Scour Critical Bridges in Pennsylvania
2,233 bridges in Pennsylvania 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 2,233 bridges in Pennsylvania have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POHOPOCO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 3,709 |
| TRIB.TO MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | 3,704 |
| CONOCOCHEAGUE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1828 | 3,700 |
| BR OF UNAMI CREEK/2806G3 | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1951 | 3,699 |
| QUEMAHONING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 3,695 |
| LITTLE CACOOSING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1942 | 3,682 |
| EAST BRANCH COXES CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1956 | 3,675 |
| TRIB.TULPEHOCKEN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 3,651 |
| MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 3,617 |
| SOLOMON CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 3,600 |
| CONEWAGO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 3,584 |
| SO. BR. SWATARA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 3,582 |
| BRANCH LITTLE NESHAMINY | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1927 | 3,559 |
| STONY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 3,554 |
| OVER SAGE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 3,539 |
| BRANCH MARTINS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,539 |
| OVER SAGE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 3,539 |
| OVER SAGE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 3,539 |
| EAST BR BRANDYWINE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1931 | 3,479 |
| Wolf Creek | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1981 | 3,473 |
| ROBINSON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1980 | 3,469 |
| MAHANOY CREEK. | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1983 | 3,464 |
| OVER SUGAR RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 3,441 |
| TRIB. HOKENDAUQUA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1932 | 3,436 |
| MONTOUR RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 3,416 |
| LITTLE JUNIATA RIVER | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1898 | 3,406 |
| SOUTH POPLAR RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1913 | 3,392 |
| TRIB. TO MAHONING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 3,388 |
| OVER OIL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 3,381 |
| ANGELICA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 3,378 |
| ANGELICA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 3,378 |
| BREAKNECK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 3,365 |
| SWATARA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 3,359 |
| DALTON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 3,356 |
| LITTLE BULL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 3,323 |
| E.BR.BIG ELK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 3,323 |
| OVER WARREN RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 3,304 |
| OVER BR. OF BEAVER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 3,299 |
| PIDCOCK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 3,292 |
| MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1981 | 3,290 |
| PENNYPACK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1883 | 3,280 |
| BRANCH MILLERS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1942 | 3,268 |
| CHARLESTON RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 3,221 |
| TRIB W BR CODORUS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 3,216 |
| BLOOMING GROVE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 3,201 |
| SHOUPS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1989 | 3,190 |
| SOUTH BRANCH MIDDLE CRK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 3,182 |
| PETERS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1956 | 3,168 |
| MC LAUGHLIN RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 3,155 |
| INDIAN SPRINGS | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1911 | 3,150 |
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.