HOLMES CO., Ohio – Two county agencies want to improve Doughty Creek.

Due to severe storms, flooding has become a major problem in the region in recent months.

“We had a huge storm that washed away a large portion of the embankment,” said Chris Young, Holmes County engineer. “Now the water is almost on the roadway.”

Flooding has eroded several bridges and roads in the area, draining the financial situation and putting a strain on Young and other highway department employees.

“Every time it rains or it rains hard,” Young said. “We don’t worry, ‘Hey! It was bad before. Is it worse now?'”

But that’s not all. The water quality is poor and the current has also changed.

“What we’re seeing across the entire watershed is changes in land use,” said Karen Gotter of the Holmes County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Gotter said many of the problems are human-caused. What was once farmland is now becoming residential or industrial areas. The changes in land use are washing into the creek.

“Whether it’s coming from people’s homes and garages,” she said, “or from a farm or a business, whatever might be in the water might be moving through the system or showing higher concentrations after a storm.”

That’s why Gotter and Young are bringing their departments together to improve the creek.

The county recently received funding to start a research project to help solve common stream problems. Gotter said the first step is to hear community input.

“It’s not just our eyes that look at it and say what concerns us,” she said. “But what are the people who live here doing, what are they really affected by and what do they see as a priority.”

The survey can be completed online, and the comments and concerns submitted could help the county receive even more funding to repair the creek and keep Holmes County beautiful.

“You can’t stress enough how important it is to see and immerse yourself in clean water, beautiful forests and open spaces,” Gotter said.

Click here to take the survey.