DRAIN BASINS
Potential Problem
During the most recent wet water cycle, drainage basins across the township revealed widespread vulnerabilities. Both the Board and Planning Commission acknowledged these issues, noting that many Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are unaware of their responsibility to inspect and maintain these basins. In some cases, HOAs may no longer be active, and the township itself does not conduct inspections due to liability concerns.
This gap in oversight presents a dual challenge:
• Planning and engineering decisions must include a basin-by-basin review to ensure each site can support projected growth.
• HOAs must have contingency plans in place should a basin fail or overflow.
A review of township meeting minutes highlights how many subdivisions may be at risk—without even realizing it. The absence of basin accountability leaves neighborhoods exposed to flooding, infrastructure damage, and environmental degradation.
Compounding these concerns, a new subdivision is slated to discharge stormwater into Eagle Lake—a body of water already struggling to maintain ordinary levels. If another wet cycle returns, this could trigger complex hydrological consequences.
Key risks include:
• Thermal discharge from warm basin water, which carries algae and nutrient loads that degrade lake quality.
• Lake level rise, which in turn elevates groundwater tables.
• Groundwater intrusion threatens protected wetlands and poses serious risks to nearby sanitary sewer infrastructure through infiltration, reduced capacity, and long-term degradation—conditions already documented in this vulnerable area by our contracted township engineer.
Without proactive basin management and coordinated oversight, the township risks compounding environmental stress and undermining long-term resilience to the lake quality, risks to homes, risks to below-grade infrastructure, and risks to public safety.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP BOARD
JUNE 11, 2018
At the June 2018 board meeting, both a Trustee and the former Township Supervisor voiced concerns about persistent flooding around Eagle Lake. One cited land “saturation” and acknowledged that “the township’s hands are tied” in addressing the issue. The other attributed the rising water levels to “overdevelopment,” suggesting that unchecked growth had constrained natural drainage and worsened the problem.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP BOARD
JUNE 25, 2018
In June 2018, widespread flooding affected neighborhoods near Eagle, including Pine Island, Texas Heights, and DeLano Ponds. The Kalamazoo Deputy Drain Officer activated emergency procedures after residents reported failures in multiple storm basins.
Township Clerk Linda Kerr addressed the crisis, citing basin failures and inactive homeowners’ associations. She emphasized that, based on the Deputy Drain Commissioner’s recommendation, it was in the public’s best interest for these basins to be placed under public management to ensure accountability and long-term functionality.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
JUNE 26, 2018
During the meeting with Clark Kerr and the Planning Commission, concerns were raised about the Commission’s priorities. While residents faced an immediate flooding crisis, commissioners appeared more focused on future financial implications than on addressing current impacts. The discussion also revealed confusion over the existence and responsibilities of homeowners’ associations in certain subdivisions—groups that are supposed to oversee drain maintenance and inspections but whose identities and activity levels remain unclear.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
AUGUST 28, 2018
By late August 2018, the township was still grappling with intensifying flooding and unresolved drainage issues. In response, Clerk Kerr and the Planning Commission revisited the idea of a public drain ordinance. Discussions centered on the Drain Commission’s evolving design standards and liability concerns over uninspected drains. Mr. Loeks raised erosion concerns and questioned whether the township should delegate drain oversight to the county, noting differences between township types (433 vs. 425).
The conversation also referenced Oshtemo Township’s approach to managing private drains in residential site condominiums, prompting suggestions to consult other municipalities and involve Tom Wheat for further guidance. The Planning Commission’s renewed focus reflected a broader effort to explore more accountable and coordinated basin management strategies.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 11, 2018
The Township Board received a memo from Engineer Tom Wheat regarding public drains in private developments. The Board expressed interest in eliminating private drains due to development over the past 20 years. Wheat noted, “most associations are not equipped to maintain the drain,” referencing a 433 agreement and the need for a special assessment. The Planning Commission requested further study to understand the implications and potential costs. Residents continued to protect their property while ownership responsibilities for failed drains remained under discussion.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 9, 2018
As flooding persisted and ownership discussions stalled, the Planning Commission opted to delay action on the proposed public drain ordinance, choosing instead to gather more information and await direction from the Township Board. Commissioner Craven summed up the growing frustration, stating, “The drain thing is going to be a mess.” Residents remained in distress as months passed without a clear resolution.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 23, 2018
The Township continued to face mounting drainage concerns as Clerk Kerr raised alarms about inspection gaps and liability risks. She noted that “private drains are not being inspected by our engineer due to liability,” and pointed out that some homeowners’ associations may no longer exist, leaving no clear entity responsible for maintenance.
Despite these findings, neither the Township Board nor the Planning Commission initiated further discussion. Residents, still distressed by ongoing flooding and lack of oversight, had largely given up hope for meaningful assistance. Some residents began to seek a resolution with the Kalamazoo Drain Office as ownership and assistance remained in limbo.
TEXAS TOWNSHIP BOARD
MARCH 26, 2019
Several members attended a Board of Determination meeting for the Pine Island Drain District and learned that during development phases in 1993/1994 and 1998/1999, portions of the drainage system were either improperly installed or never installed at all. This failure has contributed to long-standing flooding and erosion issues in the area. Members raised concerns about how to ensure drains are adequately sized and discussed tying site plan inspections to the Certificate of Occupancy. Questions were raised about whether inspection elements are coordinated effectively, and the need to review surrounding wetlands was emphasized. It was noted that none of the sites showed contiguous parcels and that development should be clearly identified on the site plan.
A few members also met with the Pine Island Subdivision, which continued efforts to protect their property. Meeting minutes confirmed the earlier findings regarding missing or improperly installed drains. One Planning Commission member described the situation as an “ongoing problem.”
These drainage failures—compounded by unclear inspection protocols, fragmented parcel planning, and inactive homeowners’ associations—remain unresolved and continue to impact residents.
