University of Wisconsin-Madison

Basic Principles for Proper Installation of Corrugated Steel Drainage Structures

National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association: 21 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This industry video covers steel pipe installation. Includes excavation, preparation, handling, assembly and backfilling. Good example of safe and effective installation. Helpful for general audience or field crews.

Beaver Pond Leveler: One Solution

Clemson University: 86 minutes
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
A video from Clemson University details the concept behind the leveler and includes step-by-step instructions for its construction and installation.

Cleaning of Lined Ditches, Culverts, and Catch Basins

International Road Federation (IRF): 16 minutes
Copyright: 1985
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This video demonstrates some good practices for maintaining lined ditches, culverts, and catch basins. It demonstrates before and after conditions and points out the benefits of the properly maintained drainage system. Very basic film but a good refresher of proper maintenance policies for drainage structures.

Culvert Pipe Placement

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT): 9 minutes
Copyright: 1989
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Video demonstrates good practice for installing highway culverts.

Culverts: Not Just Something to Pass Over!

University of Wisconsin-Extension: 20 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Culvert purpose, planning, design and installation are covered. Details on impacts to wildlife, erosion and durability are included. Excellent overview and helpful information for the public and elected officials. Offered in DVD as Catalog #19007.

Culverts: Not Just Something to Pass Over!

University of Wisconsin-Extension: 20 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: DVD 
Culvert purpose, planning, design and installation are covered. Details on impacts to wildlife, erosion and durability are included. Excellent overview and helpful information for the public and elected officials. Offered in VHS as Catalog #18553.

Ditch Maintenance

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): 17 minutes
Copyright: 1989
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
The importance of good, well-maintained ditches is highlighted in this video. It discusses the need for proper drainage and then gets into two methods that can be used for cleaning out ditches depending upon the situation. It also stresses the importance of cleaning out culverts and inlets as an important part of ditch maintenance.

Drainage Pipe Installation

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT): 18 minutes
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Video reviews the basics and details of proper culvert installation. Steps for planning the installation are covered. Details and examples of excavating, removing, placing and backfilling culverts are shown. The benefits of good compaction are demonstrated. Intended for field crews.

Drainage Structures

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): 35 minutes
Copyright: 1989
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This topic covers the purpose of the structures and functional requirements. It also stresses proper construction and maintenance to minimize hazardous situations and still support proper drainage.

Erosion and Sedimentation Control for Highway Construction

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (DOT): 15 minutes
Copyright: 1985
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This video is devoted to erosion control on relatively large highway construction projects. It covers the use of various devices to control erosion during and after construction along with permanent installations. Although some of the projects are extensive, many of the methods can be used on smaller projects.

Erosion Control for Water Quality Protection

Cobbossee Water District and Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP): 25 minutes
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Excellent video which stresses the importance of controlling erosion of soil. Shows how planning by municipalities, developers, and land owners can reduce erosion and how water quality can be protected; several types of erosion control products are demonstrated.

Forest Roads and the Environment

USDA Forest Service: 18 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
An overview of a road’s impact on a natural forest environment. Covers good road maintenance practice. For general audience and field crews.

Forest Roads and the Environment Series

USDA Forest Service: 116 minutes
Copyright: 2006
Language(s): English
Format: DVD 
This six-part program provides information on rural gravel and dirt road maintenance. The settings are in federal forests, but the basic information is helpful for all rural low-volume roads. Each segment is also available individually – five in VHS and one in DVD format (see item # following each segment title below).
Part 1 “Forest Roads and the Environment” (#18554) covers the general environmental impact of a road on the surrounding environment – 18 minutes.
Part 2 “Reading the Traveled Way” (#18560) shows how to understand defects in the traveled way – 16 minutes.
Part 3 “Reading Beyond the Traveled Way” (#18559) describes problems off the traveled way including erosion and slides – 17 minutes.
Part 4 “Smoothing and Reshaping the Traveled Way” (#18561) covers road grading techniques – 18 minutes.
Part 5 “Maintaining the Ditch and Surface Cross Drains” (#18556) shows ditch and culvert maintenance – 16 minutes.
Part 6 “Dangerous Travelers” (#18818) discusses problems and maintenance of roadside plants – 26 minutes.

Getting Across - Aquatic Organisms and Road-stream Crossings: (1 of 2) A Brief Introduction

USDA Forest Service: 6 minutes
Copyright: 2003
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Brief introduction of the impact of road culverts in stream habitat. Provides awareness of the issue and problems to a general audience. 

Getting Across - Aquatic Organisms and Road-stream Crossings: (2 of 2) General Overview

USDA Forest Service: 17 minutes
Copyright: 2003
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Video shows details on the impact of road culverts on stream habitat and aquatic species. Examples of good culvert installation are provided. Intended for general non-technical audience. 

Importance of Road Drainage

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): 19 minutes
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Basic overview of the importance of roadway drainage. Includes maintenance techniques for ditches, culverts, storm-sewer and drains. Inspection tips and liability issues are included.

Introduction to Modern Sewer Design

National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association: 23 minutes
Copyright: 1997
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
A review of the sewer pipe design manual. Covers types, planning, hydraulics, structural design and rehab. Intended for engineers.

Maintaining the Ditch and Surface Cross Drains

USDA Forest Service: 16 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Shows techniques for constructing and maintaining ditches and culverts. Demonstrates good practice and equipment operating techniques. Intended for equipment operators.

Mechanical Cleaning of Unlined Ditches

International Road Federation (IRF): 20 minutes
Copyright: 1984
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This tape defines the four principal features of a ditch and their functions. It then demonstrates two methods of mechanical cleaning of ditches. The first uses a motor grader and the other uses a backhoe. It stresses the importance of reestablishing positive drainage that is critical to prevent sub-base and base failures of the roadway. It is a good training film, excellent for maintenance crews and new members of the work force.

Ounce of Detention: A New Look at Stormwater Detention

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: 12 minutes
Copyright: 1993
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
The benefits of and some basic guidelines for constructing detention ponds. The video is of interest to all units of government.

Reading Beyond the Traveled Way

USDA Forest Service: 17 minutes
Copyright: 2002
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Shows problems on areas adjacent to forest roads. Includes gullies, slumps, cracks, and drainage. Useful for road maintenance crews.

Stormwater Best Management Practices: Quarry Sites

Wisconsin Aggregate Producers, Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association, Wisconsin Road Builders and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR): 5 minutes
Copyright: 1997
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
Covers measures recommended to protect water quality at a quarry site. Includes stormwater, aggregate wash water, etc. Useful for quarry operators, owners and the public.

Summer Roads Maintenance: Roadside Drainage (Rural)

Ontario Ministry of Transportation: 53 minutes
Copyright: 1993
Language(s): English
Format: VHS 
This video presents a four part discussion of

1. Roadside drainage fundamentals, which include basic theory and legislation
2. System monitoring, which includes patrol schedules and inspection points
3. Culvert installation, which includes planning, preparation, and installation;
4. Ditch maintenance, which includes erosion control and ditch cleaning.

Other Related Videos

Creating Meadows Through Road Maintenance and Construction
Video Category: Roadside Maintenance

Reading the Traveled Way
Video Category: Gravel Roads and Shoulders

Smoothing and Reshaping the Traveled Way
Video Category: Gravel Roads and Shoulders