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Nelson Drain Number 28

This drain was built in 1919.

Length: 9 miles

History: Both branches were built at the same time. They joined the Grandin Farm drain at the point where the two branches came together.

The drain has had several cleanouts over the years. The lower end called the Grandin Farm drain was maintained by landowners, most recently the Viker Farm.

The old drain had problems because of a rather flat grade in portions of it.

A complete reconstruction of the drain was performed in 1994-95. It also was made to encompass the Grandin Farm drain and then extended into Section 25 of Herberg Township about a half-mile. This reconstruction changed the grade and reshaped the side slopes. The drain has been working well since the work was done.

In 1996 the drain was extended to the west 2.5 miles into Hillsboro Township, by Dalrymple Farms.

The drain was damaged by the 1997 flood. The Elm River escapes north of Kelso and then flows northeast until it gets into the drain. Some of the water goes into Section 28 of Hillsboro Township and winds up in the north branch along Highway 200A. Most of the water goes into the south branch. This is not desirable because there is the potential for a permanent diversion of the Elm River.

  • Bridge replaced with culvert where the north part enters the main drain.
  • Work was done in 2003 by the County Road Department
  • Concrete headwall on culverts under County Road 2 was replaced in 2009 by FEMA.
  • This drain has required much maintenance.
  • Reconstruction and extension were voted down in 2011.
  • There are numerous bridges that need to be replaced and a cleanout is needed also.
  • The entire drain was cleaned in 2015-16.

North Mayville Drain Number 8

This drain was built sometime between 1909 and 1914.

Length: 10 miles

History: There was a great deal of litigation, even extending to the North Dakota Supreme Court. Right-of-way also was very difficult to obtain.

It was rebuilt in 1951.

Reconstruction again was made in 1966-67. Many bridges were repaired and rebuilt during this project.

In 1987, about 10.5 inches of rain fell in this area, causing some bad flooding. The drain then was cleaned on the lower end extending into Section 25 of Lindaas Township.

There have been several minor cleanouts. One was attempted in 1997 but had to be abandoned because of wet weather.

  • Cleaned in 2001.
  • Cleaning and grubbing done in 2010.
  • Cleaning resumed in 2016, removing beaver dams and saplings.

Norway Drain Number 38

This drain was built in 1963.

Length: 9 miles

History: An extension of this drain, on the east side of the NW 1/4 of Section 9, then diagonally northeast to the south side of the SW 1/4 of Section 3 then east 1/2 mile then north and west into the W 1/2 of Section 3, was built in 1975-76. This is called the Norway Extension.

There is a screw gate between Sections 3 and 9. This gate has been operated by Norlyn Solberg for years.

Houston Engineering prepared a new design for this drain in 1988. The drain was not reconstructed using those plans because the drain patrons decided to just do a cleanout instead. An agreement was made between Houston Engineering and the Water Board at that time to not rebuild this portion of the drain for 10 years. This agreement is dated August 15, 1988, and is on file in the office.

In 1988 the drain was rerouted in the SE 1/4 of Section 4. The drain had run diagonally across this quarter. It was rerouted up the east side of the quarter, then west between the NE 1/4 and the SE 1/4 to the old route of the drain. The old drain was leveled off and farmed again.

For the most part, this drain has functioned well. The owners of SE 1/4 of Section 9 have requested several inlet pipes in the past years to keep water off of their land. In 1997, they also requested a culvert between the NE 1/4 of Section 9 and the SE 1/4 of Section 9. This is the upper end of the original drain. A vote was held and reconstruction will begin in 2004 with the addition of 2 3/4 miles to the north and west.

  • Seeding was completed in 2006.
  • Works well after some minor adjustments.
  • The lower end of the coulee was purchased and is now part of the drain.
  • Small trees were removed in the south part of Section 3 in 2011.