Culvert Maintainer FAQs

  • Certified individuals may maintain, repair, replace, or modify culverts up to a maximum diameter of 48'', or the hydraulic equivalent without prior DES permit
  • All maintained culverts must be able to pass flow without causing damage to upstream or downstream properties
  • All performed maintenance must be in accordance with NHDOT Best Management Practices for Routine Roadway Maintenance

  • Work on culverts with a history of overtopping
  • Work on double culverts regardless of diameter
  • Slip lining or other methods which reduce the diameter of the culvert

For these scenario please file a routine roadway permit BEFORE performing work or contact DES for specific questions and instructions.  More information on some roadwork permits may be found here https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wetlands/categories/permits.htm

  • Municipal or state employees who have successfully completed the Culvert Maintainer Certification and passed the exam.
  • NH Licensed Professional Engineers who are employed by or performing services for the state or NH municipalities.

**NH Licensed PE's May Apply For Certification Without Taking The Training Course**

Eligible individuals (see above) need only fill out this DES application.  There is no fee for application.

Information about the initial certification period, and renewal certification period, is found here.  

All certified individuals must file a quarterly report form to DES detailing their maintenance activities for that quarter.   

January 1 - March 31: reports due by April 15

April 1 - June 30: reports due by July 15

July 1 - September 30: reports due by October 15

October 1 - December 31: reports due by January 15

Please send the completed Quarterly Monitoring Report and associated photos to CCM@des.nh.gov.  Hard copies of Quarterly Monitoring Report can also be mailed to NHDES Wetlands Bureau, CCM Program, P.O. Box 95, Concord, NH 03302-0095.

Regarding the photos:

Four photos are required with each report item: 1 upstream “before” photo, 1 upstream “after” photo, 1 downstream “before” photo, and 1 downstream “after” photo.  Each should be dated and labeled, two per 8½ x 11 sheet if you’re scanning or mailing them, or titled with date and location if emailing.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU DID NOT PERFORM ANY APPLICABLE CULVERT WORK AND HAVE NOTHING TO REPORT, YOU ARE STILL REQUIRED TO NOTIFY NHDES OF SUCH.  You may either fill in the quarterly report and check off that there is no activity to report, or you can email CCM@des.nh.gov with your name, contact information, and Culvert Maintainer Certification ID indicating that you did not perform any reportable work in the prior quarter.  For Towns with multiple CCMs with no activity, those CCMs can report non-activity for that quarter in a single email message to CCM@des.nh.gov  , including each CCM’s name and Certificate Number. 

CCMs must report quarterly, regardless if they performed CCM work or not.  You may either fill in the quarterly report and check off that there is no activity to report, or you can email CCM@des.nh.gov with your name, contact information, and Culvert Maintainer Certification ID indicating that you did not perform any reportable work in the prior quarter dated 4/1/19-6/30/19.  For Towns with multiple CCMs with no activity, those CCMs can report non-activity for that quarter in a single email message to CCM@des.nh.gov , including each CCM’s name and Certificate Number. 

Yes, you can send completed Quarterly Monitoring Report and associated photos to CCM@des.nh.gov.

No, slip-linings may not be used under the certification program. Slip-lining should use the Routine Roadway Maintenance permit and consult a licensed engineer. 

No, this is not acceptable under the certification program. Any scenario which involves multiple culverts should use the Standard Routine Roadway Notification process and employ the services of a licensed engineer. 

 This certification applies to 48” diameter culverts or their hydraulic equivalent. For box culverts the equivalent cross sectional area (1810 in2 ) may be used. Certified individuals should be clear that cross sectional area should be calculated using interior dimensions. In the image below the “span” should be multiplied by the “rise” .

Image for Box CUlvert FAQ CCM- this image describes how to determine maximum size of a culvert under certification.

Examples of maximum acceptable dimensions are below:

This image shows maximum acceptable dimensions based on demensions in feet, thickness in inches, and interior area.

This is part of the existing Routine Roadway Maintenance rules. Extending culverts beyond 10’ can present significant new impacts to upstream and downstream channels. Extensions beyond 10’ should use the Routine Roadway Maintenance permit and consult a licensed engineer. 

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