The condition of Dry Creek was put on the back burner during the drought that prevails across most of Texas.

Tuesday afternoon, Refugio Councilman Ron Nelson and Commissioners Ann Lopez and Rod Bernal toured the drainage system at the new AOG plant north of town. The elected officials said they will make the cleanup a priority.

Three massive drainage pipes have been installed and will empty into Dry Creek.

Two years ago, Nelson walked through the creek bed and reported his findings to the Refugio council.

“Huge trees have fallen across the creek and the Mary Rhodes Pipeline has created a man-made dam across it,” Nelson said. “The creek is out of the city limits and it impacts all the drainage on the northwest portion of town.”

During the last significant rain, a number of residents from Fannin to Edward street reported flooding.

“Water from Whitlow and Bellows addition flow through the school grounds, across the highway and into Dry Creek,” Nelson said.

Bernal, Lopez and Nelson fear additional drainage from the plant could cause worse flooding than experienced in previous downpours.

Bernal said his crew will attempt to set a regular schedule to work on the creek bed.

Lopez is looking into the possibility of getting assistance from one of the drainage districts as well.

“Refugio and Woodsboro both have drainage problems that need to be addressed,” she said.