The Berrien County Drain Commissioner’s office could soon start a new project to reduce flooding in Lincoln Township.
Speaking to the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees this week, Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin said the Williamson Drain, near Cleveland Avenue and Linco Road, has been overwhelmed by large rains in recent years. It’s caused flooding of property owned by Barbott Farms.
“We’re having heavier rain events more often, more intensity, and you would not be able to get in there, so he’s had to shut down his business,” Quattrin said.
At this week’s meeting, farm owner Andy Barbott showed trustees photos of flooding he’s experienced the past couple of years. One showed a woman wading into water that went up to her chest. The flooding has also affected Cleveland Avenue, preventing school buses from getting through.
Lincoln Township Supervisor Dick Stauffer told us he understands Barbott’s concerns.
“I’ve seen it,” Stauffer said. “You kind of wonder, thank God [the water] goes down because he’d be out of business forever that didn’t go down.”
The township board approved a petition to Quattrin’s office asking for a new project there to address the issue. Now there will be a Board of Determination meeting to decide whether the work will proceed. Quattrin said that could be in October.
Property owners in the drainage district, the township, and the county will all have to pay for work to install larger pipes for moving water away and into Hickory Creek. Quattrin said the early cost estimate is more than $1 million, although that’s just a preliminary estimate.
