Come discuss Killbuck projects on April 16
- col-karen-gotter
- April 9, 2025
- 596
After years of dreaming, planning, discussing and searching out funding sources, partner groups and a place to build the things, Holmes SWCD is practically giddy to hear engineering designs and funding are lined up to build the first of two public boat launches on Killbuck Creek. This is thanks to a grant received from the Appalachian Community Grant program, which funded a proposal from the Village of Killbuck to improve access throughout the village.
Like many of the grant recipients working on projects throughout Ohio’s Appalachian counties, the Killbuck project will incorporate several elements to make infrastructure more user-friendly to residents and bolster the use of community trails, biking and paddling opportunities by visitors as well, to be incubators for future business success.
The specifics of the Killbuck projects will be shared at a community open house on April 16 at the Killbuck Fire House from 6-7 p.m. This is a chance to see what’s in the works and, more importantly, share your insight and opinions on the proposed designs of trail connections, streetscaping and, of course, the boat launches. The engineering for these is not finalized, and this will be a chance to speak with the engineering and design team as they work on the specifics and details of each project.
At least two other groups will be available and asking for community involvement in our current projects. The Killbuck Watershed Land Trust will be able to share about the ongoing restoration projects at the wetlands they’ve acquired along the Killbuck Creek. They also will share information about hikes and other programming at the Preserve and other properties in the year ahead.
Holmes SWCD also will be at the open house. We are working on watershed plans including one for the Big Run sub-watershed, covering the Village of Killbuck, following Killbuck Creek to the south. This part of the watershed starts at state Route 83 on its eastern border. It follows County Road 60 until 1.5 miles south of Layland and County Road 19 (on the Coshocton County side) to where it intersects Township Road 22.
After last week’s rain and the first big floods of the year, I’d be willing to bet some folks around here have some thoughts and opinions about problem spots in the Killbuck watershed. However, this past flood was nothing out of the ordinary — the gauge measuring river depth on state Route 62, where it crosses over Killbuck Creek, topped out at 17.05 feet. This is a bit higher than last year’s maximum flood depth but is oveshadowed by spring floods in 2011, 2014 and 2016.
We need to hear from landowners and those who drive these roads regularly to learn about problems they see in the area. We are looking for problems related to natural resources since these plans are used to apply for funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and other groups focused on water quality and habitat improvement.
Eroding stream banks, excessive debris in the streams, trash dumps, deforestation and bad stands of invasives are examples of what we want to hear about. And yes, we want to hear about areas that get hit by regular flooding and cause road closures or damage to bridges and culverts. But we don’t want to focus just on the problems. Hearing about good areas that locals want to protect, enhance or replicate elsewhere is equally important.
If you have information to share that can help us as we put together these plans, we need to hear from you. Come see us on the 16th or reach out to our office to give us your feedback for this project or other areas of importance throughout Holmes County.