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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1980 | 3,934 |
| BRUSHY CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1980 | 3,934 |
| SABINE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 3,916 |
| MESQUITE BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 3,898 |
| CCDD #1 MAIN DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2003 | 3,896 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1927 | 3,886 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH # 1 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2013 | 3,884 |
| Woody Branch | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1965 | 3,881 |
| SAN BERNARD RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1988 | 3,876 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 3,876 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2006 | 3,876 |
| Taylor Branch | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 3,875 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1966 | 3,859 |
| WHITE OAK CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1964 | 3,859 |
| WHITE OAK CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1964 | 3,859 |
| BEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2013 | 3,850 |
| GALVESTON BAY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1980 | 3,836 |
| Drainage Ditch | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1977 | 3,834 |
| STANLEY CRK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1983 | 3,825 |
| SQUIRREL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1983 | 3,825 |
| HCFCD #0107-00-00 | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 3,822 |
| DUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1930 | 3,812 |
| YOUNGS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1936 | 3,781 |
| WRIGHT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1937 | 3,781 |
| TOWN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1971 | 3,754 |
| Farmers Branch | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1977 | 3,731 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1960 | 3,730 |
| WRENNS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1954 | 3,725 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1926 | 3,723 |
| MUD CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1957 | 3,715 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1930 | 3,693 |
| Big Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1988 | 3,688 |
| BEAR PEN CRK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1953 | 3,686 |
| Ditch M | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 3,683 |
| PAYNE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 3,674 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 3,674 |
| CANEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1954 | 3,673 |
| TRIB TO HURRICANE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 3,629 |
| MAIN FLOODWAY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1963 | 3,615 |
| BUFFALO BYU N BANK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1964 | 3,601 |
| MARYS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 3,600 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1957 | 3,572 |
| DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1989 | 3,570 |
| COMMERCIAL TRIBUTARY | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2013 | 3,560 |
| No Name Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1999 | 3,549 |
| ARROYO COLORADO | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2011 | 3,528 |
| JORDAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1967 | 3,526 |
| CEDAR CRK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1959 | 3,516 |
| N MAIN DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2022 | 3,513 |
| VOGEL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1979 | 3,500 |
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.