Board previews drone inspections to speed ditch assessments, flags insurance checks

The Kosciusko County Drainage Board reviewed sample drone footage intended to improve inspections on hard-to-access drains and to inform work orders.

Chair (S1) showed a roughly 40-minute clip of Silver Creek's outlet from Silver Lake to demonstrate how drone imagery can reveal private crossings, tile connections, sediment, and vegetation. "Very quickly, I can get a handle on blockages, sediment," the chair said, noting the footage makes it easier to identify where deep brushing or tile work is needed.

Board members asked about pilot licensing and insurance. The pilot is a licensed operator who is the grandson of a local contractor and participates in the Warsaw Community Schools drone program; the pilot is paid through Good Excavating and will be treated as a contractor. Chair (S1) asked staff to confirm that insurance coverage will remain valid when a non‑county contractor operates the drone and requested a copy of the pilot's license for the county insurance record.

The board discussed storing footage in drain files, adding coordinate stationing for repeat comparisons, and using visual stationing to build a record for lifecycle planning. Chair (S1) said he will work with staff to confirm insurance and to make sure the footage is cataloged and useful for future maintenance decisions.