The tornado that tore through Austin on June, 17, 2009, may still be damaging land along Austin waterways.

Some residents have voiced concerns that trees knocked down by the tornado are still resting in Dobbins Creek near Interstate 90 and Nature Center Road. The Cedar River Watershed District Board of Managers discussed the problem at their meeting Wednesday night. The board may try to partner with the city or state groups to remove some of the trees, but cost is a factor.

“It’s all up in the air,” said administrator Bev Nordby. “It just depends on funding. It’s extremely expensive.”

Downed trees can hold back flowing water, and the trees can even damage road infrastructure, Nordby said. While some remedy is likely needed, Nordby isn’t sure how the watershed board will fund the expensive project.

“That’s a huge undertaking, and I don’t know what we’re going to do,” Nordby said.