Scour Critical Bridges in Louisiana
1,302 bridges in Louisiana 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 1,302 bridges in Louisiana have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAYOU PLAQUEMINE BRULE | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 4,120 |
| COULEE | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1972 | 4,080 |
| TICKFAW RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 4,071 |
| CANEY BAYOU REL | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 4,051 |
| Hogskin Lake Creek | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1989 | 4,000 |
| HAIRS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 3,980 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1954 | 3,955 |
| N TUPAWEK BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 3,947 |
| BUSHNECK BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 3,931 |
| TARVER CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 3,888 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1973 | 3,881 |
| PICOU BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,782 |
| BAYOU BARBARY | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,782 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 3,768 |
| TANGIPAHOA RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 3,768 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1966 | 3,768 |
| BAYOU LACOMBE | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 3,690 |
| BOGUE FALAYA RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 3,689 |
| PIGEON ROOST CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 3,689 |
| BOGUE FALAYA RELIEF | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 3,689 |
| BRUSHY BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 3,594 |
| BAYOU SAN PATRICIO | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1977 | 3,585 |
| DRAIN | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 3,571 |
| SANDY CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1957 | 3,548 |
| DORCHEAT BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1981 | 3,472 |
| BOONE CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 3,472 |
| DORCHEAT BAYOU RELIEF | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 3,472 |
| MILL BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 3,462 |
| FLATWOODS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1977 | 3,420 |
| ST. JOHNS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1977 | 3,420 |
| AMITE R RELIEF | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,362 |
| LILLYS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,362 |
| LILLYS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 3,362 |
| WIGGINS BAYOU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1953 | 3,354 |
| BAYOU MOREAU | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1957 | 3,289 |
| BROWNLEE CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 3,275 |
| CHOUDRANT CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 3,275 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 3,275 |
| PATRICK CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 3,275 |
| CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1948 | 3,275 |
| Ile Des Cannes Coulee | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1992 | 3,200 |
| CANAL | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2017 | 3,191 |
| LITTLE COMITE RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 3,188 |
| FLAT RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1978 | 3,124 |
| RED BRANCH | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1979 | 3,124 |
| TANGIPAHOA RIVER | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1974 | 3,120 |
| TERRYS CREEK | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1974 | 3,120 |
| TANGIPAHOA RIVER E RELIE | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1975 | 3,120 |
| SLOUGH | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1974 | 3,120 |
| TANG. R. W.RELIEF | Louisiana | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1975 | 3,120 |
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.