The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, received official approval in May for the North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed Improvement Plan in eastern Nebraska. 

The North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed spans over 226,000 acres in Antelope, Cedar, Knox, and Pierce Counties, Nebraska and includes the Cities of Pierce and Osmond. The plan proposes the implementation of flood damage reduction measures including levee improvements, diversion channels, and pump stations in the City of Pierce, and berms, road raises, and building floodproofing in the City of Osmond. The plan estimates the total construction cost of the project at$28.8 million with the local sponsor being responsible for approximately $9.1 million.  

Funding for the plan came through NRCS’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), which provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized watershed enhancement projects. NRCS provided $802,000 toward completing the North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed Plan. With the plan approved, Lower Elkhorn NRD now qualifies to request future financial assistance from NRCS for developing the identified flood prevention measures. 

“NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Lower Elkhorn NRD for completing the North Fork Elkhorn River Watershed Plan,” said Rob Lawson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist. “One of our top priorities is assisting local sponsors in identifying and completing watershed projects for natural resource enhancements and public safety.” 

“As local sponsors, we are most appreciative of NRCS’s commitment toward completing the watershed plan,” said Brian Bruckner, General Manager, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. “Their partnership has helped us identify essential improvements in the North Fork Elkhorn River watershed to reduce flood damage in Pierce and Osmond.”   

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. 

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