A sinkhole opened up in the front yard of a home in South Knox early Thursday morning. KUB called to notify us about the sinkhole. Some small holes in the yard led the water deeper into the ground which caused the sinkhole to start. At its biggest, we estimated the sinkhole to be 35 feet long, 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep.
To fill in the sinkhole, crews first brought in 20 yards (or two truckloads) of cement. We start with cement to solidify the bottom of the sinkhole. If filled with dirt, more water could flush it out again. After the cement set, crews filled the rest of the sinkhole with around 400 tons (or 50 truckloads) of dirt.
Not every sinkhole that opens in Knox County is one that we have jurisdiction over. This one opened up right next to a county road, so we had to fill it in to maintain the integrity of the road. If a sinkhole opens on private property, the county may be called out to give advice, but ultimately the owner decides how to fix it.
Have a look at what it takes to fill in a sinkhole:
Preparing to pour cement
Preparing for second truck of cement
After two truckloads of cement
After 50 truckloads of dirt
Straw to help with erosionRylie McClurg is the communications and outreach coordinator for Knox County Engineering and Public Works