Gravel Roads Rehabilitation

The Gravel Road Rehabilitation Program (GRRP) focuses on stormwater problems resulting from gravel camp roads around a lake. Gravel camp roads can create stormwater runoff issues causing non-point source pollution and phosphorus loading into a lake.

The GRRP began in 2019, working on areas identified in the 2017 China Lake Gravel Road Survey. Commissioned by the Kennebec Water District, the survey identified opportunities to lessen the impacts of gravel roads on the water quality of China Lake.  In 2019 Fire Roads 13 and 35 were rehabilitated; in 2020 Fire Road 11 was completed and some work was initiated on Fire Road 37; in 2021 Fire Roads 36 and 41 were rehabilitated.

The GRRP applies its funds to address stormwater issues by fixing stormwater problems and requires a financial cost share by local road associations or individual groups of private citizens living along the gravel camp road.

In 2021, the GRRP made improvements to Fire Road 41 off Lakeview Drive in China to minimize soil erosion and phosphorus-loading impacts on China Lake. The photos below highlight some of the work.