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Last month’s question involved actions you could take to ensure your camp road was prepped for the winter months, but your work doesn't stop there! Many camp roads have year-round residents living along them, requiring plowing and sanding to happen throughout the winter. The wear and tear of winter maintenance can be tough on gravel roads, but actions can be taken to ensure your road is functioning properly during these cold and snowy months, benefiting water quality and your road budget. Even if your road only has seasonal camps, it’s beneficial to walk the road periodically in the winter to check for any sticks and debris that may cause runoff issues during storms, which in recent years have included more rain. The Gravel Road Maintenance Manual (page 37 for winter maintenance) by the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection is one of the best resources for camp road maintenance information.
Here are a few actions from the manual that you can take this winter:
1. Avoid over-sanding.
Adding excess sand to your road during the winter months can offset the correct road material ratio of gravel, sand, and fines. Having too much sand can cause the road to be slippery during wet conditions and dusty during dry conditions. Sand can also accumulate in road ditches over time, altering runoff flow during storms and spring thaws.
2. Make sure your plow operator plows all the way to the sides.
By plowing all the way to the side of the road, runoff is able to drain off the road properly and not flow down the middle of the road. If the snow isn't plowed off to the sides completely, it can act as a barrier by not allowing water to reach the ditch.
3. Mark all culvert ends, ditch turnouts, and BMP’s.
Snow can cover up these important areas of drainage. Make sure each area is marked so your snow plow operator is aware of them and can clear them, allowing runoff to properly drain off the road into a stable buffer. These areas are especially important during intense winter storm events and spring thaw, so make sure they’re being cleared.
It’s not recommended to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) like rubber razors, open-top culverts, etc. along gravel roads that are plowed. But in the event one is installed or the road you don’t typically plow needs to be plowed, by marking the BMP you’re letting the plow operator know about it so it can be avoided.
4. Have set plans to remove snow plow berms and re-crown the road in the spring.
Over time, snow plows will chew away at the crown in the road, leaving small berms of dirt on each side of the road. It’s important to remove these as quickly as possible and re-crown the road before spring rainstorms. This way, you can enjoy another summer of a properly functioning road, minimizing its impact to water quality.
5. Talk to your plow operator!
By talking to your plow operator, asking them questions, and letting them know about important areas like ditch turnouts, culverts, and BMPs, you can be confident your road will divert runoff properly, be safe to drive on, and protect water quality.
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