October 14, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Regular Board of Directors Meeting

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.

 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the agenda?

Rationale:  Attached find Tom Mountford's Natural Resources Commission report and attachments from October 2nd meeting. 

Rationale:  Kyle Overturf will give the Annual Audit Report. 

Rationale:  Are there any additions or corrections to the Minutes? If not they will be approved on the consent agenda.

Rationale: 

Rationale:  Temecula

Rationale:  Attached find pay estimate #6 from Scheele Kayton Construction approved by JEO. 

Rationale:  Construction update was held last Wednesday, 9-25-24.  Contractor is in the process of erecting the steel beams and sheeting for concrete decking.  

Rationale:  FEMA has approved our request to include our new office generator and the storage building in our available 428 funds.  Plans are to use the same specs and subcontractor used for the building quote for the generator and we will have three bids on the 40x60 storage building..  

Rationale:  Staff is working with Cornhusker State Industries (NE Dept of Corrections) for furniture for the new office building.  Discussion and possible action to proceed with ordering; Boardroom chairs & tables, conference room table & Chairs and furniture for each of the offices.

Rationale:  We have received an application from Roger Harders to fill the vacant Sub-District 8 position (see attachment). 

Rationale:  Our normal dates for our December Committee meeting are as follows:
Wednesday, November 27 - Water Committee
Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving) - Projects, Operations and Executive
 
December 2024 Committee Meeting Dates 
Tuesday, November 26 - Projects Committee - 7:30 am
Tuesday, November 26 - Operations Committee - 8:30 am
Tuesday, November 26 - Executive Committee - 10:00 am
Tuesday, November 26 - Water Committee - 6:00 pm

January 2025 Committee Meeting Dates
Tuesday, January 7 - Projects Committee 7:30 am
Tuesday, January 7 - Operations Committee - 8:30 am
Tuesday, January 7 - Executive Committee - 10:00 am
Wednesday, January 8 - Water Committee - 6:00 pm 

 

Rationale:  Construction bid opening is scheduled for (today) October 3rd at 2:00 pm

Rationale:  We have posted the job announcement for the Assistant Water Manager position with resumes due on October 15th. 

Rationale:  Source Water Protection / National Water Quality Initative.  This is a new position with approved funding for 50% of the total employee costs.  Discussion and possible action to recommend creation of this grant-funded position.

Rationale:  Discussion and possible action on the potential of contracting with an outside contract manager for our Wahoo Creek Watershed construction projects.

Rationale:  Grant will be available to review the Financial Statements. 

Rationale:  Attached find Gottschalk's time and expense sheets. 

Rationale:  Kyle Overturf is working on the last items for the Annual Audit.  He is following up with the state on our grants to ensure they have the federal and state revenue splits correct.  He would like to present the Annual Audit at our October 14th Board Meeting, but it will depend on the state and if they get him the information he needs.    

Rationale:  We have nothing to consider for unfinished business.

Rationale:  Nothing to report.

Rationale:  O & M staff continue mowing project areas in the District. Staff replaced the fascia board on the small shelter at Czechland, cleaned sediment from a plugged culvert at Homestead, cleared fallen trees on Clear Creek Levee, mowed firebreaks on the Wanahoo property. We assisted with Fremont Middle School Outdoor Ed day and Land Judging.

Rationale:  A letter was sent to the John Schultz Family (Kathy Johnson) on the District's decision to choose Alternative 3 - High Hazard East Auxiliary Spillway for rehabilitating Cottonwood 21-A. This alternative will predominantly go on their property. We also asked for permission to do the cultural resource study after harvest. Mrs. Johnson has granted that permission.
HDR is anticipating a 90% meeting in October.

Rationale:  Houston Engineering used sonar technology to determine the topography of the basin below the baffle wall. Mike Sotak gave his investigative report on the basin. They found, overall, the previous repairs after the 2019 flood event held up well, and it looks as though the damage is significantly less. Items that will be addressed for repair are A) the joints in the conduits are missing material, B) the Basin needs cohesive soil, mating, rip-rap, C) Relief well repair and conversions for dewatering, D) Other items after dewatering. E) Potential mitigation include larger rip-rap, and improved mating.
Sotak voluntarily offered his services when staff arranges a time to converse with FEMA/NEMA on this project.
FEMA will be on site Wednesday, October 16th to observe the Wanahoo damaged areas. 

Rationale:  Kirk Brand was present to explain why he would like a 24" CMP replaced with a 36" CMP for faster drainage to his field that empties into Rawhide Ditch 8. Heimann asked three contractors for labor quotes and received two; Grefe Excavating, $2,950 and Thompson Construction, $3,000.
A 30" x 60' CMP with a 1' band costs $3,887.00. A 36" x 60' CMP with a 1' band is $4,664.50. This doesn't include a flap gate for each and a 2' band would increase the price.
The estimated cost is $7,864. Mr. Brand would pay 50% of the cost.

Rationale:  Schuyler Co-op has ordered a new grass drill to rent out on their own.
What do we want to do with our 16-year-old grass drill? a) Sell it as is, giving first choice to our current cooperators b) repair it and use it as a stand-by at one of our other two cooperators, c) repair it and find another Seed Dealer cooperator, d) other options? 
We will take the drill to Benes Service and get a quote for repairs before a decision is made.

Rationale:  The Dept. of Natural Resources Dam Safety did it's annual inspection of the Wanahoo Dam this summer. We have not received the formal report to date. We do know that some of the joints in the tunnels/conduits need to be sealed. This process was done in 2019. All the joints in the floor and 2' up the walls were sealed with oakum rope joint sealant. For the most part, it is doing well but, more of the old chalk material is loose or missing (see pictures). This item will be included in the overall repairs to the basin through FEMA.

Rationale:  As previously mentioned, Carl Sousek of Prague has two poor/failing wells on his farmstead. They found water just under a half mile SE of his farmstead below the Cottonwood 6--B dam, on the other side of the creek channel. He has a choice to bore a water line under a deep creek bed or run the water line at the toe of the dam over the dam's outlet pipe. NDNR Dam Safety does not want the water line over or under the outlet pipe even though the line would be encased and valves on each end.
The District deals with water, dams and wells. Would we consider assisting Mr. Sousek in some way for the boring of the water line under the creek bed? See attached aerial photo.
Mr. Sousek inquired about a NRCS EQIP program called Small Scale and Urban Ag for running his water line. He found out that there isn't any guarantee that funding would be available through the EQIP program and that it would put him a year behind. He obtained a boring estimate of $15,000.
Nebraska Dam Safety will be inspecting some of the Cottonwood Dams on October 17th, and we'll meet with Mr. Sousek and Tim Gokie on site.

Rationale:  Our additional equipment request was recently approved by FEMA for 90% reimbursement, including: backup generator, storage building, dump trailer, pickup, and boom lift.

Procurement:
With legal counsel guidance, we are able to procure the generator and storage building through the procurement process that we did for our new building because both were originally included in the RFP and subsequently removed through value engineering deductions.  The dump trailer is being procured though a GSA contract and the pickup through a State of Nebraska Contract.  Seventeen boom lift providers were found online within a 50 mile radius of Wahoo.  Seven of the 17 indicated that they were able to provide a bids when contacted and were emailed specifics.  Four companies provided bids.  Staff reccomend the bid from Titan Machinery out of Fremont.

The backup generator and storage building are being run by Exec. Committee.
14' Dump Trailer = $26,407.36
Ford F-150 XL half-ton = $42,416
Boom Lift = $58,000

Rationale:  We have not received any applications or requests for payments.

Rationale:  For the month of August, the District received $5,117.50 in annual park permit revenue. The year by year break down is listed below. 
 

Month	Monthly Total	YTD
August 2024	$5,117.50	$68,619.00
August 2023	$2,630.00	$69,180.00
August 2022	$2,902.50	$71,447.50
August 2021	$2,700.00	$82,037.50
August 2020	$5,035.00	$92,622.50
August 2019	$4,302.50	$75,027.50

Rationale:   For the month of August, the District received $13,190.62 in camping revenue. The year by year comparison is below. 
 

August 2024	$13,190.62	$89,247.57
August 2023	$14,707.66	$97,877.06
August 2022	$15,626.91	$94,044.74
August 2021	$11,405.61	$93,918.37
August 2020	$18,197.95	$105,843.35
August 2019	$14,509.18	$83,346.32

Rationale:  The Clint Johannes Education Building at Lake Wanahoo was rented 14 times in September. Revenue for the month was $1,000.

Rationale:  The KTIC radio ads and Wahoo newspaper e-ads during September featured all three recreation areas. The radio ads for October feature the water reports reminder for producers (not too early for the December deadline!) and the Wahoo e-ads feature the availability of grass drill rentals. The ads are attached. 

Rationale:  The LPNNRD Facebook and X pages, along with the website are some of the fastest ways to get information out to the public. Facebook and X posts range from 12 -18 posts per month. If you are on Facebook or X, please like, follow, share, or retweet the Lower Platte North NRD posts!

Total reach/impressions show how many people saw the post/tweet. Engagements include likes, comments, shares/retweets and link clicks.

August had a total of 19 posts.

Followers for August	Total	Increase/Decrease
Facebook	1,648	.79%
X	447	-.88%

Posts included:
• Lake Wanahoo no hunting
• Public Notice: director vacancy
• Hiring Assistant Water Manager
• Lake Wanahoo/Set Your Sites
• Pick up your trash article
• Shell Creek Watershed Improvement Group 25 year celebration article
• Board Meeting/levy hearing reminders
• Hazard Mitigation Plan public survey
• NRD Recreation Exploration

 

WEBSITE	Users	Traffic Channel Changes	Top Pages	Devices
September	1,732	Organic -15.14% Direct 7.29% Referral -11.24 Social 321.43%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 58.1% Desktop 39.9% Tablet 2.0%
August	1,686	Organic -25.31% Direct -40.23% Referral -35.48% Social -55.17%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 63% Desktop 35.6% Tablet 1.4%
July	2,396	Organic -13.66% Direct 17.39% Referral -4.71% Social -50.85%	Lake Wanahoo Home Czechland Outdoor Recreation Downloads	Mobile 57% Desktop 41.5% Tablet 1.5%

Traffic channels: organic traffic means they use a search engine then choose an option that includes lpnnrd.org, direct traffic means they type in lpnnrd.org directly (or have it bookmarked), and referral traffic is any other traffic not from a search engine or social (such as a link from another site). As of mid-September changes for traffic channels and devices will show increase or decrease for the month.

Referral clicks from: NARD’s website 26, Wahoo newspaper website (LPNNRD digital ad) 0.
Clicks from Facebook: 45.
Clicks from Twitter: 4.
 

Rationale:  In the past, the Lower Platte North NRD has paid for the contestant fees for the Land Judging Contests. This year, the contest was held on Wednesday, October 2, with 286 total contestants. Contest fees are $3 per contestant.

Rationale:  Denver Mim was born on June 29th. She's got a ton of hair! Shares a birthday with her great grandpa and was named after her great grandma. She's a happy baby and a great sleeper!

Rationale: 

• October 4th: Ag literacy festival at the fairgrounds, Ashland-Greenwood middle school pm.
• October 8th: St. Wenceslaus Pre-K visit.
• October 9th: Survival Club
• October 10th: Coffee Lakeside: Bird Eggs.
• October 14th: Wahoo 3rd grade field trip AM
• October 24th: Aquinas Catholic Middle School Day; all about bees.

TBD more classroom visits and acquiring the snake.

Rationale:  The new Neptune meter reader has arrived and we will begin the transition from our PWG WaterWorks to the new system.
The initial lead service line inventory for both RWDs are nearly complete and will be submitted to EPA by the 10/16 due date.
 Digger's Hotline (811) locates have been steady with both districts with a larger fiber optic install along the Bruno line that required substantial locates.

Rationale:  Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 9/30.

Rationale:  The RWD will be moving forward with the new residential hookup along our Bruno line; the residence is north of highway 12B spur and technically outside of the RWD so it's their responsibility to cover the cost of boring line under highway.  A contractor has been procured and as soon as we recieve the tap-fee we will proceed.
The Bruno RWD completed its biannual sanitary survey on 9/19; no violations were recorded, one air vent had to be repaired.
Routine monthly sampling completed, meters read and bills mailed 9/30.

Rationale:  The deadline for applications was September 15.  The staff scored this year's applications and the previous years.  Attached is the list of applications.

Staff explained to the Committee the variance for Jay Nelson. The well is located in the LPNNRD and will irrigate a tract of land in Lower Elkhorn (LE) NRD.  This well already irrigates 35 acres from this existing well.  Last year, LE had a well in their district, which LPN allowed the producer to swing the pivot over land in LPN.  LE will still have to approve this application within their district.  

Staff recommends approving all applications that score 333 or higher, which the NRD will approve 2612.16 acres for a total of 199.48 acre feet of depletion.  

Rationale:  The NRD has received 2 applications in SQS #2 management area.  John Schure is requesting an additional 10 acres for the purpose of adding a swing arm onto an existing pivot.  He currently irrigates 140 acres with a 30-inch 3-year rolling allocation.  His average for the last 4 years has been 6.08 acre inches. By adding the additional 10 acres, his allocation would be 28-inches on a 3-year rolling allocation.  
Tim Foltz is requesting an additional 20 acres for the purpose of adding a swing arm onto an existing pivot.  He currently irrigates 206 acres with a 30-inch 3-year rolling allocation.  His average for the last 4 years has been 6.77 acre inches. By adding the additional 10 acres, his allocation would be 27.35-inches on a 3-year rolling allocation.  
Attached are maps of both sites with each site scoring over 300 points. 

Rationale:  An irrigation well was drilled in 2017 with conditions in the NE1/4 S20-14N-7E, Saunders County.  Attached is some updated information about the water levels in this area.  

Staff gave an update of the groundwater levels and trends for this area as this well has been irrigating for over 5 years.  Katie Cameron, UNL-CSD and ENWRA evaluated this area with AEM information, data logger information and explained what she observed.     

Rationale:  Katie Cameron gave an update on the projects the group is working on.  Katie showed an updated website for ENWRA, which is located at https://enwra.org/
Some of the projects she is working on are recharge areas, updating static water levels and accessing the AEM information.   She is always available to assist in geological evaluations for well locations.  

Rationale:  339 kits to producers so far in 2024.

Rationale:  Staff has sent the list to Tri-City Meters to start meter maintenance.  The area that the firm will be working is Zone 1, which is part of Butler, Colfax and Platte County.  The NRD is showing 331 meters that will be greased compared to 279 four years ago.  

Rationale: 

2024 is the twenty-second year for this Phase 2 Area. 

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 10.01 to 15 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 15 ppm
2004	0 to 25 ppm	46.3% (44 of 95)	8.4% (8 of 95)	45.3% (43 of 95)
2005	0 to 25 ppm	47% (44 of 94)	15% (14 of 94)	38% (36 of 94)
2006	0 to 24 ppm	41% (29 of 71)	14% (10 of 71)	45% (32 of 71)
2007	0 to 31 ppm	48% (48 of 100)	9% (9 of 100)	43% (43 of 100)
2008	0 to 28 ppm	53.75% (43 of 80)	7.5% (6 of 80)	38.75% (31 of 80)
2009	0 to 22 ppm	45.5% (41 of 90)	15.5% (14 of 90)	39% (35 of 90)
2010	0 to 35.7 ppm	48.65% (54 of 111)	11.71% (13 of 111)	39.64% (44 of 111)
2011	0 to 26.6 ppm	51% (56 of 110)	6% (7 of 110)	43% (47 of 110)
2012	0 to 28.9 ppm	57% (61 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	34% (36 of 107)
2013	0 to 25.8 ppm	50% (53 of 107)	9% (10 of 107)	14% (44 of 107)	26%
2014	0 to 22.3 ppm	51% (55 of 108)	13% (14 of 108)	18% (39 of 108)	20%
2015	0 to 32.3 ppm	43% (31 of 72)	8% (6 of 72)	14% (35 of 72)	33%
2016	0 to 35.1 ppm	34% (25 of 74)	11% (8 of 74)	26% (41 of 74)	26%
2017	0 to 23.5 ppm	36% (27 of 74)	15% (11 of 74)	19% (36 of 74)	22%
2018	0 to 30.9 ppm	40% (25 of 63)	11% (7 of 63)	22% (31 of 63)	28%
2019	0 to 24.5 ppm	46% (22 of 48)	10% (5 of 48)	28% (21 of 48)	22%
2020	0 to 20.5 ppm	33.33% (20 of 60)	13.33% (8 of 60)	35% (21 of 60)	18.33% (11 of 60)
2021	0.12 to 27.7 ppm	40.6% (26 of 64)	15.6% (10 of 64)	25% (16 of 64)	18.8% (12 of 64)
2022	0.13 to 23.0 ppm	43.75% (28 of 64)	12.50% (8 pf 64)	26.56% (17 of 64)	17.19% (11 of 64)
2023	0 to 19.8 ppm	50.8% (32 of 63)	15.9% (10 of 63)	20.6% (13 of 63)	12.7% (8 of 63)
2024	0.09 to 23.0 ppm	48% (27 of 56)	11% (17 of 56)	30% (17 of 56)	11% (6 of 56)

More samples from this area have been returned - these are either at HHS Lab or are to be taken to HHS Lab. 

Rationale: 

2024 is the ninth year of this Phase 3 Area.  This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015.  The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004.  The ten sections that were in Phase 2 are now in Phase 3.  As such, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 numbers (at bottom of table) are for 65 sections.

Year	Nitrate-nitrogen Range	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 0 to 8.0 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 8.01 to 10.00 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen 10.01 to 15 ppm	Percent Nitrate-nitrogen greater than 15 ppm
2004	0 to 47 ppm	30% (42 of 139)	10% (14 of 139)	60% (83 of 139)
2005	0 to 120 ppm	31.3% (74 of 236)	10.2% (24 of 236)	58.5% (138 of 236)
2006	0 to 53 ppm	28% (50 of 181)	14% (26 of 181)	58% (105 of 181)
2007	0 to 99 ppm	32% (75 of 231)	10% (22 of 231)	58% (134 of 227)
2008	0 to 46 ppm	28% (53 of 190)	12% (23 of 190)	60% (114 of 190)
2009	0 to 57 ppm	33% (72 of 216)	6% (13 of 216)	61% (131 of 216)
2010	0 to 57.5 ppm	31% (70 of 229)	7% (15 of 229)	62% (142 of 229)
2011	0 to 65.8 ppm	28% (67 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	63% (153 of 241)
2012	0 to 52.6 ppm	29% (70 of 241)	9% (21 of 241)	30% (150 of 241)	31%
2013	0 to 94.0 ppm	25% (63 of 252)	9% (23 of 252)	31% (166 of 252)	36%
2014	0 to 101.0 ppm	27% (68 of 251)	9% (22 of 251)	27% (161 of 251)	37%
2015	0 to 53.3 ppm	23% (55 of 238)	12% (29 of 238)	25% (154 of 238)	41%
2016	0 to 50.5 ppm	25% (58 of 228)	10% (22 of 228)	26% (148 of 228)	40%
2017	0 to 53.4 ppm	25% (60 of 238)	6% (14 of 238)	29% (164 of 238)	41%
2018	0 to 56.9 ppm	26.5% (50 of 189)	6.3% (12 of 189)	25% (127 of 189)	42%
2019	0 to 39.4 ppm	25% (53 of 209)	11% (22 of 209)	23% (134 of 209)	42%
2020	0 to 50.8 ppm	26% (69 of 261)	6% (15 of 261)	26% (66 of 257)	43% (110 of 257)
2021	0 to 43.0 ppm	25.5% (67 of 263)	8.4% (22 of 263)	24.3% (64 o 263)	41.8% (109 of 263)
2022	0 to 58.5 ppm	23.0% (57 of 248)	6.45% (16 of 248)	29.43% (73 of 248)	41.12% (102 of 248)
2023	0 to 46.5 ppm	26% (68 of 263)	6% (17 of 263)	24% (63 of 263)	44% (115 of 263)
2024	0 to 60.4 ppm	24% (62 of 256)	8% (20 of 256)	27% ( 69 of 256)	41% (105 of 256)

 

Rationale:  Staff presented information to the Board about considering moving part of the management area into Phase 4.  The plan at that time was starting on November 1, but as staff was still sampling wells in September this year, that date will not be attainable.  A hearing could be held the week of November 11, which would allow the hearing notices to be published 3 consecutive weeks with the last date 7 days prior to the hearing.  The Committee could review the information and make a recommendation to the Board in December and implement the new management area on December 10, 2024.
Attached is the proposed boundary, rules and producer agreement.  The proposed rules and boundaries are what staff suggests presenting at the hearing, with the rules being updated from comments received by producers last spring.  
Staff is asking the Committee to recommend starting the hearing process for moving a portion of the Schuyler-Richland Management into a Phase 4 level with management.  
It was suggested that staff and the committee determine what the goal and objective for moving into Phase 4 water quality management is.

Rationale:  An invoice is attached for $1,773.00 for nitrate assessment of the Shell Creek area in conjunction with Newman Grove and Platte Center. 

Rationale:  Attached is an invoice for $12,800.37.  This includes the 2 stakeholders meeting along with developing the first draft of the plan.  LRE is planning on presenting the first draft of the plan for staff's review in the first part of October. 
Attached is feedback from the stakeholder meetings.  
 

Rationale:  Water levels were measured in the WANN Basin on August 27 with conjunction with USGS, LWS and ECC (company that monitors the NAD cleanup).  Water levels were up 0.6 feet compared to the summer of 2023.   

Rationale:  The well of one site in Boone County was not run this year (soybeans).  Initial results are attached for the District.  

Rationale: 

# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.

 

Rationale: 

# wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.

Well Owner	Type of Well	Cost Share Estimate	County
Audra Jedlicka	Irrigation	1,197.76	Colfax

 

Rationale:  Attached is information on LB1368 Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NIRA) being implemented by NeDNR.  Lower Platte North could be receiving $38,058.73 once a contract is signed and implemented by both parties.  A draft contract is attached for review.  There are different priority areas, but staff recommend working in LPN Priority A areas.  

• Priority A Areas: Priority A Areas represent areas of elevated nitrate levels with enhanced management including wellhead protection areas and irrigated lands in phase II or higher areas. Most of these areas currently require establishment of a producer’s baseline information and data reporting to NRDs, including nitrogen application rates. NRD crop report data will be used to establish baseline nitrogen application rates for producers in these areas. 
• Incentive payments in Priority A Areas will be set at $15 per acre for producers that can demonstrate a reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application rates of the lesser of 40 pounds per acre or 15% of their baseline application rate. Under no circumstance can other nitrogen sources (manure, wastewater, etc.) replace the reduced commercial fertilizer.

The NRD has 30 producers in the Bellwood Area and 80 producers in the Schuyler-Richland Area.  Both of these areas are in Phase II or higher. 
If each producer signs up, the NRD could approve 25 acres x $15 x 110 producers equal $41,250.  (a little over, but all producers might not qualify)  
The other options would be 135 acres X $15 X 15 producers.  This would be more beneficial by doing larger fields in higher risk areas.
Some producers are already at the recommended rate, so decreasing 40 pounds might be tough.  
Items to consider when ranking the fields

• Field locations and look at soil types, depth to aquifer and risks.  The NRD has a risk tool evaluator already developed for these areas.    
• Could limit it to one phase area.  
• Willing to try different technology to decrease nitrogen rates.  
• Irrigation systems being used presently.  

The committee questions how many producers will think $15 is enough incentive.  Staff will work on developing a scoring system if more applications are received than money allows.  

Rationale:  Lower Platte River Drought Contingency Plan Trigger Updates

• • U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) Categories: as of September 27th, the Lower Platte Basin is divided into the following categories by percentage:
    • D2 - 0.12%  
    • D1 - 37.55%
    • D0 - 46.76% 
    • No Drought Category - 15.57%
  • Platte River near Ashland flow: 
  • Between September 1-27^th, daily mean discharge at Ashland varied between 1,100 cfs and 3,000 cfs (Severe Drought to no drought category according to the LPRDCP). Peak instantaneous flow was 3,870 cfs on September 2^nd.
  • Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) value at Ashland, NE: 
    • -3.22 as of September 27^th, 2024 (Severe Drought according to the LPRDCP)

 Highlights from the Central Region Climate & Drought Outlook webinar during September 2024:

• Seasonal Outlooks (October - December 2024): Temperature outlook is leaning to above-normal conditions, and precipitation has equal chances of above, below, or near normal conditions.
• Crop Conditions in Nebraska as of September 23^rd, 2024:
  • Corn: 66% mature, 67% good to excellent conditions
  • Soybeans: 75% dropping leaves, 66% good to excellent conditions.
  • Pasture and Range: 33% poor to very poor conditions
• Topsoil Moisture Conditions in Nebraska as of September 23^rd, 2024: 61% short to very short
• El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Outlook: Currently in ENSO-neutral and developing La Niña conditions. La Niña conditions expected to persist through winter.

Find current and previous drought products at the following website:

•  NeDNR’s LPRBC Drought Contingency Correspondence ShareFile site.

Rationale:  The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has $30,000 in funding for telemetry in monitoring wells. At the present time, most of the LPNNRD dedicated monitoring wells have telemetry already present.  Staff will be contacting communities within the district to determine if they have monitoring wells or test holes within their community so that a transducer can be utilized along with telemetry.  This can be beneficial during drought for communities to look at real-time water measurements beyond their municipal well locations.   

Rationale:  This week's beach Bacteria and Harmful Algal Bloom results are now posted on the NDEE web page (Current Health Alerts and Sampling Results For This Week). 

There are no lakes on Health Alert this week! Kirkman’s Cove Lake in Richardson County will be removed from Health Alert status. 
There are 0 beaches on Health Alert this week.

Current Lakes on "Health Alert"
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
None! ??

When a lake exceeds 8 ppb of microcystin it will be placed on Health Alert. If a lake is under a Health Alert, signs will be posted recommending people avoid full body contact activities such as swimming, wading, skiing, jet skiing, etc. 
There are 0 beaches with E.coli testing above 235 colonies/100 ml.

Lakes with High E.coli Bacteria
Lake	County	Microcystin (ppb)	Sample Date
None! ??

When E. coli bacteria levels test above 235 colonies/100 ml a Health Alert is not issued. However, conditions are at a higher risk to human health when swimming. Considering the more rapid changes in bacteria conditions, signs are not posted with these higher levels. Although, we want people to be aware of beach conditions and use their own judgment as to whether they use a listed waterbody.

Harmful algal bloom at a Nebraska Reservoir.
Have a good week and enjoy the lakes!

Justin Haas
State Lakes Coordinator
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
P.O. Box 98922
245 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 100
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
Direct: 402-471-4224 | Main Office: 402-471-2186
http://dee.ne.gov
 

Rationale:  The Committee would like a water retreat in the latter part of January or first part of February. This time period would allow any new Committee or Board members to get a water update.  Dave Hume from LRE will plan on attending to discuss the updated groundwater plan, new groundwater levels maps, updated sub-areas and suggested changes.  Other things that could be discussed are water quality issues.  The staff was looking at a date that would not be on Committee day.  

Water Committee meetings in November and December.  The November meeting lands on Wednesday, November 27 (the day before Thanksgiving) and the December meeting lands on January 1, 2025.  

The Water Committee Meeting for November will be held on Tuesday, November 26, at 6 pm and the December meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 6 pm.  

GMDA winter conference will be held February 25-27, 2025 in Temecula, CA.  If interested, please let staff know soon.  

Rationale:  Attached is a draft statewide report on irrigated acres and basins along with a report from NARD conference from Jacob and Daryl.

Rationale: 

24-S-5

RON VANEK

$                     15,000.00

Terraces w/ tile outlet, GWW

Clifford Prochaska*
NRCS field office personnel have notified the NRD that with current field conditions (specific to dryland) there won't be any construction work occurring without substantial precipitation or supplemental water.

Rationale: 

KIRK CARPENTER

$                       1,399.61

Windbreak/shelterbelt w/ irrigation

Rationale:  JEO is filling out the Notice of Interest with NEMA.  The total project is planned at $250,000 with the City of Fremont putting up required match of $62,500.  The goal of the proposed project is to update the current floodplain administration policies, procedures and ordinances to guide future development of Fremont.

Project activities/scope of work
The City desires to implement a program of outreach to public, commercial, and industrial sectors to both increase awareness of flood risk and support implementation of strengthened floodplain management requirements. Utilizing flood risk modeling completed through the Rawhide Creek Watershed Flood Protection Operations Plan and the Platte Township BRIC Project Scoping effort, the City has identified key flood risk data and regions not currently shown on the effective FIRM. These include the Rawhide Creek floodplain as well as additional detail such as depth and velocity for the Platte River floodplain. This information coupled with the direct damages experienced in the 2019 flood event and more recent ice jam floods shows the importance of updating the detail of flood risk data available to the public. The City proposes to do this through development of online outreach tools that will support distribution of flood risk awareness information from these new flood models alongside the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Additionally, the City plans to use this information coupled with stakeholder outreach to develop a series of floodplain management policy and ordinance updates. It is anticipated these updates will focus on risk assessment for new development, higher standards for utilities, standards targeted to high risk and high damage potential regions, and a substantial damage management plan to support preparedness for future flooding. It is anticipated these efforts will culminate in revised and strengthened floodplain management standards, development of a substantial damage management plan, and a program to support funding of retrofitting and acquisition of floodprone properties in the future. It will also serve as the foundation for potential improvements to the City of Fremont’s CRS score.
 

Rationale:  JEO addressed all state NRCS comments and submitted the draft plan to them on September 5th.  State NRCS will forward the plan to the National Water Management Center in Arkansas for their review.  Typically this review takes 30 to 60 days.

Rationale:  The drainage district continues to work through easement negotiations.

Rationale:  The Diking District plans to get a rough estimate on what a planning study might cost, so the county can submit a request to NEMA for planning funds.

Rationale:  Septic System Upgrade Applicatons:
Daniel Wegener for $8,700

Completed Septic:
Leon Wemhoff, total cost $13,939.26, SCWIG funds at 60% = $8,363.56 payment

Bill Bos has potential cover crop applications within the Shell Creek area.  He may have them in by 10/14 meeting; there is concern over field conditions.

 

Rationale:  Pre-bid construction meeting was held 9/19 with 9 different representatives attending.  
Bids for construction of the first three sites will be opened on October 2nd at 2:00 pm.  A motion to accept a bid will be needed at Board Meeting on October 14th.
Discussion regarding project construction manager.

Rationale:  Olsson design invoices and progress report is attached.

Rationale:  Danielle Allen and Elliott continue to meet with landowners for the remaining six sites.  Site 77 details have yet to be finalized to a point that we can start meeting with impacted landowners.  We expect to start meeting with those landowners starting this fall.
The temporary (construction) site access for the first three sites have been verbally agreed upon and Danielle is finalizing agreement documentation.
Permanent ingress/egress locations have been verbally agreed upon and will require legal description.
Olsson invoice attached.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting to approve, make payment and authorize Board Chair to sign the temporary construction easements for the Wahoo Creek Watershed Flood Reduction Project 26B and 27.

Rationale:  Our WFPO design funds for the seven dams from NRCS expired on September 30th.  Staff will work on compiling those expenses along with up to $15,000 of administration funds and getting a reimbursement request to NRCS soon.

Rationale:  We received grant funding from NRCS to support a new position dedicated to Source Water Protection activities in Wellhead Protection Areas throughout the District and our National Water Quality Initiative in the Wahoo Creek Watershed.  The award was for $204,475 for three years with the ability to extend two additional years if everyone agrees and NRCS has funding.  Our local match is just over 50% and includes a mix of cash and in-kind.  We will work toward submitting an NDEE grant to support on the ground practices that EQIP does not support - Similar to SCWIG.  319 funds are an option in the future to support this position should they be needed.  Logistics of creating this position are being run though Exec Committee.

Rationale:  An invoice and progress report is attached.  Recent efforts include JEO staff incorporating worksheet information from meetings, THIRA draft document, and initial work on the Drought Plan that is an add-on to our HMP.

Rationale:  Attached is the list of active NeBSP contracts that are due for annual payment.
Total number of contracts : 33
Total number of acres: 227.9
Total contract payment: $49,139.26

Rationale:  Tony Long - Alternate water/tank  - $19,379.93

A motion will be needed:
To approve $19,379.93 payment to Tony Long for implementation of an alternate water source and fencing within the Shell Creek Environmental Plan.  

Rationale:  Steve Beyer had prior approval for up to $4,500 of assistance to repair the dike along Skull Creek upon clearance from the Corps.  Attached is the letter from the Corps, as well as the final invoice.

A motion will be needed at Board Meeting - To approve $4,500 payment to Steve Beyer for completed dike repair work along Skull Creek.

Rationale: 

NOTE: The agenda is on file at the LPNNRD office and may be changed up to 24 hours prior to the meeting as scheduled.