Scour Critical Bridges in Alabama
450 bridges in Alabama at risk from water erosion around foundations.
Scour Critical Bridges
Scour is the erosion of soil and rock around a bridge's foundation caused by moving water. When foundations are exposed or undermined, a bridge can collapse even if its deck and superstructure are in good condition. Scour is the leading cause of bridge failures in the US. These 450 bridges in Alabama have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG BRUSH CRK(RELIEF) | Alabama | Scour Critical — Unaddressed | Fair | 1969 | 150 |
| SEPULGA RIVER | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 30,356 |
| SEPULGA RIVER REL | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 30,356 |
| SEPULGA RIVER REL | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 30,356 |
| N/A | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1940 | 17,786 |
| Swan Creek (MC) | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 9,052 |
| Swan Creek (Relief) | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 9,052 |
| Two Mile Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 8,250 |
| Blue Girth Creek West | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 5,720 |
| Blue Girth Swamp East | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 5,720 |
| MOORES CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1910 | 350 |
| Spear Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1986 | 200 |
| Branch | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1976 | 200 |
| MILL CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1915 | 125 |
| LITTLE CAHABA RIVER | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1904 | 100 |
| MCCALLS CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 96 |
| YELLOW CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1950 | 79 |
| Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 75 |
| Old Town Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2019 | 60 |
| WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1961 | 55 |
| CORNER CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1954 | 29 |
| Flat Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 25 |
| Stream | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 25 |
| Calebee Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2021 | 12 |
| Red Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2021 | 12 |
| Calebee Creek | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2021 | 12 |
| LUBBUB CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | — |
| EIGHTMILE CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 69,472 |
| CHICKASAW CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2003 | 69,472 |
| BIG WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1992 | 27,802 |
| BIG WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1992 | 27,802 |
| BURNT CORN CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 12,100 |
| BURNT CORN CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 12,100 |
| ALA RIVER RELIEF | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 11,205 |
| RR * BEACHCREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1976 | 10,950 |
| MUCKLEROY CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 10,585 |
| MUCKLEROY CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 10,585 |
| ALA. RIVER RELIEF #3 | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 10,540 |
| ALABAMA RIVER | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 10,540 |
| ALABAMA RIVER | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 10,450 |
| PAINT ROCK RIVER | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 9,523 |
| PINEY CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 9,320 |
| FACTORY CREEK (-) | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1974 | 9,125 |
| FACTORY CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1974 | 9,125 |
| FISHING CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 8,520 |
| MURDER CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 8,472 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 8,342 |
| TURKEY CK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 8,030 |
| TURKEY CK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1972 | 8,030 |
| SWAN CREEK | Alabama | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 7,620 |
Scour Critical Rating Codes
| Code 2 — Unaddressed | Bridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken. |
| Code 3 — Countermeasures Installed | Protective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical. |
| Code 6 — Countermeasures Ineffective | Protective measures were installed but have been assessed as ineffective. The bridge requires re-evaluation and additional action. |
About Scour Critical Bridges
Scour critical bridges have been identified through underwater inspection or analysis as having foundations that are unstable or could become unstable during flood conditions. FHWA requires action plans for all scour critical bridges. Famous scour failures include the 1987 Schoharie Creek Bridge collapse in New York.