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.

Custom Trainings

There are 43 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…

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…

Mike

Mike Passo

American Trails

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Bellingham, WA

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

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…

Landon

Landon Welsh

Pacific Crest Trail Association

Trainer Nonprofit

Seattle, WA

Volunteer Training Coordinator for the Pacific Crest Trail Association-- planning trail-wide…

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…

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Hire Workers

There are 180 profiles on TrailSkills
with Water Crossing Structures experience.

Wesley

Wesley Lamberson

Contractor Nonprofit

Knoxville, TN

Amy

Amy Lutsko

Morris County Park Commission, NJ

Trainer Agency

Morristown, NJ

Jerome

Jerome Dumais

Eastern Trails, Inc.

Contractor

Mansonville

Trailbuilduing company based in Mansonville, Quebec, Canada

Charles

Charles Evans

Pocahontas County CVB

Contractor Agency Nonprofit

Marlinton, WV

Trail manager

Sarah

Sarah Torgerson

North Dakota Parks and Recreation

Agency

Bismarck, ND

I served with AmeriCorps on trail crews of 3 years. I spent the second 2 years as a crew leader and…

Daniel

Daniel Briceño

San Diego Mountain Biking Association

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Chula Vista, CA

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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