Ponds are becoming an increasingly popular addition to homes.  They can be a source of drinking water and recreation, and add beauty to a property.  Before digging a pond, a property owner should be sure that the soil is suitable for things such as water retention.

A Pond Clinic is scheduled every other year.  Next Pond Clinic has not yet been scheduled.  Watch our newsletter for more information.

Current Group Ditch Projects

Current Petitioned Ditch Projects
Niese Joint County Ditch
Giesige Joint County Ditch
Jeanne Rader Ditch
Jim Fuerst Ditch

Current Petitioned Tile Projects

Recently Finished Group Ditch Projects

For more information contact Jeff Giesige at 419-523-5159

Prompted by the flood of 1981 which put the village of Ottawa under water, a study was conducted to determine the best methods to promote water flow and reduce the severity of future flooding along the Blanchard River.

Cleanup began in 1994 along the 98 miles of the Blanchard, which includes 35 miles in Putnam County.  Nearly 493,000 acres of land drain into the Blanchard.  Landowners were initially assessed $14 per parcel of land and–when the maintenance fund runs low–are charged an annual $2 per parcel per year.  Annual maintenance includes removal of logjams and leaning trees.

During the initial cleanup, nearly 900 logjams, or an average of about 10 logjams per mile, were cleared.  The project was estimated to cost $1 million, however, cost of the cleanup totaled $750,000. Maintenance of the river has been done annually since then, under the oversight of the Hardin, Hancock and Putnam Soil & Water Districts in each of their respective counties.

The project resulted in the establishment of the Blanchard River Stream Enhancement program, which covers the six counties of the Blanchard watershed.  The program provides cost-sharing for cleaning ditches or building waterways in the entire Blanchard watershed.   Such projects must be constructed through Soil & Water or County Engineer.  State cost-share of the program can be as much as 30% of the cost of the project.

Persons in the Blanchard watershed interested in ditch cleaning, waterway construction or livestock waste handling can contact their local Soil & Water for more information.

The Ottawa River project was initiated in Allen County as a petitioned project in February 2005 to remove debris, logjams and any other blockages of the waterway. The viewing, meeting and inventory of the river followed soon after. The construction of the river started in December of 2006 and work continues today as part of the maintenance.

The project consists of more than just the river. The watershed consists of approximately 238,000 acres and affects the counties of Auglaize, Allen, Hardin, Hancock and Putnam. The river is about 60 miles (18 in Putnam and 42 in Allen) and effects approximately 100,000 people.

People living in the watershed were initially assessed $15.00/parcel for the construction and charged $2.00/parcel when necessary to replenish the maintenance fund.  Maintenance on the river is done every year and is handled by the Soil and Water Districts.

For questions or concerns, contact Jeff Giesige at 419-523-5159