Forest Management_Content Page_WRCS Instructions

Instructions For Completing The Water Resource Crossing Survey (WRCS)

The goal of the WRCS is to create a repeatable water resource crossing inventory methodology to evaluate the maintenance needs of forest road crossings on all state properties in Wisconsin. With a complete crossing inventory, each property can better prioritize structure replacement and road closure, secure funding for stream and wetland crossings and better protect Wisconsin’s forested watersheds.

Completing The Water Resource Crossing Survey

In the WRCS, there are some questions that should be answered for all water resource crossings surveyed. There are also questions specific to the water resource crossing categories.

All Water Resources

There are 10 questions to complete for all water resources:

  • Record the location on the map
  • Date
  • Observer name
  • Property code
  • Road type
  • Great Lakes Stream Crossing Inventory (GLSCI) recommendation
  • Replacing old survey
  • Crossing name
  • Crossing signed
  • Other notes or comments

Roads

There are five road type options:

  • Improved Open Road (IM OP) – For the purpose of the WRCS, an improved open road is built above grade and open with no gate or berms preventing traffic from using it.
  • Improved Closed Road (IM CL) – An improved closed road is a road built above grade but is closed to traffic via berm, gate or other physical method.
  • At-Grade Open Road (AG OP) – An at-grade open road is not improved or built up with rock, gravel or frequent grading/shaping and is open to all traffic.
  • At-Grade Closed Road (AG CL) – An at-grade closed road is not improved and is closed to vehicle traffic via gate, berm or other physical method.
  • Forested Road (FR) – A forested road, for the purpose of the WRCS, is allowed to return to completely forested or native vegetation composition and not maintained as a road for vehicle traffic. FRs are not part of a permanent, maintained road network.

Photos

There are five questions about photos of the crossing. The title of each photo will direct the user where to stand when taking the photo and whether the photo should be of the structure’s inlet or outlet.

Woods vantage point of inlet: The user should stand in the woods or nearby landscape and take photo from the inlet side of the crossing. The inlet is the side that water flows into.

Road vantage point of inlet: The user should stand on the road and take photo from the inlet side of the crossing. The inlet is the side that water flows into.

Woods vantage point of outlet: The user should stand in the woods or nearby landscape and take photo from the outlet side of the crossing. The outlet is the side that water flows out from.

Road vantage point of outlet: The user should stand on the road and take photo from the outlet side of the crossing. The outlet is the side that water flows out from.

Inlet and outlet from road: The user should stand on the road and take a photo with both the inlet and outlet present in the photo.

If there is no water present at the time of the survey, estimate the inlet and outlet based on the slope of the crossing and surrounding landscape. Inlet/outlet photos of the structure are very important, so make sure to get a clear shot of the entire structure and a view from the inside of it (at least from one end). This may be difficult depending on vegetation, structure size, how full the structure is and depth of water. Including photos that are not ideal is better than not including any photos.

Crossing Category: Streams

Streams are defined for the WRSC to have bed and bank present either upstream, downstream or present both upstream and downstream of the crossing. A stream has a defined channel. Bed material can include sand, gravel, cobble/boulders, bedrock, macrophytes and organic debris. Banks can be formed by deposition, scour/erosion or vegetation. Streams can be completely dry most of the year. 

A stream channel only has to be present on one side of the crossing to be considered a stream. Check upstream and downstream before determining that a stream is not present. 

Streams With Single Culverts

There are nine additional questions to answer when surveying a stream with a single culvert:

  • Culvert material
  • Culvert shape
  • Number of culverts
  • Culvert size
  • Is the culvert plugged?
  • Is the culvert perched?
  • Is there evidence of overtopping?
  • Is there evidence of ponding?
  • Culvert condition

For culvert diameter, measure the inside diameter of the structure. For non-round culverts, measure the width of the culvert and indicate the height of the culvert in the notes section.

Determine if the inlet or outlet of the culvert is perched by looking closely at the bottom elevation of the culvert compared to the stream elevation. A perched culvert is higher than the streambed elevation.

For culvert condition, evaluate the level of deterioration present. A culvert that is new or has no noticeable deterioration is the highest condition ranking. This is followed by culverts with light, moderate or heavy deterioration. A road that is partially or completely closed due to the culvert condition is the lowest condition ranking. A description and photos of culvert condition categories is provided in the survey.

For culverts that appear to be between condition categories, err on the side of the worse condition.

Streams With Multiple Culverts

There are nine additional questions to answer when surveying a stream with multiple culverts:

  • Culvert material
  • Culvert shape
  • Number of culverts
  • Culvert size
  • Is the culvert plugged?
  • Is the culvert perched?
  • Is there evidence of overtopping?
  • Is there evidence of ponding?
  • Culvert condition

For streams with multiple culverts with the same characteristics (i.e., size, material, condition, etc.) at the same crossing, complete all questions for the culvert carrying the most flow. If there are multiple culverts carrying similar amounts of flow with different characteristics, submit multiple surveys and add a note indicating that the culverts are all at the same crossing location.

For culvert diameter, measure the inside diameter of the structure. For non-round culverts, measure the width of the culvert and indicate the height of the culvert in the notes section. 

Determine if the inlet or outlet of the culvert is perched by looking closely at the bottom elevation of the culvert compared to the stream elevation. A perched culvert is higher than the streambed elevation.

For culvert condition, evaluate the level of deterioration present. A culvert that is new or has no noticeable deterioration is the highest condition ranking. This is followed by culverts with light, moderate or heavy deterioration. A road that is partially or completely closed due to the culvert condition is the lowest condition ranking. A description and photos of culvert condition categories is provided in the survey.

For culverts that appear to be between condition categories, err on the side of the worse condition.

Streams With Bridges

There is one additional question to answer for streams with bridges:

  • Condition of the bridge

To rate the condition of a bridge, evaluate the crossing based on its capacity to carry traffic. This criterion is based on the size of the bridge, the weight limit and current structural integrity. Bridges that are designed and built for logging trucks receive the highest ranking, followed by bridges that have capacity for harvesting equipment, pick-up trucks or UTVs/ATVs. Finally, bridges that are not safe for any vehicle traffic receive the lowest ranking.

Streams With Fords

There are three additional questions to answer for streams with fords:

  • Is there ponding evidence?
  • Is there channel widening?
  • Condition of the ford

To rate the condition of a ford, evaluate the crossing based on its capacity to carry traffic. Fords that are designed and built for logging trucks receive the highest ranking, followed by fords that have capacity for harvesting equipment, pick-up trucks or UTVs/ATVs. Finally, fords that are not safe for any vehicle traffic receive the lowest ranking.

Evaluate the ford for artificial channel widening at the crossing location. Select “yes” if the crossing appears wider than the representative upstream and downstream reaches of the stream. 

Streams With Other Structures

There are two additional questions to answer for streams with any other structure type:

  • Is there ponding evidence?
  • Condition of the structure

To rate the condition of a miscellaneous stream crossing structure, evaluate the crossing based on its capacity to carry traffic. Miscellaneous structures that are designed and built for logging trucks receive the highest ranking, followed by structures that have capacity for harvesting equipment, pick-up trucks or UTVs/ATVs. Finally, miscellaneous structures that are not safe for any vehicle traffic receive the lowest ranking.

Streams With No Structure

There are two additional questions to answer for stream crossings with no structure:

  • Is there ponding evidence?
  • Is there channel widening?

Evaluate the crossing for artificial channel widening at the crossing location. Select “yes” if the crossing appears wider than the representative upstream and downstream reaches of the stream.

It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete a stream crossing survey.

Crossing Category: Wetlands

Wetland equalization crossings are defined for the WRCS to have wetlands on both sides of a crossing with no bed or bank present. Wetlands can be identified for the purpose of this question by primarily vegetation, followed by topography and mapping resources. Finally, soils can be used to assist a determination. The presence of water should be considered cautiously. Water can be present in ditches following precipitation events, or water can be absent from wetlands most times of the year. If probing/walking into the water causes a release of bubbles, remember this means water was sitting in that location for a while. Very soft soils with high organic content can be another sign of wetland presence.

In some cases, ditches will hold water long enough to become wetlands. In those cases, the user will evaluate all ditch equalization or overland flow relief culverts under the wetland crossing category. Select “yes” if the ditch appears to be the only source of water near the crossing (upland environment outside of ditches). If there are wetlands present outside the ditch on one or both sides, do not check “yes."

Wetlands With Single Culverts

There are 11 additional questions to answer for wetlands with single culverts:

  • Culvert material
  • Culvert shape
  • Number of culverts
  • Culvert size
  • Culvert length
  • Culvert skewedness
  • Is the culvert plugged?
  • Is the culvert perched?
  • Is there evidence of overtopping?
  • Is there evidence of ponding?
  • Culvert condition

Do not bend the measuring tape over the road when measuring culvert length. 

For culvert diameter, measure the inside diameter of the structure. For non-round culverts, measure the width of the culvert and indicate the height of the culvert in the notes section.

Determine if the inlet or outlet of the culvert is perched by looking closely at the bottom elevation of the culvert compared to the wetland elevation. A perched culvert is higher than the wetland elevation. 

For culvert condition, evaluate the level of deterioration present. A culvert that is new or has no noticeable deterioration is the highest condition ranking. This is followed by culverts with light, moderate or heavy deterioration. A road that is partially or completely closed due to the culvert condition is the lowest condition ranking. A description and photos of culvert condition categories is provided in the survey.

For culverts that appear to be between condition categories, err on the side of the worse condition.

The skew relates the angle of the culvert to the road. A culvert that is perpendicular to the road has no skew, or zero degrees of skew. Moderate skew is defined as a culvert having 1-19 degrees of skew. Major skew is defined as a culvert having 20 degrees or more of skew. (An easy way to tell is culverts that are 1/3 of their length off perpendicular are skewed about 20 degrees). For example, a 30-foot-long road culvert where the ends are about 10 feet away from perpendicular are at roughly 20 degrees. 

Upstream road fill depth is the depth of the road fill over the inlet side of the culvert. Downstream road fill depth is the depth of the road fill over the outlet side of the culvert. To record upstream and downstream road fill depth, stand in front of the inlet or outlet and hold the measuring stick on top of the culvert. Read the measurement from the road. If completing a survey with two users, have one user stand on the road holding the measuring stick, and have the other user in front of the inlet or outlet of the structure and read the measurement from the measuring stick.

Wetlands With Multiple Culverts

There are 11 additional questions to answer for wetlands with multiple culverts:

  • Culvert material
  • Culvert shape
  • Number of culverts
  • Culvert size
  • Culvert length
  • Culvert skewedness
  • Is the culvert plugged?
  • Is the culvert perched?
  • Is there evidence of overtopping?
  • Is there evidence of ponding?
  • Culvert condition

For wetlands with multiple culverts with the same characteristics (i.e., size, material, condition, etc.) at the same crossing, complete all questions for the culvert carrying the most flow. If there are multiple culverts carrying similar amounts of flow with different characteristics, submit multiple surveys and add a note indicating that the culverts are all at the same crossing location. 

For culvert diameter, measure the inside diameter of the structure. For non-round culverts, measure the width of the culvert and indicate the height of the culvert in the notes section. 

Determine if the inlet or outlet of the culvert is perched by looking closely at the bottom elevation of the culvert compared to the wetland elevation. A perched culvert is higher than the wetland elevation. 

For culvert condition, evaluate the level of deterioration present. A culvert that is new or has no noticeable deterioration is the highest condition ranking. This is followed by culverts with light, moderate, or heavy deterioration. A road that is partially or completely closed due to the culvert condition is the lowest condition ranking. A description and photos of culvert condition categories is provided in the survey.

For culverts that appear to be between condition categories, err on the side of the worse condition.

The skew relates the angle of the culvert to the road. A culvert that is perpendicular to the road has no skew, or zero degrees of skew. Moderate skew is defined as a culvert having 1-19 degrees of skew. Major skew is defined as a culvert having 20 degrees or more of skew. 

Upstream road fill depth is the depth of the road fill over the inlet side of the culvert. Downstream road fill depth is the depth of the road fill over the outlet side of the culvert. To record upstream and downstream road fill depth, stand in front of the inlet or outlet and hold the measuring stick on top of the culvert. Read the measurement from the road. If completing a survey with two users, have one user stand on the road holding the measuring stick, and have the other user in front of the inlet or outlet of the structure and read the measurement from the measuring stick.

Wetlands With Non-Culvert Structures

There are two additional questions to answer for wetlands with non-culvert structures:

  • Is there ponding evidence?
  • Condition of structure

To rate the condition of a miscellaneous wetland crossing structure, evaluate the crossing based on its capacity to carry traffic. Structures that are designed and built for logging trucks receive the highest ranking, followed by structures that have capacity for harvesting equipment, pick-up trucks or UTVs/ATVs. Finally, structures that are not safe for any vehicle traffic receive the lowest ranking.

Wetlands With No Structure

There is one additional question to answer for wetlands with no crossing structure:

  • Is there ponding evidence?

Example photos and descriptions are available on links in the survey for all questions.

It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete a wetland crossing survey.

Crossing Category: Other

For the purpose of the WRCS, the “other” crossing category is for any water resources that do not fit the traditional definition of a stream or wetland. Examples include dry washes or contracted overland flow that lacks bed and bank. The “other” category questions are the same as the “wetland” category questions. Other common examples include places of excavated material or borrow pits. Man-made “ponds” on both sides of the road with a culvert connecting can be rated as “other.”

It takes about 10-15 minutes to complete an “other” crossing survey.

GLSCI Recommendation

For all surveys, decide whether it is recommended to add the crossing to the GLSCI. Select “yes” to this question if any of the following are true:

  • The crossing is a stream with a bed and bank.
  • The has a channel that is 2 feet or wider outside of the immediate influence of the structure.
  • There is flowing water present at the time of assessment.
  • The crossing has a current culvert diameter of 2 feet or more.

Replacing An Old Survey

If the survey being completed is replacing an old survey with outdated information, check yes. This can include crossings that have been replaced (culvert with new culvert) or changed (culvert with ford or no structure). 

Crossing Name

If the property has a naming system established, or is named in the GLSCI, list the appropriate crossing name. 

Signed Crossings

If there is a sign, marker, flagging tape or other obvious indication of a structure beneath the road, check yes. If the marker is broken and not obvious from the vehicle, check no.