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.


Learn More

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.

Improve this skill

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…

Mark

Mark Loseth

Contractor Trainer

Flagstaff, AZ

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

Andy

Andy Crowley

Contractor Trainer

Ashland, NH

Conservation Trail Services LLC. Working with private, non-profit, and…

Emily

Emily Paulson

City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit

Boulder, CO

I'm a trail project manager with a background in leading, training & managing trail crew…

Ben

Ben Appleby

Linear Active LLC

Contractor Trainer

Zanesville, OH

I am the founder and owner of Linear Active LLC. I started the business in 2012 after completing my…

Daniel

Daniel McCoy

University of Wyoming

Trainer Higher Education

Laramie, WY

Search and sort all 46 trainers

Hire Workers

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

Josh

Josh Kloehn

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Nonprofit

Towson, MD

Tim

Tim Farris

Agency

Jackson, WY

I am in charge of the Wilderness and Trails program for the Jackson Ranger District on the…

Galeo

Galeo Saintz

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Plettenberg Bay

Galeo Saintz is the co-founder of South Africa’s two longest trail initiatives. For 10 years he…

Macfarland

Macfarland Gibson

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI)

Nonprofit

Flagstaff, AZ

Jerome

Jerome Pelland

Sentiers Boréals, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Granby

Jay

Jay Vander Wall

Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA)

Nonprofit

Boyne City, MI

Search and sort all 189 workers

Suggest a Resource

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.

Let us know
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