NORFOLK, Nebraska -- The Lower Elkhorn NRD (LENRD) Board of Directors gave their final nod of approval to the Maple Creek Watershed Plan Watershed Agreement with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). The main objective of this Watershed Agreement is to reduce flood damage in the City of Clarkson and Village of Nickerson.

The preferred alternative is an option that best accomplishes the purpose and need of the proposed action while also considering economic, environmental, technical, and other factors. In this case, the two preferred alternatives are:

• Improvements to the Clarkson Levee
• Construction of a dike near Nickerson

In early October, two open houses were held in Nickerson and Clarkson, the focus areas of the Plan, to collect public input. By approving the Maple Creek Watershed Plan Watershed Agreement, Directors will have the option to work with NRCS to implement preferred alternatives should they choose to do so. The LENRD worked with Houston Engineering to put the plan together.

Bid Approved for Logan Creek Waterline Replacement Project
The Board also voted to approve a bid for the Logan Creek Waterline Replacement Project. Logan East Rural Water System of the LENRD opened bids for the Project on November 18, 2024. Four bids were received for the contract, which includes the replacement of approximately 3,600 linear feet of 8-inch waterline, valves, and cleanouts. Rutjens Construction, Inc. of Tilden, Ne, submitted the lowest bid at $105,295.00.

2025 LENRD Meeting Schedule
The LENRD Board has set the following dates for their 2025 meetings:
Subcommittee: January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11.
Board: January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23, November 25, December 18.

The Board meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, unless there is a conflicting holiday or inclement weather. Updates and reminders are posted to the LENRD website, Facebook, X, and Instagram pages.

To learn more about the 12 responsibilities of Nebraska’s NRDs and how your local district can work with you and your community to protect your natural resources, visit www.lenrd.org and sign up for our monthly emails. The next board of directors meeting will be Thursday, Dec. 19, at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 7:30 p.m. and on Facebook Live.