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Ripley County residents press commissioners over culvert and runoff damage after heavy rains
Summary
Two separate residents described repeated flooding, plugged culverts and property damage they say followed nearby development and road work; commissioners advised filing drainage-board complaints and arranged county inspection to determine jurisdiction and possible remedies.
Several Ripley County residents used public comment time on June 22 to press commissioners for action after severe flooding and stream changes tied to development and culvert work.
Tim Keith described a clogged private waterway and a plugged culvert that left fields and yards flooded. County staff advised filing a drainage complaint with the county surveyor and exploring voluntary remediation with the landowner or tenant; commissioners said the county can act as the drainage board if an obstruction is documented and notices are properly issued.
Russell Sparks said subdivision construction and a newly routed stream near Ripple Crossing have dramatically increased flow onto his property. He reported spending about $5,000 for riprap after recent washouts and said he had lost trees and feared further bank erosion. Commissioners and the county attorney said the situation may require civil remedies and/or a drainage-board hearing; county staff said an inspection would help determine whether the flow is a natural surface watercourse (limiting rechanneling) or an obstruction subject to county action.
Commissioners advised residents to collect photos, identify the landowners and, if necessary, file a formal drainage petition so the county surveyor (Jeff French) can investigate. Staff offered to inspect the affected culverts and advised residents to consider private agreements with tenants or farmers who lease parcels upstream.
