing or concentration area.
Locate landings first and lay out approaches with low grades. Major skid trails should have planned locations to minimize damage to the residual stand, reduce erosion and sedimentation, and provide the most economical method for skidding products.
Many forested tracts in Ohio already have existing roads. Many of these existing roads are eroding and have washed-out areas due to lack of maintenance or bad location and design. Old roads often do not meet present BMP guidelines for design or location. Consider the effects of construction, continued use, and maintenance when making decisions regarding existing roads.
Keep grades less than 20 percent when possible. Steeper grades are acceptable when other practices, such as water diversions or large water bars, are used to prevent channelized water flow down the skid trail. Whenever possible, do not cross contours at a right angle with skid roads. Do not go straight up the hill, but proceed slanting up the slope (Figures 17A and 17B).
Avoid stream channels, rocky places, spring seeps, adverse grades, and wet areas.
Avoid long, steep grades and creating entrenched roads by taking advantage of natural cross drainage by locating skid trails on hillsides and changing (breaking) road grade as the slope changes. Where no natural grade breaks exist, grade breaks can be obtained by turning the skid trails up the hill a few feet then turning downhill again. By reversing grade in this way, water will run off the downhill side of the skid trails. Rolling dips and temporary water bars can also be employed to control drainage. Maintenance of skid roads during use is necessary to direct surface water.
Also see Section VI, Stream Crossings.
Keep skid trails out of stream side filter and shade strips. (Also see Section VII, Filter and Shade Strips.)
Restored stream crossings and channels should be clear of slash and restored to their natural shape and grade.
At the time of temporary, seasonal, or job completion, skid trails should receive proper erosion control treatments. These could include water bars, rolling dips, application of logging debris, and seed and straw application. (Also see Section VIII, Sale Closing.)
Logging debris can be used as an erosion control treatment in conjunction with water bars on skid trails. Brush and logs need to be limbed sufficiently so there is enough ground contact to break the flow of water on the ground. Large limbs and small logs should lay with the contour of the hill.
Figure 20. Alternative water bars: hand construction.
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 | SPACING OF WATER BARS Place water bars: 20’ on steep slopes 50’ on medium slopes 100’ on slight slopes |
The erosion control practice shown above requires a considerable amount of hand labor. The more common practice is to install these devices with bulldozers using the blade.