Johnson County moves to designate HO Canary watershed an impact drainage area, lowers future release-rate standard

Johnson County commissioners voted Nov. 3 to proceed with study and designation of the HO Canary Watershed as an impact drainage area and to apply a more restrictive post‑development release rate for future development within the mapped area.

Greg Campbell, Johnson County surveyor, told the board the county completed reassessments in 2024 and has been dividing regulated drains into prioritized segments for reconstruction; staff and consultants recommended using designation under the county’s comprehensive stormwater management ordinance to require more stringent controls on future development while long‑term reconstruction is planned. "We were successful in those reassessment hearings. We're now ready to move on to the actual study of the drains and to bring those drains to physical update," Campbell said.

Dave Ei…