WAHOO, Nebraska – The Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group (SCWIG) recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant achievement in Nebraska’s conservation efforts. Since its founding in 1999, SCWIG has led grassroots initiatives to improve water quality in Shell Creek, working with over 300 landowners to implement more than 350 conservation practices across the watershed.

One of the group’s most remarkable accomplishments was the removal of Shell Creek from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Impaired Waters list in 2018. This was a historic achievement, as Shell Creek became the first stream in the nation to be delisted after years of elevated levels of Atrazine—a herbicide that once impaired aquatic life in the creek. Due to the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan, the creek’s water quality and ecosystem health have significantly improved, benefiting fish, frogs, and other aquatic species.

“Shell Creek shows how multiple partners have come together to significantly improve water quality in Nebraska,” said Matt Bailey, SCWIG co-chair and Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (NRD) director. “Having a waterbody delisted is an extremely difficult and rare thing to accomplish, which resulted from the implementation of a comprehensive watershed management plan. Since then, we’ve continued our work with partners to provide safe, quality water for our state.”

SCWIG’s efforts have focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as no-till farming, filter and buffer strips, cover crops, fencing livestock from streams, cross fencing, and solar livestock wells, which have helped reduce non-point source pollution. The group’s partnerships with the Lower Platte North NRD, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Nebraska Environmental Trust and other agencies have been crucial in addressing these conservation goals.

Each year, the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group and its partners invest nearly $500,000 in conservation practices, with about half of the funding provided by federal sources.

“Being involved in the Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group has been one of the highlights of my life, because of all the things we’ve been able to accomplish,” said Carl Grotelueschen, SCWIG founding member and Colfax County commissioner.

As part of the celebration, attendees toured key watershed projects, including a major upgrade to the Union Pacific Railroad bridge between Schuyler and Rogers, Nebraska. The new bridge, built to replace a structure dating back to the 1920s, is 2.5 times longer than the original. This expansion plays a critical role in floodwater management, allowing water to flow more freely beneath the tracks and reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area. In conjunction with new county road bridges, the infrastructure improvements are designed to enhance flood protection and prevent property damage.

“Union Pacific is proud of the collaboration between the many public and private stakeholders who had a hand in the Shell Creek watershed project’s completion,” said Union Pacific’s Senior Manager of Structures Design Adam Studts. “Union Pacific’s new bridge will make stormwater management more efficient, while serving as a critical link in our nation’s supply chain.”

Attendees also viewed displays featuring soil health demonstrations, a high-boy cover crop seeder, and local high school students involved in watershed monitoring projects.

Educational outreach has been a cornerstone of SCWIG’s success. Newman Grove and Schuyler Central High Schools have developed volunteer programs where students monitor Shell Creek’s water, sediment, and aquatic life. These programs provide valuable data and give students hands-on experience in environmental science.

“SCWIG has set an example for how local conservation groups can create long-lasting environmental change,” said Eric Gottschalk, Lower Platte North NRD general manager. “As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that other water bodies could benefit from similar efforts. SCWIG’s model shows that with the right partnerships and commitment, it’s possible to achieve measurable improvements in water quality.”

As SCWIG looks forward to its next chapter, the group remains dedicated to protecting Shell Creek and continuing its mission to promote sustainable land use and water quality practices across Nebraska.

About SCWIG
The Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group is a collaboration of landowners, farmers, and conservation agencies working together to promote sustainable land management and water quality improvement in the Shell Creek Watershed. SCWIG focuses on implementing best management practices that enhance the region’s natural resources, protect local ecosystems, and ensure long-term agricultural productivity.

About Lower Platte North NRD
The Lower Platte North Natural Resources District, based in Wahoo, covers parts of seven counties in east-central Nebraska. Nebraska’s 23 NRDs are charged with developing and protecting the state’s natural resources. In pursuing this mission, the districts often partner with landowners and other government agencies. The Lower Platte North NRD is governed by 19 locally elected directors from nine subdistricts and employs 21 full-time staff members. The district is funded by a combination of property taxes and grants from local, state, and federal sources.