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Lucas County holds view for Big Coulee Ditch H2Ohio project; first hearing set for late March
Summary
County engineer presented a view of the proposed Big Coulee Ditch improvements in Jerusalem Township, explained the design as a two‑stage ditch, said the project is preliminarily approved for an H2Ohio grant and announced a first hearing for March 25, 2025 at 2 p.m.; no formal vote was taken at the view.
At a meeting of the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, the county engineer presented the view for proposed improvements to the Big Coulee Ditch in Jerusalem Township and said the first hearing on the trustees’ petition is scheduled for March 25, 2025, at 2 p.m.
The county engineer told commissioners the work is a candidate for an H2Ohio grant and that the county has been “preliminarily approved to receive it,” meaning design and construction would be paid through the grant but the ditch must be placed under petition to allow for permanent, perpetual maintenance. That petition process begins with the view and the first hearing, the engineer said.
The presentation described the existing channel as shallow and heavily silted, with vegetation reducing conveyance capacity. The engineer estimated at least two feet of sediment in many reaches and said the channel showed “at least 50% if not more” siltation and limited or nonexistent riparian area along parts of the ditch. The proposed design would convert the channel to a two‑stage ditch: a roughly 25‑foot section with a 4‑foot bottom and approximately 10‑foot vegetated benches on each side. The benches are intended to trap sediment and support plants that improve water quality and reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
“Benefits of a two‑stage is that we probably never have to go out there, at least as long as we’re all alive,” the county engineer said, describing the design as largely self‑maintaining.
The engineer pointed to existing two‑stage installations in the county — Van Fleet Ditch in Monclova Township, a project in Richfield Township (4 Ditch), 10 Mile Creek and several projects along Dorr Street — noting those projects reduced historic local flooding. He said another two miles are under contract and several additional miles are planned in coming years.
County staff said the petition area runs from Kuzno Road up to Kuzina Road and ties into an adjacent petitioned ditch at Kuzner Road (place names as read into the record). The engineer estimated about 60 properties would be impacted and confirmed the county code requires letters to property owners at least 30 days before the view; a legal notice for the view ran in the Toledo Legal News on Jan. 21, 2025. The engineer said the final hearing would likely be held in 2026, after the design, benefit rolls and final cost estimates are prepared.
Action taken: the commissioners closed the view at the meeting; no formal vote on construction occurred. The first hearing on the petition was scheduled for March 25, 2025 at 2 p.m., when the engineer will present a preliminary report and the board will consider whether to proceed to a final hearing and formal petition process.
Background: Jerusalem Township trustees initiated the petition process to pursue H2Ohio funding for ditch improvements in the township. H2Ohio is a state grant program that funds projects intended to improve water quality; the county engineer said preliminary grant approval requires the ditch be under petition to ensure ongoing maintenance.
Next steps: staff will prepare design materials, benefit rolls and a preliminary report for the March hearing. Adjacent landowners may raise concerns at the first hearing and the county will return for a final hearing to present the completed design and cost allocation.
