​Bridge scour is the removal of streambed material caused by swiftly moving water from around bridge abutments or piers. Scour can become so deep that streambed material is removed from beneath the abutment or pier footings (known as undermining), compromising the integrity and stability of a bridge structure. Bridge scour is the most common cause of bridge failure.

​Abutments and piers are part of the bridge substructure and transfer the traffic load from the superstructure (beams, arch, or truss) to the bridge foundation. A pier is a vertical support situated between the abutments (end of the bridge) of a multiple-span bridge.

​Bridges are determined to be scour critical from the bridge inspection data that is obtained from field observations made during each bridge safety inspection by certified bridge safety inspectors.

​A scour POA is a comprehensive document developed for each scour critical bridge that provides a single source of information pertaining to scour inspection, flood monitoring, and a schedule of countermeasures that have been recommended by bridge inspectors to protect a bridge from scour and stream stability problems. The POA generated in BMS2 includes a monitoring log (see below).

​Placement of riprap (large rock), gabion baskets, streambed paving, grout bags, etc., in close proximity to the bridge foundations that protect the underlying streambed against erosion and scour caused by fast-flowing water.

​The scour POA serves two purposes:

• The POA establishes a systematic process of monitoring and closing bridges to ensure public safety during a significant flood event and criteria for inspection and re-opening after a flood event.
• Assists bridge owners to program and prioritize the installation of scour countermeasures to protect scour critical bridges from flood damage.

​Bridge owners are required to develop POAs for scour critical bridges and monitor those bridges under the 2022 National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) in the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 650.313(o)(2). For bridges which are determined to be scour critical or have unknown foundations, prepare and document a scour POA for deployment of scour countermeasures for known and potential deficiencies, and to address safety concerns. The plan must address a schedule for repairing or installing physical and/or hydraulic scour countermeasures, and/or the use of monitoring as a scour countermeasure. Scour plans of actions should be consistent with HEC 18 and 23.

​In Pennsylvania, scour critical bridges are categorized based on the vulnerability of the bridge to scour. Category A is the most susceptible to scour while Categories B & C, respectively, have decreasing scour vulnerability. Since Category A bridges are most vulnerable to scour, higher priority and frequency are given to these bridges for monitoring.

​The required minimum frequency for monitoring Category A bridges is once every 4 hours from the onset of monitoring. Monitor Category B & C bridges once every 12 and 24 hours, respectively. Category D bridges do not require monitoring.

​Many bridges are not classified scour critical and therefore do NOT need to be monitored during floods. However, nearly all bridges that cross waterways have some degree of vulnerability to scour damage or washout caused by significant flood waters.

​Municipal employees and local volunteers can monitor scour critical bridges including road masters and road maintenance crews, emergency management personnel, or volunteer fire police.

​No, PennDOT uses road maintenance crews to monitor scour critical bridges on state highways. However, familiarization with scour monitoring procedures should be completed prior to flood events.

​The National Weather Service has statewide alerts(opens in a new tab) that provide current weather watches, warnings, or advisories for Pennsylvania. PennDOT also provides weather and travel information at 511pa.com(opens in a new tab).

You can also receive direct weather alerts by email or cellphone via text/SMS messages through the Commonwealth of PA Alert System. These updates can be received by visiting the AlertPA website(opens in a new tab) and registering as a new user.

PennDOT developed a Local Scour Critical Bridge Map(opens in a new tab) using an internet-based map application that identifies and locates all local scour critical bridges statewide by selecting a specific county:

• The Scour Critical Category (A, B, or C) of scour critical bridges are designated by color.
• Specific symbol shapes differentiate between county and township-owned bridges.
• A pop-up dialog box containing additional information, including a hyperlink to the Scour Critical Bridge Monitoring Log, is available for each bridge by clicking on the bridge location symbol.

​A bridge-specific monitoring log sheet is available on the Local Scour Critical Bridge Map pop-ups. This provides quick access to a monitoring log that can be printed and filled out during each visit to a scour critical bridge when a flood event occurs. Note that, after a monitoring log has been filled out during a flood event, it must be kept with the bridge file information already retained in your records.

​The Local Scour Critical Bridge Map is available at PennDOT’s website at https://padotgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0f62b3249c12447082f5b3151eadfeaf(opens in a new tab).

​The Local Scour Critical Bridge Map(opens in a new tab) has additional training information and is intended to be a learning center for local bridge owners to become more familiar with the policies and procedures to follow when a flood event occurs.

​Please contact your PennDOT municipal services supervisor in the PennDOT District Office.