Porter County accepts public drainage easement for Gretchen Administrative Subdivision to address outlet and flooding

Porter County agreed to accept a public regulated drainage easement shown on the plat for the Gretchen Administrative Subdivision, a measure intended to allow county reconstruction of an outlet tile and improvements to overland flow to address longstanding drainage and flooding issues in the area.

Chelsea, a county storm-water staff member, explained the background: a portion of a regulated drain in the area (Ditch Farm 18) had been vacated in 2024 and the outlet tile had failed, producing elevated water levels in a pond and associated wetland. She said the easement is shown on the subdivision plat so the drainage route will remain with the property and allow the county to perform outlet reconstruction and maintenance. "Staff's recommendation is that Porter County accepts the public or regulated drainage as shown on the plat subdivision," Chelsea told the board.

Applicant Bill Grien provided his name and address for the record. Board members asked how the county’s regulatory access within the easement would help flooding north of County Road 1200 North; staff answered that the easement would allow county crews to access the outlet, remove obstructions and reconstruct drain tiles and roadside ditches to restore a functioning outlet that would lower localized water levels.

A motion to accept the proposed public regulated drainage easement was made, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the county will accept and record the public drainage easement as shown on the plat and plan outlet reconstruction and maintenance work to restore the route and lower local water levels.