Trio of sinkholes open up in Spring Hill

Thursday, July 17, 2008

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The biggest sinkhole is about 40 feet wide.

SPRING HILL (Bay News 9) -- Crews are keeping an eye on three sinkholes that opened up Wednesday morning in Hernando County.

Deputies said they found three sinkholes near a retention pond at the corner of Curry Drive and Layton Avenue in Spring Hill. They said the biggest one is about 40 feet wide.

Officials said that all the recent rainfall in the Bay area is making the sinkholes grow bigger, as the water causes mudslides along the edges.

Investigators said they are watching the sinkholes closely because they are less than 50 yards away from Belkton Avenue and nearly 100 yards away from the closest house.

What is a sinkhole?

Sinkholes are depressions or holes in the land surface that occur throughout west central Florida. They can be shallow or deep, small or large, but all are a result of the dissolving of the underlying limestone.

Hydrologic conditions, including lack of rainfall, lowered water levels, or, conversely, excessive rainfall in a short period of time, can all contribute to sinkhole development.

More information courtesy of the Southwest Florida Water Management District