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