Scour Critical Bridges in Montana
166 bridges in Montana 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 166 bridges in Montana have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YELLOWSTONE RIVER 094 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1907 | 78 |
| PRAIRIE ELK CREEK 021 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1972 | 76 |
| RED ROCK RIVER 084 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2024 | 75 |
| CLEAR CREEK 036 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1988 | 74 |
| N FK CROOKED CREEK 079 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 68 |
| S FK JUDITH RIVER | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1958 | 65 |
| YAAK RIVER | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 50 |
| FOUR MILE CREEK | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1973 | 50 |
| UPPER SEVEN MILE CREEK | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 48 |
| BELT CREEK | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1954 | 46 |
| S FK BURNS CREEK 063 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1984 | 40 |
| YELLOWSTONE RIVER 030 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1907 | 37 |
| BIG SANDY CREEK 019 | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1963 | 29 |
| DRAINAGE | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 29 |
| DRAG CREEK | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1963 | 2 |
| DUVAL COULEE | Montana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 2006 | — |
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.