GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska – The Central Platte Natural Resources District (NRD) Board of Directors approved the Elm–Turkey Creeks Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Plan at its monthly meeting Jan. 22, 2026, following a presentation by John Petersen, P.E., of JEO Consulting Group. Petersen explained that the study examined current flood conditions, evaluated options to reduce flood risk, and developed a plan to help lessen future flood impacts.

Adoption of the plan allows the Central Platte NRD to seek future funding for flood reduction efforts but does not commit the District to construction or additional project phases. Future steps will depend on available funding and partnerships, and the availability of federal funds will determine how quickly the design phase could move forward. Projects of this size typically take several years to plan and complete.

The Elm and Turkey Creeks watershed covers more than 106,000 acres in Dawson and Buffalo counties, including areas near the southern edge of the City of Kearney. The watershed is subject to multiple flooding risks due to the region’s flat topography and several flow constraints, including locations along Interstate 80.

Planning began in October 2020 following a historic rainfall event on July 8, 2019, when over 10 inches of rain fell in the Turkey Creek watershed, causing extensive damage in the City of Kearney—particularly in areas north of Interstate 80 and west of 2nd Avenue. The flooding impacted local communities, residents, and property owners.

PROJECT PLAN: TWO DIVERSION CHANNELS
The alternatives analysis indicated that constructing two diversion channels would be the most effective flood mitigation option and would likely meet other Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) project requirements, including the required benefit-cost ratio. The combined diversion channels along the southern portion of the Turkey Creek watershed are designed to convey floodwaters south during a 100-year storm event and help prevent an estimated $90 million in flood damages in the Kearney region.

PROJECT COSTS
The planning phase of the project is 100% funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). If the Board decides to move forward with the design phase, that would also be funded 100% by the NRCS when funds become available. The total project cost is estimated at $52 million, with a federal share of $27.26 million and a local share of $24.8 million. A StoryMap of the project is available at: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5a104fadbc674bda9d8f85d9c1458582

OTHER AGENDA & ACTION ITEMS
Board Officer Nominating Committee
The Board elected an Officer Nominating Committee to recommend candidates for secretary and treasurer to serve through 2028. The committee includes Mick Reynolds, Lon Bohn, Mike Wilkens, and Deb VanMatre. Keith Ostermeier of Grand Island has served one term as secretary, and Marvion Reichert of Elm Creek has served one term as treasurer. Both are eligible for re-election. The Board will consider the committee’s recommendations and hold elections for both offices at its March meeting. Board officers may serve up to two consecutive two-year terms.

General Election 
Central Platte NRD has 21 members on the board of directors who serve four-year terms, with two directors in each of the NRD’s 10 sub-districts and one at-large director.  Directors in the same sub-district are elected in alternate election years. The following incumbents are up for the upcoming election cycle and must file by February 17th. The non-incumbent deadline is March 2nd.

Subdistrict       Director                                              Sub-District Locations
Subdistrict 1    Brian Keiser, Gothenburg                Custer, Dawson, Frontier
Subdistrict 2    Tom Downey, Lexington                  Buffalo, Dawson
Subdistrict 3    Luke Ourada, Elm Creek                  Buffalo, Dawson              
Subdistrict 4    Lon Bohn, Gibbon                             Buffalo, Hall
Subdistrict 5    Deb VanMatre, Gibbon                    Buffalo
Subdistrict 6    Jerry Milner, Grand Island               Hall
Subdistrict 7    Ed Stoltenberg, Cairo                       Hall, Howard
Subdistrict 8    Kevin Werner, Grand Island            Hall
Subdistrict 9    Amy Kyes, Central City                     Hall, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Hamilton
Subdistrict 10  Charles Maser, Grand Island           Hall
At-Large            Keith Ostermeier, Grand Island      Hall

Water Quality Committee
The Water Quality Committee discussed a study titled Examining the Effects of Fertilizer Application Practices on Nitrate Movement and Leaching in the Lower Loup, Central Platte, and Upper Big Blue NRDs.

The study will monitor nutrient movement and soil characteristics across eight agricultural fields, including three side-dress applications, three chemigation/sensor-based applications, and two manure applications. Deep core sampling (to 30 feet) will be conducted post-harvest and pre-planting at three sites within each field each year. Shallow core sampling (to 8 feet) will also be conducted in-season, post-planting and pre-emergence, at the same three sites within each field monthly during the growing season through August.

The study will evaluate nitrogen losses from different fertilizer application practices to improve understanding of nitrate movement and support management decisions, including best management practice recommendations.

A total of $631,200 in Water Sustainability Funds was awarded for the study, with matching funds from each partner. The Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs’ matches are $105,200 each, and the Lower Loup NRD’s match is $210,400. The study will be conducted through 2028. Bids for the geotechnical services will be considered at the February Board meeting.

Building Committee 
The Building Committee reviewed progress on construction of the NRD’s new office and education center and approved two change orders. Building Change Order No. 6, in the amount of $134,816, was approved for the addition of two interior windows, utility extensions, a percolation (PERC) test for the septic system, and a wall panel modification. It also extended the substantial completion date by 80 days to May 2, 2026. Shop Change Order No. 1, in the amount of $2,850 was approved to conduct a PERC test for the shop.

Manager’s Report  
Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, reported on the following:
- Perkins County Canal: Vogt reported that design plans have been developed and released for the Perkins County Canal, including four new canal segments, two new dams and reservoirs, 33 drop structures, 19 private crossings, 36 public road crossings and utility crossings. The $628 million investment in the Canal and water storage reservoirs is expected to generate more than three times that amount in statewide benefits.

Nebraska filed suit against the State of Colorado on July 16, 2025, alleging that Colorado has overused South Platte River waters during the irrigation season and is obstructing Nebraska’s efforts to construct the Perkins County Canal. A decision from the U.S. Supreme Court is expected this spring to clarify whether the original compact’s language grants Nebraska the authority to pursue condemnation in Colorado and, if so, under what procedures that right can be exercised. That ruling will determine the next steps in the litigation.

- Legislative Session: Vogt noted that the Nebraska Legislature is beginning its short session facing a projected $471 million budget shortfall. Legislators are carrying over 240 bills from the previous session and have introduced approximately 550 new bills this year, bringing the total number of measures under consideration to about 790. Vogt also reported that three of the eight state senators representing Central Platte NRD will conclude their service this year due to term limits and a resignation. Senators Mike Moser and Steve Murman are term-limited, and Senator Dan McKeon resigned. Governor Pillen has appointed Fred Meyer to fill the vacancy left by McKeon.

- Schroeder Property: Vogt reported that the 157-acre dryland cropland tract located six miles southeast of Cozad, known as the Schroeder Property, will be auctioned by Agri Affiliates at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, with both live and online bidding available. In addition, the 12 steel pivot bridges are listed with Adam Marshall Land & Auction as Lot 511 and will be sold to the highest bidder on February 10.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Report  
Joe Krolikowski, District Conservationist, reported on recent staff transitions and current personnel in the Central Platte NRD’s four NRCS field offices. Kaitlan Stouffer, Resources Conservationist, reported that the Central City field office has 37 EQIP/RCPP applications on file with the ranking deadline Feb. 20, 2026. She also noted that the ranking deadline for CSP is May 1, 2026.

Precision Conservation Report 
Darren Cudaback, Precision Conservation Specialist, presented his annual report on the Precision Conservation Management (PCM) Program, which currently includes 83 cooperators in the Gothenburg area, covering a total of 141,907 acres. Cudaback reported two new enrollments since last year and a 100% retention rate. He noted that 83 customers are enrolled in no-till or strip-till practices, totaling 141,322 acres, and two producers, representing 1,226 acres, are enrolled in the 10% Nitrogen Reduction Program. Producer incentives totaled $1,267,336, averaging $15,269 per producer. Participation by program area:

• Irrigation Incentive Program: 37 customers, 11,535 acres
• Flood-to-Pivot (new program): 6 customers, 559 acres
• Sprinkler Packages/Renozzling: 15 customers, 4,351 acres
• Computer Scheduling Tool: 4 customers, 1,168 acres
• Pivot Telemetry: 11 customers, 3,196 acres
• Variable Frequency Drives: 2 customers, 646 acres
• Autonomous Pivots: 3 customers, 1,115 acres
• Moisture Probes: 3 customers, 500 acres

The PCM Program is sponsored by the Illinois Corn Growers Association and provides farmers with economic analysis of on-farm conservation practices. The program plans to expand to four representatives in Nebraska to help producers better understand the economic value of adopting practices such as cover crops, nutrient timing, and reduced tillage. PCM is funded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Directors’ Responsibilities Presentation
Prior to the Board meeting, the Board of Directors held an educational session with District Attorney Don Blankenau of Woods Aitken LLP to review the roles and responsibilities of members of the NRD Board of Directors.

Financial Report
The December and January financial reports were approved as presented.

Cost-Share Programs
Three applications for tree planting and well decommissioning were approved for $3,352.00 through the Nebraska Soil and Water Conservation Program and Central Platte NRD cost-share programs.

Upcoming Board Meetings   
February 26, March 26, April 23