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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARROYO COLORADO | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1957 | 4,190 |
| LITTLE MINERAL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 4,189 |
| FARBER BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1964 | 4,184 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1956 | 4,163 |
| RAYS CRK REL. | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1975 | 4,162 |
| SCATTER BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1975 | 4,162 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1975 | 4,162 |
| DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1962 | 4,155 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1942 | 4,150 |
| BULL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1959 | 4,145 |
| LOW SMITH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1939 | 4,143 |
| SABINE RIV REL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1962 | 4,141 |
| HICKORY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 4,137 |
| GREENS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1981 | 4,137 |
| SABINE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 4,132 |
| SABINE RIVER RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 4,132 |
| SH 288 SB and H Slough | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 4,127 |
| SNAKE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1967 | 4,123 |
| BRASHEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1925 | 4,117 |
| SAND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 4,110 |
| SAN BENITO LOW LEVEL CAN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1955 | 4,109 |
| DRY BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1955 | 4,100 |
| POESTA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1950 | 4,100 |
| LOS INDIOS DRAINWAY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1998 | 4,090 |
| FARMERS BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2012 | 4,090 |
| RIO GRANDE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1992 | 4,090 |
| IRRIGATION CANAL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1935 | 4,084 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 4,074 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2010 | 4,074 |
| RESACA DE LOS CUATES | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 4,066 |
| San Pedro Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2020 | 4,064 |
| POST OAK SLOUGH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1929 | 4,040 |
| POST OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1929 | 4,040 |
| CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1975 | 4,035 |
| BIG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1962 | 4,023 |
| DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1962 | 4,023 |
| MONTGOMERY CO. CHANNEL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 4,000 |
| WOODSON GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 4,000 |
| RIVERWALK N CHANNEL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 4,000 |
| SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2016 | 4,000 |
| SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2016 | 4,000 |
| MONTGOMERY CO. CHANNEL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 4,000 |
| RIVERWALK N CHANNEL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 4,000 |
| FLAT ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1954 | 3,999 |
| SOUTH SULPHUR RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1986 | 3,989 |
| STREAM 2B6 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2009 | 3,985 |
| E SISTER GROVE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 3,962 |
| W SISTER GROVE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 3,962 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1976 | 3,940 |
| BRUSHY CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1980 | 3,934 |
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.