Scour Critical Bridges in Michigan
1,081 bridges in Michigan 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 1,081 bridges in Michigan have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEBEWA CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2000 | 74 |
| BASS LAKE DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 72 |
| NORTHWOOD DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1926 | 67 |
| STONY CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1920 | 65 |
| N BR OF BLACK RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1987 | 64 |
| BAD CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 64 |
| NOTTAWA CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1918 | 61 |
| MUD CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 60 |
| NORTH MACON CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 60 |
| TAMARACK CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1998 | 57 |
| GRIFFUS CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 57 |
| DOWAGIAC RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 56 |
| SWARTZ CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1957 | 56 |
| BOVEE DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 56 |
| PONY CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1939 | 56 |
| INDIAN CREEK DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1976 | 55 |
| OCHA CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1985 | 52 |
| WEEKS DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 51 |
| JO DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1938 | 51 |
| STONEY CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1984 | 50 |
| CHARLOTTE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1907 | 50 |
| NEWTON DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 50 |
| ROCK FALLS CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1971 | 50 |
| SANDSTONE CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 50 |
| BIG CEDAR RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 50 |
| SWAMP RAISIN CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 50 |
| VANDERVENTER DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 50 |
| SUCKER CREEK DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1983 | 50 |
| BIG SAUBLE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1960 | 49 |
| MORRIS DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1924 | 47 |
| MALLORY LAKE DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 46 |
| SILVER CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 44 |
| NOTTAWA CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1919 | 43 |
| GIBSON DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1979 | 43 |
| E BRANCH ESCANABA RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1925 | 40 |
| W BRANCH CHOCOLAY RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 40 |
| NELSON CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 40 |
| TYRE I/C DRAIN EXT | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1974 | 40 |
| LITTLE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1928 | 39 |
| NILE DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 38 |
| LAIRD CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 37 |
| MACON - MILAN DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1968 | 37 |
| BIG CREEK A DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1917 | 30 |
| TEKONSHA CREEK&POWERS | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 30 |
| WILSON CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1935 | 30 |
| TROUT FALLS CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1935 | 30 |
| CEDAR RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1976 | 30 |
| NORTH MACON CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 30 |
| LITTLE TROUT RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 30 |
| DOWAGIAC RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 26 |
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.