The three-dimensional turbulent flow field in a scour hole at a semicircular abutment under a clear water regime was experimentally measured in a laboratory flume using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter. The distributions of time-averaged velocity components, turbulent intensity components, turbulent kinetic energy, and Reynolds stresses at different azimuthal planes are presented. Upstream, presentation of flow field through vector plots at azimuthal and horizontal planes shows the existence of a large primary vortex associated with the downflow inside the scour hole. On the other hand, downstream, the flow field is irregular. The bed shear stresses are determined from the Reynolds stresses and velocity gradients. The data presented in this paper would be useful for the development and validation of flow field models, which can be used to determine the strength of the primary vortex that is used to estimate scour depth at bridge abutments. © 2005 NRC Canada.