The Craighead County Quorum Court is looking at how to improve drainage throughout the county. Justices of the Peace have asked Craighead County Judge Ed Hill to look at how to make all of the drainage districts in the county to be more effective. They say some districts work very well at raising money and using those funds to clear out ditches and work on drainage issues.
Other districts are not that active and do not raise any funds. The Justices asked the judge to see if the districts could be consolidated and to also find out what authority the county has over those drainage districts.
Additionally, Judge Hill says he will be reviewing the work the US Army Corps of Engineers is doing to try to clear out major drainage ditches, such as Big Bay ditch. Big Bay ditch has two sharp 90 degree angles, and it is one of the causes of water backing up into Jonesboro during flooding events. The ditch is located near the Craighead County and Poinsett County lines. Hill says he will make a request from the county through the Army Corps of Engineers for drainage work to move closer to Jonesboro.