South ShenandoahErosion
Coweta Dip
The Coweta, or Grade, Dip is highly promoted as an element of “sustainable” construction for new hiking trails. It is more easily maintained because, if it’s appropriately situated and properly constructed, it will (usually) require far less maintenance than that of a water bar. In fact, water bars can be replaced by coweta dips—if properly situated.
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- Written by: Donald H White
- Category: Erosion
- Hits: 7040
This Section Needs a Check Dam!
A check dam is not designed and built to provide a step…It is placed primarily to catch silt and back-fill the trail treadway.
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- Written by: Donald H White
- Category: Erosion
- Hits: 3253
Mitigating Treadway Erosion
By directing water off the trail at strategic locations, water bars provide the single best way to minimize the effects of erosion. Although the ideal trail wouldn’t need such structures because it would be designed with a gentle grade, have dips naturally integrated into its original layout, and be hardened (e.g., with stone steps) where necessary, most trails are far from ideal and benefit from retrofitting with water bars.
Patrick Wilson wrote this excellent article, which was originally published for the former Blue and White Crew.
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- Written by: Donald H White
- Category: Erosion
- Hits: 3346
Cutting and Filling Tread
A common problem commonly faced by the average Appalachian Trail section overseer involves trail tread that is cupped.
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- Written by: Donald H White
- Category: Erosion
- Hits: 3259
Trail Erosion
The trail should “wear lightly on the land,” with minimal disturbance to the surroundings. The treadway should reflect a concern for safety, without detracting from the opportunity for hikers to experience wild and scenic lands by their own unaided efforts and without sacrificing aspects of the trail that may challenge their skill and stamina.
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- Written by: Donald H White
- Category: Erosion
- Hits: 3208