Repair, extension, or replacement of any particular bridge or culvert may cause the BFE to be raised, lowered, or not changed at all. Lowering the water surface elevation usually doesn't cause any adverse impacts, but the site should be visited to confirm that there will be no resulting problems. Many bridge replacements result in a lowered water surface elevation because of reduced pier sets, enlarged openings, raised low chords, or improved channels.Raising the water surface elevation requires examination of the adjacent properties to assure that the change will not cause any adverse impacts. A rise usually can be considered as having no impact if the rise is contained within the TxDOT ROW. A rise which extends outside of the ROW may be considered either insignificant or significant. A severe rise in an uninhabited area, not excessively flooding adjacent properties, not damaging the stream banks, and not blocking access to properties might be considered insignificant. A rise in an urban area that is contained within the banks without damage to the stream banks or back flooding the sewers may also be considered insignificant. However, in each situation, the effects have to be examined at the site to confirm that the rises are insignificant.