Defiance, OH – July 9, 2025 – Community members and conservation specialists gathered at Singer Farms to learn more about the recent ditch projects: Bend Road Ditch and Lockwood Road Ditch. These initiatives aim to improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitats by utilizing natural processes to create self-sustaining stream channels. The site visits highlighted how these ditch projects support both agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Bend Road Self-Forming Ditch
Bend Road Self-Forming Ditch was funded in part by the Defiance Research Alliance. The ditch is one year old and used hay stabilization rolls anchored with shoveled dirt to keep them in place. The double netting, with straw in between, naturally breaks down over time due to photo-degradation, offering a sustainable alternative for ditch banks. Prairie grasses and oats were used as a cover crop, which helped strengthen the soil and promote the growth of native plants.
Spoils from the construction of the ditch were used to create “Mt. Singer,” a small hill at the back edge of the field near the ditch. Less than once an acre was removed from agricultural production.
Lockwood Road Self Forming Ditch
Lockwood Road Self Forming Ditch was funded by the township and completed with support from the local government. The ditch buildings are of similar construction but were constructed to widen the bottom and create sloped sides to help promote the natural meandering of a stream and habitat formation.
Spoils were placed adjacent to the channel because of the depth and the surrounding forested area. While this placement isn’t ideal for every situation, it did not interfere with drainage and was ideal for landscaping.
