If the SB County grading philosophy for Bowen Ranch Rd. continues, you will need a periscope to see the landscape.

The road grader digs the road deeper and deeper in an attempt to find hard ground, pushing the loose soil to the edge. Erosive cuts are then made through and beyond the roadbanks to channel the water off the roadway during the infrequent but heavy rains.

As the roadway gets deeper, the erosive diversions are also cut deeper and further from the roadway. Private property is being severely impacted by this illegal intrusion. There are gullies approaching 6 feet deep in areas that had no erosion 20 years ago.

Clearly, there is a limit and it is being approached. The roadway needs to be filled back in and stabilized in some manner. The test section on Ocatillo is an example of a possible solution. This technique was used on a short section where flow from Arrastre Canyon crosses Bowen Ranch Rd. and again where flow to Rock Springs crosses the roadway.