• Area residents and farmers may soon get some relief from the standing water in the area. Three drainage projects were recently approved for funding by the James River Water Development District according to Randy Stanley, Groton, and Chairman of the James River Water Development District Board.
• One project has already been completed.
• Brown County workers recently moved a bridge on the James River at Tacoma Park. The James River Water Development District assisted with the funding of the project by awarding $11,500 to the project. The bridge was closed to any type of vehicle or foot traffic and was acting as a dam, collecting debris. This was causing further erosion and sediment concerns.
• A similar project is scheduled for near Columbia.
• A bridge along a township road southeast of Columbia will also be removed. The water development district approved up to $8,250 for the project that is estimated to cost about $19,500. The bridge hasn't been used in over 20 years and is not accessible from a public roadway.
• The removal of both bridges is expected to improve the water flow in the James River, allowing more water to flow down stream, Stanley said.
• The major project will be the cleaning out of the "West Ditch" to the west of Groton. The ditch is on the south side of U.S. Highway 12 and runs south to Mud Creek. Because of weeds, mud and overgrowth, water doesn't properly flow from the ditch into Mud Creek, then to the James River. 
• This has caused water to back up along the drainage ditch, causing problems for area farmers and residents.
• Doug and Heidi Krueger, 1010 N Broadway, have been battling rising water for a number of years and had to resort to the installation of a earth dike around their house.
• "We've been trying for years to get something done to drain the water," Heidi said. "We will be very happy to see this project completed."
• The project should cost about $52,000, and the city of Groton requested $20,000 from the James River Water Development District to help with the work. Stagnant water in the ditch sits on top of a Groton sanitary sewer, which has caused problems.
• "We are assisting area farmers in normalizing the flow of the west ditch by cleaning the creek and returning it to normal levels," Anita Lowary said. "The money will also be used to help fund the mandatory engineering study required by FEMA."
• Private landowners also have an interest in the area.

• - Char Telkamp