The replacement of stream crossing has been a growing component of many DGLVR projects since program funding increased in 2014. The Program focuses funding on structures that are creating environmental impacts because they are undersized for the stream channel. Undersized structures create a variety of environmental and maintenace problems such as gravel deposition, excessive erosion, flooding, and creating a barrier to the movement of fish and other aquatic organisms. This page summarizes the policy and educational material available related to replacing a stream crossing to address these issues in PA’s DGLVR Program.
DGLVR Policy Documents
- Chapter 7.1 of DGLVR Administrative Manual: This section of the manual details the Program’s policy structure eligibility and replacement.
- Stream Crossing Evaluation Form: Form to be completed for project file that documents eligibility for structure replacement.
CDGRS Reference Information
- Technical Bulletins
- Bankfull Guidance (4.9 MB): A guide to determining bankfull widths for streams in Pennsylvania.
- Structure Selection for Stream Crossings (893 KB): An overview of the “pros and cons” of the most commonly used structures in Pennsylvania.. To improve decision making when selecting structures for road stream crossings, to reduce maintenance, improve stream continuity, and increase longevity of the new crossing. (5/20)
- Check back soon, more bulletins in the works
- DEP Clarification Memo (122 KB): Memo issued on 4/20/20 regarding DGLVR funded GP 11 permits. Includes clarification on the ability to realign structures with the natural channel and allowing road elevation adjustments over the new structure.
- GP11 DEP Cover Letter (15.2 KB): OPTIONAL cover letter when applying for GP11 that references both the DGLVR Program and the above Clarification Memo for permit review. This document is in Microsoft Word docx format.
- Stream Crossing Boot Camp: Reference information, including all presentations given at the 3-day CDGRS Stream Crossing boot camp training.
- Recorded Webinars: A link to the “Past Webinars” page that includes recordings and the PowerPoint for several stream crossing presentations
- 5/7/20: Introduction and review of Structure Selection Technical Bulletin
- 4/9/20: Introduction and review of Bankfull Guidance Technical Bulletin
- 4/2/20: Review of “DEP Clarification Memo” regarding GP11s for the DGLVR Program
External Reference Information
- USFS Stream Simulation Guidebook (29.5 MB): The most comprehensive guidance available on designing stream crossings to accommodate aquatic organism passage. Linked from USGS's US Forest Service website.