LINCOLN, Nebraska – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) received official approval in June 2025 for the Indian Creek Watershed Improvement Plan in southeastern Nebraska.

The Indian Creek Watershed spans 48,425 acres in Gage County, including the city of Beatrice. The plan proposes the construction of 24 new dams to reduce flood damage to Beatrice and agricultural lands throughout the watershed. Twenty-one of the proposed dams are existing structures that were built in the 1950s and have exceeded their design life. The dams would control a combined drainage area of over 25 square miles. The estimated total construction cost is $29 million, with the local sponsor responsible for approximately $1.6 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 $745,160 toward completing the Indian Creek Watershed Plan. With the plan approved, the Lower Big Blue NRD 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 Big Blue NRD for completing the Indian 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 Scott Sobotka, Lower Big Blue NRD general manager. “Their partnership has helped us identify and eventually complete essential flood reduction improvements for Beatrice and surrounding farmland.”

To learn more about NRCS and NRD programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or the Lower Big Blue NRD.