DRAINAGE/DITCHES

Home   -   Departments   -   Current Events   -   Road Construction Updates  
 Road and Bridge Department Projects Photo Album   -   Links   -   Contact
- Drainage - PREBLE COUNTY COVERED BRIDGES -

Preble County has records of approximately 750 drainage ditches that have been constructed through the County Ditch Petition process or the Soil and Water Conservation District.  The ditch records begin as early as 1879.  Prior to 1957, after a ditch was constructed through the County Petition process, the project reverted back to the property owners for maintenance and up keep.  In 1957 the laws were changed such that all County Petitioned Ditches constructed after August 23, 1957 are put under permanent maintenance. 

Your tax bill may show a special assessment to all benefited landowners on a particular ditch.  Maintenance assessments are made by the Board of County Commissioners and are placed by the Auditor on the next succeeding tax duplicate.  The repairs and maintenance to that specific ditch are paid for out of that special account.  Currently we have 140 ditches with the maintenance agreement, either constructed or re-constructed after August 23, 1957.  All ditches under permanent maintenance are required by law to be annually inspected and maintained in working condition.  The word “ditch” can refer to an open watercourse and also the sub-surface portion involving sub-surface tile consisting of clay, concrete or plastic.

The terms culverts and tiles are often confused.  Culvert pipes in roads, driveways, etc. are actually designed to carry the surface storm water run-off.  The sub-surface tile is in place to dry up low lying and wet areas after the surface water has moved down stream.

In the case of open ditches, the permanent easement for maintenance purposes is to be not more than 25 feet from the top of the bank.  The maximum width of permanent easement for closed ditches is not to exceed 80 feet centered on the centerline of the improvement.

If you notice problems on open ditches or sub-surface tile that are under maintenance, call the Preble County Engineer’s Office and repairs will be scheduled.

************************************************************************************