Drainage board accepts utility crossings and hears updates on ditch repairs

The Gibson County Drainage Board voted to accept two utility crossing applications and heard a series of maintenance reports on county ditches.

Staff reported that applications from CenterPoint (a regulator/road crossing near the retail area by Walmart) and Frontier were in order; a board member moved to accept both crossings and members signified approval by voice.

In maintenance updates, a county maintenance supervisor said cleanup and fallen-tree removal on Miller Ditch and Keg Creek were ongoing and that recent work was "looking really good" after crews were able to access sites once water levels fell. The board reviewed completed bank stabilization work on the Donahoo lateral (north of 700) and saw before-and-after photos provided by staff.

Staff described an emergent washout at the Clay Mire that required stabilization; crews performed an emergency stabilization and staff said a larger project to straighten and stabilize the ditch may be necessary next fall or winter. The Obert lateral also received clearing work to remove trees obstructing flow near 500 East.

The board thanked farmers and landowners for reporting problems and asked staff to continue monitoring trouble spots. A motion to adjourn passed by voice vote.