Cold & Trout Creek Forum Question:
What are the plans for fixing the “little bridge” along Cold Creek?

Response:
Although we’re not quite sure which bridge is the “little bridge” along Cold Creek, Tahoe RCD contacted the US Forest Service Tahoe Basin Management Unit to get an update of planned improvements for bridges in the area.

Overall summary:
Within the last decade, the US Forest Service (USFS) adopted the Power Line trail for management and reconstructed the “Beaver Bridge” over Cold Creek. Within the last several years, the USFS has “adopted” and developed trails within the Cold Creek area following the purchase of a large tract of private land that included High Meadows. These trails included portions of the Cold Creek Trail. On public federal lands, land managers have a responsibility to ensure managed facilities (such as bridges and trails) meet established standards for public safety and resource protection. As is the case with new bridge construction along managed Forest Service trails, “Beaver Bridge” over Cold Creek on Power Line Trail was constructed according the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (ASSHTO) standards and was built to withstand a 100 year flood.

USFS sign at the intersection Cold Creek & Powerline Trails, site of "Beaver Bridge"

Comments regarding new bridge construction on USFS-managed land:
• Any future bridges, including the potential restoration of user-created bridges, would also need to conform to ASSHTO standards and be designed to withstand a 100 year flood. This means a seemingly simple replacement to a user-created bridge on a user created trail would need to be adopted for management and a bridge would need to have a span adequate to pass a 100 year flood event, designed to support snow loads and designed to safely pass trail users ranging from equestrians to snowmobiles. Any new bridges are technically classified as “public facilities” and therefore become more complex than simply getting users across a creek with a simple structure.

• In forested areas, the Forest Service carefully considers the introduction man-made structures, including bridges, to preserve a more natural environment and effectively obligate tax payer funding.
• The USFS is currently assessing the access needs for multiple uses in a few areas near Cold Creek, including under the power lines in the High Meadows area and the bridge on Power Line Trail over Heavenly Valley Creek.
• More natural “rock crossings” are also being considered along Cold Creek where the Cold Creek Trail closely parallels High Meadows Rd (known by many locals as the “Crazy Bat Crossing”) and also at Cold Creek in the High Meadows area.

Recent and Ongoing Bridge Projects
• Grass Lake Creek Bridge –Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2011
• Big Meadow Trail Bridge – Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2011
• Cold Creek Trail Bridge (tributary) – Completed 2010
• Ward Creek Trail Bridge – Tahoe Rim Trail – Completed 2006
• Armstrong Pass Trail Bridge – Completed 2004
• Beaver Trail Bridge – Power Line Trail – Completed 2004

Thanks to USFS for the information and for additional information regarding potential bridge and trail projects please contact Garrett Villanueva at 530-543-2762.