Scour Critical Bridges in South Carolina
1,263 bridges in South Carolina 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 1,263 bridges in South Carolina have been identified as vulnerable to scour damage.
| Bridge | State | Scour Status | Condition | Year Built | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SALUDA RIVER | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 91,400 |
| CSX RAILROAD | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 91,400 |
| FOREST BROOK RD | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2004 | 31,900 |
| FORESTBROOK RD | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2004 | 31,900 |
| RR CSXT | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 22,000 |
| RR CSXT | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1994 | 22,000 |
| FILBIN CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1992 | 11,500 |
| Martins Creek | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 10,500 |
| BERESFORD CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 9,600 |
| FILBIN CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1992 | 8,900 |
| PROVIDENCE CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 8,500 |
| FOUR HOLE SWAMP | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 4,900 |
| DEAN SWAMP | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2020 | 4,400 |
| MACHINE CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 2,500 |
| BULLOCKS BRANCH | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 1,950 |
| LAKE MURRAY | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1971 | 1,400 |
| COUCHER CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 850 |
| SAWNEYS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 600 |
| LITTLE ROCKY CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 550 |
| BIG CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2022 | 550 |
| TIMOTHY CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 530 |
| BEAR CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1979 | 500 |
| ABNERS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 500 |
| ROCKY CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 450 |
| BRANCH OF SUCK CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 275 |
| TRIB TO MITCHELL SWAMP | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2023 | 250 |
| LOUSING SWAMP | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 250 |
| TRB TO NORTH TYGER RIVER | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2020 | 225 |
| GILLS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 225 |
| SPEARS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2000 | 225 |
| BRANCH to Kingstree cana | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Poor | 1961 | 200 |
| CHICKSAW CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 200 |
| VILLAGE CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 175 |
| LITTLE ROCKY CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 175 |
| MAPLE SWAMP | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 175 |
| TRIB TO SHANNON CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 125 |
| ROCKY CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2022 | 125 |
| OPOSSUM BRANCH | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 2023 | 125 |
| TRIB TO MOUNTAIN CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 125 |
| LITTLE CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 125 |
| TRIB TO SHANNON CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 125 |
| HAGGINS BRANCH CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Fair | 1997 | 110 |
| HAGGINS BRANCH | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 1997 | 110 |
| HOGFORK BRANCH | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2024 | 100 |
| PADGETTS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2023 | 50 |
| BURGIS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Ineffective | Good | 2019 | 3 |
| ASHLEY RIVER | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1953 | 47,800 |
| GILLS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1982 | 42,500 |
| GILLS CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Good | 1982 | 42,500 |
| SHEM CREEK | South Carolina | Scour Critical — Countermeasures Installed | Poor | 1947 | 37,500 |
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.