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Bridge Underwater Inspection Report Template

Document the condition of bridge substructure elements below the waterline. This report captures underwater findings, scour assessment, defects, and recommendations.

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Bridge Underwater Inspection Report

No.BUI-2026-0004

1. General Information

Inspection date7/14/2026 AddressI-94 over Kalamazoo River, Mile Marker 85, Kalamazoo, MI
Expert Tom Harris , Commercial Diver

2. Object of Inspection

Object nameI-94 Kalamazoo River Bridge

3. Underwater Findings

No.Damage descriptionPhotos
1- 0.3not filled in
2- 1.2not filled in

4. Additional Information

Identification was carried outBridge ID: 123456
There are remarksMinor scour observed at pier 2. No critical defects.

5. Inspection Participants

No.Full namePosition / statusComment
1Tom HarrisDiverPerformed underwater survey
2Emily DavisInspectorOversaw dive operation
3Mark WilsonReviewerReviewed findings

Signatures

______________________________
Tom Harris, Commercial Diver
______________________________
Tom Harris
______________________________
Emily Davis
______________________________
Mark Wilson

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Purpose and Procedure for Drafting the Document

What is a Bridge Underwater Inspection Report?

A bridge underwater inspection report documents the condition of bridge substructure elements that are below the waterline, such as piers, abutments, and foundations. It includes findings from diver surveys, scour assessment, and condition ratings.

Why Use This Template?

This template provides a structured format for recording underwater inspection data, ensuring that critical information about substructure condition and scour is captured consistently.

Key Features

The template includes sections for bridge identification, underwater findings (with repeatable entries for each element), conclusions, and signatures. It supports condition ratings, scour depth measurement, defect references, and photo/video attachments.

Scheduled Underwater Inspections

Use this report for routine underwater inspections conducted at regular intervals to monitor substructure condition.

Post-Flood Assessments

After a flood event, this report documents any scour or damage to underwater elements caused by high water flows.

Scour Monitoring

The report includes specific fields for scour observation and depth measurement, making it ideal for scour monitoring programs.

Damage Investigations

If damage is suspected due to vessel impact or other causes, this report provides a detailed assessment of underwater conditions.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory agencies may require underwater inspections for bridges over waterways. This report helps meet those requirements.

Maintenance Planning

The findings and recommendations section helps prioritize underwater repairs and maintenance activities.

  1. 1

    Plan Dive

    Coordinate with the dive team, review bridge plans, and identify elements to be inspected. Ensure safety protocols are in place.

  2. 2

    Conduct Underwater Survey

    The diver inspects each underwater element, records condition ratings, checks for scour, and notes any defects. Video or still images are captured.

  3. 3

    Record Findings

    Enter the inspection data into the report, including element type, condition rating, scour presence and depth, defects, and observations.

  4. 4

    Assess Overall Condition

    Based on the underwater findings, determine the overall condition of the substructure and provide recommendations for repair or further investigation.

  5. 5

    Review and Sign

    Review the completed report, obtain signatures from the diver, inspector, and reviewer, and distribute as needed.

Photo Report Generator

Use the photo report generator to create visual documentation of underwater findings, including video stills and images of scour and defects.

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Mobile Photo Documentation App

Capture underwater images and video on-site with the mobile app, ensuring high-quality evidence is available for the report.

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Document Sections

Click a section to jump to it in the sample document.

General Information

Record the inspection date, bridge location, and names of the diver and inspector.

Object of Inspection

Identify the bridge by its ID and name.

Underwater Findings

Document the condition of each underwater element, including scour, defects, and observations.

Additional Information

Provide an overall condition assessment and recommendations for repair or further investigation.

Inspection Participants

List the diver, inspector, and any other participants involved in the inspection.

Signatures

Collect signatures from the diver, inspector, and reviewer to validate the report.

Document Fields and Columns

General Information

Inspection date
Date when the underwater inspection was performed.
Address
Geographic location of the bridge.
Expert
Name of the diver performing the underwater survey.

Object of Inspection

Object name
Bridge name or identifier.

Underwater Findings

No.
Sequential number for each element entry.
Element
Underwater element inspected (e.g., pier, abutment, foundation).
Defect
Type of defect or condition observed.
Damage description
Detailed description of the condition, including scour depth and defects.
Photos
Underwater video or still images of the element.

Inspection Participants

No.
Sequential number for each participant.
Full name
Full name of the participant.
Position / status
Role or title of the participant.
Comment
Any additional comments regarding the participant.

Frequently Asked Questions about Photo Reports and Photo Tables

What elements are typically inspected underwater?

Common underwater elements include piers, abutments, foundations, and scour countermeasures. The report allows you to inspect each element individually.

How is scour depth measured?

Scour depth is measured by the diver using a probe or sonar equipment. The depth is recorded in feet or meters relative to the streambed.

What condition rating scale is used?

The report uses a numerical condition rating scale (e.g., 0-9) similar to above-water inspections, where 0 indicates failed condition and 9 indicates excellent condition.

Is video evidence required?

Yes, the report requires underwater video or still images of the substructure elements to provide visual evidence of the condition.

Who signs the underwater inspection report?

The report is signed by the diver who performed the underwater survey, the bridge inspector overseeing the dive, and optionally a reviewer.

Can this report be used for scour-only inspections?

Yes, the report includes specific fields for scour observation and depth, making it suitable for dedicated scour monitoring inspections.

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