There are a few points that may help you in trying to solve drainage problems equitably with your neighbors.
1. A landowner is entitled to the reasonable use of the water
that flows across his/her land as long as the water is returned to its natural
watercourse. This includes ponding water behind a dam for personal use or
making drainage improvements to protect structures.
2. A landowner is
generally required to accept the water that flows onto his/her property
in a natural watercourse, so long as no additional water from another watershed
has been added to such flow.
3. A landowner is
generally obligated to outlet a natural water course onto his/her downstream
neighbor at the same point the water left the property prior to any development
of the site.
4. Water should enter
and leave the property where it did prior to any construction activities.
Changing the flow of water in a manner that causes damage to an upstream
or downstream neighbor may result in legal liabilities for those damages.
5. There is no government agency which has the authority to issue orders or otherwise resolve conflicts over water rights or drainage problems between neighbors. The exception are the few cities which have drainage or stormwater ordinances. Soil and Water Conservation Districts can assist landowners who voluntarily wish to correct drainage problems on their own land.
Contact Hancock SWCD at 419-422-6569 with your drainage problems and concerns.