So You Built A Drainage Ditch - Now What?
Downstream Ag Drainage Challenges
You Did It! Now What?
You rallied the community, got agencies and county board of supervisors to cooperate, and successfully completed the construction of a habitat saving, crop production enhancing drainage system in your district. So how do you keep up proper maintenance and diligent inspection of the new agricultural drainage systems, support top running quality, and allow for more efficient, ongoing use of drainage funds? Invite a firm with district watchman services to join your team!
On the Watch – The Role of a District Watchman
As the appointed district watchman, engineering firms provide inspection and maintenance services for county drainage district systems. When landowners report problems and concerns to the county auditor or county drainage clerk, an experienced watchmen can conduct site visits to evaluate the problem first-hand – before it becomes exacerbated. On smaller repair projects, most firms will recommend the necessary repairs, prepare a cost estimate, and then arrange for a local contractor to perform the work, with the watchman overseeing the project from beginning to end.
On larger repair and improvement projects, the watchman typically provides a full range of services, including surveying, study, report preparation, design, hearing presentations, and construction staking and observation. This helps ensure that the firm charged with completing the project have an in-depth, boot-on-the ground understanding of the system, reducing the complex drainage process into an easy-to-understand operation.
Tree Trouble? Brush Bothers? No problem.
It is critical to keep trees and brush from growing within an open ditch of a drainage district. Not only for access to the facility for general maintenance, but also for erosion control of the side slop. A district watchman can establish tree and brush management program for all open ditches within jurisdiction. These programs typically involve physical removal of vegetation and herbicide application on a multi-year cycle.
No Maps? No Records? No problem, there, either.
Because the district drainage system has been in place for over 100 years, records on these systems, if even available, are generally difficult to access and view. There are significant benefits to converting to an electronic Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage facilities and track repairs and improvements. ISG, for example, has full GIS capabilities, including field surveys, scanning and digitizing existing mapping, and feature creation, making compensating for missing records easy and cost-effective.
The Water Resource, Resource
These services provide the county board of supervisors an option of hiring a pro-active, on-call inspector (watchman), as their first line of response for maintenance of district facilities. Additionally, unnecessary repairs can be avoided through proper maintenance. Ultimately, the agricultural drainage experience brought to each system under the trained eye of a district watchman results in a satisfied constituency and an efficient use of drainage funds.
Join the conversation #ISGAgriculture #DistrictWatchman
Related Articles
.webp)
Navigating the MS4 Permit Program: How ISG Supports Communities Every Step of the Way
The management of stormwater runoff is a pressing concern for cities across the nation, and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit program is a critical framework designed to protect water quality and our natural resources.
Optimize Maintenance + Reveal Opportunities with Facilities Assessments
The Clay County Board of Supervisors (County) knew they needed to address facility repairs in their Administration Building, Courthouse, and General Services Center. While maintaining public buildings does not generate excitement, County leaders recognized that deferring upkeep of public facilities can cost more in the long run if left unaddressed and may result in limiting other more impactful projects.
Creating Flood-Resilient Communities: A Case Study in Floodplain Management
In the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesotans love to live near and play in our abundant water systems. But the effects of population growth, land use development, and climate change pose challenges within floodplain areas, contributing to persistent flooding issues.
Why a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is Critical to Project Success
In the world of real estate development and land acquisition, the road to success is paved with thorough planning and attention to detail. One often overlooked but crucial step in the due diligence process is the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). Before a client begins any project, ISG often conducts a Phase 1 ESA to identify any recognized environmental conditions (RECs) that could impact the property's value or pose potential risks to public health and the environment. The result of the assessment influences the project’s direction and success long-term.
100% Employee Owned
.svg)
