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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RESACA DE LOS FRESNOS | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 3,295 |
| BR OF SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1986 | 3,286 |
| WEST ROWLETT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1999 | 3,274 |
| RED RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2013 | 3,269 |
| LITTLE LAKE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1982 | 3,263 |
| BLUFF CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1929 | 3,255 |
| OVERFLOW BLUFF CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1929 | 3,255 |
| LONG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1928 | 3,255 |
| LITTLE WICHITA RIVER REL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1931 | 3,255 |
| LITTLE WICHITA RIVER REL | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1930 | 3,255 |
| WHEELER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1983 | 3,246 |
| Coon Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1981 | 3,240 |
| GOFF BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 3,235 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1985 | 3,224 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1967 | 3,217 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1967 | 3,217 |
| WILLOW CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1960 | 3,210 |
| TRIB OF HUANA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2001 | 3,207 |
| RESACA DE LOS FRESNOS | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 3,206 |
| CHAMBERS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 3,200 |
| PUMPKIN VINE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1934 | 3,180 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1989 | 3,165 |
| BERRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1986 | 3,150 |
| Arroyo Tigre Grande | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1953 | 3,137 |
| WHITE OAK CR | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 3,135 |
| BOONS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1931 | 3,117 |
| SMITH BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1938 | 3,112 |
| BLACK STUMP HOLLOW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1938 | 3,112 |
| LIVE OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 3,112 |
| SIESTEDERO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1938 | 3,112 |
| NORTH MAIN DRAIN | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1987 | 3,108 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1937 | 3,093 |
| SCOTT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1937 | 3,093 |
| TOWNSEND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1937 | 3,093 |
| TOWNSEND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1937 | 3,093 |
| SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1993 | 3,093 |
| BRIAR BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1945 | 3,069 |
| HONDO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1961 | 3,069 |
| ROCKY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1990 | 3,065 |
| BOIS DARC CR | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1931 | 3,060 |
| ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 3,057 |
| WILLIAMSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 3,055 |
| WILLIAMSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 3,055 |
| ARROYO COLORADO | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 3,044 |
| MAXWELL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1997 | 3,042 |
| Timber Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1964 | 3,036 |
| SABINE RIV. | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1953 | 3,035 |
| SABINE RIV. REL. | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1953 | 3,035 |
| Mays Creek | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1976 | 3,035 |
| W SQUIRREL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1939 | 3,032 |
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.