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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHEELER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 84 |
| MOUND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 84 |
| WHEAT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 83 |
| LIVE OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1975 | 82 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 82 |
| BOND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 82 |
| BITTER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1969 | 81 |
| QUINTA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 80 |
| PETRONILA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 80 |
| LEON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 80 |
| FLOYD BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1957 | 80 |
| DUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1993 | 80 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1996 | 80 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1983 | 80 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1996 | 80 |
| MADERA DRAINAGE CANAL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2008 | 80 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1986 | 80 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2013 | 79 |
| ELAINES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1963 | 78 |
| MALLARD CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1974 | 78 |
| TOWNSEND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2004 | 76 |
| Dry Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 76 |
| BLACKBERRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1966 | 75 |
| WILD HORSE SLOUGH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 75 |
| TRIB OF BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2006 | 72 |
| BRANCH MID BELKNAP CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 72 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1998 | 72 |
| SOAP CREEK TRIBUTARY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2002 | 72 |
| BEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1935 | 71 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1935 | 71 |
| COWHOUSE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1997 | 71 |
| CLEAR CREEK DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2004 | 70 |
| BUFFALO BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2011 | 70 |
| MEDINA RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2011 | 70 |
| NEDDY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 70 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1983 | 70 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2004 | 70 |
| BUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 70 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 70 |
| LONG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1940 | 70 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 69 |
| BLAINS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2014 | 69 |
| CASTLEMAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1996 | 68 |
| GILBERT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1962 | 67 |
| PARADISE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 67 |
| BRANCH BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 66 |
| HONEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 66 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1972 | 65 |
| FISH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1976 | 65 |
| POND CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 64 |
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.