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Grass bridges (caoqiao) were floating bridges made of grass, twigs, and ropes that enabled river crossing at different water levels -- due to seasonal change -- in North China. Prior to modern architectural technology, these temporary grass bridges were popular. This article discusses the building of grass bridges over the Zhang River during the Qing dynasty. The Zhang River grass bridges were built in the fall, when water levels were low, and removed in spring, when water levels rose. The locations of these bridges changed each year. Because these bridges often crossed county borders, conflicts sometimes arose over which jurisdiction was financially responsible for construction. The ecological impact and location selection of the bridges are also analyzed.