Bridge in water?

[JoceAndChris]

Apologies for running two threads but decisions have to be made.

The pond was dug and the liner laid in my absence - note to self- never ever go away again- and it was supposed to have a definite "waist" to form a figure of 8 shape. Over the waist a bridge will be sited - the plan was for a wooden one. But how it's been done I can see there isn't enough earth for the bridge's feet and the current shape is suggesting a much, much bigger bridge than I had in mind -one that will be expensive and too dominating. Is it possible to site a wooden bridge with its feet in the water at the back end? Or am I going to have to lift this liner and re-landscape?

Any advice much appreciated.

 

[Flyfisher]

How frustrating!

I doubt it would be a problem to construct a bridge with its supports in the water but I'd be more concerned about how to get the supports through the liner in order to provide an adequate foundation to make the bridge itself solid and stable.

I'd guess that oak would be the wood of choice if the supports will be in the water, but perhaps there are more water-resistanct woods available - I'm not sure. I'm presuming that any form of wood treatment would not be possible because of the pond life.

 

[eezageeza]

Oak posts will be fine submerged in water. Sit them in very large buckets or plant pots, filled with concrete, sitting on the liner. If necessary, remove any pointy bits from the underside of the bucket/pots first!

 

[Moo]

Another thought -
Pond liners do not last forever, so you need to consider how, when the time comes, you will replace yours.
I reckon that the simplest solution is going to be some relandscaping under your very watchful eye.

 

[88v8]

Agree with eezageeza. Alternative wood for the supports - teak.
The bridge will be less dominating if you make it narrow, use slats instead of a solid deck, and have only one handrail.

Ivor

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I agree with Moo, a) you really do not want to have to create limits when the liner needs replacing, or even adjusting. Also b) timbers do eventually rot--- we all know what a hassle that means!!!! I suspect you will be happier if it is all shaped as you envisaged it, if you leave it you will be niggled by it all the time. xx

 

[middi]

I think you should break away from " protocol" and these romantic 'monet' style bridges and build a 'trendbreaking' 21st C. cable suspension bridge. One has to keep up with times, eventually. wink

Middi

 

[tobydog]

Joce - I was going to rename your post as Bridge Over Troubled Waters!

Is it just the photo or is the pond really as lumpy and bumpy under the liner as it looks? Again, it may just be the photo but you appear to have varying edge heights which could make it difficult getting the water level even and hiding the liner. Also, is the liner coming up short on the near side?. I agree with getting the shape as you originally intended (figure of eight) but I would be concerned that even though you could shovel soil back in again around the middle, the ground may have lost its strength and integrity to support some of the bridge legs. Rope bridge it is then :wink: .

 

[CliffordPope]

Floating pontoon bridge ?

 

[philpjuk100]

Chain ferry?

 

[88v8]

....could make it difficult getting the water level even ...

Surely in Period Properties one doesn't want things even? It will be much more picturesque with sloping water The chap who dug the hole clearly had the right Period dna.

Ivor

this must all have seemed so simple...

 

[Flyfisher]

Is it just the photo or is the pond really as lumpy and bumpy under the liner as it looks?

Presumably a 'blinding' layer of sand hasn't been laid yet?

 

[Zebra]

Is it just the photo or is the pond really as lumpy and bumpy under the liner as it looks?

It looks as if some sheep have become trapped under the liner. Do get them out before you fill it, won't you?

 

[angrybird]

I thought that the big bump on the right was the digger driver trapped under the liner! because he didn't do what Joce asked him to do :lol:

 

[DJH]

I reckon you should have it done the way you want it and not have to compromise Joce.

Leave the driver under there if that's the best fist he can make of it... :lol:

Doug