Restoring Culvert Flow Capacity Through Preventive Maintenance

HydraTech Field Services

Market
DOT

Challenge
As part of its ongoing roadway maintenance program, Logan County, Ohio, identified multiple culverts that had experienced years of sediment, mud, and debris accumulation. The buildup had significantly reduced the pipes’ hydraulic capacity, restricting stormwater flow and increasing the potential for localized flooding, roadway deterioration, and accelerated infrastructure wear.

To restore proper drainage before more costly repairs became necessary, the county required a contractor capable of efficiently cleaning multiple culverts across several locations while minimizing disruption to the surrounding roadway and environment.

Repair Stategy
As part of its continuing maintenance services for transportation infrastructure, the Field Services team mobilized specialized JetVac equipment to remove accumulated sediment and debris from the affected culverts. High-pressure water was used to loosen compacted material, clearing the interior of each pipe without excavation or structural disturbance.

This preventative maintenance approach restored hydraulic capacity while extending the service life of the existing culvert system, reducing the likelihood of future drainage issues. 

Scope
A three-person Field Services crew performed culvert cleaning at multiple locations throughout Logan County. The project primarily involved 10- to 21-inch reinforced concrete culverts, with one corrugated metal culvert also requiring rehabilitation.

Over the course of four on-site working days, each culvert was cleaned using JetVac equipment to remove accumulated sediment, organic debris, and other obstructions that had settled within the pipes over time. Once the debris was removed, the culverts were inspected to verify that unobstructed flow had been restored.

Solution
The JetVac cleaning operations successfully restored the flow capacity of the affected culverts, improving stormwater conveyance and helping protect surrounding roadways from future drainage-related issues. By removing years of accumulated sediment without excavation, the Field Services team delivered an efficient, cost-effective maintenance solution with minimal disruption to traffic.

This project highlights the Field Services team’s ability to support municipalities through preventative culvert maintenance, stormwater infrastructure cleaning, and underground drainage rehabilitation, helping extend the service life of existing infrastructure while reducing long-term maintenance costs.