Scour Critical Bridges in Texas
3,912 bridges in Texas 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 3,912 bridges in Texas have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1925 | 7,724 |
| ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 7,720 |
| ROCK CREEK TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2011 | 7,720 |
| DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1954 | 7,718 |
| SPRING BRANCH RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 7,714 |
| GOOSE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1959 | 7,700 |
| S FORK SABINE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1959 | 7,628 |
| DUNBAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1952 | 7,615 |
| LITTLE ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1955 | 7,607 |
| LITTLE ELM CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1955 | 7,607 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1962 | 7,600 |
| Orchard Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1981 | 7,564 |
| TIMBER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 7,519 |
| TIMBER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 7,519 |
| IH 10 BW 8 CONNECTORS | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 7,500 |
| DRY GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 7,500 |
| MILL CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1982 | 7,495 |
| MILL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1982 | 7,495 |
| HALL BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1948 | 7,490 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1999 | 7,486 |
| NORTH DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 7,480 |
| SOUTH DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 7,480 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1998 | 7,472 |
| FRIO RIVER RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1957 | 7,458 |
| POESTA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1976 | 7,410 |
| SIMS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 7,400 |
| SIMS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 7,400 |
| WEST CADDO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 7,396 |
| WEST CADDO SLOUGH NORTH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 7,396 |
| BUFFALO BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 7,344 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1977 | 7,330 |
| MUSTANG BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1984 | 7,314 |
| GREENS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1982 | 7,304 |
| DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 7,300 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1984 | 7,285 |
| HONDO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1939 | 7,271 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1943 | 7,270 |
| Drain | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1964 | 7,270 |
| MENARD CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 7,262 |
| CANEY CR REL 2 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 7,261 |
| CANEY CR REL 1 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 7,261 |
| CANEY CR REL 3 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 7,261 |
| CANEY CR REL 4 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 7,261 |
| COOPER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1987 | 7,250 |
| MERCEDES MAIN CANAL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 7,236 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1925 | 7,213 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1973 | 7,213 |
| DRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 7,211 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1995 | 7,197 |
| HALLS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1965 | 7,171 |
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.