Mislabeled Ditch Maps Costing County Thousands in Unnecessary Permits and Road Work

From the Blackford County Drainage Board meeting on July 20, 2026

County drainage maps label some ditches as "private" when they are actually county drains overseen by private boards — and the mislabeling is creating costly problems.

Drainage Consultant Paul Shriber told the board that when the county needs to work near state highways, INDOT will not pay for work on drains labeled "private." Road closures for tile replacement cost approximately $100,000 in signage alone when handled as a county responsibility rather than a state one.

One example illustrates the scale of the problem: Big Lick ditch has three sections with three different historical names. Because each section requires separate Army Corps of Engineers and DNR approval, routine maintenance that should cost around $100,000 can balloon to $1 million in permitting requirements. Unifying the sections under one name could eliminate redundant approvals.

Another issue: AJ Thompson ditch ends before reaching Shamrock Lakes, leaving approximately two miles of drainage beyond that point unnamed and unrecognized on official maps.

Shriber explained that ditch names historically changed based on whoever carried the petition for maintenance work — a practice he has since stopped.

The board took the matter under advisement. The county attorney will review what formal steps are needed to correct the designations.

Source: YouTube transcript — Blackford County - Drainage Board Meeting - July 20, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.