Recent heavy rainfall events across southeast Nebraska demonstrated the critical value of flood control infrastructure maintained by the Lower Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD), with watershed structures preventing more than $1 million in estimated flood damages in Saline and Gage counties.
Lower Big Blue NRD’s Swanton Wildlife Management Area, one of 19 dams in the Swan Creek flood control system, fills after a large rainfall event June 5-6. The Swan Creek Watershed in Saline and Jefferson counties protected against approximately $386,980 in flood damage during the event.
Lower Big Blue NRD’s Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area, 5 miles northeast of Beatrice, stores water after a large rain event May 17. Bear-Pierce-Cedar Watershed in Gage County includes 26 flood control dams managing runoff from 40,455 acres. It protected against an estimated $651,013 in damages during May rain events.
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Flood waters are stored in Lower Big Blue NRD’s Turkey Creek Site 8 in Saline County June 7, 2026. Between June 5-6, seven Turkey Creek flood control structures, which manage runoff from 43,712 acres, helped retain flood waters and reduce downstream damage throughout Saline County.
