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Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys at Highway Bridges Crossing the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri, August 8–9, 2023

Scientific Investigations Report 2026-5124
Prepared in cooperation with Missouri Department of Transportation
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20265124

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Abstract

Bathymetric and velocimetric data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, near 8 bridge crossings of the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri, on August 8–9, 2023. A multibeam echosounder mapping system was used to obtain channel- bed elevations for river reaches that extended about 1,550 to 1,640 feet longitudinally and generally extended laterally across the active channel from bank to bank during low floodflow to nonflood conditions. These surveys provided the channel geometry and hydraulic conditions of the river at the time of the surveys and provided characteristics of scour holes, which may be useful in developing or verifying predictive guidelines or equations for computing potential scour depth. The data collected from the surveys may also be useful to the Missouri Department of Transportation as a record of low floodflow conditions in regards to the stability and integrity of the bridges with respect to bridge scour. Bathymetric data were collected around every in- channel pier. Scour holes were at most piers where bathymetry could be obtained, except for those piers on banks or surrounded by riprap. All the bridge sites in this study were surveyed and documented in previous studies.

The average difference between the bathymetric surfaces ranged from 0.07 to 4.16 feet higher in 2023 than 2019, which indicates overall deposition between the survey dates, as might be expected based purely on streamflow at the time of the survey. However, the average difference between the bathymetric surfaces ranged from 1.44 feet higher to 1.88 feet lower in 2023 than 2015, which indicates a dynamic equilibrium of scour and deposition overall between those surveys, despite the lower flow conditions in 2023. Similarly, the average difference between the bathymetric surfaces ranged from 3.18 feet higher to 5.19 feet lower in 2023 than 2011, which indicates a relative equilibrium between scour and deposition overall, albeit the trend was toward scour as might be expected because of the substantial flood event in 2011.

Riprap blankets and alignment to flow had a substantial effect on the size of the scour hole for a given pier. Piers that were partially or fully surrounded by riprap blankets had scour holes that were substantially smaller (to nonexistent) compared to piers with no rock or riprap and effectively mitigated the scour holes historically observed at these piers. Several of the structures had piers that were skewed to primary approach flow. At most of the structures, the scour hole was deeper and longer on the side of the pier with impinging flow than the leeward side, with some amount of deposition on the leeward side, as typically observed at piers skewed to approach flow.

Suggested Citation

Huizinga, R.J., and Rivers, B.C., 2026, Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri, August 8–9, 2023: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2026–5124, 105 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20265124.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Results of Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • Glossary
  • Appendix 1. Shaded Triangulated Irregular Network Images of the Channel and Side of Pier for Each Surveyed Pier
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River near Kansas City, Missouri, August 8–9, 2023
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2026-5124
DOI 10.3133/sir20265124
Publication Date February 13, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: xi, 105 p.; Data Release; Dataset; 44 Oversize Map Figures (17 in. x 11 in.)
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details