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BMP C207: Check Dams <br />PuYpose Construction of small dams across a swale or ditch reduces the velocity of <br />concentrated flow and dissipates energy at the check dam. <br />Conditions of Use where temporary channels or permanent channels are not yet vegetated, <br />channel lining is infeasible, and velocity checks are required. <br />• Check dams may not be placed in streams unless approved by the State <br />Department of Fish and Wildlife. Check dams may not be placed in <br />wetlands without approval from a permitting agency. <br />• Check dams shall not be placed below the expected backwater from <br />any salmonid bearing water between October 1 and May 31 to ensure <br />that there is no loss of high flow refuge habitat for overwintering <br />juvenile salmonids and emergent salmonid fiy. <br />Design and Whatever material is used, the dam should form a triangle when viewed <br />Installation from the side. This prevents undercutting as water flows over the face of <br />Specifications the dam rather than falling directly onto the ditch bottom. <br />Check dams in association with sumps work more effectively at slowing <br />flow and retaining sediment than just a check dam alone. A deep sump <br />should be provided immediately upstream of the check dam. <br />• In some cases, if carefully located and designed, check dams can <br />remain as permanent installations with very minor regrading. They <br />may be left as either spillways, in which case accumulated sediment <br />would be graded and seeded, or as check dams to prevent further <br />sediment from leaving the site. <br />• Check dams can be constructed of either rock or pea-gravel filled bags. <br />Numerous new products are also available for this purpose. They tend <br />to be re-usable, quick and easy to install, effective, and cost efficient. <br />• Check dams should be placed perpendicular to the flow of water. <br />• The maximum spacing between the dams shall be such that the toe of <br />the upst�•eam dam is at the same elevation as the top of the downstream <br />dam. <br />• Keep the maximum height at 2 feet at the center of the dam. <br />• Keep the center of the check dam at least 12 inches lower than the <br />outer edges at natural ground elevation. <br />• Keep the side slopes of the check dam at 2:1 or flatter. <br />• Key the stone into the ditch banks and extend it beyond the abutments <br />a minimum of 18 inches to avoid washouts from overflow around the <br />dam. <br />February 2005 Volume ll — Construction Sformwater Pollution Prevention 4-75 <br />