Residents Must Keep Ditches and Culverts Clear
4/25/2025
Rain, Floodwater, Culverts and Ditches
With the recent heavy rain this past weekend, we would like to remind residents they must keep ditches and culverts clear of leaves and debris (per Chapters 68 and 90 of City Ordinance).
The reason for this is our ditches and culverts (including the culverts under your driveway) are part of our stormwater management. The City of Holden does NOT have underground storm sewers in most areas of the city; the ditches serve as our stormwater management.
During the past weekend, there were problem areas and other areas where the stormwater flowed properly. If a ditch was clogged with leaves and debris, the residents near that area quickly saw water across roads and in yards. However, if the culverts and ditches were clean, then the water was able to leave the area the way it was designed.
The city’s street department now has the equipment to assist our residents with BOTH picking up leaves (so they don’t clog the ditches and culverts) and jetting out culverts to allow for proper drainage.
It is the residents’ responsibility to keep ditches and culverts clear of leaves and debris. To assist with this, the Street Department has the capability to remove leaves that have been raked into piles. Rake your leaves into piles on the yard side of your ditch and call City Hall at 816-732-4811 and request leaf removal.
The Street Department can also jet out blocked culverts. Call City Hall at 816-732-4811 and request a culvert clean out. The Street Department will work on the requests as they have time.
The Street Department and residents recently worked together to clear ditches and culverts in Strate’s Addition. And, we are happy to announce, there was NO flooding in that flood-prone area because of their proactive and cooperation addressing stormwater issues.