SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 26: Find a Safe Water Crossing

A stream can look harmless from the bank, but moving water is not always as shallow or predictable as it appears. Rainfall upstream can raise water levels quickly, and slippery stones or hidden holes can turn a simple crossing into a serious hazard. This is why it is important that you learn and understand how to find a safe water crossing.

For this challenge, you’ll assess a stream or river crossing point and decide whether it would be safe to cross. The most important skill here is recognising when to find another route.

Your Challenge

Find a suitable stream or river crossing point and assess the conditions from the bank. Identify potential hazards and explain whether you would cross, choose another crossing point or turn back.

You do not need to enter the water at any stage to complete this challenge.

What You’ll Need

• A safe location where you can observe a stream or river from the bank.
• A phone or camera.
• A notebook or phone to record your observations.

Take the Challenge

Choose a location where you can observe the water safely without approaching an unstable edge. Look at the crossing point and the surrounding area before making your decision.

Consider these points:

• Water speed: Is the water moving quickly, swirling or carrying branches and debris?
• Depth: Can you judge the depth reliably, or could submerged holes and uneven ground hide deeper water?
• Riverbed: Are stones likely to be slippery, loose or unstable?
• Banks: Are the entry and exit points gentle and stable, or steep, muddy and eroded?
• Downstream hazards: Are there waterfalls, rocks, fallen trees or other obstacles that could make being swept downstream especially dangerous?
• Recent weather: Has there been heavy rain locally or further upstream? Water levels can rise rapidly, even when conditions where you are seem calm.

Think about alternatives. Is there a bridge nearby, a safer route around the water or another way to reach your destination? Never assume you must cross simply because the water lies across your planned route.

Safety

Do not enter fast-flowing, deep, swollen or unfamiliar water to test whether it is safe. Even relatively shallow moving water can knock you off your feet, and cold water can quickly affect your ability to move.

For this challenge, make your assessment from a safe position on the bank. If you are uncertain about the depth, current or footing, treat the crossing as unsuitable and find another route. Never attempt a risky crossing just to complete the challenge.

Check Your Results

Before completing the challenge, check that you can:

• Identify at least three potential hazards.
• Explain how recent rainfall could affect the crossing.
• Assess the entry and exit points as well as the water itself.
• Identify a safer alternative if the crossing is unsuitable.

You don’t have to find a crossing that is safe to use. Recognising that a location is dangerous and deciding not to cross is a successful outcome.

For further guidance, read the British Mountaineering Council’s advice on hill skills and river crossings.

Complete the Challenge

Take a photograph showing the crossing point from your safe viewing position. Record your assessment, including the hazards you identified and whether you would cross or choose an alternative route.

How to Submit Your Challenge

1. Go to your SGUK member profile.
2. Open the Social Activity area.
3. Upload a photograph of your evidence to your activity wall.
4. Add the hashtag #SGUKChallenge26.
5. Share your post for evidence verification.

Once you’ve shared your evidence and it has been verified, the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 26 is complete and the completed challenges figure will be updated on your profile.

Challenge 26 Checklist

Want to Push Yourself?

Compare two potential crossing points along the same stream. Look at the differences in water speed, bank stability, visible obstacles and possible escape routes.

Explain which location appears less hazardous and why. Remember that appearances alone cannot guarantee safety, and an established bridge or alternative route may still be the better choice.

What’s Next?

For your previous challenge, revisit SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge 25: Find Signs of Animal Feeding and practise observing small details in the natural environment. Careful observation is useful both when identifying wildlife and when assessing outdoor hazards.

Each SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge can be completed in any order, so keep developing your judgement and practical outdoor skills.

Learn. Practise. Master.

That’s what the SGUK Outdoor Skills Challenge is all about.