Gravel Delivery in Oklahoma

Most of these cities sit on layered sedimentary rock. The state geologic map reads shale, sandstone and siltstone at the Oklahoma City center point, and shale and siltstone at the Edmond center point. Tulsa's center point shows shale, sandstone, conglomerate and coal. Norman's reads sandstone, conglomerate, shale, siltstone and chert. Many of these layers formed in old rivers and shallow seas, and much of central Oklahoma's rock carries the rusty red color of iron.^[1]

Two cities break the pattern. Broken Arrow's center point reads fine alluvium, the silt and sand a river leaves on its floodplain. Ada's center point shows coarse alluvium, fine alluvium and volcanic rock. Coarse alluvium is rounded gravel and cobbles dropped by fast water. Washed and screened, deposits like these give River Rock, Pea Gravel and sand.^[1]

Shale and soft sandstone make poor driveway stone, since they crumble under tires and turn to mud. For that reason, crushed stone for a drive can come from harder limestone or granite quarried farther away. Limestone crushes into gray, angular pieces with a fine dust that binds when wet. Granite crushes into speckled, hard stone that resists wear under tires. The chert in Norman's reading is the exception among the local rocks: it is hard and glassy and breaks into sharp pieces.^[1]

Soil readings change from city to city. The USDA soil survey reads fine sandy loam, well drained, at the Norman center point and very fine sandy loam, well drained, at the Broken Arrow center point. Edmond's center point shows silt loam, well drained. Ada's reads gravelly sandy loam, moderately well drained. Sandy loams drain fast and make a decent subgrade once compacted. Silt loam packs firm when dry but softens and pumps when it is soaked.^[2]

Ground height differs by city. The Oklahoma City center point stands 1,210 feet above sea level and the Edmond center point 1,180 feet. Ada's reads 1,000 feet and Broken Arrow's 590 feet. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation writes its rules for the stone layer under state pavements in Aggregate Base, Type A, Section 303, of its Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, dated 2019.^[3],[4]

Rain falls hard and fast here. The weather station used for Broken Arrow averages 42.1 inches of precipitation a year, Ada's 41.5 inches and Tulsa's 41.0 inches. Edmond's station logs 38.2 inches, Norman's 37.6 inches and Oklahoma City's 36.4 inches. Much of that rain comes in strong storms, and a yard that was firm in the morning can be soft by evening. After a big storm, wait a day or two before a loaded truck drives across grass.^[5]

Winters are short but sharp. The Edmond station counts 87 days a year at 32 F or colder and Broken Arrow's 81 days. Norman logs 76 days, and the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Ada stations each log 72 days. Snow is light: Tulsa's station averages 8.7 inches a year, Edmond's 7.1 inches and Oklahoma City's 6.7 inches. Norman and Ada each read 4.1 inches. Ice storms can still close roads for a few days, so a winter delivery may need a new date.^[5]

Most lots in the metro suburbs have room for a truck. Wide driveways in Edmond, Norman and Broken Arrow let a dump truck back in and spread a load as it pulls forward. Rural lots near Ada may have long gravel lanes that need to be firm enough for a full truck. Check for low wires, tree limbs and septic fields, and keep the truck off a septic area. Mark sprinkler heads and buried lines with flags, since a loaded truck can crush them. If the only open spot is the street, agree with your neighbors where a pile can sit for a day or two while you spread it.^[2]

Open ground also brings wind, which matters for any pile left in the yard. A pile of Topsoil, Fill Sand or Mason Sand left uncovered can lose its fines on a windy day. Cover the pile with a tarp and weigh the edges if it will sit for long. Gravel Valet can drop on a tarp to keep stone dust off a concrete drive.^[2]

Driveways come first. On the silt loam at the Edmond center point, strip the topsoil, lay fabric, and compact a layer of Road Base or Crushed Concrete. Top it with Driveway Gravel or 3/4" Crushed Stone. Fabric keeps wet silt from pushing up into the stone. Crown the drive so storm water runs off, and cut a shallow ditch along the low edge to carry it away.^[2]

Storm water control is a big job in this climate. With 42.1 inches of precipitation a year at the Broken Arrow station, much of it in heavy bursts, roof runoff and street flow can cut grooves in a yard. A dry creek bed lined with River Rock and edged with Riprap carries that flow and holds up to fast water. A French drain with Drain Rock or #57 Crushed Stone pulls water away from a slab.^[5]

Clay pockets call for a deeper base. Shale weathers into clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and the shale under Oklahoma City and Edmond can leave sticky ground in spots. On clay, start with a layer of #4 Crushed Stone or 1-1/2" Crushed Gravel, then Road Base on top. The coarse stone spreads the load and lets water escape.^[1]

Patios, paths and shed pads follow. On the well drained fine sandy loam at the Norman center point, compact Road Base, set pavers on Concrete Sand, and sweep fine sand into the joints. Stone Dust Screenings pack smooth under a shed or a hot tub pad. Decomposed Granite and Walkway Gravel make soft, natural paths through a garden. Wet each layer of Decomposed Granite and roll it, and it packs into a surface firm enough for a wheelbarrow.^[2]

Gardens need help in hot summers. Sandy soil, like the reading at Broken Arrow, dries fast, so mix Compost and Garden Soil into new beds. Shredded mulch in black, brown or red keeps roots cool and slows evaporation. Pea Gravel and River Rock make low water borders. Under a swing set, Playground Sand or Wood Chips soften the landing. Raised beds help on clay patches too, since a bed filled with Garden Soil sits above ground that stays wet after a storm and dries out in spring sooner than the yard around it.^[2]