Scour Critical Bridges in Arizona
164 bridges in Arizona 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 164 bridges in Arizona have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore Creek | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 40 |
| Little Colorado River | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1984 | 40 |
| Foreman Wash | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 35 |
| Turkey Creek | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 30 |
| Wash | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 30 |
| Box Canyon Wash | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 30 |
| Blue River | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1950 | 30 |
| Blue River | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 30 |
| Blue River | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 30 |
| Johnson Canyon | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 30 |
| Wash | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 30 |
| Mother Hubbard Creek | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 30 |
| Leslie Creek | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 29 |
| BLACK RIVER | Arizona | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1930 | 5 |
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.