Section 914.6 - Waterbreaks(a) Waterbreaks shall be constructed on Tractor Roads, roads, Layouts, and Landings which do not have adequate natural drainage, drainage structures, or Surface Cover or Woody Debris to dissipate water flow and trap sediment to prevent soil loss.(b) Except as otherwise provided for in the Rules: (1) All Waterbreaks shall be installed no later than the beginning of the Winter Period of the current year of Timber Operations.(2) Installation of Drainage Facilities and structures is required from October 15 to November 15 and from April 1 to May 1 on all constructed skid trails and Tractor Roads prior to sunset if the National Weather Service forecast is a "chance" (thirty (30) percent or more) of rain within the next twenty-four (24) hours.(c) Waterbreaks shall be constructed concurrently with the construction of firebreaks and immediately upon conclusion of use of Tractor Roads, roads, Layouts, and Landings which do not have permanent and adequate Drainage Facilities, or Drainage Structures.(d) When Tethered Operations are proposed in a Plan, the RPF shall explain, in the Plan, how Tractor Roads used in those Tethered Operations will be treated, including any necessary mitigations and metrics for compliance, in order to minimize disturbance which could lead to soil loss and comply with 14 CCR § 914.(e) Distances between Waterbreaks shall not exceed the following standards: MAXIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN WATERBREAKS |
| Estimated Hazard Rating | U.S. Equivalent Measure Road or Trail Gradient (in percent) | | | Metric Measure Road or Trail Gradient (in percent) | |
| 10 or less | 11-25 | 26-50 | >50 | 10 or less | 11-25 | 26-50 | >50 |
| Feet | Feet | Feet | Feet | Meters | Meters | Meters | Meters |
| Extreme | 100 | 75 | 50 | 50 | 30.48 | 22.86 | 15.24 | 15.24 |
| High | 150 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 45.72 | 30.48 | 22.35 | 15.24 |
| Moderate | 200 | 150 | 100 | 75 | 60.96 | 45.72 | 30.48 | 22.35 |
| Low | 300 | 200 | 150 | 100 | 91.44 | 60.96 | 45.72 | 30.48 |
The appropriate Waterbreak spacing shall be based upon the Erosion Hazard Rating and road or trail gradient.
(f) Cable Roads that are so deeply cut as to divert and carry water away from natural drainage patterns for more than one hundred (100) feet shall have Waterbreaks installed on them at one hundred (100) feet intervals, or other appropriate erosion control measures may be applied if specified in the Plan.(g) Waterbreaks shall be installed at all natural Watercourses on Tractor Roads and firebreaks regardless of the maximum distances specified in this section except where permanent Drainage Facilities are provided.(h) Waterbreaks shall be located to allow water to be discharged into some form of vegetative cover, duff, Slash, rocks, or less erodible material wherever possible, and shall be constructed to provide for unrestricted discharge at the lower end of the Waterbreak so that water will be discharged and spread in such a manner that erosion shall be minimized. Where Waterbreaks cannot effectively disperse surface runoff, including where Waterbreaks cause surface run-off to be concentrated on downslopes, roads or skid trails, other Erosion Controls shall be installed as needed to comply with 14 CCR § 914.(i) Waterbreaks shall be cut diagonally a minimum of six (6) inches into the firm roadbed, Cable Road, skid trail or firebreak surface and shall have a continuous firm embankment of at least six (6) inches in height immediately adjacent to the lower edge of the Waterbreak cut. In the Southern Subdistrict of the Coast Forest District, on truck roads having firmly compacted surfaces, Waterbreaks installed by hand methods need not provide the additional six (6) inch embankment provided the Waterbreak ditch is constructed so that it is at least six (6) inches deep and six (6) inches wide on the bottom and provided there is ample evidence based on slope, material amount of rainfall, and period of use that the Waterbreaks so constructed will be effective in diverting water flow from the road surface without the embankment.
(j) Waterbreaks or any other Erosion Controls on skid trails, Cable Roads, Layouts, firebreaks, Abandoned Roads, and Site Preparation areas shall be maintained during the Prescribed Maintenance Period and during Timber Operations as defined in PRC §§ 4527 and 4551.5 so that they continue to function in a manner which minimizes soil erosion and slope instability and which prevents degradation of the quality and Beneficial Uses of water. The method and timing of Waterbreak repair and other erosion control maintenance shall be selected with due consideration given to protection of residual trees and reproduction and the intent of 14 CCR § 914.(k) The Prescribed Maintenance Period for Waterbreaks and any other erosion control facilities on skid trails, Cable Roads, Layouts, firebreaks, Abandoned Roads, and Site Preparation areas, shall be at least one year. The Director may prescribe a maintenance period extending as much as three years after filing of the work completion report in accordance with 14 CCR § 1050.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 914.6
1. Amendment of subsection (h) and new subsection (i) filed 12-20-89; operative 2-1-90 (Register 90, No. 3).
2. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 8-9-90; operative 9-10-90 (Register 90, No. 41).
3. Amendment of subsection (f) filed 2-11-91; operative 3-13-91 (Register 91, No. 14).
4. New subsection (a), redesignation and amendment of former subsection (a) to new subsection (a)(1), new subsection (a)(2) and amendment of table headings filed 4-21-99; operative 1-1-2000 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 99, No. 17).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending section heading and removing pre-2000 version of section filed 4-20-2010 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2010, No. 17).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 9-7-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 36).
7. Amendment of section filed 11-10-2020; operative 1-1-2021 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5(a) (Register 2020, No. 46). Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551, 4551.5 and 4553, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4512, 4513, 4562.5, 4562.7 and 4582, Public Resources Code.
1. Amendment of subsection (h) and new subsection (i) filed 12-20-89; operative 2-1-90 (Register 90, No. 3).
2. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 8-9-90; operative 9-10-90 (Register 90, No. 41).
3. Amendment of subsection (f) filed 2-11-91; operative 3-13-91 (Register 91, No. 14).
4. New subsection (a), redesignation and amendment of former subsection (a) to new subsection (a)(1), new subsection (a)(2) and amendment of table headings filed 4-21-99; operative 1-1-2000 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 99, No. 17).
5. Change without regulatory effect amending section heading and removing pre-2000 version of section filed 4-20-2010 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2010, No. 17).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 9-7-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 36).
7. Amendment of section filed 11-10-2020; operative 1/1/2021 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5(a) (Register 2020, No. 46).