Systems and Methods for Diverting Sub-surface Water

Abstract

Systems and methods for diverting infiltration and subsurface water disclosed herein include excavation of interceptor trenches under roadways, such as gravel roads, and filling the trenches with suitable material. An interceptor trench is a trench, which may be filled with gravel, surge stone, rip rap, or other aggregate that intercepts the water flowing down a slope and carries it off to minimize soil erosion. These interceptor trenches, incorporated under the road, may be filled with heavy material such as rock. The interceptor trenches intercept the water and carry it off before it can build up speed and volume and carry off material.

1 . A system of draining roadway materials and diverting subsurface water from a roadway comprising:
 interceptor trenches configured to divert the subsurface water; and   aggregate filled in the interceptor trenches.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top road surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interceptor trenches are limited to either side of an untrenched center area. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the width of the interceptor trench varies along the untrenched center area. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the depth of the interceptor trench increases as the interceptor trench extends from the untrenched area. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the interceptor trenches span across the roadway. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interceptor trenches are perpendicular to the road. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each side of a center point of at least one interceptor trench angles along the grade of the road. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interceptor trenches are angled from an outside length-wise interceptor trench. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the interceptor trenches are lateral interceptor trenches that extend laterally from a center length-wise interceptor trench. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lateral interceptor trenches are at right angles to the center length-wise trench. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lateral interceptor trenches are at acute angles to the center length-wise trench. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the depth of the center length-wise trench increases until it reaches a lateral interceptor trench. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lateral interceptor trenches are perpendicular to the roadway. 
     
     
         15 . A method of diverting subsurface water from a roadway, comprising:
 providing subsurface interceptor trenches; and   filling the subsurface interceptor trenches with aggregate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising laying a road surface over the subsurface interceptor trenches. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the road surface is gravel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the aggregate is rip rap. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the subsurface interceptor trenches are configured according to at least one of the following drawings: 
     
     
         20 . A system for ponding under a roadway, comprising:
 at least one subsurface trench configured across the roadway;   a clay lining applied to the surface of the subsurface trench;   layered aggregate configured to fill a portion of the subsurface trench;   layered stone on top of the layered aggregate;   at least one surface drain configured in a surface of the roadway to drain the roadway to the trench; and   a leach line configured to drain from the trench to a drainage system.