Sinkhole Radar Tests Disappoint EMO Officials
Emergency officials are disappointed with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) tests around the sinkhole in Oxford. The radar only penetrated one to five metres below the surface, not deep enough to provide the information needed to get a sense of the depth and size of the underground structure.
The Regional Emergency Measures Coordinator says the salt content in the soil and water tended to reflect the radar. Mike Johnson says the salinity effectively blocked the test and officials will have to consider other tests at substantially higher cost.
Johnson says the results will be reviewed by geophysical engineers so they can advise on the next best option.
The Town had a plan “B” that would cost over one hundred thousand dollars but they will not proceed without some direction from the Province or possible assistance from Ottawa.
Johnson says new cracks have been found near the sinkhole but not near Main Street, which he described as good news. He says, “The sinkhole dimensions remain as they have over the past couple of weeks, however the water level in the sinkhole has risen to within inches of the surrounding lake water level.”
The site is still considered unsafe.