Erosion Help Needed

[72chevyblazer]

We have a path that goes through a wash. The path is located where it is because the water flow had created a natural path to start with and over the years it has been smoothed and widened by various people and machines. No matter what has been done so far, when we get big rains, it erodes again and becomes nearly unpassable. Obviously this is happening because the path was built where the water naturally flows.
At the present time, we just had it cleared and leveled again and would like to know if anyone has any ideas on what we can do to try to keep it in better shape when it rains again.
This is in Texas, near the panhandle.

 

[foreman Etexas]

We have a path that goes through a wash. The path is located where it is because the water flow had created a natural path to start with and over the years it has been smoothed and widened by various people and machines. No matter what has been done so far, when we get big rains, it erodes again and becomes nearly unpassable. Obviously this is happening because the path was built where the water naturally flows.
At the present time, we just had it cleared and leveled again and would like to know if anyone has any ideas on what we can do to try to keep it in better shape when it rains again.
This is in Texas, near the panhandle.

It looks to be right in the creek/run off channel coming off big hill. So without building road up and installing culvert so water can go under road,I dont see it stopping. Can slow water down by installing diversion ditch higher up and putting rocks in but its really hard to tell were water is exactly coming from and how much is coming down to try and get slowed down or turned....

 

[teg]

Do you have photos of what it looks like when it's washed out? Is it straight down the middle or cutting across the road?

...and how much does concrete cost in your area

 

[72chevyblazer]

The water seema to run right down the middle which washes all the loose stuff down exposing the rocks. Then the rocks break creating ledges, etc.
I don't have any pictures of it washed out handy, but will try to find a few.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Do you have photos of what it looks like when it's washed out? Is it straight down the middle or cutting across the road?

...and how much does concrete cost in your area

To me looks like in second picture the water is coming down beside big rock on left,cutting across the road but im sure without ditches and the build up on sides water running down road also. Just a guess,on my part...

 

[dodge man]

Its hard to tell by the photos, but it looks like you need some kind of ditch that runs along side the road, but then you need a place to outlet the water from the ditch.

 

[72chevyblazer]

I think a ditch or 2 would help as well. We are in the process of buying a tractor so we will have something available to move some dirt ourselves. In the past to smooth it back out meant hiring a dozer so we didn't fix it as often as we probably should have
When we get the tractor I can work on adding some type of ditches to keep the water to the side. I'm not too worried about the bottom since it has water there most times and doesn't create much of a problem for crossing.

 

[gengine]

I would have to say a culvert in the bottom right where the bottom is, then bury it, building up the road so you have drainage off the two edges that drain towards the culvert, and under the road.

 

[SandburRanch]

A series of dikes/dams about 4" tall at a slight angle across the width will direct the water to the sides. Every other dike angled in the opposite direction diverts half the water to each side.

 

[2manyrocks]

One of the most helpful resources I have found are the technical papers here: Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies

They are all free, and the illustrations are easy to follow.

The general idea is get the water off your road instead of running down your road. How you accomplish this in your particular situation might involve ditches, crowning your road, and other methods followed up with ongoing maintenance.