|
|
Timber Harvesting
Cross-Ditches
Other Harvesting Activities
-
- Stabilize or reclaim landings and temporary roads on completion of use.
- For each landing, skid trail, or fire trail, provide and maintain a drainage system to control the dispersal of water and to prevent sediment from entering streams.
- Install necessary cross-ditches on tractor skid trails. Appropriate spacing between cross-ditches is determined by the soil type and slope of the skid trails. Timely implementation is important.
- When natural re-vegetation is inadequate to prevent accelerated erosion before the next growing season, apply seed or construct cross-ditches on skid trails, landings, and fire trails. A fight ground cover of slash or mulch will retard erosion.
Ditches, cross ditches, or outsloping can prevent water accumulation on landings. Be sure to cross-ditch skid trails leading down to landings.
Cross-ditches divert surface water from bare soil to areas where it will not cause erosion. They should be constructed on roads, landings, and skid trails (pictured). Cross-ditches can be constructed with a shovel, but mechanical equipment is most common. Cut the cross-ditches into solid soil, at least 8 inches deep. Shape the berm, parallel to the cut, at least 12 inches above the skid trail grade. Construct the cut downward, but not more than at a 45 degree angle, so water runs to the outlet. Be sure the cross-ditch is open at the lower end so water runs out. Water should flow onto slash, vegetation, or rocks. When temporary spur roads are cross-ditched, be sure to connect the waterbar into "cutslope" to intercept all surface flow.
Recommended Cross-ditch Spacing Distance for Roads and Skid Trails
| Grade of Road or Trail (5) |
Unstable Soils (High Erosion Hazard) |
Stable Soils (Low Erosion Hazard) |
|
| 2 |
135' |
170' |
| 5 |
100' |
140' |
| 10 |
80' |
115' |
| 15 |
60' |
90' |
| 20 |
45' |
60' |
| 25+ |
30' |
40' |
|
More Timber Harvest Information: < < Last | Next > >
 
|
|
