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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 50 |
| CANEY CREEK DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 50 |
| PALMER LAKE | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1992 | 50 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1993 | 50 |
| Brushy Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 50 |
| CEDAR CREEK DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2003 | 50 |
| DRY ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1996 | 49 |
| BRANCH DENTON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1977 | 49 |
| CASTLEMAN CREEK BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2011 | 49 |
| DRY ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1992 | 48 |
| BUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 48 |
| NACONICHE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 48 |
| BARREL SPRINGS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1990 | 47 |
| SYCAMORE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1997 | 47 |
| CANE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1955 | 46 |
| BRANCH DENTON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1997 | 45 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1998 | 45 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 45 |
| BRUSHY ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1991 | 44 |
| BARREL SPRINGS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1985 | 44 |
| WEST BELKNAP CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 44 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1961 | 44 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 43 |
| BULL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 42 |
| BULL CREEK TRIBUTARY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 42 |
| BRUSHY ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1998 | 42 |
| PECAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 42 |
| ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1990 | 42 |
| ONION CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1961 | 41 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1970 | 41 |
| TIMBER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2001 | 41 |
| DUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1952 | 41 |
| STEELE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1935 | 41 |
| ROBINSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 40 |
| Ecleto Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1990 | 40 |
| FLAT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1988 | 40 |
| DRY ELM CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2003 | 40 |
| WILLOW CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2005 | 40 |
| JOHNS BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 40 |
| SCOTT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1981 | 40 |
| SCOTT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2005 | 40 |
| HICKORY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1970 | 40 |
| VALLEY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 39 |
| SANDY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2004 | 39 |
| JONES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 39 |
| BLACK HOLLOW CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 38 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 38 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1978 | 38 |
| ELIZABETH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1943 | 38 |
| ATTOYAC BAYOU RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 38 |
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.