Sinkhole or Settling? Hole in Connecticut Yard Near River Demands Expert Evaluation

A Recurring 2×3 ft Hole Near a River Is a Red Flag

A Connecticut homebuyer found a yard hole that the owner filled 3 times in 6 years. The yard is soggy; the basement is dry. The property borders a river. This suggests subsurface erosion or a sinkhole—not routine settling.

Warning Signs

• Repeated collapse in same spot.
• Proximity to moving water (river undercuts banks).
• Oval shape (not always circular).

Immediate Actions

1. Hire a geotechnical/structural engineer—not a landscaper—to assess.
2. Check foundation, patio, stairs for cracks/tilting.
3. Review sinkhole resources: sinkhole.org.
4. Do not buy until cleared by an expert. Grass problems are fixable; geological ones aren't.

The realtor's "only 3 times" is like a drunk saying "only 1 beer." Dig deeper.