The Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District (NRD) recently conducted a thorough assessment of stream restoration projects within the Long Pine Creek Watershed (LPCW) following significant rainfall. Between June 17-21, 2024. Brown County landowners reported 9-11
inches of rain in the area. The restoration projects demonstrated remarkable resilience, exhibiting only minor erosion along the streambanks.
These stream restoration initiatives are a collaborative effort involving local landowners, and several governmental agencies. The projects were identified and implemented as part of the Middle Niobrara NRD’s Water Quality Management Plan, with the initial phase focusing on developing the plan and identifying priority areas within the LPCW.
The outcomes of these projects are significant. They protect and enhance habitats across 36 miles of stream, improve water quality over an additional 27 miles of streams, and safeguard over 6,800 acres of land. These initiatives directly benefit more than 210 individual landowners and provide indirect benefits to more than 2,900 residents within the Long Pine Creek Watershed.
The stream restoration projects were funded with $1.7 million from the Nebraska Environmental Trust, $1.9 million in federal funding, and supplemented by $652,000 in local match contributions.