Commissioners opt to keep Springhill Drive duck pond at original design; no riser added

Allen County Commissioners on July 7 agreed to maintain the original design for the Springhill Drive Duck Pond and declined to install a riser that would raise the pond’s normal water level.

"Based on the Drainage Engineer's recommendation, the Commissioners agree to maintain the design of the original project, with no riser being placed in the pond -if any additional information is determined, it should be brought to the Commissioners attention," Commissioner Cory Noonan said during the public discussion. The board said the recommendation was based on concerns about preserving freeboard for large storms and preventing flooding of nearby infrastructure and private property.

Engineer’s Office staff Joe Gearing and Nathan Davis walked the commissioners through measurements and historic photos of the spillway and risers. Gearing said removing the riser would "allow more free-boarding" during high flows, which the Engineer's Office views as the safer option for storm events. Residents Linda Lamb and Tom Richie urged the board to preserve higher normal water levels, with Lamb saying the current higher level limits algae and that she and Richie will continue debris removal.

Commissioner Beth Seibert recited requirements under the Ohio Revised Code that, she said, require the county to ensure drainage structures function as designed and that allowing additional water via a riser could reduce capacity during large storms. Commissioners discussed dredging to increase pond volume but said landowners opposed losing pond area and were not interested in dredging.

The board directed staff to bring any additional information to the commissioners if new engineering data or landowner inputs emerge. No formal vote tally was recorded in the minutes; the minutes describe the board agreement as following the Drainage Engineer's recommendation.