There are several key indicators of current or potential water problems around your property.

First, check your soil surveys or map books for nearby floodplains. If you own land in a floodplain, it is reasonable to assume the area will be inundated with water, especially after a heavy rainfall.

Floodplain designators also indicate that hydric soils may be present on your property. These may be gray, blue or black and may smell sulfurous or sour.

These areas also might be muddy, collect water or be incapable of supporting certain types of vegetation.

Structures built in these areas will probably need to comply with specific regulations.

Also, check the map for drainage easements. They should be labeled “d.e.” on the map and are usually located on property lines. A drainage easement indicates that water will be flowing across the stretch of land during a rainstorm or other precipitation event.

Erosion is usually a common problem along such drainage easements. Permanent buildings and fences should not be constructed in those areas.

Check for nearby bodies of water that would increase the probability of flooding and indicate the presence of hydric soils.

A creek can be an attractive feature until you consider conflicts with your planned use or development.

The water flow will increase as upstream development increases. If you acquire property near a stream, do not remove the vegetation within at least 50 feet of waterline levels adjacent to and along the stream bank.

The vegetative buffer zone will help maintain the water quality and curb erosion problems. Erosion sediment is a water pollution problem in Butler County.

Any excavation disturbing an acre or more probably requires a Department of Environmental Protection permit.

Any work that increases presently permitted discharge requires a new permit.

The Butler County Conservation District is delegated by the Department of Environmental Protection to issue permits locally.

Landowner maps

New landowner maps are available for Butler County in the Butler County Conservation District office. These maps can be helpful to hunters.

Ron Fodor is manager of the Butler County Conservation District.