MUSKRATS AND MOTORISTS: SERVING TWO MASTERS

A SMALL AQUATIC RODENT, THE MUSKRAT, CREATED A MAJOR PROBLEM IN KLAMATH COUNTY, OREGON, BY BURROWING TOO CLOSE TO ROAD SURFACES CAUSING INSTANT POT HOLES. HIGH WATER LEVELS IN THE MARSH CAUSED THE MUSKRATS TO BURROW HIGHER AND HIGHER INTO THE ROADBED IN SEARCH OF DRY HOMES. THE ROADS CAVED IN OVER THE DENS AND AREAS AS LARGE AS 4 X 4 FEET POSED DANGEROUS OBSTACLES FOR MOTORISTS. THE MARSH AREA WAS A NATIONAL REFUGE PRECLUDING POISONING OF THE ANIMALS. A TWO- FOOT LIFT OF PIT RUN BASE MATERIAL WAS LAID ON THE ROADBED ACROSS THE MARSH BUT FAILURES CONTINUED. BERMS WERE CONSTRUCTED TWENTY FEET WIDE ADJACENT TO THE ROAD ACROSS THE MARSH. THE BERMS WERE PLANNED TO BE ABOVE THE HIGH WATER LEVEL AND PROVIDE DRY HOMES FOR THE MUSKRAT POPULATION DURING PERIODS OF HIGH WATER. MUSKRATS WILL SUBDIVIDE THE NEW FILL AND, HOPEFULLY, LACK REASONS TO CONTINUE EXCAVATIONS BENEATH THE ROAD SURFACE.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Vol 98, No 8, PP 114-115, 3 PHOT
• Authors:
  • Kurth, W W
• Publication Date: 1967-9

Media Info

• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Animals; Berms; Cavitation (Mechanics); Construction; Deterioration; Dryness; Marshes; Rodents; Surface course (Pavements); Water table
• Uncontrolled Terms: Dry conditions; Muskrats
• Old TRIS Terms: Burrowing animals
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00218284
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM