Water Crossing Structures

Water Crossing Structures Skill Definition:

Construct a water crossing structure (i.e. puncheon, turnpike, bridge) to span drainageways or wetland areas and raise the trail above the high water line while maintaining uninterrupted hydrology beneath the constructed feature.


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Resources for Water Crossing Structures

Wetland Trail Design and Construction
Wetland Trail Design and Construction

In this manual we have described the common techniques for building a wetland trail. We have also included information on some of the more unusual materials and tools.

Drainage Crossings
Drainage Crossings

The PCT and its feeder trails cross water courses of every conceivable size and type. Because bridges are time consuming and expensive, whenever possible it is better to build simpler structures that are more durable. Learn to build and maintain two…

Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Structures
Foundations of Sustainable Trails: Structures

​​This course serves as an introduction and overview to usage, construction, and form of critical trail structures. It begins with a focus on five main types of water crossings. Participants will be introduced to planning decisions based on trail…

Trails in Wet Areas: Turnpike and Puncheon Construction
Trails in Wet Areas: Turnpike and Puncheon Construction

Trails in Wet Areas: Turnpike and Puncheon Construction - USDA Forest Service 1994 - 0823-2D01-MTDC - Missoula Technology Development Center. Learn about turnpikes and puncheons and which will work best for your wet trails.

North Country Trail Handbook
North Country Trail Handbook

The North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) extends for thousands of miles across seven states. Its layout, design, construction, and maintenance require the participation of a myriad of individuals and groups.

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Upcoming Trainings for Water Crossing Structures

Trail Building and Stewardship for Non-Motorized Multi-Use Trails Boot Camp
Vermont State University
Vermont State University
Sustainable Trail Building One-Year Certificate Program
Sustainable Trail Building One-Year Certificate Program

September 09, 2024

Lyndonville, Vermont

Custom Trainings

There are 46 trainers on TrailSkills
with Water Crossing Structures experience.

Scott

Scott Johnson

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Forest Grove, OR

Trail builder with the Forest Service for over 15 years. Have worked on a mobile trail crew for all…

Jacob

Jacob Hyde

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Santa Cruz, CA

Walt

Walt Daniels

New York - New Jersey Trail Conference

Trainer Nonprofit

Mohegan Lake, NY

Mark

Mark Loseth

Contractor Trainer

Flagstaff, AZ

For over 10 years, I have been designing and leading field-based trail trainings for land agencies,…

Mike

Mike Passo

American Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Bellingham, WA

<p>Mike Passo is the Executive Director of American Trails. Mike has also served as the Executive…

Dylan

Dylan Lang

Conservation Legacy

Trainer Corps

Salida, CO

Search and sort all 46 trainers

Hire Workers

There are 189 profiles on TrailSkills
with Water Crossing Structures experience.

Amanda

Amanda Crothers

Portland Parks and Recreation

Agency

Washougal, WA

Trail Technician interested in trail accessibility, dry stone masonry, foot bridge carpentry,…

Michael

Michael Ryba

Nonprofit

Hudson, OH

High school teacher, volunteer trail designer, builder, and organizer

David

David Deitemeyer

City of Colorado Springs

Agency

Colorado Springs, CO

Professional and licensed Landscape Architect (CO) specializing in the trail planning, design and…

Brian

Brian Sedgwick

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

Nonprofit

Petersburg, PA

I am in charge of facility maintenance - buildings, landscaping, trails, and services. I graduated…

Melissa

Melissa Padilla

Nonprofit

Pollock Pines, CA

I am the treasurer for Mother Lode Trail Stewardship. We are a new stewardship that started in 2020…

Mike

Mike Thomas

Agency

Salt Lake City, UT

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Contact Us

Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Corps Network