Public Gets Details on Oxford Sinkhole
The province’s specialist in sinkholes was the key speaker at a public meeting in Oxford tonight. Garth DeMont provided a detailed description of what it takes to create a sinkhole and why Oxford is riddled with them.
DeMont, from the Environmental Geology Division of the Department of Energy and Mines, says the sinkhole does not appear to be connected to Salt Lake, the popular swimming spot in the Oxford Lions Parkland. While the hole is relatively quiet, there is evidence it may grow to the northeast, toward Main Street and the Trans Canada Highway.
The geologist is quick to say that nobody can know for sure without a lot more information.
DeMont outlined a four phase plan for the Oxford area, but he noted there is no timeline beyond phase one which calls for geophysical surveying.
The town is currently reviewing proposals from independent engineering firms who are vying to conduct underground surveys. DeMont says this is the critical first step that may guide officials on what my follow.
Officials need to get a handle on how deep the hole goes. It has consumed some large, mature trees that disappeared in seconds. Yet, nobody knows where the water is coming from, nor where it is going.
Getting information on the size and depth of the underground cavern may help guide officials to geotechnical testing, which in turn may indicate remedial action and on-going monitoring.
Asked about who is going to pay for this, the town’s Chief Administrative Officer says the province is helping and aware the issue could be much bigger. Rachel Jones says, “This is a moving target. It’s going to depend on what the tests show us.” However, it was generally agreed that repair and remediation is clearly beyond the capacity of either the Oxford Lions Club or the Town.
There is also evidence of sinkhole activity under the Trans Canada Highway at the entrance to the town at exit six. There is a small depression and a break in the pavement along the highway near the end of the on-ramp heading to Amherst. Any expansion of that area may affect the highway, the ramp, and the ATV trail and tunnel under the ramp.
A panel of local officials answered audience questions. The president of the Lions Club, Rob Moores, was asked why the club would build on that site in the first place. Of course, nobody would ever consider a sinkhole when selecting a building site.
He was also asked if the Lions might move the building. He said it will depend on the hole and the geophysical information. Moores added, “If the cavern underneath actually extends to most of the property, then we’ll have to decide if the building has to be taken down or just abandoned to the hole.”
Moores and the town’s CAO will be guests on Six Rivers Radio on Friday morning between 8 and 10 am. Listen HERE.
The above photo shows Garth DeMont with his slide show presentation. The photo below indicates a smaller than expected crowd at the old Oxford Capitol Theatre.