Where should catenary poles not be placed?

Catenary poles, which are typically used to support overhead communications and power lines, should not be placed in swamps due to several critical factors. Swamps are characterized by unstable ground conditions, saturated soil, and a high likelihood of flooding. These conditions can severely compromise the structural integrity and stability of catenary poles. If poles are placed in such areas, they risk sinking or leaning due to the soft, unstable earth, which can lead to disconnections and failures in the overhead infrastructure.

In contrast, options such as forest areas, urban settings, and elevated terrain may present various challenges, but none convey the severe instability and environmental concerns that swamps do. While forestry might have obstacles like trees, urban settings may come with regulatory and space constraints, and elevated terrain introduces considerations of securing poles against wind loads and erosion, none involve the fundamental ground instability and risk of submersion associated with swamps. Therefore, placing catenary poles in swamps is not advisable due to the inherent risks to their support and functionality.