Monitoring of Sinkhole Development

In order to document the occurrence of reported sinkholes, SEI, due to their experience and previous direct association with the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute (FSRI) at the University of Central Florida was selected to update and maintain a database of sinkholes located within the SJRWMD.  The Area of Investigation is comprised of the 19 counties that are found within the District boundaries. These counties include: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia.  The primary Area of Investigation is comprised of the principal counties in which sinkholes develop within and adjacent to the District boundaries.

The objectives of monitoring sinkhole development are numerous.  The first objective is to provide the public with a place to report sinkholes and to obtain information related to the development of sinkholes.  Field investigations of specific sinkholes can identify risks to property owners and the potential for contamination of aquifers.  The second objective is to provide a continuous database of sinkhole occurrence which may be used to help identify trends utilizing geostatistical analysis.  And the third objective is to consolidate and standardize sinkhole reports with the District.

Information about new sinkholes was obtained from civil engineering companies, government agencies, news reports, private individuals and site investigations.  Data were collected from as early as 1948, but most known new sinkholes developed after about 1960.  The sinkhole data is presented in an EXCEL spreadsheet format and forms the core of information about new sinkhole development within the District.  SEI updates and maintains the sinkhole database in the following manner.

1)  SEI obtains data for new sinkholes through newspaper clippings from 1995 through 1997, which are provided to SEI by a newspaper clipping service,

2)      SEI performs Internet searches of online newspaper articles to compile reports of new sinkholes which have occurred within the reporting period,

 3)     SEI contacts appropriate personnel in public works department (or similar agencies) within each county and city in the Area of Investiga-            tion to obtain copies of files regarding new sinkhole development, and 

4)   SEI performs site investigations as requested by the SJRWMD.