From the USATF handbook.
http://www.usatf.org/about/rules/2009/2009USATFRules.pdf
RULE 169
STEEPLECHASE
1. The standard distance shall be 3000 meters. Races of 1500 and 2000 meters may also be contested.
2. The 3000 Meter Steeplechase shall have 28 hurdle jumps and 7 water jumps. The 2000 Meter Steeplechase shall have 18 hurdle jumps and 5 water jumps. The 1500 Meter Steeplechase shall have 13 hurdles and 3 water jumps. There
shall be five jumps per lap after the finish line has been passed for the first time.
The water jump shall be the fourth if that is feasible. The jumps shall be evenly distributed, i.e., the distance between the jumps shall be approximately one-fifth of the nominal length of the lap. Because of differences in track design and water jump placement, all steeplechase courses must be individually measured.
Generally, only the start line will need to be adjusted. A diagram showing a typical configuration of the barriers on a 400m track with an interior water jump is shown in Figure 2.
NOTE: In the 2000m event, if the water jump is on the inside of the track, the finish line has to be passed twice before the first lap with five jumps.
3. The men's hurdles shall be 91.4cm (± 3mm) high (3 ft.). The women's hurdles shall be 76.2cm (± 3mm) high (2 ft. 6 in.). The hurdles shall be at least 3.96m wide and shall be placed on the track so that 30cm of the top bar, measured from the inside edge of the track, will be inside the field. The section of the top bar of the hurdles and the hurdle at the water jump shall be 12.7cm (5 in.)
square. The weight of each hurdle shall be between 80 and 100kg, and each hurdle shall have on either side a base between 1.2 and 1.4m. All hurdles are to be painted with white and black stripes, or in other strong distinctive contrasting colors, also in contrast with the surrounding environment, in such a manner that the lighter stripes, which will be at least 22.5cm wide, are on the outside.
See Figure 3.
NOTE: It is recommended that the first hurdle taken in the race should be at least 5m wide.
4. Each competitor shall go over or through the water. An athlete shall be disqualified if he/she:
(a) does not jump any hurdle;
(b) steps to one side or the other of the hurdles; or
(c) trails the leg or foot below the horizontal plane of the top of any hurdle at the instant of clearance.
Provided this Rule is observed, an athlete may go over each hurdle in any manner.
5. Water Jump Construction:
(a) The water jump, including the hurdle, shall be 3.66m (± 2cm) in length and 3.66m (± 2cm) in width. At the start of a race, the surface of the water shall be level with the surface of the track, within a margin of 2cm. The
depth of the water closest to the hurdle shall be 70cm for approximately 30cm. From there, the bottom shall have a uniform slope upwards to the level of the track at the farther end of the water pit. The hurdle at the water
jump shall be 3.66m (± 2cm) wide, and shall be firmly fixed to the ground, 2009 USATF Competition Rules • 92
so that no horizontal movement is possible. The top bar shall be 12.7cm x 12.7cm (5 in. x 5 in.) in thickness and the same height as the others.
(b) The sloped portion of the bottom of the water pit shall be covered with a synthetic surface, or matting, of sufficient thickness to afford a safe landing, and allow for the spikes to grip satisfactorily. See Figure 4.