Indiana Insights: Not All Ground Is Created Equal

Wes Hemp, PE, PG, LEED AP, Senior Consultant | Published on July 15, 2026

In regions with karst geology, like parts of Central Kentucky and Southern Indiana, subsurface conditions can include sinkholes, voids, and underground features that aren’t always visible from the surface.

And that uncertainty matters. Because if those conditions aren’t identified early, they can lead to:

• Unexpected subsurface collapse
• Design changes mid-project
• Costly delays and repairs

The challenge is you can’t always see what’s there. But you can reduce the risk.

Karst reconnaissance surveys help identify existing and historical features like sinkholes and caves that could impact development. When done early in due diligence:

• Teams gain a clearer understanding of site viability
• Projects can be planned to avoid high-risk areas
• Costly surprises are minimized

And, compared to the potential impact, these evaluations are relatively low-cost. At the end of the day, it’s not about eliminating every unknown. It’s about making informed decisions with the best information available.

SME can help assess karst conditions early so teams can plan smarter and reduce risk before construction begins.