Central Platte NRD Partners with NRCS on Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Plan

LINCOLN, Neb., August 26, 2026—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in partnership with the Central Platte Natural Resources District, received official approval in August for the Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Improvement Plan in central Nebraska.

The Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed spans over 106,200 acres in Buffalo and Dawson Counties, Nebraska and includes the Village of Elm Creek and the City of Kearney. The plan proposes the construction of two diversion channels to divert floodwater from Turkey Creek to the Platte River. The plan estimates the total construction cost of the project at$52 million with the local sponsor being responsible for approximately $25 million. 

Funding for the plan came through NRCS’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program (WFPO), which provides technical and financial assistance to states, local governments and tribes to plan and implement authorized watershed enhancement projects. NRCS provided $841,540 toward completing the Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Plan. With the plan approved, Central Platte NRD now qualifies to request future financial assistance from NRCS for developing the identified flood prevention measures.

“NRCS is pleased to have provided technical and financial assistance to Central Platte NRD for completing the Elm and Turkey Creeks Watershed Plan,” said Rob Lawson, NRCS Nebraska state conservationist. “One of our top priorities is assisting local sponsors in identifying and completing watershed projects for natural resource enhancements and public safety.”

“As local sponsors, we are very appreciative of NRCS’s commitment to watershed planning,” said Lyndon Vogt, General Manager, Central Platte Natural Resources District. “Their partnership has helped us identify essential improvements in the Elm and Turkey Creek watersheds to reduce flood damage in Kearney and to agricultural lands in the surrounding area.”  

More Information

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.  Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account.