819 N BROADWAY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY 2018-05-11

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