Davis Creek Watershed Improvement Project
A site for the public and stakeholders to provide feedback to the Papio NRD and learn more about the development of the watershed plan.
LATEST NEWS
Note: This section will be updated as the project progresses. Latest news will be found at the top, while older news will be below.
November 2024:
We would like to hear from you. Click here to take the project’s survey.
Friday, November 22, 2024 - a virtual agency scoping meeting took place from 10 am to 12 pm. Click here to view the recording of the meeting.
Thursday, November 21, 2024 - the Papio NRD hosted a Public Open House Meeting from 5 pm to 7 pm at the American Legion in Herman, NE. To view the meeting materials, click the following links: display boards and fact sheet .
September 2024: The Papio NRD has received funding from the NRCS and the project has officially kicked-off. The project team is currently gathering watershed data and preparing to host a public meeting tentatively scheduled for late November. Once the meeting details have been finalized, this information will be updated, and public notifications will occur to invite the public to the meeting.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Papio NRD, NRCS, local landowners and other local leaders have been working to improve the watershed. The project is needed to protect critical infrastructure including roads and bridges, to reduce sedimentation to downstream waterbodies, to stabilize incising stream channels, and to protect soil and property that supports the local economy. The NRD received a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to develop a plan that will help address these needs.
The planning process is funded through NRCS’s Watershed Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) program and will investigate sources of erosion throughout the watershed and its drainages, with the end goal of identifying and beginning design on cost-effective solutions to reduce these impacts. Potential options may include, but are not limited to, terraces, grade control, and buffer strips. All potential options will be evaluated with gathered input from landowners, producers, and the general public considered.
Public input is extremely important to the project team. Public meetings will be held throughout the project. In addition, this website provides contact information and comment forms to provide that input at any time.
The project kicked off in Summer 2024 and a draft plan is anticipated to be completed in 18 months (Winter/Spring 2026). JEO Consulting Group has been retained to complete the planning process. As the project progresses, this website will be updated to reflect the project’s progression and showcase solutions.
WATERSHED TOUR
Welcome to Nebraska
The Davis Creek Watershed Improvement Project is located in eastern Nebraska and is sponsored by the Papio-Missouri NRD.
About the Watershed
The Davis Creek Watershed Improvement Project is located in Burt and Washington Counties within the river bluffs above the Village of Herman. The village has an approximate population of 247 in 2020. The watershed area is approximately 30,700 acres.
Land Use
Land use within the watershed is primarily agricultural, with 72% of the watershed being used to grow row crops (corn and soybeans). An additional 17% is made up of grassland and pasture. Forests cover 6%, developed and urban areas 3%, and the remainder is covered by wetlands and open water (USDA, 2020).
Topography
The watershed area is characterized by the Missouri River bluffs, which are rugged land with very steep and irregular slopes. In some areas top soil can be thin or highly erodible and bedrock materials may be exposed. These steep slopes can lead to increased runoff of rainwater and steep streams that are prone to erosion and subsequent infrastructure damage.
PUBLIC INPUT
The project team is seeking input from producers, landowners, residents and others – especially those who have been impacted by erosion or sedimentation issues.
During the project, multiple public meetings will be held, and all are welcome to attend. Watch for notifications on this website, social media, in local papers, and through other outlets.
Please feel free to contact the project sponsors at any time to ask questions or provide input – their information is provided in the "Project Contact Info" section of this webpage.
CONTACT INFO
For any questions or comments please contact:
Terry Schumacher - (402) 658-1656 | tschumacher@papionrd.org
or
Jon Hansen - (402) 838-3018 | jonathan.hansen@usda.gov
NRCS Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program:
To learn more about the NRCS WFPO program, click here .