How to Survey

Stream Smart Crossings

Stream Smart Design

Structures that match natural channels

– shape, slope, materials & elevations.

Crossings mimic reference channels.

Flows and depths in new structures present

no more of a challenge to movement of

organisms than natural channels.

• Thorough site assessment w/good reference reach(es)

• Set slope and elevations of structure & channel correctly

• Size structure to match stream cross-section dimensions

and with excess capacity to pass large storm events

• Match natural substrate in bed and banks

Keys to Successful

Stream Smart Design

Rules of Thumb (4 S’s)

• Span the stream

– Cross Section

• Set elevation right

– Stream Profile

• Slope matches stream

– Stream Profile

• Substrate in the crossing

– Bed and bank characterization

Survey Tools

Total Station (& Data Logger)

Auto-Level / Transit

Laser Level

Plus… Tripod, Stadia Rod,

Tapes/Rulers, Benchmark materials,

Digital Camera, Clipboard, Forms, etc!

Stream Simulation Spreadsheets

Field Assessment Data

• S3a_Field_Data_Review_2013_2016_060317_1878.xlsm

• S3a_Field_Data_Review_Ex2010_060717_1878.xlsm

• S3b_Particle_Count_120617_1878.xlsm

• Plus (by request): S3c-Roughness_Elements_062617.xlsm

S3e_Mannings_n_041017.xlsm

• Alternative: Reference Reach Spreadsheet v4-3 for

level surveys only

Stream Simulation Spreadsheets

Field Assessment Data

• S3a_Field_Data_Review_2013_2016_060317_1878.xlsm

• S3a_Field_Data_Review_Ex2010_060717_1878.xlsm

• S3b_Particle_Count_120617_1878.xlsm

• Plus (by request): S3c-Roughness_Elements_062617.xlsm

S3e_Mannings_n_041017.xlsm

• Alternative: Reference Reach Spreadsheet v4-3 for

level surveys only

Field Assessment

• Scoping

Desktop

On-site

• Profile

• Cross-Section

• Bed Characterization

• Documentation

Scoping (pre-survey)

Mapping – Google or GIS &

Maine Stream Habitat Viewer

Hydrology – StreamStats

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

Scoping

Field Assessment

What volume of flow are we allowing for?

100-year storm event

What species are we concerned about?

All aquatic, semi-aquatic & terrestrial animals that might use the crossing

Field Assessment

Hydrology

USGS StreamStats

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Hydrology

Scoping

Field Assessment

Total Pre-Site Visit Scoping = 1 Hour

• Documentation• Photos, Site Map, Notes

• Stream Profile• Bed elevations

• Slope

• Scour potential

• Road /structure height

• Cross Section• Width, depth (area)

• Bed characterization• Stream bed material size

• Bank material size

Field Assessment

Field

Forms

Field Assessment

Example Profile:

Brownfield, Maine

Stream Profile

Field Assessment

Start survey upstream from existing crossing 20 - 30 times the

width of the stream in distance to find an undisturbed reach

Bridgton crossing 17.3’ bankfull width, so

Survey 350-520’ upstream & 350-520’ downstream

Stream Profile

Field Assessment

Field Assessment - Stream Profile

The goal is to measure a series of features that represent

relatively consistent reference conditions and patterns

NOT affected by the road and crossing

Stream Profile

Field Assessment

The goal is to measure a series of features that represent

relatively consistent reference conditions and patterns

NOT affected by the road and crossing

Stream Profile

Field Assessment

The goal is to measure a series of features that represent

relatively consistent reference conditions and patterns

NOT affected by the road and crossing

http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdf/StreamSimulation/lo_res/Chapter5a.pdf

http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/pdf/StreamSimulation/lo_res/Chapter5a.pdf

POOL MAX.

DEPTH

Cross-Section

Measure both upstream and downstream of the crossing in an

undisturbed location – usually at riffles or tops of steps

Field Assessment

XS1 RLStart at the RiverLeft end of the cross-section

higher than 2 bankfull depths

Bankfull Width / Depth

Floodprone Width / Depth

Bed Characterization

Field Assessment

Subsurface

Pebble Count

Feature Codes

Field Assessment

Feature Codes

Field Assessment

Documentation

Field Assessment

Photos

Site Map

Notes:

Benchmarks

Occupy Points

Turning Points

Documentation - Photos

Field Assessment

Inlet Upstream Outlet Downstream

Top Survey (US) Bottom Survey (DS)

XS# Downstream Upstream RiverLeft RiverRight

Documentation – Site Map

Field Assessment

Documentation – Notes

Field Assessment

Rules of Thumb (4 S’s)

Span the stream

Set elevation right

Slope and skew match

stream

Substrate in the crossing

The Golden Rule:

Let the stream act like a stream