I think this is a case where the different versions of English are not quite the same. To me:
A ford is a crossing that is usually underwater all the time. However the water is shallow enough that you can cross anyway, just expect to get a bit wet. It may be dry if the whole river dries up, or unsafe to cross if flooding, but this is not the usual state. A causeway is a crossing that is built up above the usual water level, so you can usually cross dry. This may be an embankment or concrete slab with culverts under it for the usual water flow, or a very low bridge/pier structure. However, when high water comes, water is expected to flow over the causeway as well as under it. It may or may not still be crossable depending on flow. A bridge is built high enough above the water that there is an appreciable gap between it and the water level, and water is not expected to cover it at any time. However, a structure like this that is on a continuous series of pillars (like a pier) instead of some sort of arch structure may still be called a causeway, even if there is no chance of it ever flooding. Stephen 2009/12/2 John F. Eldredge <j...@jfeldredge.com>: > Yes, US English would also call that a ford. > > -- > John F. Eldredge -- j...@jfeldredge.com > "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to > think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria > _______________________________________________ talk mailing list talk@openstreetmap.org http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/talk
