Ditch Maintenance

What This Service Involves

We clean, reshape, and regrade roadside and open drainage ditches to remove accumulated sediment and vegetation and re-establish the correct invert slope and cross-section. Over time, Western Washington's silt-laden runoff fills ditches and flattens their grade, causing shoulder ponding, pavement damage, and localized flooding. Our crews restore positive drainage while stabilizing disturbed slopes with seeding or matting to control erosion per state standards. Maintained reaches are documented with restored grades and lengths for your maintenance program.

Benefits

Restores designed invert slope and channel capacity; eliminates shoulder ponding that damages pavement; stabilizes reshaped slopes to control erosion; reduces localized flooding of roads and properties; documents restored grades for maintenance recordkeeping

Our Process

1) Survey ditch reaches and identify grade and sediment problems; 2) Set traffic control and erosion protections for the work zone; 3) Excavate, reshape, and regrade to the specified cross-section and slope; 4) Stabilize slopes, dispose of spoils, and record restored reaches

What Affects the Cost

Ditch length, depth, and volume of sediment removal; degree of regrading and slope stabilization needed; spoils hauling and disposal costs; proximity to sensitive waters requiring added controls; traffic control along the roadway

Best Time of Year

Ditch reshaping is best done in late summer and early fall so channels are restored and slope vegetation can establish before heavy winter rains.