Sinkhole Implementation Strategy

A Sinkhole Implementation Strategy has been developed by the County of Huron, the Municipality of Huron East, and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority with input from various other interested groups.

The goal of this strategy is to both protect and enhance the quality of the water draining into sinkholes as we know that sinkholes provide a direct connection between surface and groundwater. This strategy is in its very early stages, however options under consideration include spills contingency planning, promoting uptake of Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) and amending Official Plans and Zoning By-Law Policies where practical.

It is expected that ABCA will continue working with their partners on this strategy through 2009.

Sinkholes are circular or elliptical closed depressions in the surface, usually formed by the dissolution of underlying soluble bedrock. These large depressions found in parts of this watershed allow surface water to enter the groundwater without some of the natural filtration that would normally occur. That is why it is so important to manage practices appropriately near these rapid pathways to our groundwater sources.