Minnesota Guide for Stream Connectivity and Aquatic Organism Passage through Culverts
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Minnesota Guide for Stream Connectivity and Aquatic Organism Passage through Culverts
Published Date
2019-01
Publisher
Minnesota Department of Transportation
Type
Report
Abstract
This guide assists Minnesota culvert designers in identifying, selecting, and implementing appropriate designs for
maintaining aquatic organism passage (AOP) and stream connectivity at road-stream intersections. It was
synthesized from existing literature and culvert design documents, a survey of Minnesota practitioners, research,
and input from local, regional, and national experts. Culvert designs that create excessive velocity, physical
barriers, or shallow depth can disrupt AOP and may be detrimental to the continuity of water flow, sediment, and
debris transport vital to stream health. Conversely, the recommended culvert designs in this guide account for
stream parameters such as slope and substrate that vary across Minnesota landscapes. A set of best practices
captures critical design elements based on stream characteristics, which can be summarized as follows: 1.) Design
the culvert to be similar to the stream channel (reference reach) by matching its slope, alignment, bankfull width,
and flow depth to maximize AOP; 2.) Provide a continuous sediment bed with roughness similar to the channel,
while maintaining continuity of sediment transport and debris passage, and; 3.) Design for public safety,
longevity, and resilience. Culvert design that improves AOP and accounts for sediment transport is expected to
reduce long-term maintenance costs and increase culvert life span.
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Hernick, Matthew; Lenhart, Christian; Kozarek, Jessica; Nieber, John. (2019). Minnesota Guide for Stream Connectivity and Aquatic Organism Passage through Culverts. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/202652.
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