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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HACKBERRY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 8,662 |
| LONG BRANCH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 8,621 |
| SPRING CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2000 | 8,348 |
| DRY FRIO RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1931 | 8,093 |
| FRIO RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1931 | 8,093 |
| ELM FORK TRINITY RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1990 | 7,965 |
| HICKS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1942 | 7,939 |
| POST OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1933 | 7,826 |
| WILLOW CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1980 | 7,803 |
| GUNN BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1924 | 7,770 |
| GOOSE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1972 | 7,748 |
| WILSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2007 | 7,637 |
| TEN MILE CREEK TRIBUTARY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 7,623 |
| E FORK GOOSE CRK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 7,582 |
| E FORK GOOSE CRK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1975 | 7,582 |
| AQUILLA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 7,556 |
| FIVE MILE CREEK TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1974 | 7,512 |
| FIVE MILE CREEK TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1974 | 7,512 |
| WHITE ROCK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1986 | 7,469 |
| BIG BRUSHY CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1961 | 7,450 |
| TURTLE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 7,237 |
| CARPENTERS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 7,092 |
| FLAT FORK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1935 | 6,957 |
| KEEGANS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 6,954 |
| FIVE MILE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1962 | 6,947 |
| Spring Creek Tributary | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 6,900 |
| S FORK SABINE RIVER REL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1967 | 6,880 |
| ROWLETT CREEK BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2005 | 6,699 |
| GREENS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1995 | 6,587 |
| GREENS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1995 | 6,587 |
| Spring Draw | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 6,541 |
| SO SABINE RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1964 | 6,515 |
| COLE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1965 | 6,480 |
| IH30 & Trinity River RR | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1911 | 6,304 |
| RICKETTS BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 6,294 |
| RICKETTS BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1987 | 6,294 |
| W FORK GOOSE CRK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 6,242 |
| BENTLE BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 6,208 |
| MORRIS & CUMMINGS CUT | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 6,181 |
| SALADO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 6,045 |
| MUSTANG BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2013 | 5,948 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1970 | 5,864 |
| NAVASOTA RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1952 | 5,723 |
| IRON ORE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 5,622 |
| CARPENTERS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1975 | 5,570 |
| N FORK TAYLOR BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1937 | 5,555 |
| HCFCD DITCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1987 | 5,536 |
| SEALS GULLY | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1995 | 5,533 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1949 | 5,482 |
| SOUTH MAYDE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1968 | 5,450 |
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.