The LPSNRD board of directors approved a $37.8 million Fiscal Year 2024 Budget. The budget’s property tax request was raised for the first time in four years to $10,514,822, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The final tax levy will depend on property valuations across the district’s six-county area. 

The approval of the budget reflects the LPSNRD’s continued commitment to flood protection for the district. The budget allocates $5.9 million for the Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project. The multi-year project is a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Lincoln. The project will reduce the 100-year floodplain benefiting 500 homes and businesses in north central Lincoln. Also included is $2.5 million in repair funds for the Salt Creek Levee and $800,000 for repair and construction costs of flood control dams. 

The budget also continues the LPSNRD’s efforts to improve water quality and soil health across the district. Cost-share assistance support for Surface Water Quality Practices was allocated $1.6 million. These funds will assist landowners installing terrace systems, buffer strips, cover crops and other conservation practices. Approximately $1 million is allocated for groundwater protection, studies, monitoring, testing, mapping & best management practices.

To learn more, click here. 

The Upper Salt Creek watershed is made up of over 3,500 square miles (2.2 million acres). Stormwater from anywhere in this area eventually leads to Salt Creek as it passes through Lincoln. Whether it be heavy rain near Hickman, a steady shower near Valparaiso, or a storm that hits the whole region, the water level of Salt Creek can drastically change. 

The significant flows through Salt Creek led the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to build the Salt Creek Levee and ten upstream flood control structures in the 1960s. After the NRDs were formed, LPSNRD became the partner with the USACE. The levee system is crucial in protecting homes and businesses from most of the flooding.

The LPSNRD continually inspects and maintains the Salt Creek Levee System, ensuring that it operates as intended during high rain events. This monitoring effort includes stream gauges in the watershed, and on the ground NRD staff levee patrols.

The levee system was built to provide protection against 50-year flood events and has prevented $100 million in flood damage since its construction. Anything larger, like a 100-year flood event, the levees will spill over and could cause widespread flooding to properties. A 100-year flood event has a one-percent chance of occurring annually.

Recognizing changing weather patterns, and the need to minimize flood risks, the LPSNRD is working alongside the City of Lincoln to develop options for improvements to the Salt Creek watershed to strengthen flood protection for the residents and local businesses.

Deadmans Run Flood Reduction ProjectReduction Project
Work continues on the $25M flood reduction project. The 65% design plans have been completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the LPSNRD anticipates a 95% design plan by fall 2023. The project will remove approximately 500 homes and businesses from the 100-year floodplain, reducing the risk of flooding in an area, generally, between North 33rd and 48th Streets, just north of UNL’s East Campus.

Opportunities for public comment and an open house are anticipated in the coming months. Actual construction could begin in late 2024.

South Salt Creek Project #6
Located on Salt Creek in Wilderness Park, this project will stabilize the stream bed and will protect the old Rock Island railroad bridge that will serve as a crossing for a future trail to the west by the City of Lincoln.

The LPSNRD has all easements, permits, and plans for the construction and future maintenance of this project. It is anticipated that the project will be out to bid in late summer and construction to begin this fall. Construction is expected to be complete by summer 2024.

The LPSNRD’s project along the Antelope Creek streambanks between 40th Street and Scott Avenue, in central Lincoln has been completed. The $2.9 million project repaired the streambank which was damaged by heavy rains in 2015. 

Antelope Creek flows from Holmes Lake to where it empties into Salt Creek, north of the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The creek’s expanse plays a major role in stormwater management in the city. 

The damage prevented regular maintenance of the stream in this section, resulting in volunteer trees and shrubs. Vegetation on the banks posed a threat during high water events, blocking the flow of water, collecting debris, and increasing the possibility of erosion.

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        Pre-Project                                            Post-Project 
 
The limited right-of-way made for a challenging project, but the use of retaining walls in design will allow for easier access for future maintenance and operation moving forward.

Significant financial support for the project is being provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The federal agency is providing 75% cost-share for both the project construction and observation services.

Maintaining Waterways Throughout Lincoln
The LPSNRD regularly inspects and maintains several urban creek channels, like Antelope Creek, throughout Lincoln. Keeping these waterways clear of debris and trees allows for water to flow efficiently downstream as intended.

The maintenance also ensures stormwater infrastructure, like the Antelope Creek Weir, located near the Lincoln High School, continue to operate effectively in lessening flood risks. 

Lesli Lair and Sean Loken recently joined the LPSNRD as resources technicians. Lesli is based in the Cass County NRCS field office in Weeping Water and Sean Loken is in the Lancaster County NRCS field office in Lincoln Both work with landowners on summer and fall cost-share conservation program applications, including terraces, cover crops, farm ponds, buffer and filter strips to help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality. They also assist with LPSNRD dam inspections. They both enjoy getting to know landowners and working with them on projects.

Tyler Benal is the LPSNRD drinking water protection specialist. Tyler helps educate the public on the importance of groundwater and works with communities and landowners to implement best management practices that help protect groundwater. Tyler is passionate about protecting groundwater and is looking forward to helping landowners and producers implement practices to improve soil and water quality.

Alex Lautenschlager is the LPSNRD’s newest maintenance technician. Alex will assist with land management and flood control projects throughout the district. In his position Alex enjoys nature and being outside. Alex has recently got married and will graduate in December from UNL with a degree in fisheries and wildlife. 

Thanks Michael, Cole, Alex, Kaitlyn, Adrian, Aspen, and Ellen for keeping our areas in great shape for the public to enjoy over the summer! These 7 college students worked with the NRD, assisting with maintenance at WMAs, wetlands, and trails.

LPSNRD General Manager Mike Sousek

I keep being asked, why? Why did you take this job? Why do we need flood protection? Why are there nitrates in my water? Why do you care so much? Why do you laugh… why, why, why? Those questions of “why” can be easily answered and understood, but it takes time to have those dialogues with the people asking the questions and the people who sit on the sidelines and observe. I can simply say I care about natural resources, but it wouldn’t give you the depth of “why”. It wouldn’t shine light on my upbringing in rural Nebraska and my connection to the area, it wouldn’t explore my 23 years of building a career in this field, nor would it explore my education in both life and through institutions within this state.  

As I take on this responsibility as the 4th general manager of the Lower Platte South NRD, the question of “why” will be answered. Through transparency and public engagement, it will become very clear why natural resource challenges are important and deserve our attention. Through partnerships, collaborations, patience, creativity, and listening, we will all come to understand the “why” to the decisions being made. That will require an engaged public and I’m looking forward to visiting with you.

Oak Creek Trail Closure
November 11-19 - The entire Oak Creek Trail will be closed during firearm deer hunting season. This annual closing is in the interest of trail user safety. Signs will be posted at all trail access points.

Seedling Sales
November through March - Our annual sale of bare-root seedling trees and shrubs will be held, with delivery in April. Pricing, availability, and other information will be posted on LPSNRD.com and social media when the sale begins.

LPSNRD Environmental Education
LPSNRD hosted over 2,000 high school biology students on field trips this fall. The field trips are designed to enhance classroom curriculum and provide hands on experience and discoveries for students in nature.

New Conservation Easement
LPSNRD is partnering with the City of Lincoln to work on purchasing a conservation easement from The Audubon Society on their newly acquired 310-acre property south of Denton, as part of the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch Project.

The LPSNRD has entered into agreements with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Cass County to take steps towards connecting the MoPac East Trail near Elmwood/Wabash to the Lied Platte River Bridge Trailhead near South Bend. A specific route has not yet been selected and the LPSNRD is conducting interviews of consulting firms to conduct an evaluation of all potential routes and the feasibility of those routes. 

The agreements, past informational emails, feedback opportunities, subcommittee minutes, and more on the the connector process can be found at the LPSNRD website.

The Wildwood Wildlife Management Area eastern parking area and boat ramp have undergone significant improvements for recreation users of the area. The improvements include:

• Shoreline riprap was added near the boat ramp to protect it.
• ADA-compliant parking and sidewalk access to the boat ramp and fishing pier upgraded to meet current standards.
• New layout of the parking lot to improve visibility, traffic flow, for single stall vehicle parking and trucks with boat trailers.
• A new rock shore launch for paddle craft which will help reduce congestion at the boat ramp. Near that launch, a semi-circle loading/unloading zone has also been added.

This project is made possible through a Sport Fish Restoration grant, the Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Stamp – which accompanies the permit anglers purchase – and funding from the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District.