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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1944 | 128 |
| WALNUT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2015 | 123 |
| Village Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 112 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1975 | 111 |
| CLEAR FORK BRAZOS RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2008 | 108 |
| YORKTOWN CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 106 |
| NUECES RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1953 | 101 |
| Sanders Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1999 | 100 |
| Denton Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2003 | 100 |
| WILHITE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 100 |
| WILHITE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1939 | 100 |
| Cottonwood Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1971 | 100 |
| S Long Dry Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 100 |
| Frisco Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 100 |
| Buffalo Spring Lake | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1980 | 100 |
| SALT CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1978 | 100 |
| LIVE OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1955 | 100 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1984 | 100 |
| CABEZA CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 100 |
| SAN ANTONIO RIVER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 100 |
| DAVIDSON CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 100 |
| DAVIDSON CREEK RELIEF | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1951 | 100 |
| WINTERS BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 2009 | 100 |
| RICHLAND CREEK TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1995 | 100 |
| RUSH CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 2010 | 100 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1993 | 100 |
| MELTON BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1989 | 100 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1925 | 100 |
| MAIN CANAL | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1948 | 100 |
| Wolf Creek Tributary | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1960 | 95 |
| South Palo Duro Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 91 |
| DRAW | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1932 | 90 |
| YATES CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1953 | 82 |
| WRIGHT PATMAN LAKE | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1995 | 82 |
| Fork Hay Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 80 |
| Coldwater Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 80 |
| BIG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2002 | 80 |
| LIVE OAK CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1960 | 80 |
| MESA DRAIN FEEDER | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1973 | 80 |
| Brushy Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 79 |
| WARD BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1991 | 72 |
| WATERHOLE CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1994 | 62 |
| CHAMBERS CREEK TRIB | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1993 | 62 |
| VALLEY BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 62 |
| HOG CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1950 | 62 |
| SLOANS CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1990 | 60 |
| Hickory Creek | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2010 | 60 |
| BESSIES BAYOU | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1947 | 60 |
| HARRIS CREEK N BRANCH | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 1955 | 60 |
| BORREGO CREEK | Texas | Scour Critical, Countermeasures Installed | Fair | 2001 | 59 |
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.