BEATRICE, Neb. - Flood protection efforts in southeastern Nebraska are moving ahead after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (LBBNRD) received approval for the Indian Creek Watershed Improvement Plan.

Covering 48,425 acres in Gage County, including Beatrice, the plan calls for building 24 new dams to reduce flood damage to the city and surrounding farmland.

Most of the 21 proposed structures will replace dams built in the 1950's that have outlived their design life. The total project cost is estimated at $29 million, with LBBNRD contributing about $1.6 million.

Funding for the plan came through NRCS’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program, which provided $745,160 to complete the planning phase.

With approval secured, LBBNRD can now request additional federal assistance for project design. 

“NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Lower Big Blue NRD for completing  Rob Lawson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist said. “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,” Scott Sobotka, general manager of LBBNRD said. “Their partnership has helped us identify and eventually complete essential flood reduction improvements for Beatrice and surrounding farmland.”