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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLUMBIA DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1927 | 25 |
| CARP RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1965 | 22 |
| TENDERFOOT CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 21 |
| NORTH MACON DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1897 | 21 |
| LITTLE GARLIC RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 20 |
| TEN MILE CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 20 |
| LITTLE CEDAR RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 20 |
| BEAR SWAMP CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 20 |
| N BRANCH WHITE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1910 | 20 |
| WINSLOW CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 17 |
| NO BRANCH PAINT RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 17 |
| SALINE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1937 | 16 |
| JORDAN RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1991 | 10 |
| N BRANCH OF FORD RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 10 |
| PRESQUE ISLE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1906 | 10 |
| DEER CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1945 | 10 |
| SAND RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1932 | 10 |
| BLACK RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1934 | 10 |
| BOISE CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 10 |
| MICHIGAMME RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1934 | 10 |
| BIG CEDAR RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 10 |
| QUAKER BROOK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1988 | 10 |
| S. O. DRAIN | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 8 |
| TENDERFOOT CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1927 | 7 |
| LAUGHING WHITEFISH RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1958 | 6 |
| SAND RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1980 | 5 |
| DUCK CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1922 | 5 |
| PIPESTONE CREEK | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1924 | 4 |
| STURGEON RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1900 | 3 |
| E BR PRESQUE ISLE RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1944 | 2 |
| AU TRAIN RIVER | Michigan | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | — |
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.