The City does not have the resources or equipment to remove any debris from creeks. However, if the creek or ditch is a "REGULATED DRAIN" the Vanderburgh County Surveyor's Office can provide assistance in removing blockages as well as construction or reconstruction of a "Regulated Drain". In addition if the blockage or obstruction is at a "BRIDGE", the Vanderburgh County Engineer's Office an assist in getting Maintenance Crews to remove the debris.

A "Regulated Drain" means an open drain, a tiled drain or a combination of the two. By Statute (Indiana Code 36-9-27) the Vanderburgh County Surveyors Office is responsible for maintenance, construction, and reconstruction of all regulated drains. The description and location of all regulated drains can be found in the Surveyors Office.

In most cases the maintenance of creek, stream, lake and pond banks are the property owners responsibility to maintain and to provide repairs. However, if the creek/stream is a "regulated Drain" you can contact the Vanderburgh County Surveyor's Office. If the lake or pond is in an Easement for Storm Water Detention, they are normally the homeowners responsibility to maintain unless there is an existing and active homeowners association, then the homeowner or homeowners association would be responsible.

The City of Evansville only has jurisdiction over drainage issues that are located within drainage easements and/or road right of way. If there is a drainage issue that exists on your private property it is the property owner's responsibility to correct or create positive drainage. However, if there is a "Drainage Easement" on your property these reservations are made to allow the appropriate maintenance and improvements of drainage within these easements, but these issues are prioritized and the City would have to find funding for the improvements.

Most of the retention/detention ponds are located within an easement which in most cases are set up for the property owners or the homeowners associations to maintain. You can check your Restrictive Covenants of your subdivision to determine which situation your property would fall. Restrictive Covenants are found in the Vanderburgh County Recorders Office.

If you want to drain your pool, you should first allow the pool water to sit long enough to allow the chemicals in the pool water to reduce naturally. Once the pools water has lost most of the chemical content you should drain the water through a vegetated area to allow the water and chemicals to absorb into the ground and not run directly into the City's Storm System. In addition you should take precautions to not allow the water to drain directly onto adjoining land owners property and cause an adverse affect to their property such as flooding, pooling water and erosion.