Curious about culverts? These essential structures can do more than you might think! When well-maintained and properly sized and placed, culverts channel water runoff in ways that help protect the health of our lakes. By guiding runoff water effectively, they prevent erosion, washouts, and flooding, keeping sediment and pollutants out of our lakes. Below are some tips for you to maintain the culverts on your property in a lake-friendly way year-round, especially during fall rains and spring runoff.
Simple Steps to Clean and Maintain Lake-Friendly Culverts:
- Clear away debris. Remove rocks, leaves, and plant material blocking the inlet or outfall of the culvert. Blockages can quickly lead to backups of runoff water and erosion in areas around the culvert.
- Check headwalls. Inspect the stone or concrete headwalls on either side of the culvert for structural issues or cracks. Since these structures help guide water flow, prevent washouts, and support the culvert’s durability, it is important they are in good condition.
- Remove sediment buildup. Use a long-handled garden hoe to scrape out sediment inside the culvert. Clearing this sediment restores water flow and keeps the culvert functioning as intended.
- Capture loose sediment. Dig and maintain a small hole at the downhill end of the culvert to catch loose sediment. This prevents clogging in downstream ditches and other culverts, which helps with overall drainage.
- Stabilize the land. Maintain deeper-rooted vegetation downhill of the culvert. Plants like trees and shrubs help capture loose material in the runoff water. Their trunks and lower branches help slow down the flow of water. And, their roots stabilize the soil from being washed away.
- Consider an upgrade if needed. If your culvert is more than 30 percent filled with sediment or causes frequent erosion, it may be time to upgrade to a larger diameter pipe, which can handle more water flow and prevent future issues.
Understanding Culvert Ownership
Who owns a culvert and is responsible for maintaining it can be tricky to pinpoint, but it doesn’t change their impact on the land and water around them. Consider reaching out to your neighbors or to town and state officials to learn more about culvert ownership and maintenance responsibilities in your area. Sharing observations and concerns and ensuring regular maintenance can make a big difference in protecting your property and the lake!
Use the LakeSmart Program to Your Advantage
Culvert care is just one step in protecting New Hampshire’s lakes and landscapes. Consider becoming LakeSmart to learn more about simple, lake-friendly practices that keep our lakes healthy.
To learn more about becoming LakeSmart, visit nhlakes.org/lakesmart. Becoming LakeSmart benefits your property, your community, and the lake you love, helping to keep them clean, healthy, and beautiful for all to enjoy.
by Ale Consulting