Findlay crews working to clear Blanchard River of log jams - ToledoNewsNow.com: News, Weather & Sports for Toledo, OH

FINDLAY, OH (Toledo News Now) – It has been almost three weeks since a devastating storm passed through Findlay, leaving tons of debris in its wake. The cleanup process is still ongoing. Now that roads, yards and power lines have all been cleaned up, the city can now focus its attention on streams, creeks, and the Blanchard River.

The Hancock Soil and Water Conservation District worked for years to clear log jams out of the Blanchard River and its connecting streams.

"We went through in April and pretty much had it cleaned out, but in about a 20-30 minute storm, it's all back in, if not worse," said Gary Tuttle, a technician with the Hancock Soil and Water Conservation District.

Eagle Creek, and the western portions of the Blanchard River, are now full of downed trees, clogging the flow of water.

"Findlay kind of sits in a low area, and everything runs to Findlay and it has to outlet through the Blanchard River, so we've got to keep that main tributary clean of any debris," explained Tuttle.

Officials hope to clear the debris before it causes a backup, leading to a flood. The debris brings other problems with it, as well.

"If you get debris up on the bridge abutments, it could cause structural damage, which anything is backing up, would back water up into the sewers. Out in the (agricultural) sector, it would back up into the tiles that drains the fields for the farmers," said Tuttle.

The county will use enhancement funds to clear both Eagle Creek and the Blanchard River, and expects the work to be done in a few weeks. It is a job technicians in Hancock County have done for years, and expect to continue to do in the future.

"We try to keep them open as best as possible, but with Mother Nature, it's always an ongoing practice," said Tuttle.

To report a log jam to the Hancock Soil and Water Conservation District call 419-422-6569.

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