Upper Niobrara White NRD Partners with NRCS on Box Butte Creek Watershed Plan

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District, received official approval in May for the Box Butte Creek Watershed Improvement Plan in western Nebraska.

The Box Butte Creek Watershed spans over 162,000 acres in Box Butte, Dawes, and Sheridan Counties north of the City of Alliance. The plan proposes the installation of catchment basins to promote ground water recharge and road improvements to reduce flood damage. The plan estimates the total construction cost of the project at$2.7 million with the local sponsor being responsible for approximately $1 million.

Funding for the plan came through NRCS's Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), which provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized watershed enhancement projects. With the plan approved, Upper Niobrara-White NRD now qualifies to request future financial assistance from NRCS for developing the identified agriculture water management and flood prevention measures.

"NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Upper Niobrara-White NRD for completing the Box Butte Creek Watershed Plan," said Rob Lawson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist. "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," said Steve Sandberg, Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District Director. "Their partnership has helped us identify essential improvements in the Box Butte Creek Watershed to promote ground water recharge and prevent flood damage to local infrastructure."

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account.

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