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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUSH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1997 | 28 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1925 | 28 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 28 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1928 | 28 |
| ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1995 | 27 |
| BUCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 27 |
| BRADEN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1996 | 26 |
| CHINA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2003 | 26 |
| PLUM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 26 |
| ALLIGATOR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2014 | 26 |
| LITTLE BRAZOS RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2014 | 26 |
| SULFUR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2014 | 26 |
| WHITE ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 26 |
| LONG KING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 2004 | 26 |
| BACHELOR CREEK REL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 25 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 25 |
| WILLIAMS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 25 |
| W HARGILL DRAIN DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1974 | 25 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 25 |
| BARREL SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1999 | 25 |
| MAYFIELD BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 25 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1997 | 25 |
| BRIAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 25 |
| NORTH ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 25 |
| SPRING BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2011 | 25 |
| GROVE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 25 |
| BRANCH BROOKEEN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2012 | 25 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2012 | 24 |
| RED BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2007 | 24 |
| MOUNTAIN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 24 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 24 |
| EAST KINGS CR | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1989 | 24 |
| S FK LITTLE WICHITA RI | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 23 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 23 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 23 |
| MESQUITE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 23 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 23 |
| BRANCH CLEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 23 |
| BRANCH N BINGHAM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1997 | 23 |
| BRANCH WILLAWALLA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 23 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1988 | 23 |
| DUFFAU CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1935 | 23 |
| FARNASH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 23 |
| MESQUITE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 22 |
| DRY FK LTL WICHITA RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2013 | 22 |
| PECAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2007 | 22 |
| PARADISE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1940 | 22 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2005 | 22 |
| MOSSY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1988 | 22 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 21 |
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.