Natural Channel Design

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a ditch as "a long narrow excavation dug in the earth." Ditches are typically constructed as part of a larger agricultural/recreational/urban water management program. If used to drain wet agricultural land, this drainage produces higher yields. (For more information on agricultural ditches please see side box).

However, these higher yields come at a cost causing higher amounts of nutrients to be released in the water and different water regime in the surrounding streams. In addition, maintenance of these ditches disrupts the biology in the ditch often degrading its designated use. New methods are being developed that reduce these impacts without reducing producers yields or threatening developed land. This method is called natural channel design.

Natural channel design, or two-stage design, utilizes the fluvial processes creating a stable ditch which requires less maintenance. It also creates less disturbance to the biology of the stream and may even reduce fertilizer pollution to the ditch.

To assist with the application of natural channel design and geomorphological principles the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and The Ohio State University have developed a series of spreadsheet tools, called STREAMS Modules, to help reduce and analyze stream channel survey data. Learn more about the development of the STREAMS Modules for river evaluation, assessment and monitoring.

For more information on two-stage design click on the links below or visit the manuals and journals page.

• Ohio Natural Channel Design Project, an Ohio State University project funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund providing information and research findings on channel design and impacts on water quality.
• Stream PowerPoint Presentations - STREAMS website- Additional information on two-stage design.