Scour Critical Bridges in Rhode Island
94 bridges in Rhode Island 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 94 bridges in Rhode Island have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOOSENECK RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1924 | 4,944 |
| JOHNSONS POND | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 4,870 |
| WOOD RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 4,691 |
| ABBOTT RUN | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2020 | 4,300 |
| BLACKSTONE RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1885 | 3,811 |
| MILL CANAL | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2018 | 3,603 |
| POTTER POND CHANNEL | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2002 | 3,358 |
| FRENCHTOWN BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2012 | 3,341 |
| ASHAWAY RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 3,184 |
| PAWCATUCK RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1926 | 3,102 |
| WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1949 | 2,965 |
| MILL GUT TIDAL INLET | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1967 | 2,700 |
| WEST RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1913 | 2,222 |
| MOOSUP RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 1,640 |
| WEEKAPAUG INLET | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2011 | 1,616 |
| HARRIS BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2015 | 1,486 |
| SAUGATUCKET RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1959 | 1,461 |
| NANAQUAKET RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 1,115 |
| ASHAWAY RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 1,111 |
| TARKILN POND | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1935 | 1,095 |
| MOSHASSUCK RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 1,000 |
| NONQUIT POND | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 957 |
| PAWTUXET RIVER N BRANCH | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1888 | 910 |
| WOOD RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 850 |
| PAWCATUCK RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1926 | 830 |
| PASCOAG RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 770 |
| GOOSENEST BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1992 | 679 |
| POTOWOMUT RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 588 |
| SODOM BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 581 |
| WOOD RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1925 | 573 |
| FLAT RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2013 | 500 |
| CHEPACHET RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 305 |
| QUEEN RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1976 | 300 |
| CLEAR RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1946 | 300 |
| WOOD RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 233 |
| DOLLY COLE BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1924 | 210 |
| HEMLOCK BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 180 |
| PAWCATUCK RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 100 |
| HEMLOCK BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1950 | 73 |
| KELLEY BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 65 |
| BUCKS HORN BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1970 | 42 |
| PONAGANSETT BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 34 |
| ROARING BROOK | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1975 | 26 |
| FALLS RIVER | Rhode Island | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1960 | 17 |
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.