From Spring Rains to Summer Storms: “It’s Definitely My Neighbor’s Fault”

It’s like clockwork. When the sun comes out and the rains come down, the phones at Ashland Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) start ringing off the hook with drainage complaints.

And those calls have one thing in common. They usually start the same way:
“My neighbor is causing my property to flood!”

Now, before you grab your pitchfork (or your phone), let’s wade into the muddy waters of drainage reality, because the answer is rarely as simple as the, “Make them fix it!” that’s being demanded on the phone

First Things First: We’re Not the Drainage Police

We get  that tanding water is frustrating. But here’s the part that catches folks off guard: Ashland SWCD is not an enforcement agency. That means:

    • We can’t force your neighbor to change anything.

    • We don’t settle disputes between landowners.

    • We can’t require fixes, even if there’s a clear problem.

What we can do is help, by offering technical guidance, conservation recommendations, and a realistic look at what’s going on across the landscape.

Why Is This Happening More Often?

The short answer is that more people, more pavement, and more rain mean more problems. The longer answer is that as rural land gets divided and developed, homes are often built in areas that… well… farmers knew better than to build on. 

There’s a good change that the “perfect” 2-acre lot you built that youre dream house on used to be a wet spot in the field, a natural drainage path, or ground that only behaved during dry years Add with more frequent,  heavier spring rains and sudden summer downpours, and suddenly water is doing what water has always done—just with more witnesses (and complaints).

Here a quick, dirty, and overly simplified summary of Ohio Drainage law broken down into 3 key points:

👉 Surface water belongs to the state of Ohio
👉 Landowners must accept natural drainage
👉 You cannot block or unreasonably redirect that flow

In other words, you can’t stop water from coming onto your property, your neighbor can’t do something that unfairly dumps more water on you, and everyone is expected to work with the natural flow—not against it. And just to be clear: we’re explaining Ohio Drainage Law principles, not lawyering. For legal advice, you’ll need an attorney, which may be necessary anyway because enforcement of the Ohio Drainage Law is ultimately a civil matter.

So, what can you do? If you were hoping for a magic fix that sends water somewhere else instantly, I’ve got bad news. If you’re open to practical solutions, though, here’s where Ashland SWCD can help.

Smart, Realistic Options:

  • Slow it down – small berms, grassed waterways, or buffers

  • Spread it out – reduce concentrated flow

  • Soak it in – improve soil health and infiltration

  • Work together – shared solutions often work best

Unfortunately, for most callers with drainage complaints and concerns, our answer is not what they were hoping to hear. We explain that the goal isn’t to drain water faster, it’s to manage it better.

And here’s one more hard truth that no one loves hearing: most drainage problems are solved (or not solved) between neighbors. If you and your neighbor can communicate, compromise, and share costs, you’ll almost always get a better outcome than going it alone. If you can’t agree, your next step may be mediation or, ultimately, civil court. 

But before heading down that road, ask yourself three simple questions.  Is this problem seasonal or constant? Is it damaging property or just inconvenient? Is this area naturally wet or in a floodplain? Sometimes, understanding the land answers more questions than any lawsuit ever could.

We’re always happy to take your call, but a little prep goes a long way. Helpful items you can provide include dated photos of the issue, videos during/after rain events, and records of damage or repairs. This helps us see the full picture and give you the most useful guidance possible.

And perhaps our most important recommendation is to work with the water, not against it. Water doesn’t care about property lines, fences, or who’s “right.” It follows gravity, soil, and history. The more we fight that, the more frustrating (and expensive) things get. But when landowners work with each other and the landscape, you can turn a soggy situation into something manageable.

Got questions or want to schedule a site visit? Give Ashland SWCD a call at 419-281-7645. We’re here to help, even if we can’t play referee.

Ashland SWCD