Southeast Nebraska Flood Infrastructure Saves more than $1 million in Damages

LINCOLN, Nebraska – Recent heavy rainfall events across southeast Nebraska demonstrated the critical value of flood control infrastructure maintained by the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD), with watershed structures preventing more than $1 million in estimated flood damages in Saline and Gage counties.

According to calculations completed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), flood control structures significantly reduced downstream flooding impacts during major rain events in May and early June.

Between June 5-6, the Swan Creek Watershed in Saline and Jefferson counties received approximately 5 inches of rainfall over a 24-hour storm event. USDA-NRCS estimates the system protected against approximately $386,980 in flood damage during the event.

The Swan Creek Watershed consists of 19 dams controlling runoff from 70,144 acres in Saline and Jefferson counties. In addition, seven Turkey Creek flood control structures, which manage runoff from another 43,712 acres, also helped retain flood waters and reduce downstream damage throughout Saline County.

In neighboring Gage County, the Bear-Pierce-Cedar Watershed received approximately 8 inches of rainfall throughout May, with the heaviest precipitation occurring during two major storm events on May 17 and May 19.

The watershed, which includes 26 flood control dams managing runoff from 40,455 acres, protected against an estimated $651,013 in damages, according to USDA-NRCS calculations.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for every dollar spent on flood mitigation, an average of $6 can be saved in post-disaster recovery costs.

Staff from the Lower Big Blue NRD surveyed flooding impacts following both rainfall events to evaluate the performance of district infrastructure and assess watershed conditions.

“These recent storms are a powerful reminder of why long-term investments in watershed infrastructure matter,” said Lower Big Blue NRD General Manager J. Scott Sobotka. “Our flood control structures worked exactly as designed — slowing runoff, holding back floodwaters and protecting downstream communities, roads, farmland and infrastructure from significant damage.”

The district currently monitors and maintains more than 250 flood control dams and grade stabilization structures located throughout Gage, Saline, Jefferson and Pawnee counties. Collectively, these projects provide approximately 109,259 acre-feet of flood storage capacity, equal to more than 35.5 billion gallons of water storage.

The recent rainfall is especially welcome after much of the region experienced nearly four consecutive years of drought conditions, highlighting another important benefit of watershed infrastructure: capturing and temporarily storing water on the landscape while reducing damaging flood flows.

Many of the watershed structures throughout the Lower Big Blue NRD were originally constructed more than 50 years ago and continue to provide critical flood protection for communities, agricultural land and public infrastructure. As these structures age, ongoing maintenance, rehabilitation and long-term investment become increasingly important to ensure they continue functioning during major weather events.

“These structures have protected southeast Nebraska communities for generations, but infrastructure does not last forever without continued care,” Sobotka said. “Investing in maintenance and rehabilitation today ensures these flood control systems will continue protecting lives, property and local economies for decades to come.”

Lower Big Blue NRD’s Cub Creek Recreation Area near Plymouth, Nebraska, reaches full pool after June 5-6 rainfall event. Recent heavy rainfall events across southeast Nebraska demonstrated the critical value of flood control infrastructure, which prevented more than $1 million in estimated flood damage in Saline and Gage counties.