Trail Skills College Course Curriculum
To help our volunteers succeed in their trail work, PCTA collaborated with many partners to develop a Trail Skills College curriculum.
Water Management/Drainage Features
Skill Definition
Construct drainage features that decrease erosion and increase sheet flow, including grade reversals, rolling grade dips, berms, ditches, and sheet drains
Entry Level Performance
- Demonstrate understanding of basic natural and stormwater induced drainage effects on trails
- Construct all types of drainage features with supervision
Full Performance Level
- Understand the application of different drainage features for managing water volumes and velocities
- Identify locations and the appropriate drainage feature
- Construct the full suite of drainage features independently and/or with a team across multiple types of terrain, soils and ground conditions
Expert Level Performance
- Implement a comprehensive drainage plan for a trail and/or trail system across numerous types of terrain, soils and ground conditions including difficult and challenging types.
Resources for Water Management/Drainage Features
Documents and Media
• Video Trainings
• Training Programs
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Documents and Media for Water Management/Drainage Features
North Country Trail Handbook
The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.
Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds
This guidebook provides practical guidelines for developing recreation environments that are sensitive to the needs of riders and their stock.
Evaluating Erosion
One important factor that we examine when we assess the condition of a trail is the effect that erosion is having upon the trail surface. This video covers three of the most obvious signs of trail erosion: loose rocks, cuts and areas of deposition.…
Surface Water Control Techniques for Trail Maintenance
Surface Water Control Techniques for Trail Maintenance - USDA Forest Service 1992 - 0823-2D01-MTDC - Missoula Technology Development Center. Learn routine maintenance to prevent water erosion on trails.
Tread and Drainage
Water and gravity constantly threaten our trails and thus we must learn how best to deflect them. This course begins with basics of hillside hydrology and how trails work when they shed water properly. Includes introduction of “trail eyes” and basic…
Trail Skills Training Library
Recorded Trainings for Water Management/Drainage Features
Sustainable Equestrian Trails From Grant Funding to Project Success
This webinar aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of managing a sustainable horse farm. This is part two of a two-part series related to sustainability.
Barn to Trail: Managing Sustainability on Equine Properties
Hosted in partnership with the Equine Land Conservation Resource, this webinar aims to introduce you to the fundamentals of managing a sustainable horse farm. This is part one of a two-part series related to sustainability.
Water Management on Legacy Trails
This webinar will discuss the challenges of legacy trails, examine with photos and commentary commonly built trail features, and applying the SET test to them. It will also discuss the renovation of existing features and the construction of new…
Porous Flexible Pavement, Asphalt, or Porous Asphalt: Lessons Learned for Multi-Use Trails in the District of Columbia
This webinar will discuss the various types of materials used for paved, multi-use trails in the District of Columbia. We will discuss different projects where we used flexi-pave, asphalt, or porous asphalt and our experience with each material. How…
The Third Mode Bonus Chapters: Progress in Walking, Bicycling, and Micromobility for Transportation
A decade after initial publication, The Third Mode author will provide an update to discuss recent accomplishments that tie into the central concept of “the third mode” including his co-founding of Citi Bike, building the Empire State Trail, and…
Got Mud: Tackling Mud and Erosion on Equestrian Trails
This webinar aims to address these challenges by focusing on effective construction techniques, recommended products, and best management practices for trail planning, construction, and maintenance.
Further Education
Training Programs for Water Management/Drainage Features
IMBA Trail Management Schools
This school is typically two days in length with IMBA instructor(s) traveling to your location to deliver the class to staff or members. Instructors arrive the day before to assess the site and do any necessary preparations. Organizations, clubs, or…
IMBA Trail Care Schools
Trail Care Schools equip volunteers and organizations with the skills necessary to maintain modern mountain bike trails in partnership with the local land management. This course will begin with sustainable trail design principles, such as drainage…
Sustainable Trail Building One Year Certificate Program
In this one-year certificate program, you’ll have boots-on-the-ground at Northwoods Stewardship Center in East Charleston, VT for three individual week-long intensive classes. You will grow your knowledge base and connect with trail building…
Trail Academy
Trail Academy is our free class series that teaches students how to tackle any trail-related challenge. Courses are hosted both in the field and online, and are a great starting point for anyone looking to become a certified Trail Crew Leader or…
Trail Sustainability Institute
The Trail Sustainability Institute (TSI) is NWTA’s internal training classes for everything related to trail building. We want to make sure our trail builders are knowledgeable in not only how to build/maintain fun trails, but ensure those trails…
Trails Certificate
Gain insight into best practices related to the design, construction and maintenance of trails. Learn about and apply techniques that can enhance, rehabilitate and protect trails and greenways. Participants will also learn about trail…
Skill Library
Trail Construction
Trail Sustainability Principles
Safety/Site Management
Construction Specifications
Corridor Clearing/Site Preparation
Corridor Clearing: Pruning/ Side-Cutting/ Brushing
Corridor Clearing: Felling/tree removal; Chainsaw/ Crosscut
Corridor Clearing: Material and Debris Management
Hand-Built Trail Construction
Mechanized Trail Construction
Trail Finishwork
Water Management/Drainage Features
Water Crossing Structures
Retaining Walls
Tread Hardening and Surfacing
Decommissioning Trails
Custom Trainings
There are 73 trainers on TrailSkills
with Water Management/Drainage Features experience
Jeremy Poore
Old Fort, NC
Coordinator - Trail Construction and Maintenance
McDowell Tech Community College
Walt Bready
Blairsville, GA
Hire Workers
There are 273 workers on TrailSkills
with Water Management/Drainage Features experience
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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.
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