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Low water stream crossings for trails and greenways

Concrete structures near water level bridge rivers and drainages. Much wider than culverts, these structures cross over drainageways at the same grade as the trail surface. Low water crossings are designed to allow normal flow under the trail, and to be over-topped during seasonal floods. Concrete is the normal material used to withstand flooding and scouring from flowing water. Bridges are typically raised well above the waterway and at least above the 100-year flood level. Railings are typically not used on low water crossings, although the structure may be wider than the normal trail width. Similar structures are used to carry trails over streams under road bridges. Narrow channels may be cut in the concrete to allow moderate water flow through rather than under the trail itself.

See articles and resources on trail bridges and structures and more on greenways and riverways

See Bridges and Boardwalks in the American Trails Business Directory

Photos and commentary by Stuart Macdonald; click on any photo to see it full size:

Low water crossing built in 2009, Cherry Creek Trail, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 14 Oct 09

Pink concrete edges give visual warning on low water crossing over Cherry Creek at Holly Street bridge, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 14 Oct 09

Low water crossing over Cherry Creek at Broadway Street bridge, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 31 Oct 09

NLow water crossing over Cherry Creek at Broadway Street bridge, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 31 Oct 09

Low bridge over tributary to Cherry Creek built in 2009, at Monaco Street, Denver; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 14 Oct 09

Low water crossing before trail enters road culvert, Clear Creek Trail, Wheat Ridge, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, August 1, 2009

Janet Fish Pedestrian Bridge, Austin, TX; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 7 May 2007

Built in 2006, the Janet Fish Bridge honors the founder of the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail, Austin, TX; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 7 May 2007

Waller Creek Trail is built on concrete pad in flood channel, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 15, 2007

The Waller Creek Trail has to cross the stream underneath a street bridge, Austin, Texas; photo by Stuart Macdonald, July 15, 2007

Cherry creek is crossed by both a steel trail bridge and concrete trail structure; photo by Stuart Macdonald, November, 2006

Concrete trail crossing with flowing water paralleled by bridge, C & O Canal Trail, Washington, DC; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June 17, 2007

Concrete structure carries trail over small stream, Bible Park, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, December 4; photo by Stuart Macdonald, August 1, 2009

Concrete structure carries trail over small stream, Bible Park, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, December 4, 2009

Low water crossing on side trail along Four Mile Run, Arlington, VA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2006

Cemented rip-rap protects low water crossing, Arlington, VA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2006

Low water crossing had recently withstood a major flood, Arlington, VA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2007

Trail crosses stream in open space park, Arlington, VA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2007

Normal water flow is constant but contained by crossing structure near Four Mile Run, Arlington, VA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, June, 2007