Homeowners responsible for clearing ditches, culvert

With yet more rain in the forecast for Wednesday, Bella Vista officials urge residents to be sure their driveway culverts and ditches on their property are free of debris.

Many residents are not aware that those culverts under their driveways, as well as the driveway aprons, are the residents' responsibility to maintain, said Cassi Lapp, city Communications Manager.

The culverts that run under the street from one side to another are maintained by the city, she added. City Code Enforcement Officer Mike Schorpp said yard debris -- such as raked leaves -- is not allowed in any city right of way or ditch. Leading to clogged culverts, this causes problems for neighbors and city streets.

"By keeping those culverts clean," Schorpp said, "water can flow in its natural direction."

Street Superintendent Mike Button said clogged driveway culverts will cause water to build up in low areas -- most likely flooding a neighbor's yard.

The way the roads in Bella Vista were built, he said, allows the water to flow to a culvert at a low point, thus allowing water to flow away from homes or streets. With water traveling to the culvert from multiple directions, a clogged passage leads to quick flooding.

Now is a good time to take a look at the damage that clogged ditches can do, Schorpp said, after spending Monday surveying issues throughout the city.

Button said that another drawback of water flowing where it isn't intended is damage to streets. It's the residents who ultimately pay for that repair, because fixes like that are done with taxpayer dollars.

An easy remedy is to take a small hoe and pull debris out of the culvert from each end, Schorpp said. Typical driveway culverts are between 12 and 24 feet long, he added.

Button said that with the amounts of rain like fell last weekend, flooding will be inevitable. Keeping culverts clear of debris is one step in making sure the water can get out of the area as quickly as possible. After a storm like this one, he added, it's more important than ever to be sure those culverts are clear.