Report on the Platte River Basin, Nebraska Level B Study

• Description: related to the Platte River Endangered Species Partnership ‎(aka Platte River Recovery Implementation Program or PRRIP)‎
• State: NE
• Basin: South Platte
• Water Division: 1
• Date: 6/1/1976
• Author: Missouri River Basin Commission
• Title: Report on the Platte River Basin, Nebraska Level B Study
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

for better knowledge of the interrelationships of
ground and surface waters, (2) inventories of
water uses and wastes, (3) delineation of
agricultural waste sources, and (4) general
water quality surveys."
NEBRASKA STATE WATER PLAN
By action of the Legislature in 1967, the Ne-
braska Soil and Water Conservation Commission
(now the Natural Resources Commission) was
directed to analyze the soil and water resources of
the state and to prepare a comprehensive water and
related land plan for the State of Nebraska to be
known as the State Water Plan.
One section of the plan was completed and
published in May 1971 under the title "Report on the
Framework Study." In addition, the State Water
Plan includes "The Basin Studies, the Status Sum-
mary, and the Special Recommendations."
The stated purpose of the Framework Study
was:
... to provide a broad, conceptual framework
for the orderly, efficient development and man-
agement of the state's water and related land
resources. It is anticipated that this study will act
as a guide to all federal, state, and local entities
engaged in planning, design, construction, and
operation of resource development projects in
Nebraska. "
It was recommended in the Framework Study
that the Governor and Legislature should insure
that all planning for development and utilization of
the state's water and water related resources be
carried out on a coordinated comprehensive basis,
including quality and environmental as well as
quantity aspects. It was further recommended that
the state, through its several agencies, should par-
ticipate actively and intensively in the regional or
river basin planning activities to be accomplished
under the general guidance of the U. S. Water
Resources Council.
In recommendations for future planning there
was emphasis on the need to complete more de-
tailed studies in each of the State's river basins at
the level described by the Water Resources Council
as regional or river basin studies. The stated inten-
tion was to refine the state's Framework Study for
each river basin and to outline a plan for manage-
ment of each basin's water resources. Since the
Platte River Basin is geographically situated in the
heartland of Nebraska with land and water re-
sources of the highest importance, it was recom-
mended for high priority. That recommendation
also called for active support through ap-
propriations by the Nebraska State Legislature and
the Congress for initiating this joint study in fiscal
year 1972.
Authorization
The Platte River Basin Study in Nebraska was
authorized by Congress late in 1971. Federal funds
in the amount of $2.7 million dollars were provided
for fiscal years 1972 through 1975. The Nebraska
Legislature provided specific funding for several
state agencies to participate in the study. Estimated
state participation amounted to between $400,000
and $500,000.
Purpose and Scope
The overall pu rpose of the study was to formulate
a comprehensive plan for conservation, develop-
ment, and management of water and related land
resources in the Platte River Basin of Nebraska. It is
anticipated this management plan will provide a
major contribution to the basin planning needs for
that portion of Nebraska's State Water Plan. The
study area includes 6 of the 13 river basins delin-
eated by Nebraska for planning purposes. It will also
provide a flexible guide for federal actions in the
area.
After acceptance by the Missouri River Basin
Commission (MRBC), the report will beforwarded to
the U. S. Water Resources Council, the Governor
and Legislature of Nebraska, and the Governors of
the remaining nine Missouri Basin states. Com-
ments from the official 90 -day review by MRBC
member states and federal agencies will be included
with the report. The Water Resources Council will
review the report and transmit its recommendations
along with the report to the President for his review
and transmittal to the Congress.
STUDY SCOPE
This study is of reconnaissance level. Specific
problem areas have been identified and analyzed
and a flexible plan for water and related land re-
sources management is recommended. However,
specific projects and programs included in the plan
were analyzed only to the point where economic
justification and environmental acceptability were