Scour Critical Bridges in Washington

516 bridges in Washington 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 516 bridges in Washington have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.

Clear
Bridge State Scour Status Condition Year Built ADT
ROUND TOP CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Good 1989 18
ROCK CR. Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1985 17
WILLAPA RIVER Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Good 1989 17
CLEARWATER CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Good 1992 16
DRY CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Good 1977 14
LAKE CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1936 12
WEST CANAL W39.9 Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 2016 10
WILDCAT CREEK WA Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1998 10
INDEPENDENCE CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1975 9
NEGRO CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1913 5
CRAB CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Poor 2004 4
KEARNEY CR. Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Good 1967 4
SOUTH FORK PALOUSE RIVER Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1914 3
STEMILT CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1936 2
BOULDER CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Fair 1920 1
CLOVER CREEK Washington Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed Poor 1960 1

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.