Listed in Stormwater Management
Highway departments do more than just plow snow and patch potholes - they are stewards of the environment, particularly when it comes to the health of local watersheds. Every culvert installed, ditch cleared, and storm drain maintained can have a significant impact on the water quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands downstream. This makes watershed protection a fundamental responsibility of highway crews, especially in communities governed by MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) regulations.
Understanding the Watershed Connection
A watershed is an area of land that channels rainfall and snowmelt into creeks, streams, and eventually larger bodies of water. Roads, ditches, and stormwater systems all influence how this runoff moves, and what it carries with it. When poorly managed, road runoff can introduce sediment, oil, salt, debris, and other pollutants directly into surface waters. Over time, this degrades water quality and damages aquatic habitats.
Key Responsibilities of Highway Departments
Maintaining Stormwater Infrastructure
Storm drains, catch basins, culverts, and drainage ditches are vital for controlling runoff and preventing flooding. But these systems also serve as conduits for pollutants. Routine maintenance, such as vacuuming sediment from basins and jetting culverts, helps keep these systems functioning efficiently and prevents contaminants from entering natural waterways.
Erosion and Sediment Control
During road repairs, ditch cleaning, or new construction, disturbed soil can easily wash into nearby streams if not properly managed. Highway departments must use best practices such as silt fencing, hay bales, or hydroseeding to stabilize soil and minimize erosion.
Smart Salt Application
Winter road treatment is essential for safety, but salt and brine can wreak havoc on water quality. Modern practices such as pre-wetting salt, calibrating spreaders, and using weather-responsive application rates help reduce the amount of salt entering the watershed.
Illicit Discharge Prevention
Highway crews are often the first to observe illegal dumping or unpermitted discharges into storm drains or ditches. A trained staff that knows what to look for, and how to report it, can be an important line of defense against watershed pollution.
Inventorying and Mapping Assets
Knowing where stormwater infrastructure exists is half the battle. Many municipalities are now turning to asset management systems to inventory and map their stormwater features. This helps prioritize maintenance, track inspections, and identify areas at risk of contributing to watershed degradation.
Why It Matters
Protecting watershed health isn’t just good for the environment, it’s required by law in many areas. MS4 communities, in particular, are obligated to implement best management practices (BMPs) that reduce pollutants in stormwater. Failure to comply can result in fines and enforcement actions.
But beyond regulations, there's a bigger picture: healthy watersheds mean clean drinking water, vibrant wildlife, and recreational opportunities for the community. Highway departments are on the front lines of this effort.
Watershed protection may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a highway department, but it’s a critical part of the job. Through smart design, regular maintenance, and environmentally responsible practices, highway departments can safeguard the health of their local watersheds—and the communities they serve.
Interested in learning how asset management can help your highway department protect watershed health? Visit Roadwurx.com for more tools and insights.