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.
FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SPATIAL DATA DISCLAIMER Geographic information provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Geological Survey (FGS), Geographic Information System (GIS) subsection is provided for general reference, is subject to change, and is not warranted for any particular use or purpose. Although efforts have been made to make the information accurate and useful, the FDEP/FGS assumes no responsibility for errors in the information and does not guarantee the data are free from errors or inaccuracies. The FDEP/FGS and its employees do not warrant and are not liable for inappropriate or unintended uses or interpretation of this information. As such, these digital data are distributed on "as is" basis and the user assumes all risk as to their quality, the results obtained from their use, and the performance of the data. Comments on this data are invited and FDEP/FGS would appreciate that documented errors be brought to staff attention. As a professional responsibility, we expect that the FDEP/FGS will receive proper credit when you utilize these data sets. Further, since part of this data was developed and collected with U.S. Government or State of Florida funding, no proprietary rights may be attached to it in whole or in part, nor may it be sold to the U.S. Government or the Florida State Government as part of any procurement of products or services. Please contact the FGS GIS subsection for additional information.
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>
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.
Sinkholes shown are publicly reported. As such they represent only a portion of all sinkholes to be found in the State of Florida. Most reported sinkholes come from population centers throughout Florida.
Data was originally collected by the Florida Geological Survey, transfered to the Florida Sinkhole Research Institute (FSRI), University of Central Florida, then transfered back to the Florida Geological Survey and has been updated approximately every 2-3 months. Shapefiles for point features are generated approximately every year.
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.
(1) Changed the filename from Sinkholes_102006.shp to SNKHLE_OCT06 (2) Reprojected data to FGDL Albers (3) Added FGDLAQDATE field (4) Added DESCRIPT field based on ONAME
The following price list applies for requests where electronic transfer is not acceptable: MEDIA COST S&H Charges --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CD $5.00 $2.50 DVD $10.00 $3.50 PAPER MAPS $5.00 per sheet $2.00 per sheet
Please be aware that pricing is subject to change at any time.
FGS will provide custom maps for persons or private companies providing requests are made in a timely manner. Custom order requests should be directed to the GIS analyst, require less than 4 hours of staff time to complete, and must be pre-paid in order to be processed. Labor for custom orders is billed in quarter hour increments at the rate of $18.35 / hr with a maximum of three hours billable. Custom orders taking less than one hour will not require billing. The GIS analyst is responsible for determining process time.
To order this or other datasets from the Florida Geological Survey, please contact the Geographic Information Systems subsection at:
Florida Geological Survey ATTN: Geographic Information Systems 903 W. Tennessee St. Gunter Building MS#720 Tallahassee, Florida 32304-7716
Office: (850) 488-4191 Fax: (850) 488-8086