What is a County Drain?
A county drain may be an open ditch, stream or 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. Plat drainage basins are accepted by the drain commissioner through a 433 Agreement.

Not All Storm Drains are County Drains
Drains, including roadside ditches, pipes, bridges and culverts under roads that drain state highways and county roads that are not designated County drains are maintained by the Kalamazoo County Road Commission or the Michigan Derpartment of Transportation (MDOT).

Drain pipes that are not county drains and are not along roads may be the property owner's responsibility (i.e. in farm fields or parking lots).

Creeks, streams or rivers that are not under the Drain Commissioner's jurisdiction may be the responsibility of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.