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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG ONION CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2000 | 21 |
| BRADEN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 21 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 21 |
| Dark Hollow Branch | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1990 | 21 |
| BAKER BRANCH TRIBUTARY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2010 | 20 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 20 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1983 | 20 |
| PECAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1976 | 20 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2012 | 20 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 20 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1983 | 20 |
| PANTHER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2001 | 20 |
| EAST JONES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2000 | 20 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1936 | 20 |
| SOUTH COW BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2015 | 20 |
| WIGGINS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 20 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 20 |
| HCFCD Ditch | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2012 | 20 |
| LAWRENCE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 20 |
| CARRIZITOS CREEK BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2024 | 19 |
| DRY FK LITTLE WICHITA RV | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2004 | 19 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1985 | 19 |
| DENTON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 19 |
| DYE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1999 | 19 |
| GROVE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2003 | 18 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1990 | 18 |
| LITTLE SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 18 |
| WAGON BR | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2005 | 17 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2002 | 16 |
| BARREL SPRINGS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1992 | 16 |
| BRADEN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1998 | 16 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2000 | 16 |
| GILBERT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1940 | 16 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 15 |
| PECAN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1994 | 15 |
| HOG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1992 | 15 |
| WANDERERS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2008 | 15 |
| MUHLE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2015 | 14 |
| RED OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 14 |
| PARADISE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2009 | 14 |
| BELL BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2010 | 14 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2001 | 13 |
| LAKE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2016 | 12 |
| COOL CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1949 | 12 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1991 | 12 |
| JONES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2006 | 12 |
| JONES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2006 | 12 |
| ELM CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1946 | 12 |
| ELIZABETH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2006 | 12 |
| BELKNAP CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1995 | 11 |
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.