Scour Critical Bridges in Vermont
242 bridges in Vermont 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 242 bridges in Vermont have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1928 | 3,100 |
| RESERVOIR BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 980 |
| CONNECTICUT RIVER NECRR | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1966 | 20,105 |
| CONNECTICUT RIVER NECRR | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1966 | 19,185 |
| LITTLE OTTER CREEK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 12,700 |
| MIDDLEBURY RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 8,500 |
| LEICESTER RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1943 | 5,900 |
| WILLIAMS RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1962 | 5,700 |
| SMITH BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 5,700 |
| SMITH BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 5,700 |
| FURNACE BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 5,000 |
| ROARING BR WALLOOMSAC BK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 5,000 |
| FREEMAN BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 4,700 |
| WALLOOMSAC RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 4,600 |
| WINOOSKI RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1902 | 4,200 |
| OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 4,100 |
| ANDOVER BRANCH | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1933 | 4,000 |
| GREAT BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1932 | 3,400 |
| WEST BRANCH TWEED RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2019 | 3,200 |
| LYMAN BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 3,100 |
| WINHALL RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 2,700 |
| LAMOILLE RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1919 | 2,500 |
| BLACK RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1989 | 2,490 |
| BROAD BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 2,400 |
| BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1933 | 2,350 |
| BARTON RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 2,100 |
| EAST CREEK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 2,100 |
| THE BRANCH | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 1,900 |
| WALLOOMSAC RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1985 | 1,900 |
| SUCKER BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 1,700 |
| NO. BRIDGEWATER BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 1,700 |
| JAY BRANCH | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 1,600 |
| MILLER RUN | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 1,600 |
| WARM BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 1,600 |
| ENDLESS BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 1,600 |
| DOG RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 1,500 |
| WEST BRANCH LITTLE RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 1,500 |
| BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 1,500 |
| DOG RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 1,400 |
| BROOK AND CATTLE PASS | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 1,400 |
| HUNTINGTON RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1937 | 1,345 |
| MILL BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 1,300 |
| THE BRANCH | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 1,300 |
| KEDRON BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 1,200 |
| ROCK RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 1,200 |
| DEERFIELD RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 1,100 |
| SACKETTS BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 1,100 |
| WELLS BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 1,070 |
| THATCHER BROOK | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 1,060 |
| NO. BR. HOOSIC RIVER | Vermont | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1963 | 1,000 |
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.