Scour Critical Bridges in California
623 bridges in California 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 623 bridges in California have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMITH RIV SOUTH BANK RD | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1940 | 6,500 |
| SECRET RAVINE | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 6,490 |
| CUDDY CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 6,300 |
| CACHE CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 6,200 |
| LITTLE CHICO CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1982 | 6,096 |
| SACRAMENTO RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1975 | 6,000 |
| TRAVERS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1936 | 5,700 |
| EEL RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1911 | 5,300 |
| FEATHER RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 5,200 |
| SOUTH FORK EEL RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 5,000 |
| SANTA MARIA RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1955 | 5,000 |
| SONOMA CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1956 | 5,000 |
| WILDCAT CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 5,000 |
| DRY CREEK CANAL | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 5,000 |
| KINGS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1927 | 5,000 |
| EAST ZAYANTE ROAD | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 5,000 |
| WHITEWATER RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 5,000 |
| HOODS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 4,900 |
| DUCK CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1920 | 4,900 |
| LAS TRAMPAS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1978 | 4,840 |
| WADDELL CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 4,800 |
| SAN JOAQUIN RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 4,660 |
| LAST CHANCE DITCH | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1918 | 4,650 |
| BRANCH CANYON | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1943 | 4,500 |
| FREEMAN GULCH | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1947 | 4,400 |
| ALAMITOS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1976 | 4,400 |
| SAN JOAQUIN RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1952 | 4,300 |
| SONOMA CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1954 | 4,300 |
| ELDER CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1966 | 4,257 |
| FOWLER SWITCH CANAL | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1938 | 4,200 |
| STILLWATER CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1979 | 4,130 |
| SALINAS RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1977 | 4,119 |
| CLARIBEL LATERAL | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1920 | 4,100 |
| DRY CREEK CANAL | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1941 | 4,000 |
| FOWLER SWITCH CANAL | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1912 | 4,000 |
| COSUMNES RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1964 | 3,921 |
| HUTCHINSON CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1952 | 3,900 |
| MILLER CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1970 | 3,830 |
| BURCH CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1914 | 3,800 |
| PORTER SLOUGH | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1930 | 3,800 |
| SONOMA CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1929 | 3,628 |
| PORTER SLOUGH | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1937 | 3,600 |
| CARMEL RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1971 | 3,600 |
| MERCED RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1928 | 3,425 |
| MERCED RIVER | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1933 | 3,416 |
| HUTCHINSON CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1952 | 3,400 |
| HALL CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1914 | 3,348 |
| RUSSIAN RIVER - JIMTOWN | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 3,300 |
| SECRET RAVINE | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1970 | 3,256 |
| N FK S LITTLEJOHNS CREEK | California | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1954 | 3,202 |
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.