Private Water Crossings: Considerations Before You Build

PRIVATE WATER CROSSINGS | 7Figure 3.1-7. A bridge pierlocated in the water channel createsscouring and debris catch whichexacerbates the impact of flooding.Routine maintenance is required toprevent accumulation of debris.Bridge Crossing ProblemsFigure 3.1-8. Bridge abutmentsencroaching into the stream createsa weakening of the structuralintegrity of the crossing duringhigh water flow by erosion andscouring.Figure 3.1-9. The lack of wingwalls and a short bridge spancauses loss of bridge approachduring high water. A longer bridgespan with abutments set back fromthe water channel utilizing wingwalls would avoid scouring anderosion.