Chester County is home to approximately 100 miles of unpaved roads, which can serve as an economic driver but can also easily create plenty of problems if they are not properly maintained, writes Jason Nark for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dirt roads are favorite routes for many bicyclists, with races attracting hundreds of cyclists and thousands of spectators throughout the state.

Many run parallel to the banks of rivers and streams. On a well-maintained road, rainfall disperses across the surface evenly, filtering to additional layers of land before it reaches the stream.

However, so-called “orphaned” roads that are not maintained often sink and end up funneling rainwater that collects sediment, trash, and various pollutants into an erosive torrent. Once it reaches the creek, this washes away the stone and rock beds used by fish and other aquatic life to breed. It has caused many fishermen to sound the alarm and ask the state for help.

As a result, Penn State’s Center for Dirt and Gravel Studies was formed in 2001. Since then, it has provided training and technical assistance for thousands of projects throughout Pennsylvania, including in Chester County.

Read more about unpaved roads in The Philadelphia Inquirer.