Forest Road Engineering Guidebook - Ministry of Forests

Ford operating constraints
Once a ford is constructed, its use should be controlled to ensure that the
integrity of the structure is maintained and that any potential adverse impacts
on the environment are minimized.
• Nothing that could destroy the running surface of the ford should be
dragged or skidded across it.
• Vehicles using the ford should be in good working order and not leaking
fuel, hydraulic fluids, lubricating oil, or cargo.
• All excess soil should be removed from heavy equipment before it crosses
a watercourse.
• The ford should not be used if the water depth is greater than the axle
height of the vehicle. It may be appropriate to install a water-depth gauge
clearly visible from the road.
• Should a ford become unsafe for traffic during high water, measures
should be taken to warn and exclude users for that period.
Ford maintenance
Forest Road Engineering Guidebook
Properly designed and constructed fords are usually low maintenance, stormproof
structures. Nevertheless, the following activities may be required:
• Fords should be inspected at a frequency commensurate with the risk to
users.
• Running surfaces, approach grades and aprons, ditches, and catchment
basins should be properly maintained.
Suggestions for further reading
American Iron and Steel Institute. 1991. Handbook of Steel Drainage and
Highway Construction Products. Canadian edition. W.P. Reyman
Associates, Inc. New York, N.Y.
British Columbia Ministry of Forests. 2002. Fish-stream Crossing
Guidebook. Victoria, B.C.
____________. 2001. Gully Assessment Procedure Guidebook. Victoria, B.C.
____________. 1999. Forest Service Bridge Design and Construction
Manual. Victoria, B.C.
Nagy, M.M., J.T. Trebeth, G.V. Wellborn, and L.E. Gower. 1980. Log Bridge
Construction Handbook. Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada
(FERIC), Vancouver, B.C.
119