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South Mayville Drain 18-29

Hanson Drain Number 18 was built in 1913. Miller Drain Number 29 was built in 1926. These two drains were officially combined by a reclassification of benefits in 1983. These two channels were rebuilt during the construction of the Elm River Watershed Project in the early 1960s.

Length: 11 miles

History: There are two-grade stabilization structures at the lower end of the Miller Channel where the water enters the Goose River. There has been constant trouble of one kind or another at this location. One problem pertained to many flowing wells discharging water into the drains. This created immense blocks of ice that floated down to the drop structures during spring runoff. Some large I-beams were placed upstream of the upper drops. This helped some. When the water came fast enough and strong enough, these blocks of ice went over the emergency spillway, cutting vegetation quite seriously.

Later a second set of pipes was added to the drop structures. This helped some.

The welds in the tube and risers began to fail and had to be replaced. New tubes were added to the lower drop, making four large pipes. Before this was done, considerable money was spent on a series of soil borings to make sure the soil was safe for this work. Then the new tubes were added, including cathode protection. Almost immediately the west two pipes separated because a slide developed there. They were then welded shut. For several years, only two new pipes have carried the water. Some water goes over the emergency spillway from time to time in the spring.

The Soil Conservation Service designed a concrete chute to replace the lower drops. The drain patrons voted down the proposal at which point the SCR canceled the agreement with the WRD.

  • Hanson 18 was cleaned in 2002. S Mayville Drain 9 takes a lot of pressure off this drain and combined outlet.
  • The north pipes failed in 2009 and were fixed by FEMA.
  • The new pipes on the south side separated in 2011. FEMA re-laid them in 2012. Some rip-rap was added at the same time.
  • Bridge work was performed in 2015.

South Mayville Drain 9

South Mayville Drain Number 9 was built in 1910 and combined with drains 18 and 29.

Length: 6 miles

History: Part of this drain has been taken over by the Miller 29 drain at the upper end. In 1992, part of this drain going diagonally across the NE 1/4 of Section 19 was abandoned. Instead, the drain was routed along the east side of the quarter. When the Miller 29 drain comes to the east side of Section 19, some of the water flows north in this new channel. There is no ditch block to separate this water.

This drain has been cleaned out at various times. It seems to work quite well. There is a very steep grade at the lower end and this should be watched for unusual erosion.

Reconstruction and an addition of a lateral from the west were done in 2002-04. Extensive work was done on the outlet for erosion control.

  • Outlet culvert under a township road needs to be replaced when funds are available.
  • All water west of Highway 18 in the Miller 29 drain now goes north into S Mayville Drain 9.
  • Culvert fixed under a township road at the outlet in 2010.
  • Lateral from the west was also cleaned in 2011.
  • The culvert by the airport was repaired in 2015. Right-of-way to be determined by the airport.

Stavanger-Belmont Drain

Stavanger-Belmont Drain Number 52 was constructed in 1982.

Length: 8 miles

There was a problem with the sheet pilings on the lower drop structure. At the time of inspection, the engineer and the contractor assured the Water Board that the piling was properly installed and would work alright. After the spring runoff, it was clearly evident that the structure was not properly installed. A lawsuit was formed. The Water Board won. They received a monetary settlement. A completely new structure was built to replace the faulty one.

One unusual design feature is that all of the culverts are set a foot below grade and water stands in there for a good share of the time. Joel Horne complained about this being so close to his house, that the Water Board lowered the ditch in Section 11 a foot to eliminate this problem.

In 1997 the drain in Sections 10 and 11 was surveyed for cleanout. It was found that there is very little dirt in the channel.

Almost from the beginning, at least in deep snow years, the water escapes and leaves the ditch. Many styles of equipment have been used to help this situation. It appears that the track hoe is perhaps the most successful. Kennard Knutson, a farmer and township official, has helped keep the Board posted and also kept the snow out of the drain. The east-west miles were cleaned in 2003 with FEMA money. FEMA repaired the outlet in 2009. Some snagging and clearing were needed at the outlet.

  • Reconstruction is planned for 2017 as far as drain funds will allow.