Culvert Cleaning

What This Service Involves

We clear accumulated sediment, gravel, woody debris, and beaver-related blockages from roadway and trail culverts to restore their full designed capacity. Plugged culverts in Western Washington are a leading cause of road washouts and upstream flooding during heavy rain, so proactive cleaning protects both infrastructure and adjacent properties. Our crews remove blockages by vactor, excavation, or hand methods depending on culvert size and access, and they inspect inlets, outlets, and structural condition during the work. Fish-passage culverts are handled with the added care and timing restrictions the region requires.

Benefits

Restores designed cross-drainage capacity to prevent washouts; reduces upstream flooding of roads and adjacent properties; combines cleaning with inlet, outlet, and structural inspection; applies fish-passage protections where regulations require; extends culvert service life by removing corrosive debris loads

Our Process

1) Inspect the culvert and assess blockage type and access; 2) Establish traffic control and any in-water work protections; 3) Remove sediment and debris by the appropriate method; 4) Inspect the barrel and ends, then document condition and clearance

What Affects the Cost

Culvert diameter, length, and blockage severity; removal method and equipment access; sediment and debris disposal volume; fish-passage timing and permit constraints; traffic control on the crossing roadway

Best Time of Year

Culvert cleaning is prioritized in late summer, which aligns with regional fish-window allowances and ensures crossings carry full flow before fall storms.