Cut-out leading to a flume
Cut-outs with water bars and now-filled sediment traps on a decommissioned road
Managing temporary harvesting tracks is not discussed in this Manual, but cut-outs play an important role in track rehabilitationA cut-out is a small ditch that takes water from a road surface or road ditch, and allows the water to discharge to an area of stable ground. They are simple to construct, effective, and easily maintained. Cut-outs may direct water to additional water control measures such as culverts or flumes, or through sediment control structures such as slash bunds, sediment traps and sediment retention ponds. Cut-outs are also used to decommission roads or tracks when they are no longer required, to control stormwater run-off. As far as practical, locate cut-outs where the outlet would not cause additional erosion.
Construct enough cut-outs to reduce the volume and velocity of runoff, so as to reduce the erosive power of the water. Refer to the road drainage culvert spacing guidelines; cut-out discharge points are identical to culvert requirements.
After installation, check that the number of cut-outs is sufficient to control stormwater runoff. If not, add additional ones or other water controls.