Scour Critical Bridges in Texas
3,912 bridges in Texas 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 3,912 bridges in Texas have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHITE OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 233 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 233 |
| E FORK JERNIGAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2004 | 233 |
| SANDY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 233 |
| SCHOOLEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1964 | 233 |
| BIG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1964 | 233 |
| LITTLE WICHITA RIVER REL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 233 |
| FIVE MILE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1970 | 231 |
| LITTLE VINCE BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1980 | 230 |
| EAST BELKNAP CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1958 | 227 |
| HOSTETTER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 226 |
| RICHLAND CHEEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1926 | 226 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 223 |
| MEDINA RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 222 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1940 | 221 |
| MUSTANG BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 220 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1988 | 220 |
| CHERRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 219 |
| HICKORY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1960 | 219 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1972 | 217 |
| MITCHELL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1959 | 216 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1963 | 216 |
| Godwin Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 216 |
| PARSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1953 | 215 |
| CANEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1957 | 213 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1967 | 213 |
| MIDDLE SULPHUR RIV | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1967 | 213 |
| WEST FK SUNFLOWER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1956 | 213 |
| WEST FORK BLUFF CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1956 | 213 |
| GUADALUPE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 213 |
| BRANCH OF SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1988 | 212 |
| ARNOLD BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 210 |
| JOHNS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1990 | 210 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1971 | 210 |
| TALPACATE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 210 |
| Big Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1996 | 210 |
| LITTLE SKID CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1971 | 209 |
| RABBIT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1995 | 209 |
| Drainage Ditch | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2014 | 208 |
| WEST FORK POND CR | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 207 |
| BRIAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1968 | 205 |
| COWHOUSE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2004 | 205 |
| BRUSHY CRK REL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1962 | 204 |
| BOGGS GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 200 |
| BOGGS GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 200 |
| WOODLANDS WATERWAY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 200 |
| EGYPT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1985 | 200 |
| STOUTS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1963 | 200 |
| Cibolo Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2022 | 200 |
| MEDIO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 200 |
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.