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3 Sinkholes Emerge In Spring Hill

Hernando Today photo by DAVID CASEY

Steve Adams, supervisor with Hernando County Department of Public Works, examines the drainage area Wednesday in Spring Hill where at least three sinkholes developed in the afternoon. The drainage area is bordered by Layton and Belkton avenues and Curry Drive and Harper Street.

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: July 16, 2008

Updated: 07/16/2008 04:34 pm

SPRING HILL - The retention pond along Curry Drive has long been a magnet for thrill seekers.

Three sinkholes put an end to that today.

Sheriff's deputies arrived in the afternoon to make sure no one wandered too closely to the holes, which grew bigger as the trickling rainwater caused mudslides along the edges.

"Yeah, it makes us nervous. It sure does," said Aurea Menendez, who has lived near the Curry Drive and Layton Avenue intersection for 13 years.

She and her family stood along the street this afternoon and watched as the sinkholes widened and sunk deeper into the ground.

Tom Wahatton noticed the first one shortly before 11:30 a.m. during a morning walk, he said.

"Fifteen minutes later, that other one started," he said as he pointed toward the foot of the slope.

The largest hole appeared to be more than 40 feet in length. The lollipop-shaped depression grew longer by the minute as the water kept flowing and eroding the loose dirt.

Another sinkhole was located about 15 feet away and was more than 20 feet wide.

The third hole was much smaller and was filled nearly to the top with muddy water.

The sinkholes were less than 50 yards from Belkton Avenue and nearly 100 yards from the closest house.

The soccer field-sized retention pond is about 20 feet deep and located two blocks west of Mariner Boulevard.

Neighbors said the area is a popular place for neighborhood kids and those who ride four-wheelers.
"What worries me the most is that my kids like to play over there," said Aurea Menendez, who lives along Curry Drive. "Obviously, I won't let them over there anymore."

Hernando County Public Works Assistant Director Steve Whitaker said the department would wait until the holes have stabilized before filling them with a "clay-like material." That could be done as early as Thursday afternoon, he said.

None of the homes are in peril as far as Whitaker could tell.

"They seem to be isolated to the bottom of the retention area," he said. "We'll continue to monitor it."
Sinkholes have been common in the area in and around the retention pond.

Dennis Paul, who lives a few houses down from Menendez, said he spent $100,000 two years ago to brace his home due to the eroding soil underneath it.

Sinkholes are more common when a long drought is followed by heavy rain, Whitaker said. Hernando County has been in a drought for more than two years, but rains have saturated the area in the past week.

Spring Hill is more prone to sinkholes because there is only a thin layer of clay in the ground compared to Brooksville and other areas farther from the Gulf Coast.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5823 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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