Hartford City Residents Urge Drainage Board to Address Racetrack Area Flooding

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

A resident urged the Blackford County Drainage Board to move forward with a plan to address flooding near the racetrack area that affects homes on Jefferson, Price, Elm, and Main Street Road in or near Hartford City.

Water from agricultural fields flows through the racetrack area and onto residential streets. Drainage Consultant Paul Shriber had previously proposed diverting the water to a ditch, but the project is complicated by jurisdictional boundaries — the water originates outside Hartford City limits, flows through city territory, and exits again. That makes it a joint city-county project requiring Hartford City's approval.

An existing tile project behind nearby barns that runs under the railroad tracks to the former Central State facility (now ADM) may partially address the issue.

The board deferred the matter to its August 3 meeting. Shriber agreed to consult with a city official about the feasibility of crossing city drainage channels.

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

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.