Avoid Putting Gravel On Roads (Save a Ton of Money!)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares practical tips for maintaining dirt roads, emphasizing the importance of proper grading and water management to avoid erosion. They discuss the pros and cons of adding rock to roads, highlighting how it can be costly and impractical, especially when planning future activities like logging or wildfire management. With a focus on maintaining water bars, avoiding costly mistakes, and considering long-term needs, the speaker offers insightful advice for keeping dirt roads in top condition without the need for expensive rock investments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regular road maintenance, especially after heavy rain, is essential to prevent erosion and rutting on dirt roads.
• 💧 Water bars are an effective tool for controlling water runoff and preventing soil erosion, but they require regular maintenance.
• 🛠️ Shovels, picks, and hoes are good tools for digging water bars, especially in soft decomposed granite soil.
• 🚜 Adding rock to a road can limit flexibility for future activities like logging or road modifications, making it harder to alter the road when needed.
• 🌧️ During wet weather, it's best to avoid driving on roads that can’t handle the moisture to prevent long-term damage.
• 🌲 Logging activities can mix dirt and rock on a road, potentially ruining the rock layer and requiring expensive repairs.
• 🛑 Rock is useful for all-weather access in areas with harsh winter conditions, but it can cause complications for future logging operations.
• 🔥 Roads can be crucial for fire line access in wildfire scenarios, but rock might be disturbed during firefighting efforts.
• 🔨 Water bars and proper grading can significantly reduce the need for extensive road repairs in the future, saving time and money.
• 📏 When considering whether to add rock, think about future uses like logging or fire access, and evaluate how those activities could impact the road.

Q & A

Why does the speaker avoid using rock on most of their roads?

The speaker avoids using rock on most roads due to its high cost, difficulty in maintenance, and the risk of damaging it during logging or other heavy activities. They also prefer dirt roads as they are easier to adjust when needed.

What is a water bar, and how is it used in road maintenance?

A water bar is a small ditch or trench that is dug diagonally across a road to redirect water off the surface. It helps prevent erosion and the formation of ruts by directing runoff away from vulnerable areas.

Why does the speaker emphasize not grading the road during wet weather?

Grading the road during wet weather can worsen the situation by disturbing the mud, which could lead to further erosion and damage. It is better to wait until the dry season to make major adjustments.

What are the potential problems with using rock on a road, according to the speaker?

Rock on the road can be problematic when engaging in activities like logging, as it can be damaged or mixed with dirt, which would require expensive repairs. It also limits the flexibility for future road modifications.

What is the significance of crown and side slope in road design?

Crowning and side sloping are techniques used to direct water off the road. A crowned road has a slight peak in the middle, while side slopes help ensure water flows off the edges rather than running down tire tracks, reducing erosion.

What role does vegetation play in road maintenance, according to the speaker?

Vegetation can help control erosion by stabilizing the soil, but it also requires maintenance. The speaker points out that roads exposed to the sun are more prone to grass and weeds growing, which requires additional work to manage.

How does the speaker prevent erosion on their dirt roads?

The speaker uses water bars to redirect runoff and prevent soil from washing away. They also maintain the roads regularly by checking for rut formation and addressing any problems before they worsen.

What are the disadvantages of a rocked road when logging timber?

A rocked road can complicate logging activities because the rock could get mixed with dirt or damaged by heavy equipment, requiring expensive repairs. It also limits the ability to modify the road for logging purposes.

What factors did the speaker consider when deciding whether or not to rock the road?

The speaker considered the cost of rock, the future need for flexibility in road maintenance (especially for logging), and the potential damage to the rock during timber harvesting. They also considered how often the road would be used during wet weather.

Why does the speaker choose not to rock the road for winter access despite some advantages?

The speaker decided against rock due to the increased cost and future maintenance. The road also accesses more timber, meaning it could be impacted more during logging, and they would need to focus on maintenance to avoid damaging the rock.