A public hearing on the Cedar River Watershed District’s 10-year plan Wednesday night generated some criticism from rural landowners.

The most discussed topic was the proposed reduction to the size of some culverts, or passages used to enclose flowing water. A few people in attendance expressed concern that reductions could lead to worse flooding in rural areas. The CRWD board said culverts would be looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine feasibility. The proposal was included in the plan so it wouldn’t have to be added in later through a lengthy process.

The plan, still in a draft phase, is meant to address recent flooding problems in the district — which includes parts of Mower, Steele, Dodge and Freeborn counties — and how to reduce both the magnitude and effects of future floods. Among its specific goals is the aim to reduce flooding in the area by 20 percent, which would bring flood levels down to around where they were in the 1970s, Bev Nordby, CRWD administrator and district manager, said. The plan would require approval by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources and then passage by the CRWD board to be implemented.