Cobden residents keep house, change scenery

Dorrows move

brick house

1/3 mile west

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

COBDEN -- The population of Cobden fell by two people Thursday when David and Darlene Dorrow moved their home out of this community of 62 residents.

Van Dyke Heavy Hauling and Rigging of Chandler used a 90-foot long trailer, semi truck tractor to move the Dorrow's 84x36 brick house to the farmsite were Darlene grew up, one-third mile west of Cobden.

The Dorrows built the home by themselves 23 years ago. For years, they thought about moving it to the 80-acre farm site near Sleepy Eye Creek that Darlene's grandfather bought more than 80 years ago.

The fact that a municipal water and sewage system replaced a drain tile system in town this summer prompted the Dorrows to move.

"I don't like the (sewage) system," Dorrow said. "If the check valve fails, my basement could be filled with sewage and it could run out my windows."

Instead, the Dorrows will live just west of town where deer play below the creek bluff and fish swim in the creek.

"It's a far superior site," Dorrow aid. "We thought about it for a long time, saw the opportunity to move and went for it."

The $1.1 million project, aided by grants from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, included a wastewater collection and treatment facility, wellhouse and water distribution system. Tanks, pumping stations, a control building, piping and valves, a distribution field and service road were part of the project.

Earlier this summer, a foot of sewage backed up in both bars and several homes in Cobden while the project was under construction.

In the past, Cobden had a sewage drain tile system for sewage. The tile discharged into Ditch No. 36, which ran into Sleepy Eye Creek, the Cottonwood River and the Minnesota River, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The discharge was in violation of water quality regulations with the potential to degrade surface waters and threaten human health, the MPCA said.

Dorrow said had he not moved his house, he would have been forced to hook up to the new sewer system that would have forced his sewage uphill in a pressurized system to a grinder pump.

"I don't like the (sewage) system," Dorrow said. "If the check valve fails, my basement could be filled with sewage and it could run out my windows."

Instead, the Dorrows will live just west of town where deer play below the creek bluff and fish swim in the creek.

"It's a far superior site," Dorrow aid. "We thought about it for a long time, saw the opportunity to move and went for it."

While the Dorrows get adjusted to their new homesite, Cobden will be abuzz with Cobden Day, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 5. Events include a tractor pull, bike rodeo, volleyball, and music by "Dain's Dutchmen" of Sleepy Eye and "Alibi." Proceeds will benefit children's playground equipment in the community park.