This abandoned, nine span, closed spandrel bridge crosses the Arkansas River on the west side of Arkansas City, Kansas north of US 166 The bridge is visible from 166
Photo taken by Robert Elder in February 2008
BH Photo #111522
This bridge is being besieged by floodwaters. The Arkansas, Little Arkansas, Walnut, Whitewater, Ninnescah, Slate, and other streams are flooding right now. We could potentially lose some bridges in the region today.
Nick's photograph from September of 2016 really shows how bad the flooding was that month. The Arkansas, Walnut, Ninnescah, and Whitewater Rivers saw some moderate to major flooding during that time. The Whitewater and Walnut Rivers alone flooded three times in 2016. These rivers still have a population of historic bridges so I always worry when they flood.
None of the flood waters from the Whitewater and Walnut Rivers passed under this bridge because the Walnut River joins the Arkansas River downstream of Ark City. Thus, the water seen here came down the Arkansas, Little Arkansas, and Ninnescah Rivers. These rivers have a smaller population of historic bridges than the Walnut and Whitewater Rivers, althought this closed spandrel bridge is certainly vulnerable, especially given its poor condition.
I was afraid that we were going to lose some bridges in this flood and in truth I suspect that we almost did. As far as I know, they all held fast until that final flood took out a stone arch bridge on Grouse Creek and damaged a couple others on the Grouse Creek farther downstream.
In short, 2016 was a scary year for bridges in South Central Kansas. I am thankful we did not lose more than one as far as I know. The Arkansas River is crossed by some incredible bridges in Oklahoma but as far as I know they all survived.
Looks like it is a Luten arch.
Eric is correct. The photos were uploaded in February 2008 and I must not have changed the default date. I will need to check the date that the photos were taken, but it was likely in June of 2004.
I don't think these photos were taken in February. The grass is a little green for that time of year.
Adding a short clip from 2016 flood visit
https://youtu.be/3-bRdGUpPEM