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.

Clear
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 — UnaddressedBridge is scour critical with no countermeasures installed. The foundation is vulnerable and no protective action has been taken.
Code 3 — Countermeasures InstalledProtective measures (riprap, sheet piling, etc.) have been installed to reduce scour risk, but the bridge remains classified as scour critical.
Code 6 — Countermeasures IneffectiveProtective 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.