Supervisors discuss repeated blowout in DD 68 near Buffalo Center; repair options considered

Members of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors discussed a recurring drainage blowout in a sandy low area of drainage district DD 68 near Buffalo Center, identified in the meeting as Lot 21 of DD 68.

A supervisor reported the site is “a great big old hole where it sucked all the dirt out” and that the area has failed multiple times in the past. The speaker said the pipe there may be 20 to 21 inches and noted past repairs that apparently failed. “It’s always been flowing,” the supervisor added, and said the hole is large enough that you can stand over it and watch water going into the pipe.

Supervisors and staff discussed whether a restriction under the railroad might be contributing to the pressure and whether replacement of at least 400–500 feet of pipe would be required in a long-term fix. The meeting included discussion about who owns the land (named as Doug Klucow) and whether a representative from the Iowa DNR or a drainage-district contact had been identified; staff said they would follow up with the state DNR representative who had taken over for TJ Herrick.

Board members noted prior maps showed varying pipe sizes in the area (18-, 20- and 36-inch shows on different maps) and said the history of repairs suggests a more substantial replacement may be needed rather than repeated spot repairs.

Why it matters: repeated failures in drainage districts can affect farmland, private drives and county infrastructure. Supervisors flagged the site for follow-up with DNR representatives and estimated scope of repair options during subsequent staff work.