Update 2020-12-23: Pictures of the repair in progress.

Lowndes County is fixing the June 8, 2020, sinkhole at the Bevel Creek Lift Station in a Floridan Aquifer recharge zone, with $82,000.00 to replace two manholes, to discuss at its Work Session 8:30 AM Monday morning, with voting at its 5:30 PM Regular Session Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

The county’s agenda sheet says:

Due to extensive flooding and undermining, the manhole before Bevel Creek lift station collapsed on June 8, 2020 creating an emergency situation. After accessing the problem it was determined the most feasible and economical method of repair was to replace two manholes and redirect the flow. RPI Underground submitted a quote not to exceed $82,000 to make the repairs. Staff recommends approval of the Bevel Creek manhole emergency repair by RPI Underground not to exceed $82,000.00.

Photo: Terry Richards, The Valdosta Daily Times, Heavy rains cause problems in Lowndes 2020-06-08.

Terry Richards, Valdosta Daily Times, 8 June 2020, Heavy rains cause problems in Lowndes,

Monday, county utilities workers found the ground had caved in under piping at a sewage pumping station on Ga. 376 near the intersection with Loch Laurel Road.

There was no spill, Dukes said; the heavy rain simply washed out soil under a section of piping.

The pumping station was operating normally Monday, said James Rosenbaum, superintendent of operations for the utilities department.

Bevel Creek in the WWALS Map of the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail.

Jennifer Morejon, WALB News 10, 9 June 2020, Heavy rain affecting Lowndes Co. with flooding, other issues,

On Monday, county utility workers discovered the ground caved in near a sewage pumping station on Georgia 376, near the intersection with Loch Laurel Road. There was a disconnection of a pipe that feeds into a manhole. But there was no spill, and contractors were called in for emergency repair.

“We had some of the material that was under the pipe washed away, and so with that, it caused a shifting in the pipe. But thankfully, it was a pipe that leads into a vertical manhole, so all the material was contained,” said Paige Dukes, Lowndes County public information officer.

Dukes said sinkholes are very common in South Georgia and North Florida, especially over periods of drought and then heavy rain.

Let’s hope there was no spill, since that area is in an aquifer recharge zone.

Bevel Creek context in VALORGIS.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

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