Controlling soil erosion on farm roads and driveways

20 December 2023

Recent storms have caused soil erosion on farm roads, tracks and driveways across Victoria.

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer, Clem Sturmfels, said the key to controlling this damage is drainage.

‘Good surface drainage, wide stable table drains and closely spaced run-offs to direct the water away from the roadway are vital. Additionally, the roadway needs to have stable, well drained foundations and a hard-wearing gravel, concrete or bitumen surface,’ said Mr Sturmfels.

He said Class 1 or Class 2 materials, a mix of quarry dust and larger aggregate, makes for a very stable and hard-wearing surface without the need for a surface seal.

‘Roadways can be constructed on quite steep slopes using these techniques. A well-built road should only require occasional grading and a top dressing with gravel every few years.’

‘Roadways cut into the side of a hill will need regular culverts or other forms of cross drainage. A simple speed hump or roll-over is a cheap and easy way to divert water.

‘Wherever possible, roads, tracks and driveways should follow ridgelines to minimise the need for cross drainage.’

Mr Sturmfels suggested the best way to create good surface drainage is by crowning up the centre of the roadway. The crown needs to be high enough to rapidly shed water away from the centre of the road. An alternative method, commonly used on bush tracks, is to slope the road surface into, or away from the side of a hill.

Roadside table drains should have a flat base to spread and slow the speed of the water and ideally will have a good cover of grass to protect them from erosion.

‘A well-established grass table drain can safely carry a similar flow of water to a typical rock lined drain’, he said.

‘If using a rock lined drain, it’s important to make it wide and deep enough to carry the anticipated flow.

‘Run-offs or cut-off drains are used to take water from the table drain to a safe disposal area. They should be spaced 50 - 100m apart on gently sloping roadways but only 15 – 20m apart on steep roads, tracks and driveways.’

If you have any questions, contact Clem Sturmfels on clem.sturmfels@deeca.vic.gov.au

For more information visit the Agriculture Victoria website on soil erosion page and the floods and storms page.

Media contact: Makayla Rimington

Phone: 0473 914 662