fords

A ford is a shallow place in a river or stream where the bed rises toward the surface and the water is shallow enough to allow people, animals, or vehicles to cross. Fords occur where the channel narrows, the flow slows, or the riverbed consists of exposed gravel, sand, or rock. The ability to cross a ford depends on water depth, current strength, bed conditions, and weather; conditions can change with tides, rainfall, or seasonal flows.

For a crossing to be usable, the bed must be stable and the depth within the limits of the crossing party or vehicle. Historical crossings were often located at natural shallow points and became important routes for travel, trade, and military movements. As rivers were bridged, some fords disappeared or became local landmarks. In some regions, fords are still maintained or protected for practical or cultural reasons, while others are now marked with signage or avoided for safety.

Fords have left a mark on place names and language. The word ford denotes a crossing and appears in many geographic names, and the term is also a surname. The name Ford is associated with various individuals and, in modern times, with the Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, which adopted the family name as the brand name.

In transportation practice, fording remains a recognized skill in certain rural or wilderness contexts, though driving through water is approached with caution due to risks of vehicle damage, infection of the drivetrain, or being swept away by an unseen current.