Forest road design with soil sediment evaluation using a high-resolution DEM

Abstract

In this study, we combined a program to optimize forest road alignments with a method for prediction of surface erosion and related sediment delivered to streams. Combining the forest road design program with the high-resolution digital elevation model made it possible to estimate soil sediment based on a standard methodology, because a relatively accurate road prism could be generated. The combined program properly places and spaces drainage structures based on the Washington State Forest practice board manual. We applied the program to a part of Capitol State Forest in Washington State and optimized horizontal and vertical alignments while estimating movement of soil sediment from roads to streams. We discussed the effects of road surface materials, near-stream culvert distance to stream, and out-sloped forest road template on total road costs and soil sediment delivered to streams. Using lower quality rock surfacing reduced total costs, but the amount of soil sediment from lower quality rock surfacing was 1.5 times more than that on a higher quality rock traction surface. Therefore, lower quality rock surfacing should not be used near the stream. The placement of near-stream culverts 15 m upstream and out-sloped road template were examined using a traction surface on 15-m sections upstream and lower quality rock surfacing on other sections in order to reduce soil sediments to the stream and total costs. As a result, placing near-stream culverts 15 m upstream and using an out-sloped road template significantly reduced total road cost and soil sediment. Finally, we optimized horizontal and vertical alignments while limiting soil sediment to a specified maximum level. The model successfully optimized forest road alignments, which reduced total road cost as well as soil sediment.