[neilbcox]

Our home is directly beside a protective preserve by Lake Denham. Our lot was built up about 8 feet higher than the preserve floor which seems to be swampy.

My legal question is since the developer and hired engineers approved this action should they hold responsibility if any sinkhole (depression) develops?

Thanks for any legal suggestions?

[Glowing Horizon]

Since large amounts of rain following a dry spell is one of the causes of sinkhole formation according to geologists, then why aren't gutters required for every Villages building, along with downspouts tied to subsurface storm sewers to carry water away from structures? Several homes I looked at had no gutters at all. Wouldn't the erosion from roof runoff potentially contribute to sinkholes & wouldn't the erosion predictably get worse over time?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Glowing Horizon

Since large amounts of rain following a dry spell is one of the causes of sinkhole formation according to geologists, then why aren't gutters required for every Villages building, along with downspouts tied to subsurface storm sewers to carry water away from structures? Several homes I looked at had no gutters at all. Wouldn't the erosion from roof runoff potentially contribute to sinkholes & wouldn't the erosion predictably get worse over time?

Pour a glass of wine……..and read the previous 150 posts for answers.

[Robojo]

Originally Posted by VillagerFrog58

I have been a resident of the Villages for only a few years. Using the news releases and postings on this website, I got the elevation chart from the Sumter county website and overlayed (using google maps) the roads of the villages. From that, I put a yellow dot where I have record of past sinkholes; whether big ones or little ones. Using Google earth (which has plotted every road in the Villages) and the elevation they provide, I put the elevation of that area by the yellow dot. Disregarding two areas where sinkholes occurred because of retention pond lining issues, I have 8 others as shown. What I found (though absolutely unscientific) is that of the 8 that I know of, were all below 84 feet in elevation, with the lowest being at 63 ft. There are portions of the Villages where the elevation is much higher... all the way up to 140 feet. No sinkholes have occurred in those areas. So.. I'm thinking that the more elevation / ground you have under you, the lesser the probability of a sinkhole occurring. Anyhow, I'm just sharing for those that may be interested. And BTW, if I am missing any locations from the past, just post it's location and date and I will add to the chart.

Thank you

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Glowing Horizon

Since large amounts of rain following a dry spell is one of the causes of sinkhole formation according to geologists, then why aren't gutters required for every Villages building, along with downspouts tied to subsurface storm sewers to carry water away from structures? Several homes I looked at had no gutters at all. Wouldn't the erosion from roof runoff potentially contribute to sinkholes & wouldn't the erosion predictably get worse over time?

Or would the runoff from the gutter downspout to one area cause a erosion for possible sinkholes?

[jpvillager]

I may be all wet, no pun intended but: We have driven on the streets where several sink holes occurred around houses. What bothers me is that frequently there were pvc pipes hanging in the sink hole which make me wonder how many may be caused by leaking pipes, perhaps joints that we not glued, or poor workmanship. We had a neighbor who had a wet spot in his yard caused by an unglued irrigation pipe that had separated.

[Bogie Shooter]

///

[Jboduch]

Originally Posted by VillagerFrog58

Here five of the recent ones that I have.

Great info! Thank you!

[LoisR]

Several years ago I contacted both The Villages developer and the VHA about using ground penetrating radar (GPR) to check for sink holes before building. I never got a response back from either one even after multiple contacts. Any guesses why?

[Sheri]

Originally Posted by VillagerFrog58

I have been a resident of the Villages for only a few years. Using the news releases and postings on this website, I got the elevation chart from the Sumter county website and overlayed (using google maps) the roads of the villages. From that, I put a yellow dot where I have record of past sinkholes; whether big ones or little ones. Using Google earth (which has plotted every road in the Villages) and the elevation they provide, I put the elevation of that area by the yellow dot. Disregarding two areas where sinkholes occurred because of retention pond lining issues, I have 8 others as shown. What I found (though absolutely unscientific) is that of the 8 that I know of, were all below 84 feet in elevation, with the lowest being at 63 ft. There are portions of the Villages where the elevation is much higher... all the way up to 140 feet. No sinkholes have occurred in those areas. So.. I'm thinking that the more elevation / ground you have under you, the lesser the probability of a sinkhole occurring. Anyhow, I'm just sharing for those that may be interested. And BTW, if I am missing any locations from the past, just post it's location and date and I will add to the chart.

Have you ever updated this map? If so, I would love a copy!

[Blueblaze]

Originally Posted by VillagerFrog58

I have been a resident of the Villages for only a few years. Using the news releases and postings on this website, I got the elevation chart from the Sumter county website and overlayed (using google maps) the roads of the villages. From that, I put a yellow dot where I have record of past sinkholes; whether big ones or little ones. Using Google earth (which has plotted every road in the Villages) and the elevation they provide, I put the elevation of that area by the yellow dot. Disregarding two areas where sinkholes occurred because of retention pond lining issues, I have 8 others as shown. What I found (though absolutely unscientific) is that of the 8 that I know of, were all below 84 feet in elevation, with the lowest being at 63 ft. There are portions of the Villages where the elevation is much higher... all the way up to 140 feet. No sinkholes have occurred in those areas. So.. I'm thinking that the more elevation / ground you have under you, the lesser the probability of a sinkhole occurring. Anyhow, I'm just sharing for those that may be interested. And BTW, if I am missing any locations from the past, just post it's location and date and I will add to the chart.

I guess I'd find your map more interesting if it didn't exclude practically everything north of the Savanna rec center, as if we don't exist. But I guess that's a good thing? If we had any sink holes up here would we have made your map? How about the historic section?

[G.R.I.T.S.]

2800 Plainridge Loop, Village of Belvedere.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by Blueblaze

I guess I'd find your map more interesting if it didn't exclude practically everything north of the Savanna rec center, as if we don't exist. But I guess that's a good thing? If we had any sink holes up here would we have made your map? How about the historic section?

There was a doozy in Calumet Grove.