What Does
Watercourse Crossing Mean?
Watercourse crossings are defined as structures that cross natural watercourses such as rivers, ponds, creeks or other surface areas with running water. Their primary purpose is to get people, vehicles or utilities from one side of the crossing to the other. These crossings may be constructed above or below the watercourse surface. Some structures that qualify as watercourse crossings are:
- Bridges
- Culverts
- Utility crossings
Trenchlesspedia Explains Watercourse Crossing
Under various environmental laws around the world, watercourses are to be protected from construction activity. Trenchless construction has often been turned to as construction solution due to the destructive nature of conventional excavations.
Horizontal directional drilling and punch/bore techniques allow utilities such as pipes and conduits to be installed from one surface to another without the need to clear vegetation, grade banks, and excavate trenches in the watercourse. This leaves watercourses relatively undisturbed during construction activities. The oil and gas industry is known for utilizing directional drilling to traverse pipelines across watercourses with minimal disturbance.