County map shows ditch ownerships

Responsibility for cleaning out the historic rock-lined drainage channel that runs through downtown Ramona lies with different groups, depending on the section, according to the county.

Constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1932, the channel runs parallel to Main Street, two to three blocks away, crossing beneath the streets from 11th through Sixth streets.

Following the flooding that occurred in July, some residents in those areas have questioned who is responsible for cleaning it out: property owners living adjacent to the ditch or the county?

Some say the county formerly cleared it on a routine basis.

Nothing has changed, said Michael Workman, director of the county communications office.

Some portions of the channel are publicly owned and the county is responsible, such as the portion through Collier Park and in road rights-of-way.

Other sections are private ownership, according to the county.

The portion running between Ninth and Eighth streets is owned by the Ramona Unified School District, shows a map provided by the county.