5801 Benjamin Center Drive, Suite 112
Tampa, Florida 33634
phone: 813.886.1075
fax: 813.249.4916
[Link]/building
[Link]
October 8, 2019
Mr. Andrew Fossa
Pasco County Emergency Management
8744 Government Drive, Building A
New Port Richey, Florida, 34654
Re: Geophysical Evaluation Report
Willow Brook Court
Pasco County
Hudson, Florida
PSI Project No. 07752843
Dear Mr. Fossa:
Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI) has reviewed provided information regarding the observed roadway
distress along Willow Brook Court and subcontracted a geophysical evaluation of the distressed area located
approximately between 7706 Willow Brook Court and the intersection of Willow Brook Court and
Lakeshore Boulevard in Hudson, Pasco County, Florida. This work has been performed in general
accordance with our Proposal No. 0775289816R1, issued September 26, 2019. Our services were verbally
authorized on September 26, 2019 and later fully executed on October 3, 2019 by Mr. Dan Biles.
PROJECT INFORMATION
PSI was contacted about a series of depressions reported in the vicinity of 7807 Willow Brook Court,
Hudson, Florida. PSI personnel attended a meeting with Pasco County representatives to discuss the
potential scope of the project and visit the project site. During the meeting, Pasco County representatives
expressed concern for the right-of-way and roadway within the subject area and provided the results of
a nearby geotechnical report performed for the local homeowner’s association within the adjacent
stormwater pond located south of the subject portion of the Willow Brook Court roadway. We understand
it is the concern of Pasco County that ongoing suspected karst (sinkhole) activity within the adjacent
stormwater management area may be linked to the reported depressions within the Willow Brook Court
roadway and right-of-way. Additionally, the subject area is reportedly located in the vicinity of a well-
documented underground cave network known as the Beacon Woods Cave System.
Pasco County requested an evaluation of the Willow Brook Court roadway and Right-of-Ways for potential
sinkhole conditions. Originally, the subject area was limited to between the addresses of 7803 Willow
Brook Court and 7809 Willow Brook Court. Following the initial GPR survey, Pasco County requested the
GPR survey area be extended west to the vicinity of 7706 Willow Brook Court and east to the intersection
of Willow Brook Court and Lakeshore Boulevard.
`[Link]/building
PSI Project No. 07752843
Willow Brook Court
October 8, 2019
Page 2
PSI personnel performed a brief site reconnaissance of the subject area on the morning of September 19,
2019. The subject area was observed to be barricaded off and the roadway closed. The stormwater
management area referenced above was observed to be on the south side of the roadway. Numerous
depressions and apparent dropouts of unknown size and depth were present within the fenced off
stormwater management area. The largest of the observed dropouts in the retention area was estimated
to be approximately 20 to 25 feet south of the edge of the right of way adjacent to Willow Brook Court.
Apparent subsidence was observed from the edge of the dropout area to within an estimated 8 feet of
the edge of the Willow Brook Court right of way in the northeast corner of the stormwater retention area.
Manual probing of the surficial soils within the north and south right-of-ways along the subject area of
Willow Brook Court consistently met with minimal to no resistance up to the length of the probe rod (4
feet). A pair of suspected previous depression features were observed on the south side of Willow Brook
Court across from 7807 Willow Brook Court. The larger of the depressions was estimated to have a
diameter of 11 feet and the smaller was estimated to have a diameter of approximately 8 feet. The depth
of the suspected depression features could not be determined as the features were observed to be filled
with apparent roadway materials of suspected asphalt composition. prior to PSI arrival on site. Of note,
the smaller suspected depression was observed to be apparently subsiding further at the southern edge
of the Willow Brook Roadway.
Should any of the above information or assumptions made by PSI be incorrect, we request that you
contact us immediately to allow us to make any necessary modifications to this report.
RESULTS OF GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY
The geophysical survey conducted by PSI’s subconsultant (Geoview, Inc.) identified a total of 35 GPR
anomalies within the evaluation area of Willow Brook Court. The GPR survey was split into three GPR survey
areas (Areas 1, 2 and 3) separated by the roadway closure barriers observed on site at the time of GPR field
surveying. GPR anomalies are characterized by an increased amplitude and penetration depth of the GPR
signal along with chaotic reflection patterns indicative of potentially disturbed soils, which is often associated
with either a localized increase in sand content or decrease in soil density. A more detailed discussion
regarding GPR survey methods and project related results is included within the Geophysical Investigation
Report located within the APPENDIX of this report. Based on the site visit performed by PSI and the results of
the geophysical investigation, the observed depressions and identified GPR anomaly features along Willow
Brook Court appear to be related to ongoing karst (sinkhole) activity.
In addition to PSI’s subconsultant’s geophysical work, PSI was provided copies of the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection (FDEP) memorandum dated August 23, 2019 and a geophysical report conducted
on behalf of the homeowner’s (Lakeside Woodlands Civic Association) dated September 10, 2019. The
geophysical report addressed the referenced stormwater pond areas south of the subject roadway. These
documents are attached in the APPENDIX for reference.
[Link]/building
PSI Project No. 07752843
Willow Brook Court
October 8, 2019
Page 3
GEOTECHNICAL DISCUSSION
At this time, we suspect the observed depression and discovered anomaly areas may be related to ongoing
karst (sinkhole) activity within the area of concern. Remediation of the apparent sinkhole activity and
stabilizing the roadway is recommended prior to reopening the roadway.
Conventional remediation methods such as compaction grouting will likely be complicated by the Beacon
Woods Cave System (underground cave system) and the extent of the observed dropouts/sinkholes in the
adjacent stormwater retention area. Performing a compaction grouting program will likely result in significant
migration of grout and surficial soil through the voids and caverns within the limestone formation resulting
in large overruns of grout quantities and possibly adverse impacts to the reported cave system, nearby
homes, adjacent wells, performance of the adjacent pond, and the Floridan Aquifer.
Ground improvement techniques could be employed to stabilize the roadway and County right-of-way, or
the roadway could be bridged. Bridging the roadway would require a structural slab supported on grade
beams connected to piers supported either directly upon the limestone formation or a deep foundation
system such as micro-piles or a driven pile section. However, the installation of ground improvement or bridge
foundations may also affect the reported cave system or surrounding area. The impacted roadway could be
reconstructed, but ongoing dissolution of the limestone formation is likely to continue to negatively impact
the area without some form of stabilization program. Placement of geogrid and geofabric beneath a
reconstructed roadway section could improve performance of the roadway and temporarily bridge small
areas of lost soil support. However, the geogrid and geofabric will not address more than minor amounts of
loss of soil support. Construction vibrations from any remedial activities chosen (drilling of grout pipes, drilling
micro-piles, driving piling, etc.) and compaction grouting operations could induce additional dropouts in the
subject area or surrounding areas.
We recommend consulting with specialty geotechnical contractors in the area to determine the suitability of
conventional remedial measures and possible alternative solutions. Additional subsurface explorations may
be requested by the specialty contractor to determine appropriate or applicable remediation methods or
solutions. We also recommend any method chosen to stabilize the roadway be discussed with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection Agency (FDEP), and any other pertinent stakeholders associated
with this project, including the homeowner’s association. Getting “buy-in” from all parties will likely reduce
the chances of litigation from operations employed to address the ongoing karst/sinkhole activity.
[Link]/building
PSI Project No. 07752843
Willow Brook Court
October 8, 2019
Page 4
LIMITATIONS
The Geotechnical Engineer warrants that the findings, recommendations, specifications or professional
advice contained herein have been made in accordance with generally accepted professional geotechnical
engineering practices in the local area. No other warranties are implied or expressed.
The scope of services also does not include an environmental assessment for determining the presence or
absence of wetlands, or hazardous or toxic materials in the soil, bedrock, surface water, groundwater, or air
on or below, or around this site.
The recommendations submitted are based on the information obtained by PSI and details furnished by Pasco
County for the project. If there are any revisions to the plans for this project or if deviations from the
conditions noted in this report are encountered, PSI should be notified immediately to determine if changes
in the recommendations are required.
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Pasco County and its consultants for the specific
application to the distressed areas along Willow Brook Court in Hudson, Florida.
CLOSURE
We appreciate the opportunity to provide these services. Please contact us at your convenience if you have
questions regarding this report.
Sincerely,
Professional Service Industries, Inc.
Courtland Alvies E.I. Lloyd T. Lasher Jr., P.E.
Staff Engineer Intern Senior Geotechnical Engineer
Florida License No. 56794
Robert A. Trompke, P.E.
Florida Geotechnical Practice Leader
Florida License No. 55456
Attachments:
Final Report of Geophysical Investigation by GeoView, Inc.
FDEP Memorandum
HOA Geophysical Report
[Link]/building
