Our Responsibilities

The Michigan Drain Code (Act 40 of Public Acts of 1956, as amended) is the law that governs the responsibilities of the Drain Commissioner. The Drain Commissioner, Chris Machiela, and staff are responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 850 established county drains and stormwater management systems in Allegan County.

A county drain may be an open ditch, stream, underground pipe, retention pond, or swale that conveys stormwater. These drains become designated as county drains through a petition process where either property owners or a local city, village, or township petitions the Drain Commissioner to establish a county drain.

These systems are designed to provide stormwater management, drainage, flood prevention, and stream protection for agricultural and developed lands. Within county drainage districts, the Drain Commissioner is responsible for the accounting of expenditures and financial statements, for maintaining records of the establishment and operation of each, and for conducting routine inspections and maintenance of the drains.

Requests, Forms, and Resources

For Payoff Requests, Drain Maintenance Requests, and other forms and resources, including Assessment Summaries, visit our Forms / Resources page.