Homeowner urges board to find blockage after repeated flooding near Raub G drain

A Whitley County homeowner told the drainage board on April 20 that recent storms and nearby road work have made flooding on his property worse and asked the board to investigate blockages in the Raub G drain.

Shelby Dean, who identified himself as a property owner at 5101 North 900 near the Blue River apartments, said the retention pond "was supposed to handle a 100‑year flood, but we've had a 100‑year flood for the last five consecutive years," and described repeated overflows that are starting to damage his driveway and could prevent planned construction on his lot.

Staff reported that on‑site manhole inspections found one upstream manhole half full and "swirling around," while downstream structures were free‑flowing. Staff said locator work stopped at a point where tree stumps and roots prevent further tracing and that the town’s recent road project ties into the drainage alignment, complicating replacement work. Staff estimated the full replacement project would be several thousand feet upstream and said it will take multiple years to complete.

Shelby asked whether the board could dig at the suspected blockage to provide short‑term relief. Staff said they would attempt to locate and clear any blockages to reduce immediate flooding but cautioned that a permanent replacement remains a longer‑term project.

Board members noted that the town’s road work improved some downstream flow but left the upstream section constrained, and they asked staff to coordinate additional locator and excavation work to better identify the cause of the localized overflow. No formal action was taken beyond the commitment to investigate and report back.