For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Contact: Erika Hill, Public Relations Director
Phone: (402) 471-7672 Cell: (402) 570-2283
Email: ehill [at] nrdnet.org

Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District Dams Save Hundreds of Properties, Roads and Farmland after Major Flooding Event

The Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District is monitoring more than 30 dams closely after Tuesday’s massive rainstorm. The Lower Big Blue NRD estimates up to eight-and-a-half inches of rain in parts of Gage and Saline counties.

One of the district’s newest projects, the Wilber Dam located on the northwest side of Wilber was nearly dry before yesterday’s rain. Today, it’s full of water and operating safely as designed. The district considers this a huge success. This dam is proving significant in the effort to diminish potential flooding risks. The official cost estimate for how much potential flood damage has been avoided because of the district’s dams will be released next week.

Lower Big Blue NRD Assistant Manager, Scott Sobotka is proud of how the dams are performing. "We put these dams in for a reason and the reason is to protect our communities from weather events just like Tuesday’s," said Sobotka. "Without these projects, rainstorms like Tuesday’s would have had a far more drastic impact to local residents and their properties."

The Lower Big Blue NRD continues to develop programs to help avoid flooding. The district is maintaining nearly 300 dams across southeast Nebraska every day. Each one is built with the mission to minimize flooding. There are several other big projects that were also very successful in preventing flooding Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.

"The Lower Big Blue NRD was prepared for this rainstorm," said Sobotka. "We do annual inspections and maintenance on the dams so they’re ready to work when the skies open up."

The Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD), the trade association for Nebraska's 23 natural resources districts, works with individual NRDs to protect lives, protect property, and protect the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. These districts are unique to Nebraska. NRD’s are local government entities with broad responsibilities to protect our natural resources. Major Nebraska river basins form the boundaries of the 23 NRDs, enabling districts to respond best to local conservation and resource management needs. To learn more about Nebraska’s NRDs visit www.nrdnet.org. Or you can head to the Natural Resources Districts’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com or follow NARD’s Twitter page at www.twitter.com @nebnrd. NARD is located at 6601 S. 12 th St. Suite 201, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508. Email NARD at nard [at] nrdnet.org or call NARD at (402) 471-7670.