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.

Willie

Willie Bittner

Great Lakes Trailbuilders, LLC

Contractor Trainer Higher Education

La Crosse , WI

Willie Bittner started working on trails 25 years ago with the Wisconsin DNR and over the years he…

Charlotte

Charlotte Staats

Adirondack Mountain Club

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Lake Placid, NY

I am a seasoned trail builder who has worked on trails in New York State since 2015. I've worked…

Mike

Mike Riter

Trail Design Specialists (Georgia)

Contractor Trainer

Danielsville, GA

We are a full service trail company. Our services include trail design, construction and…

Jennifer

Jennifer Medina-Gray

Trainer Agency Corps

Albuquerque, NM

Allie

Allie Maloney

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Whitefish, MT

Allie Maloney is the Coordinator for the Flathead Trails Association. Her experience includes trail…

Stephen

Stephen Crowe

Appalachian Mountain Club

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Cherry Valley, MA

Recruit, train and oversee volunteers to construct rock structures to harden treadway and maintain…

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Hire Workers

There are 186 profiles on TrailSkills
with Water Crossing Structures experience.

Lex

Lex Carey

Pulaski Users Group (PUG)

Nonprofit

Hailey, ID

With conservation corps, and USFS trail Crew experience under my belt I have shifted to the…

Mike

Mike Thomas

Agency

Salt Lake City, UT

James

James Hodges

Contractor

Colorado Springs, CO

Licensed Civil Engineer designer; trail planner, designer, builder and maintainer; Certified Master…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Contractor Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit Higher Education

Golden, CO

Kim Frederick has over 45 years of experience in the design, development and management of…

Kyle

Kyle Koch

Maine Coast Heritage Trust

Nonprofit

Whiting, ME

Unity College, Unity ME, freshwater ecology undergrad. 15 years experience fish habitat restoration…

Uriah

Uriah Steber

Contractor

Pierre, SD

Benchmark Trails has experience with developing new trail construction projects. Site feasibility,…

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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