• This webpage is intended to provide the public information on this project, including contact information for the project team. Comments and questions can be submitted at any time through the links at the bottom of this page.
• The Little Blue Natural Resources District (LBNRD) is the local project sponsor and is completing the project with funding assistance provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). LBNRD has hired JEO Consulting Group (JEO) to assist with all aspects of the watershed plan, including preliminary engineering, environmental analysis, and public involvement.
• As the project progresses, this website will be updated to reflect updates to the project schedule and to provide copies of materials that can be reviewed or downloaded.

Spring 2023

• During spring 2023, the LBNRD launched the Thirty-Two Mile Creek WFPO Plan-EA with support from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Spring 2023

• A kick-off meeting with local and state agencies is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1st with a public open house to follow that evening from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Kenesaw Fire Hall, 115 E Maple Street, Kenesaw, NE.

Fall 2023

• Project team members conducted an existing conditions analysis of the watershed area to assess flooding conditions.
• Potential flood risk reductions alternatives were identified by project team members.

Winter 2023/2024

• Project team members and NRD staff attended village board meetings for Kenesaw and Juniata, NE to update board members on the WFPO planning process and the potential alternatives being considered to improve flooding conditions in the area.

Spring 2024

• Project team members and NRD staff are meeting with local landowners to provide an update on the planning process and discuss possible flood mitigation solutions. 

• In response to repeated historic flooding in this area, most recently in 2020 (see pictures below), the LBNRD began work to secure project funding.
• This project is focused on identifying solutions to flooding within the Thirty-Two Mile Creek Watershed (see project area map). The watershed is approximately 65,734 acres – most of which is farmland – and includes Kenesaw, Juniata, highways, railroads, and several wildlife or recreation areas. This project is a study and planning phase only – any final engineering or construction would come in future phases.
• The final deliverable of this project will a Watershed Plan and Environmental Assessment (Plan-EA). The Plan-EA will be used to help document existing flooding, evaluate strategies for flood reduction strategies, and layout a plan for implementation. The planning process follows the NRCS requirements and once approved, projects will qualify for additional funding to complete design and construction.
• Major steps in this project include:
  • Review and analysis of existing resource data
  • Facilitation of several stakeholder and public meetings, where input and feedback will be gathered
  • Development of the draft watershed plan, which will then be refined based on stakeholder and public feedback
  • Provide a finalized watershed plan for adoption by the LBNRD
• In response to repeated historic flooding in this area, the LBNRD started taking steps toward creating the Thirty-Two Mile Creek WFPO (Plan-EA) to identify projects that could reduce flood damage. The planning process follows the NRCS requirements and once approved, projects will qualify for additional funding to complete design and construction. Selected projects must not only be effective at reducing flooding but must have a positive benefit-cost ratio.
• Current planning efforts started in the spring 2023 and are anticipated to be complete in spring 2025. During this time, the public is invited to attend meetings, review draft materials, and provide input – links and resources for doing so are provided at the bottom of this webpage.

• Public Open House Display Boards
• Project Fact Sheet
• Open House Photos
• Open House Summary

• Public input is extremely important to the project, and the project team is looking for comments on flooding problems within the Thirty-Two Mile Creek Watershed with a focus on agricultural and rural areas between Kenesaw and Juniata.
• For more information about the project or to share your feedback with the planning team, please contact Michael Placke, Project Manager at mplacke@jeo.com or (402) 432-4617.