Sinkhole and drainage planning in Johnson city, Tennessee

In the spring of 1994, Johnson City, Tennessee and a large portion of east Tennessee received close to their normal annual rainfall in four months. This large amount of rainfall caused ground water levels to rise and flooding in areas not previously known for flooding. The Northwest section of Johnson City is a rapidly growing urban and suburban area in karst terrain; this area was greatly effected by the 1994 flooding. The City of Johnson City Public Works Department initiated a drainage evaluation which includes field reconnaissance, ground water (dye) traces, hydrologic modelling, GIS development and the establishment of an interim policy for development in sinkhole areas. The immediate goal of the project is to develop a policy and ordinance concerning development and drainage in and around sinkholes which will reduce the impact of future flooding events.