Managing Forest Roads

Rolling dip, mid-picture, on an out-sloped road. Source: Bill Weaver, Pacific Watershed Associates.

Roads are an essential improvement on your forest property. They provide access for recreation and for management activities. Roads are also the major environmental impact we have on the forest and watershed, being the principal source of erosion and stream sedimentation. Properly sited and constructed roads will produce minimal environmental impact and minimize maintenance effort and costs such as potholes that need repeated filling, and washboarding and rutting which requires annual blading.

In addition to the physical and biological aspects of roads, there are many social/legal aspects to consider: easements, maintenance agreements, access and trespass. For an overview of road maintenance and design issues, please see Forest Stewardship Series 17- Forest Roads

More UC Resources:

Rural Roads - Construction and Maintenance Guide for California Landowners

View the UCCE hosted 14-part video play list on forest roads covering topics such as geologic constraints, drainage, slope stabilization, erosion, road materials, and more.