LINCOLN, Nebraska – In the wake of flooding that struck southwest Nebraska in recent weeks, the region’s flood infrastructure has emerged as a symbol of resilience and strength.

The flooding, triggered by unprecedented rainfall and the rapidly rising Republican River, swept across southwest Nebraska in late May. However, thanks to the foresight and investment in flood infrastructure, the impact on homes, businesses and agricultural land was significantly mitigated.  

The Blackwood Creek watershed, northwest of McCook, Nebraska, has 11 watershed flood reduction structures. These structures were constructed through a partnership between the Middle Republican Natural Resources District (NRD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). While these structures do not actively hold water, when large rainfall events occur, they spring into action capturing then safely releasing floodwater.

The recent heavy rain events saw an average of 4 inches of precipitation in the Blackwood Creek watershed in just six hours. The structures functioned as designed, capturing stormwater and runoff. It is estimated these dams prevented $677,000 in damage to downstream property and infrastructure.

The Dry Creek watershed southwest of McCook saw between 7-10 inches of rainfall during the same storm event. Along that portion of Dry Creek, the Middle Republican NRD’s six watershed structures prevented $37,600 in damages from widespread flooding, safeguarding the surrounding areas.

“Investing in flood infrastructure is a proactive step that mitigates damages, reduces recovery costs, and ensures long-term resilience,” said Jack Russell, Middle Republican NRD general manager. “The benefits go beyond cost savings; these structures can be lifesaving.”

One of the key elements of the flood reduction infrastructure in southwest Nebraska is an extensive network of PL-566 watershed structures. The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, often referred to as PL-566, authorizes USDA-NRCS to help local organizations and units of government plan and implement watershed projects.

Throughout the state, Nebraska’s NRDs have utilized this federal funding and worked in partnership with USDA-NRCS to build and maintain flood reduction infrastructure.

“The proactive measures and robust engineering of the flood protection systems played a crucial role in minimizing the impact on local communities,” said Allen Gehring, USDA-NRCS state conservation engineer. “The larger watershed contains a network of infrastructure that minimized the overall flooding from the Republican River and its tributaries.”

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.

The flood infrastructure in southwest Nebraska was a result of collaborative efforts between local, state, and federal partners, as well as engineering firms and community stakeholders. Through these partnerships, investments in flood mitigation continue to pay off today enhancing their overall effectiveness in the face of extreme weather events.