Some type of planned crossing is necessary to protect water quality at these points. Careful consideration must be given to the type of crossing to be used, and in constructing the crossing. The number of crossings on any given stream should be minimized in order to minimize the area of disturbance, simplify construction, and keep costs as low as possible. The use of culverts is the most common method for constructing stream crossings associated with forestry activities.
Place culverts in a section of the stream channel that is relatively straight.
Place the bottom of the culvert at the same elevation and the same slope as the bottom of the stream. Use a culvert with an opening diameter large enough to carry the normal flow expected. Culvert sizing for permanent installations should be based on the nature of the stream channel to be crossed, or on the size and nature of the watershed above the crossing. A forestry professional can help you determine the appropriate size culverts for your stream crossings. When crossing broad channels or wetlands, several small culverts, spaced throughout the crossing, are preferable to a single large one.