Scour Critical Bridges in Nebraska

962 bridges in Nebraska 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 962 bridges in Nebraska have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.

Clear
Bridge State Scour Status Condition Year Built ADT
N BR WEEPING WATER CK TR Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1953 4,360
COON BRANCH Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1933 4,055
MUD CREEK TRIBUTARY Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 3,605
CEDAR CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 3,500
WALNUT CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1937 1,585
MILL CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 1,500
S BR WEEPING WATER CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1989 1,405
RATTLESNAKE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1938 830
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1969 660
CEDAR RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1979 470
N FK LITTLE NEMAHA RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 350
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1949 325
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1995 255
MEDICINE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Good 2024 250
ELKHORN RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Good 1982 235
SOUTH OMAHA CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1938 195
PRAIRIE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1936 195
W FK BIG BLUE RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1970 185
SOUTH LOGAN CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 185
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1934 175
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 165
S BR HUMBUG CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1978 155
ELKHORN RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1986 150
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1984 150
BIG SPRINGS CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1970 140
THIRTY MILE CANAL Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1927 125
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 125
BEAVER CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1938 115
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1978 105
PAYNE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1972 100
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1920 100
CAMBRIDGE-OXFORD-ORLEANS Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 100
COLUMBUS GENOA CANAL Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 95
BIG SLOUGH CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1965 90
DEER CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 90
TURKEY CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1974 75
NORTH OAK CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 75
SAPPA CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1916 75
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1935 75
NPPID CANAL Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1976 70
N BR BIG BLUE RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1940 70
S CH PLATTE RIVER Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1920 65
FOURMILE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1981 65
CLEAR CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 65
YANKEE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 60
BATTLE CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 60
TURKEY CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1971 60
STREAM Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Fair 1981 60
PLUM CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1984 55
SCOTT CREEK Nebraska Scour Critical — Unaddressed Poor 1935 55

Scour Critical Rating Codes

Code 2 — UnaddressedBridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken.
Code 3 — Countermeasures InstalledProtective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical.
Code 6 — Countermeasures IneffectiveProtective 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.