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A Web-based Mapping Application for Drainage Districts

Seth McClureDrainage EngineerWI DATCPBureau of Land and Water Resources

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State Drainage Engineer:

•Required by law (s. 88.11, Wis Stats)Required by law (s. 88.11, Wis Stats)•Provides technical and legal guidance to county Provides technical and legal guidance to county

Drainage BoardsDrainage Boards•Reviews and approves district engineering plans Reviews and approves district engineering plans

and specificationsand specifications•Coordinates activities of the drainage boards Coordinates activities of the drainage boards

with the DNRwith the DNR•Assists drainage boards in applying for permitsAssists drainage boards in applying for permits•Provides guidelines for work performed in Provides guidelines for work performed in

drainage districtsdrainage districts•Provides technical assistance as neededProvides technical assistance as needed

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What is DATCP?

•DDepartment of epartment of AAgriculture, griculture, TTrade & rade & CConsumer onsumer PProtection. rotection.

•State agency responsible for food safety, animal and plant State agency responsible for food safety, animal and plant

health, protecting water and soil, and monitoring fair and health, protecting water and soil, and monitoring fair and

safe business practices.safe business practices.

•Inspects and licenses more than 100,000 businesses and Inspects and licenses more than 100,000 businesses and

individuals, analyzes millions of laboratory samples, individuals, analyzes millions of laboratory samples,

conducts hundreds of hearings and investigations, educates conducts hundreds of hearings and investigations, educates

businesses and consumers about best practices, adopts businesses and consumers about best practices, adopts

rules that have the force of law, and promotes Wisconsin rules that have the force of law, and promotes Wisconsin

agriculture at home and abroad.agriculture at home and abroad.

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What is a Drainage District?

Local governmental districts which are organized to drain lands for agricultural or other purposes.

Landowners who benefit from drainage must pay assessments to cover the cost of constructing, maintaining, and repairing the district drains.

The majority of the existing drainage districts in the state were formed in the early 1900s.

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Drainage Districts in Wisconsin

Counties Containing Active Drainage Districts

Distribution of Active Drainage Districts

DATCP is aware of about 176 active drainage districts in Wisconsin. Of the 72 counties in Wisconsin, 31 of them contain one or more drainage districts. The majority of the drainage districts are located in the eastern and southeastern portions of the state.

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What are the advantages of being in a drainage district? 

The solution to the removal of water is best approached regionally, or with many neighbors working together for a common goal.

When landowners take it upon themselves to drain their fields, divert stormwater, or pump out their basements, frequently it is at the expense of the next landowner downstream.

County drainage boards and county drainage districts can greatly simplify the implementation and maintenance of a common drainage system.

Drainage boards actually reduce the amount of community conflict inherent in flooding or persistent high water by providing an organized and localized process for resolving drainage problems. 

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How do drainage districts operate?  

The county drainage board holds public meetings to The county drainage board holds public meetings to discuss drainage issues within the drainage districts and discuss drainage issues within the drainage districts and to decide on a course of action. to decide on a course of action.

The county drainage board is required to ensure that all The county drainage board is required to ensure that all drainage districts under its jurisdiction comply with the drainage districts under its jurisdiction comply with the standards in the drainage rule (Ch. ATCP 48, Wis. Admin. standards in the drainage rule (Ch. ATCP 48, Wis. Admin. Code) and statute (Ch. 88, Wis. Stats.). Code) and statute (Ch. 88, Wis. Stats.).

The county drainage board has the power to: The county drainage board has the power to:

annex or withdraw lands from a drainage districtannex or withdraw lands from a drainage districtpurchase or lease equipmentpurchase or lease equipmentlevy assessmentslevy assessmentsobtain injunctionsobtain injunctionshire attorneys, engineers, or other assistantshire attorneys, engineers, or other assistantsconstruct and maintain district drainsconstruct and maintain district drainscontract with governmental agenciescontract with governmental agenciesborrow moneyborrow moneyperform inspectionsperform inspections

    

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Who has a stake in drainage district Who has a stake in drainage district operations?operations?

1.1. FarmersFarmers

2.2. HomeownersHomeowners

3.3. MunicipalitiesMunicipalities

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Who has a stake Who has a stake

in drainage in drainage

district district

operations?operations?

Continued . . .Continued . . .

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Building the Geodatabase

Existing Data: Historic Maps

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Existing Data: Legal Descriptions & Assessments

Page 1 of 30 (say)

Building the Geodatabase

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Statewide GIS Inventory

Building the Geodatabase

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The Drainage Districts Site

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The Drainage Districts Site

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The Drainage Districts Site

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How Do You Access the Data?

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Drainage Board Members

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PDF Report Generated

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PDF Report

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PDF Map Generated

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The Endhttp://datcp.wi.gov/Environment/Drainage_Programs/index.aspx

Seth McClureDrainage Engineer

WI DATCP2811 Agriculture Dr.Madison, WI 53718

seth.mcclure@wisconsin.gov(608) 224 - 4627