Driveway Culvert Maintenance Responsibilities on BC Highways: Your Questions Answered

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Do you own property along a BC highway? If you do, you may have some questions about driveway culverts and culvert maintenance.

You’ve come to the right place.

Whether you are constructing a new driveway culvert, or you have a pre-existing driveway culvert that needs replacing or maintenance,  it’s your responsibility to make sure it is big enough, installed correctly and functioning properly. Just like many other aspects of home ownership, maintenance is key, especially in the case of driveway culverts. Good culvert maintenance protects roads, properties and the environment.

Here’s what you need to know in order to keep your culvert and road access clear.

What you Need for a New Culvert

If there is an existing ditch line along your property, you will need a culvert. Here’s the scoop:

  • We require that you provide a minimum 400-mm (16-inch) diameter pipe (preferably corrugated steel). In coastal areas or areas of high rain runoff, a larger diameter pipe will be required.
  • The culvert should be longer than the width of your driveway. The standard residential driveway is six metres (20 feet).
  • The culvert length should be a minimum of nine metres (30 feet) to allow for the driveway fill on either side of the driveway.
  • Culvert pipe (preferably corrugated steel) needs to be a minimum diameter of 400-mm (16 inches) by nine metres (30 feet) in length. Big O plastic pipe can be used, but the construction practices will vary in the installation. The culvert must have more gravel and fill on top of the pipe to buffer it from the weight of vehicles travelling over the pipe. It should be noted that metal pipe is preferred due to its reliability and strength. Here’s a list of our recognized products, we suggest that you review the list prior to culvert installation.
  • The culvert should be placed slightly below the invert or lowest point in the ditch. Consider the implications of ditch maintenance and cleaning by the ministry maintenance contractor.
  • The culvert should be covered with granular material to a depth equal to half the diameter of the culvert. For example, if the culvert is 400mm (16 inches) in diameter, the depth of the cover must be a minimum of 200mm (8 inches) in depth. This amount of cover is necessary to protect the culvert from collapse.
  • Our right of way is often also a utility corridor, so if you are going to be doing any excavation, it is your responsibility to call BC 1 before you dig. Fortis and Telus are the prime 2 utility companies that have underground infrastructure, however there are others on occasion that need to be considered as well.
  • If a head wall or end treatment is required, they will be spelled out on your permit.
  • If there is a ditch in front of your property and the water only runs during the spring, you are still required to put a culvert in. There can be extensive damage to the road and your driveway in a short time if the culvert was not put in place.Culvert cross section

How to Maintain a Pre-existing Culvert:

  • You are responsible for driveway culvert maintenance. Culvert maintenance involves keeping both the inlet and outlet of the pipe free of debris so that it works properly, including removing snow and ice during the winter months whenever possible.
  • Ensure your culvert is constructed of a recognized product. (For example we wouldn’t accept a culvert that is manufactured out of wood). Here’s a list of recognized products we accept.
Image Courtesy Regional District of Fraser Fort George

Bonus Questions (and answers)

We often hear the question: “Am I responsible for clearing the snow off of my access in winter?”

Yes. An individual who has an access point on a BC highway is responsible for all maintenance including clearing snow from highway plowing operations at the access entrance.

Another popular question: “Am I responsible for clearing the ditch between my property and the roadway?”

No. Our maintenance contractors are responsible for clearing the ditches alongside provincially maintained roadways to make sure the water on our roads has somewhere to go. Please note: ditches are not a storm water system for managing private property surface drainage. Surface water on private property should be dealt with within the boundaries of the property, not directed into highway drainage systems.

All clear? We hope so. Culverts are an important way to keep water and debris moving smoothly.

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Page 1 of 148 comments on “Driveway Culvert Maintenance Responsibilities on BC Highways: Your Questions Answered”

Leave a Reply to Candiss Cancel reply

  3. terrible over simplification of an open water course/ ditch. ie that ditchs along roadways are not designed to take private property drainage. any basic road design realizes that roadways will naturally intercept runoff from adjacent property and to say that this not allowed is absurd. Basic road design looks at toc, contour and surface geology. Ditchs have been recognized as open water courses and defining them as something else is contrary to what they are. I past years prior to privatization of maintenance the Highways Department did the installation of any culvert at the cost of the applicant and was considered a one time cost. The type of Culvert was typically tar coated CSP. why would you want the public excavating on the roadways? I think the directive you are giving the public is not in the interest of anybody and blurs who is ultimately responsible for failure of drainage.

  4. Usual problem. Tried this before. Left a message with no response in weeks. Only want to confirm whether we are on the list. Simple yes or no question.

    • Hi Randy – thanks for reaching out to us here. Just wanted to confirm you sent a message to the ministry? Could you pinpoint where you left the message? That will help us follow up.

  5. Understand that the culvert itself may be my responsibility but the highway ditch at the end of a long downhill highway grade is filled with eroded material that has not been removed in years by a highway contractor. Both ends of my culvert would be plugged except for hand shovelling a path through it.

    Can’t clear the culvert until the ditch is cleaned up. Seems difficult to get on the list to have ditch excavated. Can you help? Located in Sorrento BC

  6. Using an excavator, my neighbor removed 3 culverts from my legal driveway easement off the highway without approval or permits. Who can I file a complaint with? And what is the process of replacing one or all of them? It’s a riparian zone.

  7. Why are you allowing trucks to enter a 4 lane Highway with no safety in place. No turning lanes, No signs
    No lights in Union Bay on 19a. I thought it was illegal to leave private land to a Highway with a large load.

    • Hi Kathy – thanks for your message. Our local area manager will attend this area to determine if there are any large truck operations using unpermitted access onto 4A in this area, and address accordingly. Safe travels.

  8. Hello,

    In July of 2021 Fortis damaged our aging culvert while connecting our neighbors across the road from us to natural gas. Despite this blocking access to our driveway, property, and home we were told that since it was municipal property that we did not have to notified of the work being done, nor did we have any choice in the matter. The damage resulted in sinkholes forming in our driveway. Over a year later when the sinkholes and culvert were finally fixed, they only replaced the small section of the culvert that was damaged and told us that the rest of the culvert needed replacing as well but that it was our responsibility. Why is it the homeowners responsibility to fix a culvert that is on municipal property when we don’t have a say in what happens on that property?
    This municipal frontage that we do not own but are told that we have to maintain and fix has a water line, a natural gas line, and a fire hydrant located on it. If they don’t need my permission to do anything to the municipal part of the property then …again….why am I responsible for fixing the problems on it when they occur?

    • Hi Sean – thanks for connecting with us here to share your concerns. Unfortunately, this is a question best asked to your local municipality for clarification.

  10. How do I get permission to remove trees on the side of the highway in Royston, Ross ave.
    They are currently reaching the hydro lines and bc hydro does trim them. I think it would be cost effective if they could be removed. There are about six trees all scraggly firs.

    • HI Pam, It is suggested that they contact BC Hydro to request trimming if there is concern that tree limbs could potentially conflict with power lines. BC Hydro manages a vegetation removal program to keep their lines clear.

      We do not have trees removed from highway rights of way unless they are assessed by a Qualified Assessor and confirmed to be Danger Trees.

  12. We have an existing culvert that has broken down and needs repair. This culvert drains BC highways ditch water and is partly on access and our property
    How would we inquire for compensation through BC highways.
    Thank you,
    Sara

  13. When will the ditches be maintained along the 4900 block of the Island Highway north of Qualicum? The alders that fill the ditch are so thick now that our driveways are no longer visible and it has become very dangerous getting in and out of driveways into oncoming traffic.

  14. I have a problem with water running off the highway that is flooding my property in Black Creek. Over the last three years the runoff has become more excessive causing flooding of my basement. When I addressed the Manage at the Courtenay office, I was advised that the ditches was for water runoff from the highway not for my property. I tried to explain that the water was being directed onto my property because of the failed ditches that have grown over and no longer drain the water as they were supposed to. To ad insult, she advised me to seek advice of a Lawyer. If i direct water on to a highway or other properties then am I not liable? Why does that not apply to Highways? The least i would expect is someone to meet at the property and see for themselves rather than direct me to a Lawyer as if there iOS no recourse but to endure the flooding. Fair….I don;t think so. Please direct me to someone that will take the time to at least meet with me or seek resolution.

    • Hello Michael – thanks for your message. We reached out to our staff in the Black Creek area and our area manager confirmed that she spoke to you regarding your issues and she and another staffer visited your site to view the issue causing you concern. She shared the following information with us, which was also shared with you via email. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to staff in our Nanaimo District office.

      Thank you for contacting me regarding the drainage issues at (your civic address). I understand your frustration with surface water running from the road surface onto your property. The ministry designs roads in such a way that rainfall is shed from the surface to the right-of-way. This design is intended to help with water pooling on the roads’ surface and to protect the road prism. The location of (your civic address) is unfortunate in which it is situated at lower elevation than the road surface. This results in surface water naturally flowing from higher elevations down to lower elevations. To my understanding, as a property owner you are entitled to deal with surface water on your land as you please. You may collect surface water or construct a barrier to repel surface water in such a way it does not affect neighboring properties. Ministry right-of-ways are not designed or intended to serve as the drainage requirement for abutting properties and as a result the drainage is the responsibility of the landowner. If you wish to have more information regarding drainage law, I would recommend seeking advice from a lawyer.

      Should you wish to do any construction in the Ministry’s right-of-way, a permit will be required, I have attached the link at the bottom of this email.

      Permit application website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/permits

      We hope this is helpful.

      • I am confused about the comments regarding the property is lower to the road? It is on the down side of the hill on the road not at the bottom. If someone was to actually view the property they would see that there is a ditch up to my corner property and stops there and continues at the far end of the low side of the property to Endall Rd. In essence it directs the flood waters from the highway to cross my entire property. When there is snowfall and ice build up it is worse and far more dramatic. Why wouldn’t your highways dept meet up with the property owner to discuss rather than do a drive by? Solutions and results are best served when people work together!

  15. Who’s responsible for the water that flows through a culvert across the road and ends up on my property? We live at the low stop in the road with a culvert across the road, draining several hundred meters from the high side of the road and dumping said water on to my property. In times of heavy rain, we have a river running through property. We are about to build on the property and are faced with dealing with all this water. Who’s responsible for it?
    John on Saturna Island

    • Hello John,

      Thanks for reaching out to us here. Without knowing the specifics of your location and the surrounding areas, we aren’t able to say. We suggest you reach out to our staff in the Saanich area office. Culverts that run under roads belong to the ministry (to address road water runoff), but the responsibility of the water outside of the roadway right of way, does not. One of our area managers should be able to review the site and confirm. Here’s the contact information:

      Saanich Area
      240 – 4460 Chatterton Way
      Victoria, BC V8X 5J2

      Hours of Operation:
      8:30 am to noon
      1 pm to 4:30 pm
      Monday to Friday
      250 952-4515

  17. From the TranBC website I understand that highway drainage ditches are NOT to be used to manage private property surface drainage and that surface water on private property should be handled within private property boundaries. Please direct me to the policy or legislation that is the Ministry’s authority for this position.

    Thank you in advance for your reply.

    • Hi Christine,…I was wondering if you had any result from dept of Highways regarding your problem. I contacted the Courtenay office regarding a flooding of the highway which has caused considerable damage and was advised to get a lawyer. There was no effort to engage in discussion or look for any resolution. Most disappointed with how I was treated . Did you find a contact that would any least listen within the ministry and aid in some solution? I am bewildered as to why they are there? Thanks, MichaelMichael

      • Hello Michael – thanks for your message. We reached out to our staff in the Black Creek area and our area manager confirmed that she spoke to you regarding your issues and she and another staffer visited your site to view the issue causing you concern. She shared the following information with us, which was also shared with you via email. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to staff in our Nanaimo District office.

        Thank you for contacting me regarding the drainage issues at (your civic address). I understand your frustration with surface water running from the road surface onto your property. The ministry designs roads in such a way that rainfall is shed from the surface to the right-of-way. This design is intended to help with water pooling on the roads’ surface and to protect the road prism. The location of (your civic address) is unfortunate in which it is situated at lower elevation than the road surface. This results in surface water naturally flowing from higher elevations down to lower elevations. To my understanding, as a property owner you are entitled to deal with surface water on your land as you please. You may collect surface water or construct a barrier to repel surface water in such a way it does not affect neighboring properties. Ministry right-of-ways are not designed or intended to serve as the drainage requirement for abutting properties and as a result the drainage is the responsibility of the landowner. If you wish to have more information regarding drainage law, I would recommend seeking advice from a lawyer.

        Should you wish to do any construction in the Ministry’s right-of-way, a permit will be required, I have attached the link at the bottom of this email.

        Permit application website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/permits

        We hope this is helpful.

  18. I have problem with ditch drainage that is not properly routed under the road uphill of my home. The drainage goes onto a neighbour’s property and then onto mine. With our recent rain event, the trench (as deep as I am tall) uphill of my home gave signs of giving way. How can we get this addressed by MOTI or whomever is responsible to deal with the *source* of the problem? It is a runoff issue due to a roadway not controlling the water. How can I get help?

  19. Hello
    There is a drainage ditch across the road from my property. The ditch has not been maintained for years and the vegetation has basically turned into trees growing out.
    My neighbour’s driveway culvert invert elevation is approximately 400mm lower than the ditch invert elevations on both sides.
    Recently during heavy rain, the ditch could not handle the runoff. All runoff entered my property causing significant damage.
    The maintenance contractor was notified in the summer but has not performed any work to rectify the problem.
    As a result, I was on the hook for the cost of repairs and cleanup.
    What is my recourse to get my cost reimbursed?
    Thanks

    • Hi Ben,…I would be most interested in whether or not your problem was resolved or at the least addressed by someone who is willing to at least look at it? I have addressed my concerns with the Courtenay office and been advised to seek legal help rather than do a site visit and at least discuss options. Please let me know if you found someone that was of help?

      • Hello Michael – thanks for your message. We reached out to our staff in the Black Creek area and our area manager confirmed that she spoke to you regarding your issues and she and another staffer visited your site to view the issue causing you concern. She shared the following information with us, which was also shared with you via email. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to staff in our Nanaimo District office.

        Thank you for contacting me regarding the drainage issues at (your civic address). I understand your frustration with surface water running from the road surface onto your property. The ministry designs roads in such a way that rainfall is shed from the surface to the right-of-way. This design is intended to help with water pooling on the roads’ surface and to protect the road prism. The location of (your civic address) is unfortunate in which it is situated at lower elevation than the road surface. This results in surface water naturally flowing from higher elevations down to lower elevations. To my understanding, as a property owner you are entitled to deal with surface water on your land as you please. You may collect surface water or construct a barrier to repel surface water in such a way it does not affect neighboring properties. Ministry right-of-ways are not designed or intended to serve as the drainage requirement for abutting properties and as a result the drainage is the responsibility of the landowner. If you wish to have more information regarding drainage law, I would recommend seeking advice from a lawyer.

        Should you wish to do any construction in the Ministry’s right-of-way, a permit will be required, I have attached the link at the bottom of this email.

        Permit application website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/permits

        We hope this is helpful.

  20. I have problem with ditch drainage onto my neighbour’s property, which runs through a culvert and dumps onto my property and has created a hillside wash away issue. The issue originates from a local road dumping into my neighbour’s property (they inherited this issue from previous owner). With our recent rain event, the trench (as deep as I am tall) uphill of my home gave signs of giving way. How can we get this addressed by MOTI or whomever is responsible to deal with the *source* of the problem? It is a runoff issue due to a roadway not controlling the water. How can I get help?

  21. There’s a “lake” that forms during heavy rain on my street. The culvert that carries water down toward the sea seems to be too high. I have let the SCRD and MoTI know about this. It’s been a problem for 30 years.

    Any chance this might be dealt with? I know there are a lot of problems with flooding right now, but any advice would be appreciated.

  22. Hi

    in our area they haven’t maintained the ditches for quite a few years and so the vegetation is taller then me, we have a drainage culvert that leads into our hay field we never had issue until they chip sealed the road a few years back, a lot of the gravel filled pipes and such and they never came back and cleaned the ditches now when it rains the water comes under the culverts and had made our fields into a swamp, the water on the far side of the road used to flow down to where the creek was and now can’t as the ditches are so congested, with trees, bull rushes etc, im trying my part to help with this but find highways just laughs at me and doesn’t do there part, im thinking I have to video film it and place it on the news just to get cleaned, even further up our valley, they place road flooded signs when the water goes over the roads instead of cleaning them

  23. Culvert not maintained in Tulameen,Bc. My address is 2873 coalmont road. The culvert is above my property and also to the right of my property which is on public access. Culverts were installed when the province was flooding I think in 2016. Has never been maintained

  25. Hi there, my neighbour or someone a few years back, before I bought my house, took the culvert connecting from my drive way to theirs. With recent spring flooding, my house is in the middle of the street and has no connection to flow water down the road. Water is now backing up n my property, as it can not continue to flow down the road in the ditch. I need to know if it is illegal to not have a culvert in place for continuous draining. I have made many phone calls and have not gotten and lead way on what to do with this. It’s messing up my yard because they took the culvert out to make more front year space.
    Are they allowed to not have a culvert and is is illegal to not have on in place?
    Thank you

  26. Question:
    So my street a few years back the neighbours or Emcon took out a culvert connected from my driveway and ditch to the next one. So now there is no culvert in place, so the water run off can not continue to flow down the road. My yard has gotten more water intake this year. Is it illegal to not have a culvert and should there be one.

  27. I need to put in a culvert to make access to a new driveway. All Highways permits are already passed. There is a power pole close to the ditch. Are there any rules about running a culvert passed the power pole

    • Hi Doug,

      We don’t have that information on hand, but if you reach out to the area staff/office that approved your permit, they should be able to help clarify.

      Hope that this is helpful.

  28. Big O Plastic pipe was used on my road corner, and nieghbor doesn’t maintain their ditch. Why couldn’t mainroad drive by and tell people they are responsible to clear their ditch. Or mainroad will do it and charge the owner for the work.

  29. My neighbours and I wanted to hard surface 75 feet of our laneway/road as it slopes and water runs down the driveway eroding it and spilling the gravel out onto the paved main road. Our laneway is on a gazetted road so we were advised to get permission to do this. I applied and got permission to proceed from a Burnaby office I think it was. Then our local MoTI representative weighed in and said we had to replace the culvert to I think it was 16 inch which, following the installation instructions would bury all but the top 6 inches of the culvert. We would become responsible for any water run off to spite the fact there is a ditch beside the laneway that has been there since 1956. There were other restrictions which I have now forgotten. Highways has never done any maintenance on this road except to replace the culvert once about 30 years ago. We neighbours do all the gravel addition and road maintenance. Again, this is a gazetted road with an official name recognised by the post office and regional district. Why can’t we just pave the driveway like our neighbours do. There are many paved laneways coming off private property why should we be treated so much differently?

  30. My property North Oyster district, south of Nanaimo, is bordered by about 1/6 mile of drainage ditch along a provincial road.
    One summer, about five years ago, I spent weeks clearing the ditch and had water running well.
    I checked the ditch last week and saw that the water is not running at all. Grass has grown up in the ditch, and the driveway culvert on the property adjacent to mine is blocked. I would like this situation attended to. I see that the ditch is the responsibility of the department of highways and the culvert is the responsibility of the owners of the neighbouring property.
    I have a request and a question. Is it possible to have the ditch dug out this winter? ( I need contact information of the local contractor for that.) Am I permitted to clear the culvert, which is clearly the responsibility of the land owner and not the owner of the adjacent property, which I am? If it’s possible to have the ditch dug out, and if the owner of the culvert won’t clear the culvert, I will do that.
    Also, looking past that culvert, the ditch disappears to nothing within a very short distance. This may be an old ditch that has grown over. It would be good to have someone who understands water flow have a look at that and hopefully get the water flowing.
    The edges of the road were just scraped in November: this is a big improvement. I feel that the ditch is the next job needing attention.
    Please give me the name and contact information of the local contractor.

    • Hello there Marlene – thanks for connecting with us here. The local maintenance contractor responsible for your area is Mainroad.

      Service Area 2 – Central Vancouver Island (Nanaimo – Port Alberni)

      Mainroad Mid-Island Contracting LP
      1 877 215-6006

      Website: mainroad.ca/our-companies/mainroad-mid-island-contracting-lp
      Twitter: @MainroadMIsland
      Facebook: @MainroadMIsland
      Instagram: @mainroadgroup
      YouTube: Mainroad Group
      Email: midisland@mainroad.ca

      Here is our ministry contact information as well. You might want to reach out to local area staff as well with your questions:
      Vancouver Island District Office – 250 751-3246

  32. I have a property which has a large volume of water directed at it by the interruption of flow cause by the roads. The ditches have not been cleaned or maintained for a extended period of years. The culverts on the MOTI road are blocked or damaged which redirects the freshet water onto my property causing a wash over a sour gas pipeline. The pipeline is in danger of being exposed in the next cycle. Who is responsible for the maintenance of the ditch and associated culverts

  33. Hello, when installing a new culvert for residential driveway in the Prince George region can I use two 15 foot lengths with a collar in the middle ? I have a New Black 30’ by 18” culvert and want to Cut it in half , easier to move and install that way. Thanks

    • Hello again Peter,
      Unfortunately, our engineers are unable to provide engineering advice to an outside party. While it may be possible to cut and couple a culvert, we recommended you reach out to the supplier/manufacturer of the pipe to confirm. (taking into consideration the particular details of the installation (required hydraulic capacity, type of backfill, depth of installation, live load requirements, etc.).
      We hope that this information is helpful.

  34. Hi, we own a small mobile park in regional A in northern b.c. The department of hwys cleaned and deeped the ditch and spread all of the debris along the front of our property, about 600ft. and at least 20ft. past the hydro pole, way past the 33ft. ROW . Are they legally within their rights to have put all of this dirt and rocks on our private property? the trans. depart. is in Smithers b.c.

  35. Hi
    My driveway is eroding due to runoff caused by the lack of culvert above us , it was never installed. it is exactly as your picture shows, without the culvert across the driveway. We are on a the lower side of the road, and they are on the upper side, where both properties slope towards us. We live in the south cariboo region, Interlakes area. is there a contact I can discuss this with, i am not sure how the roadway was approved? can you help direct me to the correct group or person?
    thanks
    chris

  36. I want to extend a culvert beyond my driveway to allow for additional parking. What permit do I fill out for this for the Strathcona Regional district?

  37. Hello. I live in Prince George on North Kell Road. I need some advice on a Culvert issue. I have a low lot and the ditch Line is the same height as my lawn, so the spring water flows through my yard and threatens my house. There is a culvert that crosses the main rd and drains right into my yard. It doesn’t go around my property down the ditch line who should I contact in order to fix this. Thank you

  39. I really think BC highways should inspect all culverts and determine when they should be replaced and if the property owners will not replace the culvert . You! Charge the homeowner for replacement it should not take 3 years of calling Kevin at Fraser Fort George to stop my land from flooding from the Culvert that comes across the Highway and leads to our properties and floods us out . 1 out of 3 culverts that are faulty got replaced and I’ll definitely be calling Kevin again when the Melt is on.

    • Hi Christian,

      Thank you for your inquiry to the ministry regarding inspections of private property owners’ culverts.

      Property owners are responsible for constructing, inspecting, and maintaining infrastructure to access their properties. To assist property owners in the development, inspection, and maintenance of driveway culverts, the Ministry has provided the “Residential Driveways Information Sheet” at http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Development_Approvals/driveways.htm . This link leads to plenty of information for many different types of access and developments.

      The ministry and the maintenance contractor will:
      – Conduct regular monitoring of roads
      – Increased monitoring during heavy snow melt, high water, and in concern locations

      The ministry will:
      – Increase awareness of property owners’ driveway culvert responsibilities in the Fort George District

      The ministry may consider remedial actions when public safety or highway infrastructure may be at risk.

      The Fort George District has nearly 10 000 culvert style drainage appliances which they must inspect and we do our best to be aware of conditions of the thousands of access culverts in the Fort George District as well. We thank you for your message and hope that this information is helpful.

  40. We had a substantial landslide on our property and our insurance was revoked until we obtained a geotechnical survey. We have since done that and it shows that the main cause was that the ditches were not maintained and water was coming from residential property across the road. Who do we contact about this?

  41. I have a 12 inch culvert in my driveway and I am looking to extend it so I stop driving off the side. Can I grandfather the 12 inch and extend it? its a dry area with little run off.

  43. Who is responsible if the ditches have never been cleaned out and full of gravel from the road and now a creek is flowing the wrong way in the culvert under the road and causing property damage an potentially a land slide on my property local road maintenance guys say it’s not there problem ? And last year there was a major landslide in the same area due to the same issue I don’t know if the ministry is to scared to do anything it’s a easy fix clean the ditch

  44. I have travelled on this highway quite a few times over the past years. I think it is totaly fine and does not need any of these new implementations that they are proposing.

    • Hi Jordan,

      Thanks for your comment.

      If there is a ditch line alongside a person’s property, they will need a culvert to route water away from their property.

  45. Just wondering who is responsible for the windrow at the end of your driveway when the greater comes and grade the road most places I’ve lived in it’s opened up by the city or RM where I live they just leave Windroseeven if u shovel the sides of entrance

    • Hi there,

      If your driveway fronts onto BC highway, the responsibility to clear the plow debris at the end of your driveway is yours. If you live within a municipality, you might want to check with them to see if they offer this service.

  46. I find it interesting that everywhere you look it tells you what you must do to accommodate MOTI. What about a property owners right? What responsibilities do they have? Oh wait – it doesn’t matter. They make the rules as they go.

    • Hi Bonnie,

      We’re sorry to hear about your frustration with this. Rest assured we don’t make up the rules as we go along, and in the case of driveway culverts, the responsibility for installation and clearing, lies with the property owner. If you have any specific concerns, please let us know and we will try to connect you with someone from the ministry in a local office close to you and they will follow up.

  47. So, is the access of a driveway mine or public? Like the first few meters between road and property line. Do I have the right to tell contractors not to use my driveway to turn around? There has been numerous occasions where dump trucks are using our driveway to turn around, while working on public works projects. And numerous occasions where they run over the ends of our culvert.

    • Hello Sondra,

      Your property begins on the other side of the property line and the ministry (or local municipal jurisdiction) holds the right of way between the property line and the road (and likely the road itself). We can’t say who is at fault for damage to your culvert, and suggest you connect with local ministry or municipal staff to visit your site and determine where the responsibility lies. We hope that this helps.

  49. Well, here we are now at September 2018 and still absolutely nothing has been done about my concerns.
    In fact for reasons unknown to me, the gravel road allowance immediately fronting my home only was graded in a more advanced downward slope absolutely directing overland runoff water on to my property. Here are some of my civilised suggestions:
    Homeowners on the uphill side of Gower Point Road should be informed in by publication in the newspaper by either MOTI or SCRD that it is the homeowners job to have the correct size/type of culvert, to keep it open and cleared so water can run freely through it, to direct their driveway water into the ditch instead on to the road, and to keep gravel driveway debris off very busy rural roadways like mine. MOTI should also approve of Capilano rural roadway maintenance, the ‘boots on the ground’, providing written reports of any problems observed regarding culverts and ditches, and of where water is collecting alongside the roadway allowance blacktop to form rivers of water to race to private downhill properties. In the meantime please get the gravel roadside allowance graded properly in front of my home and get the ditches across from my home at 14th and Gower Point cleared ,they are filled with debris.

    • Good morning Ms. Mandigo,

      We sent your concern to our local area staff. Our area manager, Colin Midgely will attend the site and review the state of the shoulders on Gower Point Road near your home. When we were there last, we discussed with our maintenance contractor the need to ensure there were swales cut in the shoulder to direct water away from her driveway. Mr Midgley will ensure they are in place. Thanks again for connecting with us here. We hope that this helps.

      • Well, here we are January, 2019 and still NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE to solve the problem as outlined in previous communications.
        I’m being ignored. I’m disgusted with this lack of follow-through in my personal situation. Water and debris should not be flowing across the road onto my property in ordinary rain conditions, let alone in a deluge. I’d appreciate you making sure to get the ditch and culvert across from me cleared before the next deluge. I don’t want any more visits from anyone, just get the ditch maintenance done.

        • Hello again Rene – thank you for your follow up message. We can appreciate your frustration. We encourage you to follow up directly with the local area manager who has been visiting your site and discussing this matter with you. If you would like their contact information, we are happy to look that up for you?

  50. My road floods every spring from hillside runoff. I keep my culvert clear and I’ve paid to have have my ditch scraped clean, but it seems to be the lowest part of the ditch, as the ditch on both sides of mine hasn’t been cleared for decades, which was then done by the district of Vernon. My neighbors inquired about who’s responsible for cleaning out our ditches, and they were told that we, the property owners were responsible for cleaning our own ditches. Nobody is doing anything about it, and my road continues to flood to the point that it’s almost impassible.
    I think a culvert under the road might be the answer. Who is responsible to follow up on this persistent problem?

  51. I live in Naramata, BC and we are experiencing some serious issues with water. Call it run off call it lack of proper planning, either way the water is flowing down from a development above through driveways, into peoples yards and into basements, saturating septic fields and keeps getting further down the hill. I have contacted the Ministry at 1-800-663-7623 over 8 times, have received prompt call backs 3 times but still no one has come to look at the problem. Water is running so fast down the ditch, which faces East / West, and when it hits a culvert (not on private land) the culver is North / South direction, so some water gets into the culver and lots is going under road into my yard / basement. There is something wrong with this culvert, and there is a wooden bridge built over it?? Which I have mentioned many times on my phone calls. Over the last week many neighbors above who are experiencing basement flooding & lot saturation are now trying to direct more water into this ditch. There is going to be more serious damage if this continues and the culvert put into place is not working to drain the ditches in a compatible matter. HOw can this be addressed, besides being told to call my local fire fighters to put up sand bags?

    Thank you

    • Hello Candiss and thanks for connecting with us here to share your concern. We are aware of the water issues in Naramata and our operations team has been reviewing the situation. We have shared your concern with our local operations manager, Jeff Wiseman and he will follow up with you directly. You can also reach Jeff at 250-490-2227.

  52. RE: 1271 Gower Point Road, Gibsons BC V0N 1V3, the runoff water from driveways across, up and over, from me continue to flow at a downward diagonal angle to my side of GPRd instead of into the clearly defined ditch that runs along their side of the road. This collecting water then streams along my side of the crumbling blacktop raceway, carved out by increasingly heavy traffic, streams down the steep earthen slope fronting my property and down my driveway where it continues to the front of my house. On September 2, 2016 I woke to find the grassy front yard of my home a lake and water in the finished downstairs area. Insurance did not cover this overland water damage. Continued complaints, over many years, have not garnered any satisfactory results from the Ministry staff or the local maintenance contractor. This area and the ditch that runs along the entire north side of Gower Point Road should be routinely monitored as per the ‘Residential Driveways Information Sheet’ that clearly spells out up-side driveway owners responsibilities as well as the Ministry and Ministry maintenance contractor’s responsibilities to make absolutely sure that surface runoff water is being directed away from private property. I’m doing my part to the degree that can I afford and I need some cooperation on a moral & compassionate level and well as a professional level from the Ministry. There is a serious problem with the grading of the road along here, correcting the grading to send water into the ditch would make an enormous difference. Please do something.

    • Hello Rene and thank you for your comment. We shared your concern with the local area manager who confirmed he has asked our maintenance contractor, Capilano Services to remedy some of the issues you have raised, specifically cleaning the ditch opposite your property, and creating a flume off the road at 14th street. Capilano have been busy completing some previously scheduled projects for us, but will be moving to this area shortly.

  53. Our property is flooding because of culverts that are directing water from the mountain side under the BC HWY directly into our neighbors farms and without proper ditching it just pours onto our properties and is now resulting in property damage. Are they not responsible for putting in proper ditching for the culverts?

    • Hello Sandra,

      We asked about your question and heard the following:

      – It is the responsibility of the owner of the access to keep the culvert open.
      – Ensure that the culvert installed is the proper size, many accesses have a 300mm culvert installed and they freezes easily. 300mm culverts do not – conform to our guidelines for the size of culvert in an access.
      – Clean the inlet and outlet of the culvert every fall to ensure that they are open and can flow water, residents can flush their culvert with a garden hose or pressure washer as well.
      – When it snows, do not shovel or deposit snow at the inlet or outlet of the culvert, this way, if the culvert needs to be opened due to freezing then there is less snow in the ditch.
      – Mark the ends of the culvert so it can be found if it freezes.
      – You can attach a steam source to melt the ice .. like a pressure washer but from a portable steam boiler.

      Here is a link to more information: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/Development_Approvals/driveways.htm

      Hope that this helps.

  56. My downhill neighbour and I hope to meet with Don LeGault soon, perhaps tomorrow, we’re assuming he has the authority to order remedial work on an on-going basis – – is this correct? Thank you, René

  57. I’ve just picked up todays email messages and there is one from Don LeGault, TRANEX, sent this morning. He has been out to this area in the past regarding these same issues, issues which have not improved but have instead worsened. I will respond to him and perhaps this time he will see the problems better. Thank you, René

  59. My rural home is on a hillside at the corner of two 66 foot road allowances in the SCRD. The homeowners above me on the other side of the main road do not, and will not, maintain the ditch or the culverts on the road allowance in front of their properties. Rainwater streams down their driveways and onto the road instead of into the ditch. It then crosses the road which cants toward my home and the road allowance that run along side my home. The fast running water carves out & undercuts the blacktop on the shoulder road above and races down the side road allowance & my driveway. The most recent and worst result of this ongoing concern was a small lake in my front yard and a serious leak in my finished basement. The homeowner below me lost much of their recent landscaping and could not drive off their property without having to hire a backhoe.Their home is on a high-bank cliff and water was running over the cliff too. Local road maintenance has been helpful. I’m sincerely hoping you will find someone to look into this further.

      • I have contacted SCRD, MOTI, Capilano Highways & local Road Maintenance, also the Area Director for this location on the Coast, & neighbours. There is a problem along this area of the roadways that is allowing water to flow over and on to private properties.
        I believe this situation has become a jurisdictional football lost in the ‘chain of command’. SCRD passes to MOTI, MOTI passes to Capilano Highways in West Vancouver, the West Van office passes to the local Capilano maintenance supervisor who passes to a worker (or not) and NO ONE fixes the source of the problem. I am, as is my neighbour below me, being rudely ignored & dismissed and this has been going on for a long a time. The amount of water streaming on to our properties from the road allowances in this small stretch of road could be corrected if MOTI would provide well defined instructions to local road maintenance for ongoing care in this location. Question: Who, with the knowledge, skill, & some authority (not just a monitor) will meet with me & my neighbour on some very rainy days to visually assess & promote this problem up the chain of command for corrective road maintenance? Thank you.

          • Do you mean you have sent my request to the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) office, or do you mean sent to the Sunshine Coast Capilano Highways maintenance office, or do you mean sent to the Sunshine Coast MOTI office? Whichever, I’m staying tuned in. Thank you for your attention to my request. René

          • Hi again Rene,

            We understand that one of our staff contacted you directly via email to set up some time to visit your property before and during a rainfall event. We hope that this helps. Please let us know if you need anything else.

  60. I’m having trouble finding the right place for info on side hill water control, and responsibility for it. I have land bound by two parallel roads about 100 feet apart. On the high side of the first road, there is a ditch and culverts which direct the uphill ditch water under the road onto my property. All good so far. However, when the water crosses the property and tries to pass under the second road (old rail bed converted to walking path, with no apparent culverts but possibly French drain system), it is unable to do so effectively because of brush and annual leaf litter buildup. There has been no maintenance along the toe of the slop on this second road. This has caused the water to pool and backup into my property which has become a surface water retention pond and is chronically wet. Livestock have been kept in this area for over 70 years, but it’s now too wet to use. Where should I look for legislation that defines responsibility … is this my problem, or should the municipality be accountable?

  61. We have a ditch in front of our property. The accumulation of water in the ditch is virtually non-existent even in heavy rains as the road slopes to the opposite side which has no ditch. The ditch is over 4 feet deep in some spots, we see this as a danger for people traveling down the road as there is no shoulder. The property’s up the road have no ditch just a swale. Also the ditch has not been maintained and is over grown with trees and brush, which will become a fire hazard in the heat of the summer. Other properties in close proximity have a swale of 1′ deep. If it were a swale rather than a ditch we would be willing to maintain it. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

    • Hello Brenda,

      Could you let us know your approximate location? We would like to connect you with your local area office directly for further discussion.

  62. I definitely agree that maintenance for these pipes are crucial, so the insight you give about this was helpful. Specifically, you talk about how this involves keeping both the inlet and outlet of the pipe free of debris so that it works properly. Not only will this keep the pipe functioning, but it will help you to avoid any type of additional issues that you would have to clean up and pay for. Thus, doing this maintenance regularly will ensure that the pipes are always functioning and no damage or harm comes from them. Thank you for sharing!