Road Bank Stabilization Projects

Steep southern watershed roads carry high velocity water along their road banks.  Those road banks that do not have the proper lining (large diameter rocks) can easily erode creating significant erosion problems during a storm event.  This sediment is carried into Canandaigua Lake through stormwater outfalls and nearby trout streams. Sediment can carry contaminants such as road salt, oils, nutrients and other toxins along with it as it enters the lake further polluting our streams and lake. Road bank stabilization techniques serve to reduce the amount of sediment and associated contaminants entering the lake, maintaining a healthy environment for fish and for our own water supply and recreation.

In 1999 the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council authored a successful grant application for $530,000 in matching funds through the Environmental Bond Act to implement a southern watershed wide road bank stabilization project in South Bristol, Naples, Italy and Middlesex.  The Ontario and Yates County Soil & Water Conservation Districts are assisting the four towns in designing solutions to approximately nine miles of road banks.  An estimated 750 tons of sediment per year will be prevented from entering the lake though these measures.

CURRENT PROJECT STATUS:

South Bristol, Naples, Italy, and Middlesex Highway Departments have made substantial progress in finishing work on road segments in their respective townships.  The pictures show work already completed in the Town of South Bristol.  Work is expected to  be completed in 2003.

© Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council 2002

This Page Last Updates On: November 23, 2005