Ditches that run alongside a roadway are important for keeping excess stormwater away from the road’s surface. To ensure proper slope and drainage, routine maintenance often includes removing sediment build-up and replanting vegetation to help reduce pollution to lakes and rivers downstream.
To better understand how different types of vegetation and maintenance practices can affect how much excess water and pollutants reach these vulnerable water bodies, the Ohio Department of Transportation initiated a research study focused on cost-effective strategies for improving runoff quality.
Read the report: Treatment of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Runoff by Vegetated and Unvegetated Ditches, December 2024.
Image source: Ohio Department of Transportation