Since its inception in 1907, the Florida Geological Survey (FGS) has gathered data on Florida karst (sinkholes, caves, springs, swallets etc.). In 1982, the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute (FSRI) was created at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. At that time all FGS sinkhole data files were transferred to the FSRI. One of their programs was to compile and tabulate this information and convert it to a computer database. When the Florida legislature discontinued FSRI's funding in the early 1990's, the FSRI nearly ceased operations entirely. After that the database was returned to the FGS and selected portions of the information were published in 1994 as FGS Open File Report 58, "FLORIDA SINKHOLE INDEX." The data is currently available in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and ESRI shapefile format via the FGS Internet web site.
The Florida Sinkhole Research Institute (FSRI) is still located at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and their current director is Dr. Shiou-San Kuo. He can be reached at UCF's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at (407) 823-2280.
Florida Geological Survey ATTN: Geographic Information Systems Gunter Building, MS720 903 W. Tennessee St. Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (850) 487-9455 ext. 153
A note about data scale:
Scale is an important factor in data usage. Certain scale datasets are not suitable for some project, analysis, or modeling purposes. Please be sure you are using the best available data.
1:24000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the county level. 1:24000 data should NOT be used for high accuracy base mapping such as property parcel boundaries. 1:100000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the multi-county or regional level. 1:125000 scale datasets are recommended for projects that are at the regional or state level or larger.
Vector datasets with no defined scale or accuracy should be considered suspect. Make sure you are familiar with your data before using it for projects or analysis. Every effort has been made to supply the user with data documentation. For additional information, see the References section and the Data Source Contact section of this documentation. For more information regarding scale and accuracy, see our webpage at: <http://geoplan.ufl.edu/education.html>
FDEP FGS Sinkholes Database Download Page: <http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/gisdatamaps/sinkhole_database.htm>
FGDL downloaded this dataset from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website in ArcView shapefile format. The Arcview shapefile is not as current as the excel file, which is also available for download from the FDEP website.
Data was originally collected by the Florida Geological Survey, transferred to the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute (FSRI), University of Central Florida, then transferred back to the Florida Geological Survey and has been updated approximately every 2-3 months. Shapefiles for point features are generated approximately every year.
All attributes created were visually verified by a geologist and GIS personnel (actual sites may have not been field checked).
THE DATA HEREIN REPRESENTS REPORTED SINKHOLE ACTIVITY BUT MAY ALSO CONTAIN NON-KARST RELATED SUBSIDENCE SUCH AS COLLAPSED SEPTIC SYSTEMS, WATER MAINS, AND/OR OTHER MAN-MADE FEATURES. SITES SHOULD REMAIN SUSPECT UNTIL FURTHER GEOTECHNICAL EVALUATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THE SITE OR INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO CONFIRM THE EXISTENCE OF A KARST RELATED SINKHOLE. THIS DATA SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR SITE-SPECIFIC EVALUATION, ENGINEERING, AND/OR INTERPRETATION PURPOSES. THIS DATA MAY NOT BE RESOLD IN ANY FASHION AND IS PUBLIC DATA.
1. All data was QA/QC for positional accuracy by running two error checks:
a. Spatial join of original data to verify STR and COUNTY information. b. Ensure the data was inside the boundaries of Florida.
2. Database errors were double checked against paper copies of the reports to ensure the database contained the correct coordinates, addresses and/or location references. If errors were found, corrections to the fields were made immediately.
a. In the case a specific reference number (REFNUM) was spatially incorrect and was discovered to be in another county the REFNUM was reassigned and noted in the COMMENTS. b. In the case of errors regarding location, LAT/LONG and/or PLSS data was corrected to the proper coordinates based on the Florida DEP, Division of State Lands PLSS layer. c. Location references for reports that were determined to not be karst related 3. No other errors were checked and/or corrected. 4. Once QA/QC had been completed on the database, the database was converted into a dBase IV file, opened in ArcMap, and plotted using the ADD XY tool within ArcMap. 5. The event file was then generated to a point shapefile.
The original dataset was projected in FDEP Albers. GeoPlan, during the QA/QC process included the following aspects:
(1) Changed the filename from SinkholeDatabase.shp to SNKHLE_APR07 (2) Added FGDLAQDATE field (3) Added DESCRIPT field based on ONAME (4) Added AUTOID field for internal tracking (based on FID + 1) (5) Changed all field values to uppercase