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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE PAINT CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 2,617 |
| FRANKS. BR.JUNIATA RIVER | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 2,615 |
| CLIMBERS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 2,614 |
| RIDLEY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 2,611 |
| STONY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 2,604 |
| TRIB S BR PLUM CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 2,596 |
| BEAVER RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 2,589 |
| CABIN CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1931 | 2,577 |
| OVER CUSSEWAGO CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 2,568 |
| LITTLE SWATARA CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 2,553 |
| OVER CROOKED CREEK TRIB | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1921 | 2,552 |
| MUDDY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | 2,551 |
| COWANSHANNOCK CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 2,549 |
| ANTIETAM CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 2,512 |
| DEEP CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 2,501 |
| SYCAMORE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 2,500 |
| MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 2,500 |
| MARSH RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 2,500 |
| CROWS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 2,487 |
| BULL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 2,478 |
| KISHACOQUILLAS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1969 | 2,467 |
| OFFICERS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1916 | 2,465 |
| MORRIS RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1872 | 2,464 |
| TRIB. TO SAUCON CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1962 | 2,445 |
| OVER BLACKS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 2,432 |
| TRIB TO DELAWARE RIVER | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1925 | 2,425 |
| MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 2,386 |
| TINICUM CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1932 | 2,382 |
| DOE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 2,357 |
| MUD RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1961 | 2,356 |
| NYCE LAKE | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 2,351 |
| MARTINS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1945 | 2,347 |
| CRUM CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1922 | 2,338 |
| HUNGRY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1912 | 2,329 |
| STONEY RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1921 | 2,314 |
| SILVER CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 2,300 |
| TRIB.TO DELEWARE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 2,296 |
| OVER DELAWARE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 2,296 |
| OVER COLES CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 2,286 |
| MILL CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1932 | 2,284 |
| PICKERING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 2,283 |
| W. BR. BRANDYWINE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1953 | 2,249 |
| PAUNNACUSSING CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1854 | 2,246 |
| LIZARD CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 2,242 |
| TRIB.TO WILLOW CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1934 | 2,237 |
| W. BR. BRANDYWINE CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1923 | 2,237 |
| RIFE RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 2,233 |
| BEAVERDAM RUN | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1959 | 2,224 |
| WEST FALLS CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 2,216 |
| TRIB.TO MONOCACY CREEK | Pennsylvania | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1924 | 2,206 |
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.