Scour Critical Bridges in Arkansas
187 bridges in Arkansas 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 187 bridges in Arkansas have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1948 | 110 |
| Claude Creek - Wash. Co. | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1982 | 110 |
| Little Lee Branch Polk | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1945 | 100 |
| creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2024 | 100 |
| DRY CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 96 |
| Johnson Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1985 | 94 |
| JOHNSON CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1986 | 93 |
| Md Fk Little Red River | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1910 | 78 |
| S Fk Caddo River | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 63 |
| Whitewater Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2023 | 60 |
| Collier Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1979 | 56 |
| Seven Mile Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 2007 | 50 |
| Moccasin Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1998 | 50 |
| WAR EAGLE CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1999 | 47 |
| S. Fourche La Fave River | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2008 | 43 |
| De Roche Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1992 | 40 |
| Petit Jean River | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 39 |
| POPLAR CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1994 | 36 |
| BAKER BRANCH | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 33 |
| CAVE CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1996 | 31 |
| CURIA CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 30 |
| Long Lake Bayou-Jeff Co | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 30 |
| FLEMING CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 2005 | 30 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1935 | 29 |
| South Sylamore Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1980 | 25 |
| CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1972 | 23 |
| Hicks Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1969 | 23 |
| HAMILTON CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1967 | 21 |
| Ditch | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2012 | 17 |
| Boeuf River | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1996 | 13 |
| CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1995 | 12 |
| SMACKOVER CR RELIEF | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1980 | 11 |
| Mulberry River-Franklin | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1940 | 11 |
| ALUM FORK RELIEF | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1960 | 10 |
| HONEY CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1994 | 9 |
| Branch Hawkins Creek | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 2 |
| CHARIVARI CREEK | Arkansas | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1960 | 1 |
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.