Missouri is the “Show-Me Sinkholes State.” The St. Louis area is dotted with sinkholes. Do you have a sinkhole story? Ever visit the sinkhole fields near Columbia, Florissant or Jefferson Barracks? Has a sinkhole ever opened up in your backyard?
Please post your story below.
Sinkholes and creeks locally and statewide have been found to be contaminated with dangerous E. coli levels. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seems to be posting areas as risky to health because of these levels almost weekly.
Advertisement
In doing the research on the Aug. 6 article on sinkholes, I learned that sinkholes are a major source of pollution for our waterways. Even if they are not used directly as dumpsters and sewers — a regular practice in the past — they carry huge amounts of runoff from the concrete in new subdivisions as well as sewage from inadequate septic tank systems.
In doing the research on my “Show Me…Nature’s Wrath book, I learned that the flash flood in Cliff Cave in 1993, which resulted in several deaths, was probably caused by tremendous amounts of water flowing into the cave from sinkholes on the bluff areas and in the subdivisions above the cave.
Just read your article in WKT. I live in Webster Groves and have two sinkholes on my property. I’ve only lived here about two years. When it rains heavily, I have a couple of lakes in my yard. Over the next couple of days, the water slowly disappears. We have a large lot and tt isn’t a big deal to us. However, I now have something opening up right between my house and driveway which concerns me. I don’t think it is a sinkhole, but don’t know for sure.
Can I contact someone at MSD to do some sort of assessment? Is there a cost for this? Any breadcrumbs you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Ken, I asked Paul Verheyen with the City Of Webster Groves to comment on your situation with the possible sinkhole in your yard. I know of several people in the St. Louis area who told me they are dealing with similar situations.
Here is how Paul Verheyen responded:
It is the City’s current policy that an engineer on my staff evaluates these type of concerns brought to us by our citizens and advise them as to our determination. It has been my experience that most new holes that appear are caused by leaking or broken sewer lines. However, there is always a possibility that a new sinkhole has formed. Please inform the constituent that we provide this service free of charge. Should it be determined it is a sewer lateral causing the problem, which is the responsibility of the property owner, the City has a program that will pay for 80% of the repair cost. If it is indeed a sinkhole, it is the homeowners responsibility to correct. In addition, the Public Works department will place the sinkhole on our stormwater program list for repair. After the project has been evaluated and prioritized by our customized software program, corrective action will occur as the priority and budget allows.
Thanks for the quick follow-up Don! I will be contacting the city this week. Wasn’t quite sure where to go with this first, so I appreciate your lead!
What I find so inetreistng is you could never find this anywhere else.
DhFQ4M ekwbbkhrakcl
These things and much worse will continue to happen as Yahweh, our God and Creator pours out His wrath upon mankind leading up to Armageddon. It is His will that you all know exactly where it is coming from.
Matthew 10:34 “Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Exodus 15:3 “The LORD is a warrior; Yahweh is His name.”
“There will be no peace on Earth until My Son’s Kingdom. I will crush every kingdom now standing and rock the earth off its foundation. I Yahweh will destroy every enemy to My throne, and who can stop Me? Who can turn back My anger? No one.” – Yahweh
Don,
I am a homeowner in Oakville not to far from Cliff Cave Park. My neighbor discovered an open sinkhole near the fence that separates our yard. The ground on my side is very soft and feel like my foot could go thru it if I really tried. What is the first step I/we should do for our safety?