Best Management Practices for Ditching and Ditch Clean Out between November 1 and September 30

Follow these standard best management practices that apply to all roadwork projects.

When there is standing water in the ditch, avoid ditch work during the active amphibian season, from March 1 to August 31.

When there is standing water in the ditch, avoid ditch work during amphibian breeding season, from March 1 to June 30.

If ditch work is necessary in foxsnake habitat in June and July (nesting season), avoid removing deep grasses or displacing rock piles in drainage ditches.

If ditch work is necessary between May and September where turtles are nesting, either:

• Install temporary fencing before turtle nesting season to prevent turtles from nesting in the work site, or,
• Work with qualified persons to plan an alternative solution to temporary fencing, for example collecting turtle eggs, incubating them off-site, and re-introducing hatchlings after the work is completed.

• Make all efforts to reduce impacts to local hydrology when conducting drainage work. If necessary, use preventative measures like temporary check dams to avoid increased water flow downstream.
• During the reptile overwintering period from September to May, do not do any ditch work near reptile overwintering habitat that will change the water level.

Create shallow ditches or berms around sensitive vegetation communities.  Ensure water is directed to a filter berm, or to areas with vegetation that can filter salt-laden, sediment-laden, or polluted run-off, before it enters sensitive habitat.

• If the ditch is within 30 m of waterbodies, or may be connected to waterbodies farther away, assess the ditch to determine if it is fish habitat. If so, all maintenance activities should be done within the appropriate timing window for the fish species present, follow Fisheries and Oceans Canada fish and habitat standards, limit work within fish habitat, and ensure that no sediment or debris enters the waterbody.
• Maintain natural features and coarse substrate, including cobble and gravel which can provide spawning habitat for a variety of fish species. 
• When possible, maintain meanders, pools, and riffles that can provide important habitat for fish rearing, spawning, and resting.

Ditches should flow into vegetated areas located upslope of watercourses. Ditches should not flow into waterways.

• Maintain native vegetation in ditches.
• If dense vegetation is interrupting drainage flow, consider mowing ditches instead of removing vegetation to re-establish flow.
• On the top of the bank, if vegetation must be removed it should be removed from only one side of the ditch/drain, leaving the shade-producing side intact.

Ensure ditches allow for adequate drainage during periods of high water levels like spring melt and storms.

Clean out rather than scrape out ditches to limit disturbance to native species and ditch stability. Regrade ditches only when necessary.

When conducting ditch clean out operations, line ditches appropriately with vegetation, or stone if necessary. Do not leave exposed soil.

When possible, instead of conducting a full clean out of ditches, consider staged clean outs (i.e. clean out 1 km, leave 1km) or phased clean outs (conducted over multiple years).