Add, Edit & Delete Stream Crossing Surveys in the LDC

A group of federal, state, and local organizations has developed a datasheet for detailing road-stream crossing effects on road safety, aquatic life movement, erosion, water quality, and stream health and stability. This sheet is a useful tool for planning work and generating reports for culverts and road-stream crossings. For more information about the Michigan Road Stream Crossing Survey, see About Michigan Road Stream Crossing Inventory. Stream Crossing survey sheets are available in Roadsoft and the Laptop Data Collector (LDC) to promote consistent and organized data collection for Michigan road-stream crossings. They are available from the Culvert module in Roadsoft, and the Culvert tab in the LDC. While the LDC is ideal for recording stream crossing data on-site, the Roadsoft Culvert module is an acceptable tool for recording information. To fill out a stream survey through Roadsoft, see Add, Edit & Delete Stream Crossing Surveys.

The stream crossing survey in the LDC is usable with all laptops and portable computers, but is especially compatible with the Trimble Yuma. For instructions on entering a stream crossing survey using a Yuma, see Enter Stream Crossing Surveys – Trimble Yuma.

Prior to collecting stream crossing information, review the Great Lakes Road Stream Crossing Inventory Instructions. Multiple federal, state, and local agencies cooperated to develop this stream crossing inventory protocol. A complete list of agencies involved is included in the instruction booklet.

The best practice for taking photographs of stream crossings is to use photo markers at each stream crossing, as this makes identifying the photographs after collection easier. A small dry-erase board works well for making markers. Before photographing the stream crossing, write “Start” on the board with the crossing location, then photograph the board. Next, for each of the six photo categories, Inlet, Outlet, Upstream, Downstream, Left Approach, and Right Approach, write the label on the board and photograph the six stream crossing photos while holding the respective labeled board in view of the camera. Move photos from the camera to the computer before following these directions.

Add New Stream Crossing Survey

Select the Culvert tab.

Select the desired culvert.

Select the Stream Surveys tab.

The Stream Surveys tab can be pinned. “Pinning” and “unpinning” helps manage the amount of tabs onscreen at a time. For instructions on pinning tabs, see Pin & Unpin Windows.

Select the Add Stream Crossing Survey button.

Select the desired tab.

Select fields to edit.

Some numeric fields default to -1.0. Leave unrated fields at -1.0 to differentiate them from fields actually rated zero.

For a list of all available tabs and fields, see the Edit Stream Crossing Survey section below.

Select the Plus button next to fields and section to reveal additional fields, and select the Minus button next to fields and sections to hide the additional fields.

Add Photos.

Image files must be in JPG format.

Select the Photos tab.

Select the Auto Resize check box to turn automatic resizing of photos to fit the location photo field on or off.

Choose a way to add photos.

Take a new photo.

Select the [ change ] link.

The Photos Folder should be the same folder the device will save taken photos to.

Select a folder to load photos from.

Select the Make New Folder button to make a new folder to load from.

Select the OK button to select the folder, or select the Cancel button to close the window without changing the Photos folder.

Select the Take Photo link.

Take a photo with the device.

When an image enters the Photo folder, it will load into the Waiting For Photos window.

Select the OK button to use the photo, or select the Cancel button to close the window.

Load a saved photo.

Select the browse link.

Select an image.

Select the Open button to load the image, or select the Cancel button to close the window.

An error message will appear if attempting to apply an image already applied to another stream survey. To use the image on the current stream survey, first remove it from the other one.

Remove an applied photo.

Select the remove link below the desired location.

Select the Apply button to save any changes.

Edit Stream Crossing Survey

Select the Culvert tab.

Select the desired culvert.

Select the Stream Surveys tab.

The Stream Surveys tab can be pinned. “Pinning” and “unpinning” helps manage the amount of tabs onscreen at a time. For instructions on pinning tabs, see Pin & Unpin Windows.

Select the View/Edit Stream Crossing Survey… link below the desired survey.

Some numeric fields default to -1.0. Leave unrated fields at -1.0 to differentiate them from fields actually rated zero.

Select the Plus button next to fields and sections to reveal additional fields, and select the Minus button next to fields and sections to hide the additional fields.

Select the General tab.

Select fields to edit.

Fields with blue text are determined by the LDC’s framework file and are not editable.

Site ID – Select the field to enter the Site ID from the watershed map.

Waterway – Select the Drop-down list to select the name of the waterway.

Road Name – The name of the road the culvert is on.

Observer(s) – Select the field to enter the names of the survey crew.

Survey Date – Select the Drop-down list to select the date of the site survey.

Adjacent Landowner – Select the field to enter any relevant information about landowners adjacent to the culvert.

Additional Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to the site.

GPS Located – Indicates whether the culvert was GPS located.

Latitude – The latitude coordinate of the culvert.

Longitude – The longitude coordinate of the culvert.

The latitude and longitude fields are only available if the culvert is GPS located.

Select the Crossing tab.

Select fields to edit.

General Condition – Select the Drop-down list to select the condition of the culvert.

Is Backwatered? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert is fully backwatered.

Backwater Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to backwater design.

Evidence of Overtopping? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether there is evidence of overtopping or prior culvert washouts.

Overtopping Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to evidence of overtopping or washouts.

If the Overtopping Comments field is not visible, select the Plus button next the Evidence of Overtopping? field to show it.

Structure Shape – Select the Down Drop-down list to select the shape of the culvert.

Inlet Structure – Select the Drop-down list to select the entrance structure type.

Outlet Structure – Select the Drop-down list to select the exit structure type.

Outlet Type – Select the Drop-down list to select a description of the stream leaving the culvert.

Substrate In Structure – Select the Drop-down list to select the type of natural streambed material present in the culvert.

Is Substrate Entire Length? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the substrate is present throughout the culvert’s entire length.

Structure Interior – Select the Drop-down list to select a description of the interior of the culvert.

Plugged % – Select the field to enter the extent of plugging to the nearest 20%.

Plugged Location – Select the Drop-down list to indicate the location of the plugging.

Crushed % – Select the field to enter the extent of crushing to the nearest 20%.

Crushed Location – Select the Drop-down list to indicate the location of the crushing.

Is Rusted Through? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether rust has made holes that go completely through the culvert.

Select the Structure tab.

Select fields to edit.

Is Perched? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert outlet is elevated above the downstream water surface.

Perch Height (ft.) – Select the field to enter the vertical distance between the downstream water surface and the bottom of the culvert to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Perch Height field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Perched? field to show it.

Water Depth Inlet (ft.) – Select the field to enter the water depth at the inlet to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Water Depth Outlet (ft.) – Select the field to enter the water depth at the outlet to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Embedded Depth Inlet (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth of the streambed substrate just inside the inlet to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Embedded Depth Outlet (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth of the streambed substrate just inside the outlet to the nearest 0.1 foot.

To make Water Velocity Inlet and Depth fields available, set the Water Velocity Measured With field to “Meter”.

Water Velocity Measured With – Select the Drop-down list to select the method used to measure water velocity.

Water Velocity Inlet (ft/sec) – Select the field to enter the water velocity at the inlet of the culvert.

To make the Water Velocity Inlet field available, set the Water Velocity Measured With field to either “Meter” or “Float Test”.

Water Velocity Outlet (ft/sec) - Select the field to enter the water velocity at the outlet of the culvert.

To make the Water Velocity Outlet field available, set the Water Velocity Measured With field to either “Meter” or “Float Test”.

Water Velocity Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth at which surveyors measured the water velocity to the nearest 0.1 foot.

To make the Water Velocity Depth fields available, set the Water Velocity Measured With field to “Meter”.

Length (ft.) – Select the field to enter the structure length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Width (ft.) – Select the field to enter the structure width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Height (ft.) – Select the field to enter the structure height to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Material (ft.) – Select the Drop-down list to select the material type used for the culvert.

Add another Span.

Select the Add Span… link.

Select the Yes button to add a span, or select the No button to close the window.

Fill out span fields.

Each span has its own Length, Width, Height, and Material fields.

Delete additional spans.

Only the last span in the list is deletable, and the main span is never deletable.

Select the Delete Span… link.

Select the Yes button to delete the span, or select the No button to close the Delete window.

Select the Stream tab.

Select fields to edit.

Stream Flow – Select the Drop-down list to select the description that best matches the stream flow during the survey.

Is Scour Pool Present? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the stream channel noticeably widens and deepens directly below the crossing.

Scour Pool Length – Select the field to enter the scour pool length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Scour Pool Width – Select the field to enter the scour pool width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Width, field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Scour Pool Depth – Select the field to enter the scour pool depth to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Depth field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Is Upstream Pond Present? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the stream channel noticeably widens directly above the crossing.

Upstream Pond Length – Select the field to enter the upstream pond length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Upstream Pond Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Upstream Pond Present? field to show it.

Upstream Pond Width – Select the field to enter the upstream pond width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Upstream Pond Width field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Upstream Pond Present? field to show it.

Is Head Change Present? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether there is a change in elevation between the upstream and downstream sides of the culvert.

Head Change Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to change in head.

If the Head Change Comments field is not visible, select the Plus button next the Is Head Change Present? field to show it.

Water Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth from streambed to water surface to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Bankfull Width (ft.) –– Select the field to enter the channel width where water just begins to flow onto the active floodplain to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Wetted Width (ft.) – Select the field to enter the width between the edges of the water during the survey to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Water Velocity (ft/sec) – Select the field to enter the water velocity at the deepest point of the riffle in feet per second.

Measured With – Select the Drop-down list to select the method used to measure water velocity.

Dominate Substrate – Select the Drop-down list to select the material type that best matches the material on the riffle bed.

Select the Road tab.

Select fields to edit.

Road Surface – Select the Drop-down list to select the surface type of the road.

Condition – Select the Drop-down list to select the road surface condition.

Road Width – Select the field to enter the width of the road at the culvert to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Location of Low Point – Select the Drop-down list to indicate where the lowest point in the road near the stream crossing is.

Runoff Path – Select the Drop-down list to indicate where runoff from the road flows.

Upstream Fill Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth of fill upstream of the crossing to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Upstream Slope – Select the Drop-down list to select an estimated slope of the upstream embankment.

Downstream Fill Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth of fill downstream of the crossing to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Downstream Slope – Select the Drop-down list to select an estimated slope of the downstream embankment.

Length (ft.) (Left Approach) – Select the field to enter the distance from the culvert to the top of the left slope in feet.

Slope (Left Approach) – Select the Drop-down list to select the measured slope on the left side of the culvert.

Ditch Vegetation (Left Approach) – Select the Drop-down list to select the level of vegetation on the left side of the culvert.

Length (ft.) (Right Approach) – Select the field to enter the distance from the culvert to the top of the right slope in feet.

Slope (Right Approach) – Select the Drop-down list to select the measured slope on the right side of the culvert.

Ditch Vegetation (Right Approach) – Select the Drop-down list to select the level of vegetation on the right side of the culvert

Select the Erosion tab.

Add an erosion location.

Select the Add Erosion Location… link.

Select the Yes button to add an erosion location, or select the No button to close the window.

Select fields to edit.

Location – Select the Drop-down list to indicate the area where erosion is occurring.

Length (ft.) – Select the field to enter the length of the eroded area to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Location field to show it.

Width (ft.) – Select the field to enter the width of the eroded area to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Width field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Location field to show it.

Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth of the eroded area to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Depth field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Location field to show it.

Is Reaching Stream? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether any eroded material is reaching the stream.

If the Is Reaching Stream? field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Location field to show it.

Material Eroded – Select the Drop-down list to select the type of soil that is eroding.

If Material Eroded field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Location field to show it.

Is Erosion Correctable? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether corrective actions could address the erosion.

Extent of Erosion – Select the Drop-down list to indicate the level of erosion occurring.

Erosion Notes – Select the field to enter any notes related to erosion near the stream crossing.

Delete an erosion location.

Select the Delete Erosion Location… link below the desired location.

Select the Yes button to delete the location, or select the No button to close the Delete window.

Select the Summary tab.

Select fields to edit.

Is Priority Site? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether this stream crossing site is a priority to address.

Priority Reason – Select the Drop-down list to indicate why this site is a priority.

If the Priority Reason field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Priority Site? field to show it.

Priority Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to site priority.

If the Priority Comments field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Priority Site? field to show it.

Recommended Future Visit? – Select the Drop-down list to recommend whether there should be a return visit to this site.

Future Visit Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to future visits to this site.

If the Future Visit Comments field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Recommended Future Visit? field to show it.

Non-Native Invasive Species? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether surveyors observed any non-native species at the site.

Species Observed – Select the field to list any non-native invasive species observed at the site.

If the Species Observed field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the “Non-native Invasive Species?” field to show it.

Select the Passability tab.

Select fields to edit.

Many fields in the Passability tab are the same as previous fields throughout the stream crossing survey. Changing those fields will change the corresponding Passability fields to match, and changing the Passability fields will change the fields in other tabs to match as well.

Is the outlet Perched? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert outlet is elevated above the downstream water surface.

Perch Height (ft.) – Select the field to enter the vertical distance between the downstream water surface and the bottom of the culvert to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Perch Height field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is the outlet Perched? field to show it.

Is an Upstream Pond Present? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the stream channel noticeably widens directly above the crossing.

Upstream Pond Length – Select the field to enter the upstream pond length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Upstream Pool Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is an Upstream Pool Present? field to show it.

Upstream Pond Width – Select the field to enter the upstream pond width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Upstream Pool Width field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is an Upstream Pool Present? field to show it.

Is a Scour Pool Present? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the stream channel noticeably widens and deepens directly below the crossing.

Scour Pool Length – Select the field to enter the scour pool length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is a Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Scour Pool Width – Select the field to enter the scour pool width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Width field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is a Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Scour Pool Depth – Select the field to enter the scour pool depth to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Scour Pool Depth field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is a Scour Pool Present? field to show it.

Is Structure fully Backwatered? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert is fully backwatered.

Backwater Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to backwater design.

If the Backwater Comment field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure fully Backwatered? field to show it.

Is there evidence of Overtopping? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether there is evidence of frequent overtopping or prior culvert washouts.

Overtopping Comments – Select the field to enter comments related to overtopping or washouts.

If the Overtopping Comments field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is there evidence of Overtopping? field to show it.

Is Substrate Entire Length? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the substrate is present throughout the entire culvert’s length.

Structure Interior – Select the Drop-down list to select a description of the interior of the culvert.

If the Structure Interior field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Substrate Entire Length? field to show it.

Does Structure Substrate match Stream? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert substrate matches the riffle substrate.

Substrate in Structure – Select the Drop-down list to select any natural streambed material in the culvert.

If the Substrate in Structure field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Does Structure Substrate match Stream? field to show it.

Riffle Dominate Substrate – Select the Drop-down list to select the material type on the bed of the reference riffle.

If the Riffle Dominate Substrate field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Does Structure Substrate match Stream? field to show it.

Is Structure Water Depth/Stream Depth < 0.1? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert water depth to stream water depth is less than 0.1.

Structure Water Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the outlet water depth to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Structure Water Depth field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Water Depth/Stream Depth < 0.1? field to show it.

Riffle Water Depth (ft.) – Select the field to enter the depth from the streambed to the water surface to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Riffle Water Depth field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Water Depth/Stream Depth < 0.1? field to show it.

Is Structure Water Velocity vs. Stream? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the culvert water velocity is faster than the stream water velocity.

Structure Water Velocity (ft/sec) – Select the field to enter the water velocity at the outlet of the culvert in feet per seconds.

If the Structure Water Velocity field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Water Velocity vs. Stream? field to show it

Riffle Water Velocity (ft/sec) –Select the field to enter the water velocity at the deepest point of the riffle in feet per second.

If the Riffle Water Velocity field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Water Velocity vs. Stream? field to show it.

Is Structure Width/Stream Width < 0.5? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether the ratio of culvert width to stream Bankfull width is less than 0.5.

Main Span Length (ft.) – Select the field to enter the culvert length to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Main Span Length field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Width/Stream Width < 0.5? field to show it.

Main Span Width (ft.) – Select the field to enter the culvert width to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Main Span Width field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Width/Stream Width < 0.5? field to show it.

Main Span Height (ft.) – Select the field to enter the culvert height to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Main Span Height field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Width/Stream Width < 0.5? field to show it.

Riffle Bankfull Width (ft.) – Select the field to enter the width between the tops of the riverbanks to the nearest 0.1 foot.

If the Riffle Bankfull Height field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Structure Width/Stream Width < 0.5? field to show it.

Is Debris blocking Inlet? – Select the Drop-down list to indicate whether there is debris blocking the inlet.

Plugged % - Select the field to enter the extent of plugging to the nearest 20%.

If the Plugged % field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Debris Blocking the Inlet? field to show it.

Plugged Location – Select the Drop-down list to indicate the location of the plugged material.

If the Plugged Location field is not visible, select the Plus button next to the Is Debris Blocking the Inlet? field to show it.

Calculated Passability – Indicates a level of passability for species through the stream flow.

User Defined Passability – Select the field to enter a level of passability for species through the stream flow from 0 to 1 by the nearest 0.1.

User Defined Passability Comments – Select the field to enter any comment related to determining passability.

Add Photos.

Image files must be in JPG format.

Select the Photos tab.

Select the Auto Resize check box to turn automatic resizing of photos to fit the location photo field on or off.

Choose a way to add photos.

Take a new photo.

Select the [ change ] link.

The Photos Folder should be the same folder the device will save taken photos to.

Select a folder to load photos from.

Select the Make New Folder button to make a new folder to load from.

Select the OK button to select the folder, or select the Cancel button to close the window without changing the Photos folder.

Select the Take Photo link in the desired location frame.

Take a photo with the device.

When an image enters the Photo folder, it will load into the Waiting For Photos window.

Select the OK button to use the photo, or select the Cancel button to close the window.

Load a saved photo.

Select the browse link.

Select an image.

Select the Open button to load the image, or select the Cancel button to close the window.

An error message will appear if attempting to apply an image already applied to another stream survey. To use the image on the current stream survey, first remove it from the other one.

Remove an applied photo.

Select the remove link below the desired location.

Select the Apply button to save any changes.

Delete Stream Crossing Survey

Select the Culvert tab.

Select the desired culvert.

Select the Stream Surveys tab.

The Stream Surveys tab can be pinned. “Pinning” and “unpinning” helps manage the amount of tabs onscreen at a time. For instructions on pinning tabs, see Pin & Unpin Windows.

Select the Delete Stream Crossing Survey… link.

Select the Yes button to delete the survey, or select the No button to close the Delete window.