The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD), received official approval in June for the Mira Creek Watershed Improvement Plan in central Nebraska.

The Mira Creek Watershed spans 45,930 acres in Valley and Greeley counties including the Village of North Loup. The Watershed Plan proposes the construction of a levee in North Loup, widening of Mira Creek and the construction of an excess flow channel to the Loup River to enhance flood damage reduction. Incidental benefits of the plan include reduced erosion and possible reductions in future flood insurance requirements. Total estimated project costs are $16 million of which about $14.5 million will be paid by NRCS funds and approximately $1.8 million will be paid by the sponsor, LLNRD.

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 $598,490 toward completing the Mira Creek Watershed Plan. With the plan approved, LLNRD now qualifies to request future financial assistance from NRCS for developing project designs.

“NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Lower Loup NRD for completing the Mira Creek 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 Russ Callan, general manager of LLNRD. “Their partnership has helped us identify and eventually complete essential flood reduction improvements for North Loup and surrounding farmland.”

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. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat.  NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov. 

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