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Small Cabin Forum / Properties / Fording a creek
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Ncgirl1975
Member
# Posted: 20 Apr 2019 17:55
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My property is divided by a creek. It’s about 80 feet from bank to bank. Currently, the only way of getting from one side to the other is wading through the creek or taking a 15 minute drive around and over the county’s road.

The creek depth changes frequently from as low as 18 inches to 3 feet.

We’ve considered putting in a bridge, but at 80 feet that’s cost and labor prohibitive.

Has anyone else had success with a ferry system, a zip line or a Tyrolese Traverse? TIA

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 08:03
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What are you trying to get from one side to another?

old243
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 08:56
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What is the bottom of the stream bed like, hard, soft. mud , gravel .old 243

offgrididaho
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:01
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Lots of systems like this here in Idaho suspended over gaps easily more than 80 wide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs0G9FQ15Ww
... but looks to me like some seriously significant engineering to install.

What sort of restrictions do you think your county has on doing work within the streambed? Does the creek ever go dry? If it dries out every once in a while you could consider paving across the creek bed, then you have a very solid surface (that hopefully won't erode away) to drive on. Even then though you're restricted on how deep of moving water your comfortable to drive in (not much over the hubs is what the flood warnings say).

There's a place south of here that uses two old railroad car frames as their bridge, you could try something like that if you could source the cars, build a single pier in the middle. Could be pretty sketchy though.

Ncgirl1975
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:02 - Edited by: Ncgirl1975
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Re what we are moving across...Just people and a fishing pole or two.

Ncgirl1975
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:05
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The bottom of the streambed is quite rocky. We usually wade across it, but that can be treacherous. One is not likely to make it across without a good potential for a spill. Also, crossing between October and March is out due to temperatures.

offgrididaho
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:07
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How about a raft clipped to a fixed cable, run it at angle so the current helps you go one way and have a 12v winch with wireless remote to pull it back the other way? Battery and small solar panel and you're set.

Ncgirl1975
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 11:16
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Quoting: offgrididaho
ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs0G9FQ15Ww
... but looks to me like some seriously significant engineering to install


This would be a perfect solution, but the engineering is beyond my capabilities.

Putting anything on the creekbed isn’t an option as it doesn’t dry up (18 inches at its lowest), and local restriction on interference of water flow. Not to mention what it does to the ecosystem of the river.

FishHog
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 12:52
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If it’s only a 15 min drive around I would just drive around

DaveBell
Moderator
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 16:05
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Quoting: Ncgirl1975
Re what we are moving across...Just people and a fishing pole or two.


I can see Ron White commenting, "try casting farther".

Rickkrus
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 17:32
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Old fashioned ferry. Raft with a rope tied off on both sides.

Fanman
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2019 18:18
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How about a suspension bridge?



Brettny
Member
# Posted: 22 Apr 2019 10:04
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Zip line with a seat would be cheapest if you dont want to boat across.

Aklogcabin
Member
# Posted: 24 Apr 2019 11:01 - Edited by: Aklogcabin
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Maybe have a talk with a house moving company or steel supplies about steel I beams. They may be able to tell you how far you can span and weight support. And cost . May be able to go from foot bridge to auto.
I have researched this before and was told that as long as the river banks were undisturbed no permit. Was a while back though. And as we all know government always seems to grow . Way too many folks who think more government is the answer. To the point that folks can’t even do what they want to do on their own property. A shame in my mind.

beachman
Member
# Posted: 24 Apr 2019 16:05
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We have almost the same issue but the brook is not quite as wide but the depth varies about the same and we cannot block the opening. We were considering a road/path around the back where the brook is narrower and getting an old flat equipment trailer to roll into place as a bridge. The other expensive option is getting an Argo amphibious vehicle to use all year round.

GregGibson
Member
# Posted: 24 Apr 2019 16:56
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Around South Georgia, a lot of the farmers use old mobile home frames for rough bridges for their center-pivot irrigation systems. Old abandoned mobile homes can be bought for a song, and tearing off the uppers isn't a big job. The frames are heavy enough to make a light bridge, but nothing that would hold up for vehicle traffic. Golf Carts, Gators, 4 wheelers, yes. And they are available up to 80 feet, although 72 feet is more common.

mj1angier
Member
# Posted: 26 Apr 2019 20:03
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How about setting some Jersey barriers down and putting a walk way on top.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_barrier

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 2 May 2019 18:18
Reply 


Or two dock sections
-wheels on one end of each and drop down supports on the sides
-one section on each side
- roll them together in the spring and retract them in the fall

Kamn
Member
# Posted: 6 May 2019 15:56
Reply 


You could also look at getting yourself an ex military M35A2 Duece and Half truck that is a 6x6 and just drive right through the creek

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 6 May 2019 18:40 - Edited by: KinAlberta
Reply 


Stilts.

Or a ferry. Run a cable across the span and connect it to a winch on a raft (with wheels) to pull it across and then up on either side’s bank.

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