INSTREAM VOID FEATURE NEAR SADLER FALLS, SPRING RIVER, ARKANSAS,

JUNE 2018

Summary:

The Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) continues to monitor the geologic hazard
referred to here as an instream void feature (locally referred to as a sinkhole) located
about 9 miles north of the confluence between the Spring River and the South Fork of
the Spring River (northwest of Hardy, Arkansas). The public became aware of this
feature on June 9, 2018 as a result of a kayaker who died after slipping into the
whirlpool created by the instream void feature. The AGS conducted visual observations
and surface sampling during a site investigation on Thursday, June 15, 2008.

Two Google Earth images from 2013 (Figure A) and 2016 (Figure B) reflect the
progressive degradation of this geologic hazard over time. In these figures, note the two
lines of shallow falls crossing across the river and the geologic hazard located on the
left side of the lower shallow falls.

The geologic hazard consists of three components: 1) upstream opening of the void
feature measuring approximately 10 feet in diameter, (Figures C, D), 2) travertine
(rimrock) measuring approximately 10 feet between the opening of the solution feature
and downstream discharge point, (Figure E), and 3) downstream discharge point
measuring approximately 15 feet in length, (Figure F). Although the AGS has not
investigated the subsurface component of the geologic hazard, they believe it consists
of an underground/underwater tunnel/flume which is approximately 12-15 feet in length
(Figure G).

The geologic hazard appears to consist of three types of materials (Table 4-3): 1) soft
rock composed of calcite/travertine rimrock (Figure H), 2) moderately soft rock
composed of calcite cemented cherty gravel and cobbles, (Figures I, J, K), and 3)
moderately hard rock composed of dolostone, (Figure L).

Local residents have reported that the whirlpool opening has continued to enlarge.
The AGS preliminary investigation indicates that this localized feature appears to be
due to the collapse in the lower portion of the rimrock creating a void space beneath the
rimrock and water surface.

The Arkansas Geological Survey (AGS) anticipates continued research regarding

similar travertine (rimrock) features downstream from Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.

The AGS has conducted interviews with the following media outlets:

 THV Channel 11 – Little Rock, Arkansas

 Arkansas Democrat Gazette
 Associated Press

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FIGURES

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Figure A:

Figure B:

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 Whirlpool
Roped off area

Figure C: Upstream of geohazard (looking south at whirlpool)

Main Intake Point

10 feet

Figure D: Whirlpool

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 10-15 feet

Intake Point

Discharge Point

Figure E: Geohazard void feature

Figure F: Downstream discharge point, width is appoximately 10 feet.

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 Table 4-3 Hardness and unconfined compressive strength of rock materials*
Typical range in
Hardness Field Test on
unconfined compressive Field Test on sample
category outcrop
strength (Mpa)
Soil <0.6 Use USCS classifications
Very soft rock
or hard, soil 0.6-1.25
Scratched with fingernail. Slight indentation by ligh blow of point of geolgoic
like material
pick. Requires power tools for excavation. Peels with pocket knife

Soft rock 1.25-5.0

Permits denting by moderate pressure of the fingers. Handheld speciment Easily deformable
crumbles under firm blows with point of geologic pick with finger pressure
Shallow indentations (1-3mm) by firm blows with point of geologic pick.
Moderately Peels with difficulty with pocket knife. Resists denting by fingers but can be
5.0-12.5
soft rock abraded and pierced to a shallow depth by pencil piont. Crumbles by Crumbles by rubbing
rubbing with fingers with fingers
Cannot be scraped or peeled with pocket knife. Intact handheld specimen
Moderately breaks with single blow of geologic hammer. Can be distinctly scratched Unfractured outcrop
12.5-50
hard rock with 20d common steel nail. Resistant to abrasion or cutting by knife blade, crumbles under light
but can easily dented or broken by light blows of hammer hammer blows
*Modified from USDA NRCS, 2012 Part 631 Geology National Engineering Handbook, Chapter 4, Engineering Classification of Rock Materials

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Figure G: Cross Section

Figure H: Calcite/travertine rimrock

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Figure I: Calcite cemented cherty gravel and cobbles

Upper zone: Travertine

Lower zone: Prone to erosion

Figure J: Rod is marked in feet and inches

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Figure K: Calcite cemented cherty gravel and cobbles

Figure L: Dolostone bluff next to the Spring River.