Redwood County, Minnesota - Chapter 24: Ditching, 1916

Artificial drainage through the medium of ditching is one of the means by which the presence of mankind in Redwood county has produced a marked change in the county's physical characteristics.

The surface of the county, for the most part, consists of level or gently rolling prairie. The depressions are often filled with water, and in wet seasons these sloughs and swamps increase to the size and aspect of small lakes. The natural drainage is inadequate and will continue so until the progress of the years has eroded deeper valleys for the streams. Artificial drainage is therefore the only solution of the problem.

Even in this regard, the solution is often difficult, as the slope of the land is sometimes insufficient to provide a suitable "drop" for the water gathered in the outlets.

Until 1906 there were no public ditches in Redwood county. A few trenches had been built for short distances beside some of the country roads, and here and there a farmer had dug a small ditch to drain a pool, or had laid a few tile in an effort to provide drainage for his barnyard.

In 1904, the county commissioners were asked to provide for the draining of the vicinity of Willow Lake. The petition was denied, on the ground that the cost would be greater than the

Then came 1905, with its excessive rains which continued for several years thereafter, during which many hitherto productive farms were given over to the muskrats and wild ducks. The need for artificial drainage being thus made imperative, a petition for a ditch in Sundown and Three Lakes township was granted in 1905, and the work started in 1906.

Since then the ditching has continued on an extensive scale. Johnsonville, which is drained by the Cottonwood and by Sleepy Eye creek, has no ditches. A petition for one is pending. Lamberton, drained by the Cottonwood, has no ditches. Springdale, drained by numerous branches of the Cottonwood, has no ditches, but a petition is pending. Honner, a small township on the Minnesota, has no ditches. Charlestown, drained by the Cottonwood, is touched by the artificial drainage system. Swedes Forest, lying along the Minnesota, is also touched slightly by the system. The other townships are well provided with ditches, though in some of them a still further development of the system is desirable.

ditches. Some are entirely of tile. Others are a combination of tile and open ditches. One ditch, County Ditch No. 5, is a plow ditch, the only one of the kind in the county. It was made with a ditch plow to which were attached from eight to twenty horses.

The ditches of the county have been inaugurated by two plans, the county ditches under the supervision of the county commissioners, and the judicial ditches under the supervision of the District count. The latter ditches are for the most part those extending into two or more counties, though some of them are entirely in one county. Owing to the fact that the judicial ditches are numbered in the counties in which the petition is presented to the court there is some duplication of numbers in the judicial ditches of Redwood county, this duplication sometimes resulting in more or less confusion.

So extensive has the ditching project in Redwood county become that the county commissioners in the summer of 1916 appointed an engineer to take the matter in hand.

County Ditch No. 1 was first projected in a petition drawn up April 15, 1904, and presented to the board of county commissioners on July 11, 1904, as the result of which an engineer was appointed to make an accurate survey of the line of a main ditch, outlet, and branch lines of a ditch through Willow Lake. June 20, 1905, the petition was denied.

County Ditch No. 2 is located in Sundown and Three Lakes townships. The petition, dated June 27, 1905, and filed on July 14, 1905, was presented to the board of county commissioners on August 21, 1905. It was ordered surveyed and the viewers were appointed on that day. The petition was granted and the order establishing the ditch was issued on January 4, 1906. Open.

County Ditch No. 3 is located in Three Lakes and Paxton townships. The petition, dated June 16, 1906, was presented to the county board on August 20, 1906. On June 21, 1907, the report of the engineer and the viewers was accepted, and the petition was granted. This ditch was completed October 8, 1908, approved on November 30, 1909. On May 11, 1916, a petition for repairs was filed. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 4 is located in the townships of New Avon, Redwood Falls and Paxton, and the village of Redwood Falls. The petition was presented to the board on September 26, 1906. This ditch was completed September 23, 1908. On August 29, 1910, this ditch was inspected and final payments were made, it

County Ditch No. 5 is located in North Hero township. The petition, dated August 31, 1906, was presented to the board on November 2, 1906. On March 15, 1907, the report of the surveyors and viewers was declared void. The route of the ditch was changed a little and then the board proceeded to vote on granting the petition as corrected. The resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. Open. This is the only "plow" ditch in the county. County Ditch No. 6 is located in the township of Paxton. The petition dated June 12, 1907, was presented to the board on July 8, 1907. On October 25, 1907, the report of the surveyors and viewers was accepted and the petition was granted. August 10, 1912, all the open work on County Ditch No. 6 was accepted after it had been inspected by the county board. The tile work was accepted on December 7, 1912. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 7 is located in Willow Lake township. The petition, dated June 27, 1907, was presented to the county board on July 27, 1907. Viewers were appointed. The petition was granted January 18, 1908, after the reports of the surveyor and viewers had been accepted. On July 20, 1916, a petition for repairs was filed. Open.

County Ditch No. 8 was to be in the townships of Willow Lake and Charlestown. The petition was presented to the board on August 9, 1907. A surveyor and viewers were appointed. The petition was rejected but the proposed line of this ditch was made a part of Ditch No. 7.

County Ditch No. 9 is .located in Three Lakes, Morgan and Sherman townships. The petition, dated August 10, 1907, and filed on August 12, 1907, was presented on September 10, 1907. Viewers were appointed on September 11, 1907. The reports were accepted and the petition granted June 26, 1908. The order establishing the ditch was issued on June 27, 1908. On July 11, 1910 this ditch was completed. On July 14, 1913, it was approved and accepted. On November 4, 1908, a petition to have the ditch dug deeper was filed and later, on June 22, 1915, a petition to have the ditch repaired was filed. Viewers for the latter were appointed on March 29, 1916. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 10 is located in New Avon and Three Lakes townships. A petition, dated August 10, 1907, was presented September 16, 1907. The engineer's and viewers' reports were accepted and the petition was granted April 14, 1908. This ditch was finished Nov. 11, 1908. This ditch was approved with its branches on November 4, 1910. A petition for repairs was filed on May 11, 1916. Open and tile.

to the board on July 8, 1909. Viewers and a surveyor were appointed. The reports were accepted and the petition was granted and the order establishing the ditch was issued on May 3, 1910. This ditch was approved on November 25, 1910. Tile.

County Ditch No. 12 is located in the townships of Delhi and Kintire. The petition, dated and filed June 14, 1909, was presented to the county board on July 9, 1909, and the viewers were appointed on that day. The reports were accepted and the petition was granted on May 3, 1910, the order establishing the ditch being issued on the same date. This ditch was finished July 10, 1911, and approved by the board. The final certificate of dredge work was accepted on August 26, 1915. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 13 is located in the township of Granite Rock. The petition, dated and filed June 19, 1909, was presented to the board July 22, 1909. Viewers were appointed on that day. On September 16, 1909, the petition was granted and the order establishing the ditch was issued. This ditch was finished and approved on September 21, 1911. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 14 is located in Morgan and Sherman townships. The petition, dated March 31, 1910, and filed on April 5, 1910, was presented to the board on May 3, 1910. The viewers were appointed on that same day. On July 11, 1910, the reports were accepted and the petition was granted. The order establishing the ditch was issued on July 12, 1910. This ditch was completed and accepted on Sept. 21, 1911. A petition for repairs was filed on May 11, 1916. Open and tile.

County Ditch No. 15 is located in Vesta township. The petition, dated May 9, 1910, and filed on May 11, 1910, was presented to the county board on June 10, 1910. Viewers were appointed on that day. The petition was granted on August 29, 1910, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on the same day. This ditch was accepted on November 27, 1911. Tile.

County Ditch No. 16 is located in Brookville. The petition, dated June 9, 1910, and filed June 13, 1910, was presented to the board on July 11, 1910. Viewers were appointed on July 13, 1910. The petition was granted on October 21, 1910, and the order, establishing the ditch was issued on the same day. Tile.

County Ditch No. 17 is located in the township of Redwood Falls. The petition, dated Jan. 24, 1911, and filed on May 15, 1911, was presented to the board on June 12, 1911. Viewers were appointed on that day. The petition was granted on July 8, 1912, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on July 17, 1912. The petition was accepted, after being inspected, on Dec. 6, 1912. Tile.

County Ditch No. 18 is located in New Avon township. The petition was dated July 15, 1912, and presented to the board on Aug. 10, 1912, and viewers were appointed on that same date.

On Oct. 30, 1912, the reports were accepted and the petition was granted. This ditch was approved and paid for, on Jan. 9, 1914. Tile. A petition for repairs was filed on Aug. 27, 1915, and the viewers were appointed on March 28, 1916. The petition for repairs was dismissed Aug. 15, 1916.

County Ditch No. 19 is located in the township of Kintire. The petition, dated March 24, 1914, and filed on April 23, 1914, was presented to the board on June 3, 1914, and the viewers were appointed on the same date. The order establishing the ditch was issued on Aug. 25, 1914, and the ditch was accepted on December 3, 1914. Tile.

County Ditch No. 20 is located in townships of Delhi, Kintire and Swedes Forest. The petition was filed on Dee. 2, 1914. Viewers were appointed on Jan. 8, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on July 14, 1915. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 21 is located in Vail and Granite Rock townships. The petition was filed on June 1, 1915, viewers were appointed on July 13, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on March 8, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 22 is asked in Paxton, Redwood Falls and Three Lakes townships. The petition was filed on June 1, 1915. Viewers were appointed on July 13, 1915. No report has yet been rendered.

County Ditch No. 23 is located in New Avon, Sundown and Three Lakes townships. The petition was filed on June 29, 1915. Viewers were appointed on July 27, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on Jan. 13, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 24 is asked for New Avon, Three Lakes, Sundown, Morgan and Brookville townships. The petition was filed on July 6, 1915. Viewers were appointed on August 13, 1915 No report has yet been rendered.

County Ditch No. 25 is asked for Three Lakes and Sundown townships. The petition was filed on July 12, 1915. Viewers were appointed on August 13, 1915, and the order, establishing the "West Main and branches thereto, was issued on June 8, 1916. The contract has not as yet been let.

County Ditch No. 26 is asked for New Avon, Willow Lake, Sundown and Three Lakes townships. The petition was filed on July 12, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Aug. 13, 1915. The ditch was ordered Aug. 18, 1916.

County Ditch No. 27 is located in Paxton township. The petition was filed on July 12, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Aug. 13, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch, was issued on Nov. 5, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

petition was filed on July 15, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Aug. 13, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on May 11, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 29 is located in Waterbury township. The petition was filed on July 15, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Aug. 13, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on November 5, 1915. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 30 is asked for New Avon, Sheridan and Vail townships. The petition was filed on July 20, 1915. Viewers were appointed on August 25, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on May 9, 1916. The contract is not yet let.

County Ditch No. 31 was asked for Vail and Sheridan townships. The petition was filed on Aug. 21, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Sept. 24, 1915. June 9, 1916, at the request of the petitioners the proceedings were dropped.

County Ditch No. 32 is located in Springdale and Gales townships. The petition was filed on Aug. 30, 1915. Viewers were appointed on September 24, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on January 13, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 33 is asked for Vesta township. The petition was filed on Oct. 19, 1915. Viewers were appointed on November 26, 1915. This ditch is ordered but not let.

County Ditch No. 34 is asked for New Avon township. The petition was filed on Oct. 22, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Nov. 26, 1915. The matter of this ditch will be considered later, as there is still considerable doubt over the question of an outlet.

County Ditch No. 35 is asked for Vesta township. The petition was filed on October 26, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Dec. 15, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on June 9, 1916. The contract is not yet let. This ditch replaces Judicial Ditches Nos. 10 and 19.

County Ditch No. 36 was asked for Vail township. The petition was filed on Oct. 26, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Dec. 15, 1915. Dismissed. This marks the third attempt to establish this ditch, the dismissed petitions for Judicial Ditches Nos. 11 and 20 covering the same territory.

County Ditch No. 37 is located in Granite Rock township. The petition was filed on Nov. 3, 1915. Viewers were appointed on Dec. 15, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on May 11, 1916. Tile. Under construction.

County Ditch No. 38 is asked for Sundown and Willow Lake townships. The petition was filed Dec. 18, 1915. Viewers were appointed on January 13, 1916. No report has yet been rendered.

County Ditch No. 39 is asked for Kintire township. The petition was filed on May 8, 1916. Viewers were appointed on June 9, 1916. The viewers have not yet reported.

Tile Ditch No. 41 is asked for Springdale township. The petition was filed on May 22, 1916. Viewers were appointed July 5, 1916. The viewers have not as yet reported.

County Ditch No. 42 is asked for North Hero township. The petition was filed on June 12, 1916. Viewers were appointed on July 14, 1916. No report has yet been rendered.

County Ditch No. 43 is asked for Johnsonville, North Hero and Springdale townships. The petition was filed on July 3, 1916. Engineers and viewers were appointed Aug. 15, 1916.

Judicial Ditch No. 1 of Brown and Redwood counties is located in Three Lakes, Morgan and Brookville townships and in Brown county. The order establishing the ditch was issued June 25, 1908. The contract for dredge work was let Aug. 19, 1908, and for the tile work May 17, 1910. Nov. 27, 1911, the ditch was finished and approved. Tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 1 of Redwood and Brown counties is located in Morgan township and in Brown county. It was established by an order of Aug. 3, 1908. The contract was let April 19, 1910. Open and tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 2 of Redwood county is located in New Avon and Willow Lake townships. The order establishing the ditch was issued Jan. 9, 1909. The contract for dredge work was let March 5, 1909, and for tile work April 12, 1909. Nov. 30, 1909, the ditch was inspected and approved. The tile work on this ditch was finished July 12, 1911. Tile and open. This ditch will be amalgamated in county Ditch No 26, ordered by the county commissioners Aug. 18, 1916.

Judicial Ditch No. 3 of Lyon, Yellow Medicine and Redwood counties is located in Underwood township, and Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties. The order establishing the ditch was issued March 11, 1908. Open.

Judicial Ditch No. 3 of Redwood county is located in Sundown township. The order establishing the ditch was issued May 6, 1908. The contract for tile work on this ditch was let May 23, 1908, and for plow work was let June 11, 1908. Open and tile. The territory embraced in this ditch area will be drained eventually as a part of County Ditch No. 24.

Judicial Ditch No. 4 of Redwood county is located in Waterbury township. The order establishing the ditch was issued Sept. 10, 1908. The contract for construction of ditch was let March 2, 1909. Tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 5 of Brown and Redwood counties is projected in Brookville township and Brown county. The petition was filed Sept. 24, 1915. Open. The engineers have not as yet> reported on this ditch.

Judicial Ditch No. 5 of Redwood county is located in New Avon and Redwood Falls townships. The order establishing the ditch was issued May 1, 1909. The contract for construction of the ditch was let March 2, 1910. May 14, 1912, the open work on this ditch was approved and paid for.

Judicial Ditch No. 6 of Redwood county is located in Redwood Falls townships. The order establishing the ditch was issued May 3, 1909. The contract for the construction of the ditch was ' let Aug. 5, 1909. Tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 7 of Redwood county is located in the township of Willow Lake. The order establishing the ditch "was issued May 4, 1909. The contract was let July 13, 1909. Nov. 30, 1909, this ditch was inspected and approved. Tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 8 of Redwood and Yellow Medicine counties was to be in Underwood township and Yellow Medicine county. The petition was filed May 19, 1909. Dismissed.

Judicial Ditch No. 8 of Lyon and Redwood counties was to be in Gales township and Lyon county. The petition was filed Jan. 20, 1910. Dismissed.

Judicial Ditch No. 10 of Redwood county was asked for Vail township. The petition was filed Nov. 9, 1911. The action was dismissed. County Ditch No. 36 was later projected in the same territory but was dismissed.

Judicial Ditch No. 11 of Redwood county was asked for Vesta township. The petition was filed Nov. 9, 1911. Dismissed. County Ditch No. 35 will cover the same territory.

Judicial Ditch No. 11 of Redwood and Lyon counties is located in townships 111-40 and 110-40 in Lyon, and Gales and Westline in Redwood. The order establishing the ditch was issued on Dec. 3, 1915.

Judicial Ditch No. 13 of Lyon and Redwood counties will enter Springdale township and Lyon county. The petition was presented Dec. 27, 1915, and the viewers report rendered July 1, 1916. Action is still pending.

Judicial Ditch No. 13 of Redwood county is located in Vail township. The petition was filed on Dec. 22, 1913, and the order of court establishing the ditch was issued on September 18, 1914. Tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 14 of Redwood and Lyon counties is in Lyon county and Westline township. The petition was filed on Dec. 24, 1913. The order of court establishing the ditch was issued on January 13, 1915. Open and tile. Now under construction.

Judicial Ditch No. 15 of Redwood and Lyon counties is in Lyon county and Westline township. The petition was filed on March 23, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on March 11, 1916. Open and tile.

Judicial Ditch No. 16 of Redwood county is located in New Avon and Willow Lake townships. The petition was filed on March 23, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on January 18, 1916. Tile. Now under construction.

Judicial Ditch No. 17 of Redwood and Brown counties will be in Morgan township and Brown county. The petition was filed on May 4, 1915, and the order establishing the ditch was issued on July 15, 1916. Open and tile. Ordered but not let.

Judicial Ditch No. 18 of Redwood and Brown counties will be in Morgan township and Brown county. The petition was filed on May 14, 1915. The order establishing the ditch was issued on July 15, 1916. Open and tile. Ordered but not let.

Judicial Ditches Nos. 19 and 20 of Redwood county. Petition for Judicial Ditches Nos. 10 and 11 were dismissed on a technicality. Petitions for Judicial Ditches Nos. 19 and 20 were then filed covering the same territory. The judge refused to grant the petition, the policy of the court being to leave ditches wholly in one county in the hands of the commissioners. Petitions were later presented for County Ditches Nos. 35 and 36, covering the same territory. Ditch 35 will be built, while the petition for Ditch 36 was dismissed.

Judicial Ditch No. 22 of Redwood and Lyon Counties is asked for sections 19 and 30 of Gales and touching Lyon county. The petition was filed on June 28, 1916. Action is still pending.