Spongy Ground Question

Did it rain recently? Did the hole have water in it when it got filled in? Even though the bobcat drove over the area several times, it still takes dirt a long time to settle completely. We had on old septic in our yard (house is old and now is on city sewer). We only found it after a heavy rain had sunk the top part in - thankfully no one fell in!!!. We had it filled with a truckload of dirt. Even now, 3yrs later, we need to put more dirt on top of it this spring after all the snow melt and time has made it settle down more this winter, making a big dent in our yard there. I bet it just needs to settle more. Plus, you know rain collected there, so that ground would be softer than normal to start out with.

the ground hasn't fully settled yet. It will and the 'sponginess' will subside.

Could be a lot of things- a natural underground spring comes to mind. This area will stay naturally soft because the ground is super saturated there due to the high water table of the spring. Anyway, just a thought. You might be able to find soil surveys done by the county for your area. I'd start there.

you could also contact your state's conservation dept.

& with living in IL, your idea about the horse may not be that off-balance....nor would thoughts of "pits" from the original caretakers of the land. You're not that far from Cahokia!

make some calls & please post a SWH. I'm really interested....my Mom lives not too far from you. :)

McMama:

Personally? I would contact a landscaper to find out....I wonder if you have a university nearby that might specialize in soil and find out what it is.

I wonder if it's the start of a sink hole...i don't know how they start...

I do know that peat soil is spongy. you might just have a "BOG"!!! :)

ooh!! how about contacting a local nursery and asking them to come out and do a soil sample? Explain to them what is going on and see if they have an answer!!!

good luck!!

Do you have a well and/or septic?

If yes then it could be one of the two or the run off for a septic (like a cesspool). If you have an older house than there could have been either one there in the past that was not filled in properly. Either way I would not go anywhere near it since it could also be a sink hole (they happen anywhere on the earth).

You may be able to find out through county records (if any were kept) about the land.

sounds like there is water trapped under the dirt.