Twin Platte NRD

Resource Needs and Concerns

Resource needs are diverse across the five county area. Arthur, Keith, the western 2/3 McPherson, and the northern 2/3 of Lincoln County lie within the Twin Platte Natural Resource District. The southern 1/3 of Lincoln County lies in the Middle Republican NRD. The eastern 1/3 of McPherson County and all of Logan County lie in the boundary of the Upper Loup NRD.

• Erosion Prevention and Control; Soil Conservation
  
  Our service area includes soils that are susceptible to wind and water erosion. Resource needs include conservation cropping systems, conservation tillage, terrace, and other control measures.
  
   
• Grazingland Management
  
  72%, or 2.6 million acres is grazingland, our primary land use. Water development and Prescribed Grazing to improved range health are major resource needs.
  
   
• Development, Management, Utilization and Conservation of Ground Water
  
  The area's ground water is generally from the Ogallala aquifer. Irrigation occurs in the Platte River valleys and is scattered throughout the uplands. The soils are vulnerable to contamination. The Republican River drainages are critical for ground water quantity. The primary resource need is Irrigation Water Management.
  
   
• Development and Management of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
  
  Landowners who want to develop or enhance wildlife habitat can contact the NRCS. Endangered species occur in all five counties, however more attention is currently focused on species associated with the Platte River. Wetlands occur throughout the area. Some resource needs include wildlife habitat, windbreaks, and wetland restoration or enhancement.
  
   
• Development, Management, Utilization and Conservation of Surface Water
  
  Lake McConaughy, located north of Ogallala, is a storage facility for irrigation, hydropower, and recreation. The major river basins include the North Platte River basin, the South Platte River basin, the Platte River basin, the South Loup River basin, and the Republican River basin. Seven Irrigation Districts occur in our area. Resource needs for surface water include Irrigation Water Management and Irrigation Conveyance.
  
   
• Prevention of Damage from Flood Water and Sediment & Flood Prevention and Control
  
  NRCS provides technical assistance to landowners and organizations to address flooding. The NRCS assists the Twin Platte NRD with the Brule Watershed and the Ogallala Watershed. Localized flooding evens can occur throughout the area. The resource needs are hydrology analysis, and planning alternatives to reduce the damage from floods.
  
   
• Development and Management of Recreation and Parks Facilities
  
  The population of the five counties is 47,276 with 65% of the population living in North Platte and Ogallala. Therefore it is critical to assist the NRD and others with recreation development when requested. NRCS staff have assisted with the Ogallala outdoor classroom and wetland delineation needs of the North Platte Trails.