More about Augusta Road

Click on photo for larger image. Photo courtesy of Winneshiek County Assesor's Beacon System

Our previous story about drainage problems on Augusta Road prompted additional e-mails from readers.  So we're reposting the original question, with additional information:

Jamie e-mails Mr. Answer Person: "Why has the county not unplugged the storm drain on Augusta Road?  The heavy amount of sand they applied all winter long washed into the storm drain this spring and it has been plugged since April. (For a while they had barricades around the storm drain and sand pile in front of it on the street but were later removed with out the problem being resolved).  Every time we get a moderate to heavy rain it backs up and makes a pond of Augusta Road.  This has caused the water to drain down River Road and wash a large portion of the shoulder away. This making for a very dangerous drop-off right off of the asphalt on River Road. down a steep 50 foot embankment which now also has to be repaired."

Mr. Answer Person says: "Winneshiek County has already done work on Augusta Road once this year and is scheduled to do more work later this fall, removing sand from the road ditch on the north side of Augusta..

But county officials are just as frustrated with the problem as you are.  That's because the county did not build the road, but now has to maintain it.  As it was built, the rainwater comes down Augusta and brings a lot of sand with it.  Then the road is designed so water drains to the north, instead of going under the road in a pipe and draining to the south.

Now the county is maintaining the road and has to figure out how to handle the rainwater runoff from the very hilly subdivision, which is the overall cause of the flooding issues.