West Kerr County Culvert Stoppers At Illegal Antics Again

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12 20 23 Dowling Culvert 458
Someone purposefully stopping up this culvert at a low-water crossing on Dowling Road is committing a crime. Local officials are seeking information that can put an end to this ongoing issue that repeatedly wastes Kerr County resources and labor each time it has to be cleaned up and water flow restored. – Courtesy photo

Obstructing a waterway in Texas is a crime, but some individual(s) in West Kerr County continues to illegally block up the low-water crossing at 100 Dowling Road West -- costing local taxpayers in labor and equipment to clean up the mess when those resources could be used elsewhere.

In April of this year, Kerr County Crime Stoppers highlighted the ongoing problem and residents in the western portion of the county (in Precinct 4) were put on notice with signs posted at the low-water crossing located just off TX27 northwest of Ingram headed toward Mountain Home.

“Every time someone decides to dam up the water there by blocking the culvert, not only are they committing a crime, but they are costing the county time and resources that are in short supply and needed in other places,” said Kerr County Commissioner (Pct. 4) Don Harris. “They are, essentially, cheating their neighbors for their own selfish reasons.”

“Somebody continues to put rocks and cut tree limbs in the pipe on the upstream side so it reduces the flow, and that is against the law,” said Kelly Hoffer, road administrator of Kerr County Road and Bridge.

“We thought they might get the message when we posted Crime Stoppers signs there at the beginning of the summer, but they are just not getting it or are choosing to ignore the downside of what they are doing,” Hoffer continued. “Now, we’re asking that anyone who has information on who is doing this crime to contact either the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office or Kerr County Crime Stoppers. Please, help us put an end to this activity.”

Anyone who has information about this crime or others is asked to send a tip to Kerr County Crime Stoppers using either the website www.kerrtips.com, by calling 830-896-8477 or using the downloadable app for smartphones or devices from P3tips.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.